Bill Nelson could boost Crist's VP prospects

Well, that's the theory from former Republican U.S. Rep. John LeBoutillier: "...(John McCain) needs to wait to see what the Democratic ticket looks like first because that ticket will signal their electoral strategy. For example, if Obama wins the nomination and picks Bill Richardson, then we know he is going for the Southwest region - New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado - full of Hispanic voters - plus McCain’s own Arizona and California (strongly Democrat anyway).

"Or Obama may go for Florida Senator Bill Nelson and try to take the Sunshine State out of the GOP column. In that case McCain might take Florida’s popular new governor, Charlie Christ (sic), who helped propel McCain to victory in January in the GOP primary there. That would make Florida the key to the whole general election race.

"So, until the Democrats pick both their nominee and ticket - don’t forget that as the ‘out’ party they go first - McCain should wait to make his decision."

Comments

[Dumb]

Folks, if McCain needs to pick Crist to "shore up" Florida, the McCain campaign is toast.

In August, McCain is going to look at the state of the race and then make his pick based on his current poll standing and the energy of his support among the conservative base.

If he's behind and his campaign needs a conservative kick in the butt, he goes with Romney. Bonus points for Romney's business background and Mitt won't be timid to be an attack dog. He's the only guy who would energize the conservative base - guys like Sanford or Barbour are too unknown.

If the race is close, then McCain goes with someone who can flip a blue state to red. That's Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota. Tom Ridge would be a potential if he wasn't a mod. Maybe Bob Portman to solidify Ohio, but I suspect he's unknown in most parts of his own state.

Summary of odds: 45% Pawlenty, 45% Romney, 10% someone else

Crist doesn't add anything to the ticket, as any McCain electoral math absolutely has to count Florida's vote as a given, otherwise it's going to be a long election night for the GOP.

[dave22]

Here is the guy we should be voting for President:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qSnRlmo7og&feature=email

Go to Lt. Col. Allen West's website, www.allenwestforcongress.com and sign up today. We need American Hero's like him and return real leadership to Congress.

Vice President Charlie Crist - one apoplectic attack away from the Oval Office. And let's not forget potential first lady Carol Rome. Ha Ha Ha Ha! Have we had enough speculation on this subject yet?

12:41 We need another warmongering GOP like we need a hole in the head. Will West stop posting his political ads on the Buzz once he's finally collected enough campaign funds to take out a real ad in the Times?

Crist will never get that far. If McCain's people are doing and have done any research at all, Charlie's there for the money raising and schmoozing. That's about all Mr. Happy knows how to do besides show up for photo ops and defer any answers with an 'I don't know. I haven't really thought about it or I'll get back to you.'

McCain will not pick a conservative. He does not need to pander to the right because they are forced to vote for him. McCain must select a moderate who might attract moderate Dems and Indies. Either way may be a moot point.

The Dems will turn out in monumental numbers to ensure Americans do not have to relive what they have lived through for the last 8 years.

If McCain wants the $ and the grassroots he MUST pick a conservative.

In a tight race he will need the ENTIRE base at the polls.

If the MCain camp doesn't know that they are on a team likened to the Titanic. Bob Dole Take II.

As it is, his urgent message of Global Warming is about as heartening to the base as his other priority closing Gitmo.

Will someone please alert this camp to some Republican ideas to rally the party?

Wait til the Dems pick their nominee; that's LAUGHABLE who cares?

It's as if the MCCain camp are the grand marshals in a national parade but haven't figured out yet not many are marching in line behind them. Nominee or not.

[Chance Brown]

If Obama is going to pick a Floridian I think he would do better to pick Bob Graham than Nelson. This is especially if McCain picks Crist. That would be a VP debate worth watching. Graham voted against the AUMF, was an accomplished governor, and older age may serve to help Obama.

[UF Grad Student]

If McCain wants to win the south, then he picks Huckabee, the Republcian who swept the region during the primaries.

If McCain wants to win, then opps, I'm being redundent, whoever wins the south wins the General Election.

Chance,
AMEN.

Charlie Crist makes Dan Quayle look like a really smart guy and a sharp debater.

Only way McCain picks Gov Crist is if the democrats pick Nelson or Graham

The fact that either of those two bozos are even in the converstion for VP prospects is sad and indicative of the nonsense that we call a political system. What is the claim to fame of either of them? One is the first "ambiguous" conservative elected as governor of Florida and the other one bullied his way onto a shuttle flight.

Neither Nelson or Graham can deliver Florida for the Democrat. Lloyd Benson couldn't delivery Texas for Dukakis, and John Edwards couldn't carry North Carolina for Kerry. Its a wasted choice. Graham looks too old and tired, and Nelson never came back from outer space!

[Chance Brown]

I don't disagree that it is not certain that Nelson or Graham would deliver FL to Obama but at the same time Florida cannot really be compared to Texas or North Carolina. The Republicans had a Texan at the TOP of their ticket so of course Benson's innate Texanness would not deliver the state and North Carolina is more conservative than Florida and John Kerry is no Obama.