V.P. Speculation - From the Right and From the Left.

John McCain with Mike Huckabee

Political Insiders, Journalist, Pundits, and Beltway hanger-on’s are all weighing in on who they think the candidates should choose as running mates. How much weight should these individuals carry? The answer is simple: “No Weight at all”. The choice is up to the individual candidate, who hires a consultant or team of consultants to vet choices and ultimately make a decision based on several factors including experience and geography. What boggles the mind is that all of these pundits, insiders and the like, have no idea of what the voters want, and appear to feel that they know what is best for the country, more than the people, more than the candidate and more than the candidates staff. They may have a voice, but, they also may have an agenda. The Conservative Club for Growth is pushing Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor as their choice. Romney was their choice for the nominee, during the initial primary stages, they did everything they could to downplay the significance of the other candidates to no avail – they failed in that attempt to muddle with the political landscape – what makes them believe a second attempt will succeed?

John McCain with Mitt Romney

Newt Gingrich is suggesting and endorsing Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, an inexperienced, but upcoming Republican politico.

There is a clear difference between the arrogance of the two aforementioned, and the groups and journalist and pundits proffer suggestions and analysis to each candidate. Carl Leubsdorf, of the Dallas Morning News, wrote an excellent analysis of the McCain V.P. possibilities in this morning’s edition. His point of view: that McCain may want to look to those who have had experience on the campaign trail, and who have the support of a block of voters who may aid McCain come November. He goes on to point out the various pro’s and con’s of each name that has been bandied about, including Huckabee, Romney, (safe choices), Pawlenty, Portman, Jindal, Palin, and Hutchinson. (Full article here) What is refreshing about this particular analysis is that it is clear that this is Mr. Leubsdorf’s only.

The choices:

Mike Huckabee: Resonates with the south as well as the mid-west and west, brings the values voters (religious minded) to the mix, excellent debate skills, 10 years gubernatorial experience. Appeals to the regular folk, not Newt Gingrich, the Club for Growth or other ultra-conservative groups who prefer:

Mitt Romney: Brings the cash, will do well in the certain western states including Michigan and Utah, and has proven business leadership skills and some gubernatorial experience. He does not do well in the south or mid-west, is a favorite of elite conservatives (which is not seen as a plus by the grassroots).

Both men bring experience to the table.

The balance of the speculated upon are pure political picks based on race, age and gender and who John McCain invites to his picnics.

Barack Obama and Caroline Kennedy

Barack Obama is getting advice from Newsweek’s, Andrew Romano. Romano examines each potential pick in a weekly segment – to date, he has vetted Ted Strickland, Jim Webb, Hillary Clinton, Wesley Clark, and Sibelius and, in this weeks installment he looks at John Edwards. Obama’s is taking his advice from consultant, Caroline Kennedy, whose political expertise includes being the daughter of former President John F. Kennedy. (Note: Dick Cheney was in charge of vetting George W. Bush's 2000 V.P. Picks.)

Suffice it to say, that the V.P. choice is appearing critical in this particular election due to several factors (negatives) that both candidates possess, which may account for all the “suggestions” coming from those who think they know better than the candidate and the people who have their support and trust. In the final analysis, the election will not be won by the largest war chest, or the even the V.P. pick, but by the “trust” factor. It will be the candidate who makes the people believe he is the one they can trust to keep them safe, and who has the best record of working with the other side of the aisle. With congress ratings in the single digits, regardless of party, the time to put partisanship aside has come. The biggest factor for the politically engaged will be the Supreme Court – both parties understand that there will be replacements made during this next presidential term. For conservatives this is clearly a time to vote party line (further lessoning the import of the V.P. pick), as the Court is not quite balanced. It is much the same for the other side, the court is now being brought to bear as a reason to vote Democrat. Lanny Davis, former Clinton supporter, and now firmly in the Obama camp, in an interview at Fox, pointed to the danger of Roe vs. Wade being overturned – should McCain prevail. One might, therefore, expect to see ads from both camps referencing the court - the pro-abortion Democrats in support of Barack Obama and the anti-abortion Republican’s, in support of John McCain. Last thought: In 2004, Bush won a second term with the help of values voters, especially in key states where Marriage Questions were on the ballot.