When it comes to the Republicans, speculation about the Veepstakes has been much more toned down than it has when the media ponders who Barack Obama will pick to run by his side, but it’s hardly any less wildly speculative.

Condoleezza Rice

Secretary Rice is perhaps the best fantasy running mate for McCain in the eyes of many Republicans. For starters, she’s African American, and might siphon off votes that would otherwise be cast for Barack Obama, but that is unlikely.

She is obviously also a woman, and can probably do an effective job at bringing women crossover votes to the GOP ticket, especially the large numbers of disgruntled Clinton voters who have sworn to not support Obama.

There’s also a perception by the advocates of Condoleezza’s candidacy that she has somehow weathered the Bush administration unscathed from the unproved war in Iraq, and untarnished by the plurality of scandals that have driven her Commander in Chief’s approval ratings to historic lows.

The thing is, though she hasn’t escaped it, and she’s marked by it. Her supports only think so because they’re Republicans, and are counted among a vast minority of Americans who still think that Bush is doing a good job.

Should McCain choose elevate Rice, then expect the DNC, every liberal-leaning 527 group in America, and even the Obama campaign to be running ads on every TV station from CNN to Cartoon Network with the words “mushroom cloud” rolling off of the Secretary of State’s not-so-innocent lips.

Bobby Jindal

“Bobby who?” He’s the current Republican Governor of Louisiana, who achieved office thanks to, in no small part, the exodus of poorer residents following Hurricane Katrina.

Jundal took office only one week after the 2008 New Hampshire primary. With extreme youth and charisma, not to mention his Indian heritage, he is figure who many in his party view as the embodiment of a new and diverse future.

While that may well be true, Jundal has yet to serve one year in a major political office. He has at hand the task of rebuilding his state, and he’s taking it more seriously than any Republican, including John McCain, who has twice voted against the establishment of a commission to inspect the tragedy.

The last thing needed for Republicans in this election is a constant reminder of the Bush administration’s failed response to the country’s worst disaster since September 11th.

Mitt Romney, Rudy, Huckabee, Colin Powell

“But he should’ve been the real Republican nominee,” supporters of the four above mentioned men state with ferocity.  But, what happened was that Mitt Romney imploded after he first took a firm stance on every issue, followed by a reversal it during televised debates.

Rudolph “Noun, Verb, 9/11” Giuliani realized that fear alone didn’t work in 2008 the same way that it did for George W. Bush’s 2004 reelection campaign. It also turns out that for the Republican Party, true compassionate conservatism isn’t really what their values are, which is why Mike Huckabee was never able to raise enough money or party support to compete. 

As for Colin Powell, it seems apparent that his departure from his cabinet post was also his departure from politics. That might be the reason why he didn’t even consider running for the nomination. Does anyone even know if he’s still a Republican?

Electoral Dynamics

John McCain is in a position to do one of two things. He can either step out of the way while Barack Obama makes history, or he can he can bring the fight to Obama’s doorstep, and keep this race close and tight, right up to the end.

Don’t let Obama’s talk of a “50 State Strategy” fool you. I remember how well this worked in NBC’s The West Wing. Truth be told, Florida is out of reach for the Democrats this year, along with every Southern state aside from Virginia.

There are two fronts in the battle, first and most important is the Midwest, which contains the most pivotal battleground states this election will see. These traditionally democratic trending states are in McCain’s sights, and his “maverick” perception helps him sway moderate democrats and independents. Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, and Wisconsin are all up for grabs. That’s 69 electoral votes, and McCain is polling strong in all six.

The second front is the Southwest, where the Arizona Senator has the hometown advantage. Neighboring New Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada only offer a combined 14 votes in the Electoral College, but in this race, the margin of victory may be as low as just two.

A Shortlist With Teeth

The following are the top three most effective running mates for John McCain. They are who can get the most votes in the most important states, and perhaps put a firewall in-between Barack Obama and the 270 electoral votes he needs to claim victory in November.

Charlie Crist – #3

The popular Governor of Florida is someone who many call handsome. He has a definite air of youth around him, after all, why not? The 50’s are the new 30’s in politics. Plus, he has a good tan.

I mention his youthfulness because John McCain is widely perceived, even by members of his own party, as a one-term president, that is if he gets elected. There is also opinion held by some that he could die any day.

Charlie Crist is the perfect man for McCain to point to and say, “This man is the future of this party; he’s next.” There’s nothing revolutionary about him, but he’s the average Republican who can connect to the beer drinkers and draw in votes from men, especially the kind of men who have wives who will follow in line.

Senator McCain has met with Crist on several occasions, but neither man is willing to show his hand. The odds are, that this particular discussion has come up between them.

Joe Lieberman - #2

In 2006 when facing off in a debate against primary challenger Ned Lamont, Lieberman proudly proclaimed that he is committed to electing a Democrat as President in 2008. Barack Obama even campaigned on his behalf.  Today he is one of John McCain’s most vocal, most visual, and most intimate supporters, having personally inspected McCain’s bearings and finding nothing wrong with them. That just goes to show that you really can’t spell “Lieberman” without “lie.”

Can a Democrat really help a Republican win a presidential election by being the Vice Presidential candidate? You betcha. And Lieberman may not remain a member of the Senate Democratic Caucus for much longer with the way things are trending.

Barack Obama has a problem courting the Jewish vote by measurable Democratic standards, and has between 7% to 10% less Jewish support than his chief rival Hillary Clinton. In states like Nevada and Michigan, where there are over 180,000 swayable Jewish votes to be gotten at, Lieberman may yet deliver for his favorite Senate colleague.

Despite the commonly perceived notion that having Lieberman on the ticket would alienate Republican voters, the only likely regions where this effect may be felt are areas such as Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, where a McCain win is absolutely ensured.

Further, the ensuing sound bites of the former Democratic Vice Presidential candidate disowning his party will not turn off Republicans, but bolster them with echoes of John Warner fondly in mind as the Connecticut Senator talks of how he’s remained steady while his party has changed.

Propagandists such as Bill O’Rielly and Rush Limbaugh will delight at airing comments by Lieberman saying how he’s relieved that God put George Bush in office to lead the nation through some if its darkest moments.

Combined with McCain’s own perception of being “independent” in both the media and in the electorate, Joe Lieberman could ably court both moderate democrats and independents into voting Republican this year.

Sarah Palin – #1

A virtual unknown on the national stage, Sarah Palin is a former journalist, mayor, beauty contestant, and the current Republican Governor of Alsaka. She’s a mother of five, and her 19 year old son is serving in Iraq. If chosen, Palin would become the next political overnight sensation, and McCain has spent time visiting with her recently.

With a pretty face, quick wit, charm, and her projected self-confidence, Palin’s candidacy would immediately draw attention away from Barack Obama, and close the gap in news coverage that currently exists between the two campaigns.

Crisscrossing the country, she will attract a portion of the largest voting bloc that the democrats have: women, particularly in the all important states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. This year may not see the first women elected President, but it could well see the first woman to be elected to the executive branch – and that will be her rallying cry.

Seemingly moderate on the surface, the politics of Governor Palin are as conservative as those of McCain. She aggressively opposes abortion rights and same-sex marriage, and is a member of the advocacy group Feminists for Life.

Though Gov. Palin is portrayed in the media as tough on big oil, she supports drilling in ANWR, and launched a lawsuit against the US Department of the Interior for listing polar bears as “threatened.”

During her term as governor, she has enjoyed record-high approval ratings, which are currently 84%, the highest of any current politician anywhere in the United States. Having Palin on the ticket is anything but a surefire win for Republicans in the fall, but it may very well be John McCain’s best chance to take the White House.

McCain’s Tough Decision

Sarah Palin, Joseph Lieberman, Charlie Crist, in that order represent the best chances that Sen. McCain and the Republican Party have if they will indeed hold on to power for the next four years, and continue to impede the efforts of Senate Democrats to advance their own Middle East policy, healthcare agenda, and all other initiatives.

There are other potential running mates for McCain, but these names represent the men and woman who can best get him the thing that he needs most: Electoral Votes.