VP Madness: It's Crist vs. Thune

Congressional Quarterly has come up with a cool bracket-style contest letting people decide matchups between possible VP picks for John McCain. Gov. Charlie Crist beat J.C. Watts in the first round. (Jeb Bush lost to Joe Lieberman.)

Now Crist faces U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota.

Comments

Gov. Crist would be a horrible choice for Sen. McCain. He (Gov. Crist) is disliked by conservatives and Sen. McCain already has to rehab his relationship with conservatives. If he chooses Gov. Crist it will create a civil war within the Republican Party.

[Cristman '08]

11:30, take your meds and relax. The best chance for a GOP vitory in the fall is McCain not having to worry about Florida, and working on reaching all voters. Charlie Crist is a hellacious campaigner and will show America that the republican Party is about doing what matters for average Americans voters not diving on the sword on issues that have no impact on peoples lives. GO Charlie GO!!!

11:30 is exactly right. 12:02 is either George or Charlie himself.

McCain has got to pick a conservative to keep the party together in November.

Thune craps more substance than Charlie has...

[Crazy John]

Check out these websites!

http://www.johnmccainusa.com

http://www.johnmccainforflorida.com

http://www.floridaforjohnmccain.com

http://www.mccainforflorida.com

If McCain wants to win Florida all he has to do is pick Mitt Romney as his VEEP. Romney's intellect and expertise in economics gives him crossvoter appeal; especially from the Reagan Democrats). Romney has a proven record of success in financial turnarounds and a stellar education from Harvard, and BA and Law Degree.

Romney also has a background in market based health insurance solutions as opposed to socialized medicine that Congress and Obama would seek. He would be a rock star in domestic policy. McCain must pick a conservative to energize the base, if he goes to the middle he will lose.

[Campaign Manager]

If Romney can convince his donor base to open their wallets for McCain, he will be the VP nominess. If not, Pawlenty or Crist are my bets.

A few weeks ago, I would have said you were crazy if you told me that Crist could be the VP nominee, but I can no longer stand in the way of the common wisdom.

McCain and Crist are close enough and McCain is deep enough in debt to Crist that this could happen.

However, except for having to writing off Florida, I don't think Obama is shaking in his boots at the prospect of competing against long-time bachelor, the Suntan Man.

Romney has already raised hundreds of thousands(maybe millions) for Senator McCain and has commited to raise 15 million for him for the 2008 election.

No other VP candidate in contention could do that. If they could, they'd be doing it. Romney has a national grassroots army waiting in the wings unlike the rest under consideration. Crist cannot be the VP for several reasons, his support would only be regional (FL), he would not energize the base, he would not bring in big business contributors that have confidence in him unlike Romney's proven record... at Bain Capital, the 2002 Olympics, and saving Massachusetts from a 3 billion deficit to a successful financial turnaround. Crist's moderate-liberal ideology is well known & has been documented in the Wall Street Journal, National Review, American Spectator and other economic periodicals. McCain needs a conservative and someone who can step in and run the country if needed. Romney's not only the best pick to win but he's the most qualified for this slot.

Who cares? McCain, if elected, will be a huge disaster for our country and the future of the GOP. It doesn't matter who the number 2 is.

First, Thune is ridiculous. Second, Romney takes religion off the table. Third, Crist takes experience off the table. Fourth, Crist will not make sense if Obama chooses Sen. Nelson or former Sen. Graham (who cares if he's old).

Basically, McCain needs all of these issues on the table and needs Obama to choose his VP first.

Gov Crist has no chance as V.P.

Take it from someone who knows.

Condi Rice & Mitt Romney are the favorites.

It makes no difference who McSame picks… although I hope he does pick Chuck. That way, the whole nation can see what a moronic, closet gay, useless piece of work he is.

Mitt is a hypocritical empty suit and Condi is a lesbian. No way either of them get the nod

Best choice will be Rice. That selection would put California, New York, New Jersey and half of democratic territory in play. It would also neutralized the first Woman/African-American play.

If Rice does not want the V.P. nomination, Romney would be next best pick. First, he is strong on economics & has tons of cash. Second, it would take Nevada, Colorado, North Carolina & New Mexico out of play and put New Jersey, Michigan & Pennsylvania in play.

Win 2 out of 3 from Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and it's lights out for Obama.

It's all about the electoral map.

["Typical White Person"]

Obama & Wright are racists that would set America back 30 years in race relations.

Anyone is better than those bigots.

5:13...you are so smart..how does your head fit through the door with a brain that big? If McCain wants to lose the White House he should choose Romney. Most of these arguments against Crist are tired and worn out. For McCain to win in November he MUST win Florida and Ohio. Both states will be very, very close (as they always are)...two simple words will motivate the Conservative Base: "Barrack Obama"..the most liberal person to ever run for President. Crist brings Florida and it's massive # of electoral votes...he will help with his birth state of Pennsylvania(the other critical swing state). Crist is a prolific fundraiser and campaigner. Moreover, a General Election goes to the candidate that can win over the most Independent voters...a McCain-Crist ticket will do just that.

5:23 you are nuts! With Barack Obama at the top of the Democrat ticket there is no conservative black that the Republicans could put in the #2 slot that will make a dent in the black vote for Obama. If you want to lose pick someone like Rice, who is an incredibly capable woman, who has never won an election and brings 0 (as in zero, zilch, nada, the big goose egg) electoral votes to the table.

Lest we forget, Mitt Romney is a Mormon (read: Cult member) as far as the religious right are concerned. Not to say that they haven't embraced hypocracy to win before, of course.

The Republicans couldn't be working harder to LOSE the election if they were trying! They have abandoned the middle class who brought them to power and have steadily turned them into the working poor. Sigh.

[Campaign Manager]

Rice does not put California on the map for McCain. She is from California, yes - she is a former Stanford President. But she has never been elected in California and she does nothing to move either the Bay Area (Stanford, notwithstanding) nor Los Angeles county. If you can't move those areas, there just aren't enough votes in the rest of the state.

[Campaign Manager]

Also, there is no way McCain wants someone on the ticket who reminds the American voter of his close ties to the Bush administration.

That's why a Crist, who never voted for the war, for Bush's tax cuts, nor against health insurance for children, is making more and more sense, as compared to a Senator. Of course, under this rubric, Pawlenty might make even more sense.

McSame is a racist that would set America back 100 years (to about the day he was born)in race relations.

Anyone is better than that bigot.

5:24 IS a typical white a*s!

Mitt is a hypocritical empty suit and Condi is a lesbian. No way either of them get the nod!

Understand Obama has a couple of lesbos under consideration for VP. They must be able to "satisfy" his trannie wife first!

6:19 you are wrong wrong wrong. #1 Gov Crist does not have the proven fiscal record and experience, has not done anything of substance here, has an inferior education and intellect than Romney has, Crist is not married, never owned a home or piece or property
didn't even know what a homestead exemption was when his landord was changd with fraud, never heard of Fitch Global,is too liberal to energize the base, etc etc etc.

Romney could easily help win FL Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and other western states.

10:03 get a grip..Romney didn't even win the Florida primary..how can he help win the general? You are another dope Crist hater so blinded by hate you can't see the truth. Crist just passed model Health Insurance legislation...that in contrast to Romney's Massachusetts disaster..didnt cost of dime of taxpayers money. Crist has passed the LARGEST tax reduction in the state's history...and he has an amazing resume...a crime fighting Attorney General, implementing innovative change as the Secretary of Education, and a distinguished career in the Florida Senate. Bringing up the fact that Crist is not married or doesn't own a home shows how pitiful your really are...now go to bed Mr. Gallagher, or Mr. Cardenas, or whoever you are...

10:15 Tom Gallagher, the former Education Commissioner and Gov. Jeb Bush began implementing the Education reforms starting with grading the schools A-F, and accountability, A Plus plan etc. And if I remember, the former Education Commissioner, now our governor didn't even know what month the FCAT was given after 4 years of being the ED Commissioner when he was asked by the media during his campaign in 06. Nor did he know what a CAT Fund was during a Cabinet meeting in the Spring of 2006 when he was Attorney General. That's not hatred to say that. You have to ask, why he didn't know?

And yes Gov Crist did sign(a House version of) a Health Insurance this past session. Not his version or the Senate's.

Governor Romney led Massachusetts out of a 3 Billion dollar deficit without raising taxes, and provided successful market health care solutions for the state, and how are you comparing this to someone signing House driven legislation on property taxes and insurance?

As to your other crticisms regarding personal backround, those are issues a vetting process would consider when looking at a VP candidate which is why they are mentioned. Yes, the governor is a very nice man and a GREAT campaigner but that alone does not qualify one to be a candidate for VP.

[Truth Squad]

10:43...you could not be more wrong. First, the House-driven plan is very different from the Gov's plan, and it is the Gov's plan that will rise to the top and be most utilized by the 3.8 milion uninsured in Florida...and it is the Governor's plan that costs exactly $0...that's right, $0 state tax dollars! Romney's plan is currently running a $800 million deficit. Watch and learn, Crist-haters...come November you'll be voting for for Charlie Crist. I know, because I know you are angry, jealous, envious etc. that Crist is Gov, but you are not stupid enough to vote for Obama. You'll hold your nose and vote for McCain/Crist because it is the right thing to do for the security of yourself and those you love. Thank goodness you are bright enough to recognize that.

Not me--I ain't holding my nose and voting for any ticket that has Crist's name on it. I would rather see Obama in the Whitehouse than having Crist in Washington D.C. mucking things up like he's doing in Florida. God save our nation from Charlie Crist!

McCain/Pawlenty
McCain/Sanford

McCain/Huckabee

That would put him in the White House!

huckaplease... Go home huckster.

McCain /Romney

Romney puts McCain in the White House and also gives him the much needed $$$ money to fund the general election against the Democrats.

Romney successfully made household names out of corporations like: Dominos Pizza, Office Depot, Staples and also made Bain Capital one of the most successful venture Capital Corporations in the U.S.

The Health plan you mention that's running a deficit in Massachusettts is not the orginal one Romney designed. You forget Mass. has a Democratic legislature and governor since 2006 & have changed aspects of his plan. But if you want to discuss financial faux paux's let's talk about Citizens' insurance being expanded and the millions at risk to the Florida taxpayers.... a catastropy waiting in the wings to happen.

No one "hates" other candidates, we just think Gov. Crist is not the most qualified to be VP or the best pick to win.

Romney would have won the Florida primary if he'd not had his knees cut off the last weekend by the (self serving) endorsements of Mel Martinez and our governor. The polls had Romney set to win FL by 4 points before that.

The folks at RPOF need to stand down and get to work in the interest of the Republican party as a whole: Charlie is NOT going to be Vice President no matter how many silly stories like this one Greer plants.

[TampaGOP]

I dont think Greer planted this story, hes to tied up trying to get the McCain campaign off there butts and do something and getting the GOP in Fl to support McCain.

9:37: Even though Charlie is NOT to be VP? Don't make me laugh!

6:23pm

You are so out of the loop. Polling of a McCain/Rice ticket has shown it beating Obama/Clinton in deep blue states.

A McCain/Rice ticket would be unstoppable. The only thing is will she accept the V.P. ticket. This is the combination most feared by democrats.

at least the Times didn't put up the damnable VP-o-meter, ugh

Truth Squad - You are quite wrong. I can promise you that if McCain selects Crist, I will not be voting AT ALL. As it stands, it's quite likely I won't anyway. Out of the three candidates currently out there, I'm not impressed with any of them.

12:26 be a stubborn fool at your own peril. If you want to let our freedoms slip away and watch our taxes dramatically increase because your favorite candidate didn't win..so be it....but that kind of narrow minded stupidity will lead to the end of our great Republic someday.

12:36 - Wake up. The end of our great republic is pretty much at hand. We have no middle class - the Republicans are only out for the wealthy and big business and the Democrats are the bigtime socialists. China and other foreign investors basically own us and as more of our large financial institutions require bailouts from overseas we'll lose more and more of our base. I've heard of many people who feel the same way - both Republicans and Democrats.

JEB 4 VP 08!

12:43 in the face of adversity you don't give up! We still have our Republic...we still have our Constitution...we still have the principles that made this country great...we are still the greatest country on the planet...so let's fight to keep it that way....

[Crist will not be VP]

If Crist gets the nom, he will be vetted and his personal life will come out and the whole ticket will crash. There's no way McCain is that stupid.

McCain/Rice is a smart idea only if one is rooting for a Republican loss

The party will not willingly provide yet another reason for Independents to cry "Bush term #3"

Best selection is a Governor who does not provide much distraction (much like the Kottkamp pick in FL); it will not be Charlie this year

Rice is a lesbian and will not get the nod... and Chuck may be able to fool some Floriduuuh gray hairs and idiots... but on a National stage... Chemical Chuck would fade quicker than that fake tan of his/hers/its!

McCain-Jindal
That's the ticket

Crist in in round 3 of the VP Madness Brackets. He's gonna win it!