A Short List of Veeps

Canada Free Press has some suggestions for the McCain campaign on who they think would make a great vice-president. And, for those interested, the list contains (gasp!) some Democrats:

• Michael Steele - The former Lt. Gov. of Maryland is one of the most articulate and thought provoking politicians in the nation. He’s energetic and would add vigor and appeal to the ticket. He connects well with audiences and with the public in general. With him on board the GOP ticket may also end up being the historic one this year, as Steele’s a proud African-American Republican, but that’s a side benefit.
• Steve Forbes - How about fighting an election on the economy with Steve Forbes at your side? Need I say more? The down side is that he doesn’t bring excitement to the ticket. But if the main issue is the economy……. well, let’s just say we’ll have our man.
• Tom Ridge - This former Governor of Pennsylvania and Director of Homeland Security left the Bush Administration long ago enough to be considered a relatively fresh face. The drawback is that he’s not exciting and is still connected with the old administration. But he helps put Pennsylvania into play. And this year, that factor may be most necessary.
• Lynn Swann - Swann is energetic, exciting and intelligent. He’s another great candidate. As an African-American, he’d inspire and make history, just as would Steele. Had Swann done the impossible and won the Pennsylvanian Governorship during the tidal wave of 2006, I’m sure he’d be on the top of any short list. Still, he does help in Pennsylvania and nationwide. Furthermore, while Steele will help in Maryland, it’s so doubtful that he could actually carry the state and is only being recommended for his nationwide appeal (something he’d enjoy more than Swann, with Steele having held elective office). But on a regional battleground level, what Swann can provide in Pennsylvania may be more than enough to help carry the state.
• Jim Webb - This would be the ultimate coup d’etat pick. Webb is on the Democrats’ short list for VP Nominee should the “dream ticket” to nowhere not come about. It may not be doable for McCain, but should Webb, the Reagan Democrat, come around on national security and recognize that his new party’s positions are more fraught with harm than with good, he may just go for it
• Jon Tester - A more realistic coup d’etat pick. The Junior Senator of Montana is a folksy, down to earth, moderate Democrat who may join the McCain ticket sooner than Webb would. Like Webb, he’d need some convincing.
• Joe Lieberman - He’d join the ticket and is the most realistic player in the coup d’etat scenario, having already been sidelined by far left Democrats. As he’s already announced his support for McCain, partisan Democrats would not be moved at all. But very few solid Democrat voters would be moved by a Webb or Tester move either, and Lieberman has more stature among independent swing voters.

It will be interesting to see Johnny Mac’s choice. I am guessing it will not be a conservative Republican, but someone more attractive to the moderates and independents.