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.
