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A GOP Running Mate Or Bridesmaid? (part two)
By John A. Tures
Associate Professor of Political Science
LaGrange College
July 4, 2008 — In my last column, I explained why many GOP conventional choices might not be the best for the Republican Party's 2008 Vice-Presidential nominee. Recognizing that my first prediction (Tom Ridge) might not come to fruition, I predict that McCain will select a woman for the ticket, and will explain which one is likely to be picked. The best way to determine such a candidate is to figure out is to construct a profile of who John McCain might pick, and why. First, we should winnow out those who endorsed another candidate during the primary season. That would eliminate Romney supporters like Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski (who has little more experience than Obama), Tennessee Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, Florida Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite, North Carolina Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, Texas Congresswoman Kay Granger, as well as Fred Thompson endorsers like Representative Sue Myrick (North Carolina). Rudy Giuliani backers like Congresswoman Judy Biggert (Illinois), California Congresswoman Mary Bono, Missouri Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson, and Michigan Congresswoman Candice Miller probably won't make the short list. Additionally, Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, New Mexico Congresswoman Heather Wilson, Ohio's Congresswoman Jean Schmidt (too toxic anyway), Ohio Congresswoman Mary Fallin, Virginia Congresswoman Thelma Drake, Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris, West Virginia Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, and Wyoming Congresswoman Barbara Cubin were listed as uncommitted. If that's the case, don't look for any of them to be chosen by the former veteran. Elizabeth Dole is listed as a supporter of the Arizona Senator, but I didn't see evidence McCain's former rival for the 2000 nomination as a supporter until the race was pretty much decided. Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison was known to frequently oppose McCain-Feingold legislation. Among Senators, that leaves the Maine duo Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins in the upper house of the legislative branch. As for the lower branch, McCain received support from congresswomen Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Florida) and Deborah Pryce (Ohio). Ros-Lehtinen would be an intriguing pick, and could help keep Florida in the fold, even if her national profile isn't as strong. Deborah Pryce was part of the House leadership (and just a notch more conservative), but a close call with a 2006 election led her to forego a rematch this year. Snowe is well-respected by both sides of the aisle, but her liberal voting record will hurt among conservatives. That leaves Maine Senator Susan Collins. She's finishing up two terms in the United States Senate, and was an early supporter of John McCain. She's served on the Armed Services Committee and Homeland Security Committee. She commands Snowe's respect, but doesn't have her high profile on liberal issues. Her only drawback is that she's locked in a tough reelection battle with Congressman Tom Allen this year, but one wonders whether she'd help the party more in retaining a Senate seat or the White House. If Tom Ridge can't be the nominee, look for Collins to be McCain's pick, with dark horses Ros-Lehtinen and Pryce as able second choices. |
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