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Veepstakes Watch: A Ridge Too Far?

June 25, 2008 9:12 AM

"For almost two years former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge failed to register a nearly half-million-dollar lobbying contract that he had with the government of Albania," Roll Call's Anna Palmer reports (subscription required).

After the Justice Department contacted the former governor of Pennsylvania and Vietnam veteran -- often named as a possible vice presidential candidate for Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. -- Ridge filed the required registration statement.

"It was brought to my attention after the contract expired and my lawyer said under the circumstances I probably should have filed," said Ridge, a national co-chairman of the McCain campaign . "I didn’t think it was [necessary] to register."

I would say it could be problematic for McCain to run with lobbyist as his running mate. McCain spox Tucker Bounds says: "Sen. McCain is not aware of the exact circumstances of Gov. Ridge’s work as a lobbyist for Albania, an important European ally to this country, in 2006 and 2007. "However, the governor is in full compliance with the McCain campaign’s lobbying policy, which requires that part-time volunteers disclose current lobbying work and agree not to lobby John McCain or his staff on those issues or participate in campaign policy making on that subject."

Hope that Albania contract was worth it. I might posit that Gov. Ridge just lobbied himself off McCain's short list (if the abortion-rights-supporter was ever on it.)

- jpt

June 25, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (14)

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Ridge was a DISASTER as the first DHS head. He presided over the biggest invasion of the U.S. by Mexico. Conservatives loathe Ridge for that and the fact that he's a Bushie, just as Portman is. McCain would be a fool to pick Ridge. He couldn't even guarantee PA for McCain!

Pawlenty's an unknown. That bridge collapse made him look awful. The Dems are going to use that video of the bridge collapse if he's picked. Conservatives don't trust him.

Portman would only be picked if McCain thinks he can give him OH. That is no guarantee. Ohio might go to Obama if Hillary campaigns for him there.

Romney is by far the best choice. Why? Because a modicum of conservatives will back McCain with the knowledge that McCain if elected won't run for re-election in 2012, leaving Romney as the heir-apparent. While he did hire a landscaping company who hires illegal aliens and continued using that company even after it was revealed that this company was still using illegals, Romney is seen as tougher on illegal immigration than McCain, but not by much.

Posted by: levotb | Jul 25, 2008 4:12:38 AM

Kathleen Sebelius would be great
for either VP slot. If McCain could
pull it off it would be amazing. Mitt
Romney is the most qualified of the lot. America seems to be more interested in pandering than actual qualifications. I am amused that there is a Huckabee fan club. Is West Virginia a state or an alcoholic beverage?

Posted by: disambiguates | Jun 25, 2008 7:14:27 PM

Senator Obama has 49,100,000 LIES posted on the net. Read them all before GE. Have fun.

Posted by: Mai | Jun 25, 2008 2:54:43 PM

Ridge has been out of circulation for a few years, I don't know that he was a serious contender anyway.

As for the Biden talk, he made it pretty clear last Sunday on Meet the Press that he didn't want the job, but would reluctantly take it if Obama asked. Do you really want to pick someone who in June says he doesn't want the job?!

Posted by: Knowitall | Jun 25, 2008 2:48:34 PM

Good; I'm not that crazy about Ridge. McCain/Romney... that's the winning ticket!

Posted by: HoosierSue | Jun 25, 2008 2:31:26 PM

Do you mean Obama's puppet master must choose a VP

Posted by: spock | Jun 25, 2008 2:21:38 PM

Posted by: Deep Release | Jun 25, 2008 9:20:57 AM

Rendell already said he doesn't want it because he doesn't like taking orders.

Posted by: J | Jun 25, 2008 11:07:00 AM

Sarah Palin.

That would be a stroke of political genius.

Posted by: drjohn | Jun 25, 2008 11:02:46 AM

mccain does not need a vp beacuse he is going to lose

Posted by: angie | Jun 25, 2008 10:19:33 AM

Mr. Crist is a good choice. He is pretty popular in Florida. The Democrat VP is less important. The Dems success depends on Mr. Obama.

Posted by: Independent | Jun 25, 2008 10:00:20 AM

Biden is originally from PA I should say.

Posted by: dl | Jun 25, 2008 9:44:46 AM

I don't know if he'll be off ... I think he is picking Pawlenty (mr. ignore infrastructure and watch your bridges collapse all in the name of running on lower taxes)
Obama is going to pick Biden...mark my words

so that means...

Biden is from PA

He needs someone who looks like they could be President heaven forbid the old guy have a heart attack)

Whoever is in the VP slot for McCain has to go head to head with Biden in a debate (the 2nd biggest contribution of the VP choice) and heaven help the guy that is going to go head to head with Biden in a one on one debate...especially trying to hold a lead in the foreign policy/terrorism issues.

...and Tom Ridge is actually still likable as opposed to a Mitt...who makes most people's skin crawl.

but yeah I think he is out...I think it is going to be Pawlenty...and heaven help him...if that is his strongest choice...

then again maybe people won't remember the bridge that wasn't inspected correctly after he limited the already weak infrastructure budget.

Posted by: dl | Jun 25, 2008 9:42:41 AM

rendell boo

Posted by: bhrandon | Jun 25, 2008 9:42:30 AM

Are we going to see two PA governors as running mates on both sides?

Don't any other swing states have viable candidates?

Posted by: Deep Release | Jun 25, 2008 9:20:57 AM

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