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Let the Veepstakes Begin!

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February 08, 2008 12:04 PM

ABC News' Ron Claiborne Reports: For the first time, Senator John McCain described the kind of person he would look for in a running mate if he wins the Republican nomination.

"The fundamental principle behind the selection of any running mate will be that person is fully prepared to take over, and shares your values, your principles, your philosophy and your priorities," McCain said on Friday in Norfolk, Virginia, in answer to a reporter's question.

Until now, McCain had brushed off any veepstakes questions as premature.  Times have changed.

"Obviously, if I'm the nominee, we'll start the process. And, again, I don't want to discount the candidacy of Governor Huckabee. He's in this race."

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, however, is no longer in the race (and we mean this race), prompting many political pundits, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, to confirm McCain is their man in 2008.

WATCH GINGRICH ON 'GMA' BY CLICKING HERE.

McCain said he would not necessarily seek geographical balance in selecting his number two.

"Former president Clinton and former vice president Gore showed that you don't have to be regionally different," he said. "I think that America is such now that regional differences doesn't play the role that maybe they did in earlier times."          

February 8, 2008 in Giuliani, Rudy, Hunter, Duncan, Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (53)

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Condi Rice would be a great choice if she would accept it.
Governor Rick Perry of Texas would be another great choice.

Posted by: reaganfan | Feb 8, 2008 12:11:14 PM

Immaterial. I seriously doubt it will matter who McCain picks, for it's profoundly unlikely that he'll be the next president. America is sick to death of Republican incompetence and malfeasance, and will turn the page of history in November. The GOP is about to enter a richly deserved, very long stretch in the political wilderness.

Posted by: Mark | Feb 8, 2008 12:15:37 PM

If Clinton wins the nomination, McCain will have the freedom of knowing the GOP base will be with him no matter what. My guess is he picks Lieberman. Out of the box? Sure, but you heard it hear first.

If Obama wins the nomination, McCain will be forced to pick someone the base already likes and trusts. I'm not sure that's Huckabee as he represents one side of the tent more than others. Someone the 'whole base' already likes and trusts. Maybe Brownback?

Posted by: Paul | Feb 8, 2008 12:16:09 PM

yuk yuk on any of the above

Posted by: dmsc | Feb 8, 2008 12:58:11 PM

I cannot imagine Lieberman being picked at all. Maybe he might find a spot in a potential McCain cabinet, but never on the ticket. That would just cause too many problems. Huckabee would be a big favourite for the choice. I don't quite know who else might b a suitable choice for McCain. Maybe a Chuck Hagel type figure?

Posted by: markymark | Feb 8, 2008 1:30:20 PM

The media wants you to think this is over. It's not. McCain has about 720 delegates, and needs almost 500 more. That's a lot of states. Personally, I refuse to be told who to vote for by the media. My vote goes to Huckabee.

Posted by: Ben | Feb 8, 2008 1:31:30 PM

I like Mike! At this point, veepstake isn't my consern. A great President is. Q: why are we speaking who McCain would choose for VP, and not the other candidates?

Posted by: callenfallen | Feb 8, 2008 2:08:08 PM

Pro-Huckabee comments made here are actually REMOVED? What have we come to?

Posted by: Ben | Feb 8, 2008 2:36:28 PM

He can pick Santa Claus, if he thinks it'll help. But it won't ... democrats are coming out in huge numbers to toss these crooked, incompetent republicans fools out of the white house and into the unemployment line.

Posted by: Ken | Feb 8, 2008 3:35:49 PM

Condi Rice are you nuts . MAC ain't that stupid and will not remind people of a failed Bush policy .
Duncan Hunter would be great .

Posted by: Don | Feb 8, 2008 4:10:10 PM

I just love how the media is so set on McCain already having won his nomination. It's not over yet, folks. He still has a lot of votes he needs to win. Huckabee is definitely still in the race, and with Romney out of it his chances have increased.

Don't listen to the media.

Posted by: SuperHuck | Feb 8, 2008 4:59:27 PM

The Republicans will be crushed this year. America is sick of what Bush and the GOP has done to ruin this country. America was a shining example for the world,now we're despised across the globe. We're becoming a torture loving, warmongering nation much like Nazi Germany was. Plus most Americans want to be out of Iraq,we're going broke finacing this neverending war. China will soon own us if we continue unending wars forever.

Posted by: AJ | Feb 8, 2008 5:02:03 PM

Who the #$!! decided to let McCain be a Republican anyway~??? Liberal to the bone, I have less than zero respect for his wife and their lives. Read about them, other than his 5 years as a POW and who knows what happened then, and form your own opinion.
Just let him do an abrupt about face, though he could never undo the harm he has done for years in D.C., and TRY to behave themselves so they at least don't embarrass us in the White House. We had enough of that, and military negligence, with the Clintons.

Posted by: Laine | Feb 8, 2008 6:04:47 PM

Huckabee would have to win 83.3% of the rest of the delegates that are out there. Any race where he had a chance is already over. Get over people. Romney had a better chance than Huckabee and thanks to Huckabee the meglo-maniac we are stuck with McCain. Better him than Obama or Clinton, solely for the reason that he would appoint more conservative judges.

Posted by: BW | Feb 8, 2008 6:11:28 PM

I congratulate Mitt Romney for a well managed campaign. He was strong with his efforts and his message. Although, I'm a little disappointed that the best candidate dropped from the race, I'm delighted in the humble and honorable way in which he did so. He proved today that he is, in fact, the republican with the most integrity and truly has America's best interests at heart. I just hope that John McCain can step up to be the conservative that we need in this country -- if not the democrats will win. I salute Romney for his valiant nature and hope he can continue to be an influence and a motivator in the republican party!!!

Posted by: lynn | Feb 8, 2008 6:27:19 PM

Prediction: With McCain a shoo-in for the nomination... he will appease the NRA and the ditto-heads with his VP... Jeb Bush. Think not? Consider how McCain has 'forgiven' everything the Bush/Cheney/Rove express threw at him... and supports practically everything the current administration pushes. Here's the scenario: the Bush camp (and by that I mean those who really run things... NOT Dubya) struck the deal with McCain. He secures the presidential nomination, provided he brings little brother Jebster along for the ride. One term and turn the reins over to the VP, who takes the party nod with no real challenge. Even more likely... McCain serves two years and one day, then resigns -- concerns of health, possibly -- and gives JB the keys, allowing him the chance to serve almost ten years as the Thief Executive.

I'm disappointed in McCain. I supported him in 2000, but he couldn't fend off the Bush dirty tricks. Now he's gung-ho for Iraq. What a shame.

Posted by: Great Caesar's Ghost | Feb 8, 2008 8:27:22 PM

How bout Sam Brownback?

Posted by: magpie | Feb 8, 2008 10:10:37 PM

How about Liddy Dole?

Posted by: zippo | Feb 8, 2008 11:16:26 PM

I will stick with Huckabee as long as he is in the race.

If McCain wins he can't carry enough of the south to win on his own or with another moderate as his VP.

Huckabee can win the south for him. Anyone else he loses.

Posted by: edjamgra | Feb 8, 2008 11:45:58 PM

God help us....you people need a dose of reality....

Rommeny lost...he won less states than huck...and while it is a long shot do not count him out from running the tables he will take a lot of votes and you will again be surprised....

The country can not stand the hildabeast it would be ...forget it....

McCain will not choose Jeb Bush He will pick Rudy or Huck...only two choices that make any sense...Rudy is out because I believe he wants a seat on the beanch....Rudy will play a real role in the general....

The dems will have blood in the streets..come convention time 1968 redux

Posted by: James C. Karmer | Feb 8, 2008 11:53:11 PM

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