August 11, 2008
Posted: August 11th, 2008 09:52 AM ET

From
CNN

Watch: CNN's Ed Henry reports on what real people in Ohio are saying about the GOP choices for Vice President..

WASHINGTON (CNN) - With John McCain touring Pennsylvania Monday with his good friend and the state's popular former governor, Tom Ridge, the buzz is inevitably building about whom the Republican presidential candidate will select as his running mate.

If chemistry winds up being a key factor for McCain, Ridge has to be high on the so-called short list of veep possibilities - and the fact that Pennsylvania is such a critical swing state doesn't hurt. Plus, as a moderate Republican, picking Ridge could help give McCain even more street cred with independent voters as he tries to re-build the maverick image that faded a bit as he grew closer to President Bush in recent years.

But on the other hand, choosing Ridge could alienate social conservatives because of the former governor's long support for abortion rights. Given the reactions I gathered on my recent trip to another key battleground, Ohio, Republican rank-and-file voters want a conservative to fill out McCain's ticket and help get the party's base to the polls.

Their overwhelming favorite is Romney - not Ridge.

While I was in Lima, Ohio, last week I decided to ask Republican voters waiting on line for a McCain town hall meeting what they think, in order to gauge their passion.

The overwhelming favorite, no question, was former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. More than a dozen Republicans told me Romney would be McCain's best choice, especially with the economy emerging as issue number one on the campaign trail. "McCain's no businessman," said Sherry Key, adding of Romney: "I think he's good at economics and that's what John McCain needs. It's the only thing he's lacking."

Roberta Leach said Romney would excite economic conservatives in particular. "He can run a business, he can run the country," she said.

Another Republican woman, Chris McNamara, said that Romney is also a "little more conservative on family values" than McCain.

Romney backer Diane Hager told me that in such a close election with Democrat Barack Obama, she's worried that if McCain does not pick a conservative it will hurt him in November. "I think if he doesn't pick a conservative running mate he's going to have some conservatives that stay home and don't vote and that would be a real big mistake," she said.

Interestingly, several voters I spoke to knew very little about another person on McCain's short list, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. "I don't know much about him, it's a new name," said Sue Kayser, who told me she's backing Romney. "People aren't going to vote for an unknown."

In fairness to Pawlenty, however, he has been on the national stage for a shorter time than Romney and did not run for president himself so it makes sense that he has less name I.D. And it's worth noting that many voters told me they would consider Pawlenty carefully and could be swayed to support him - but they said McCain would have to do a much more aggressive job of selling the governor to Republican voters than he would have to with Romney.

And there's another wild card in the mix: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. McCain supporter John Hiles told me he likes that Rice could pull female and African-American votes from Obama, as well as the Secretary's national security credentials. "She's capable of leading this country," he said.

Of course, that experience came under an unpopular President whom McCain is trying to split himself from these days. In addition, Rice keeps saying she does not want the VP job. So the overwhelming consensus I found in that one important part of Ohio was Romney.

Unlike his close relationship with Ridge, McCain has had some frosty dealings with Romney. Still, back in 1960, two presidential candidates - John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson - didn't have much use for each other after a brutal Democratic primary campaign. Their partnership worked out pretty well because Kennedy and Johnson agreed on at least one thing: They both wanted to win.

Filed under: John McCain


BUSHED!!!   August 11th, 2008 2:56 pm ET

McAttack ........The old white haired wrinkly Dude...Will not win
he will not pick Romney because he makes him look Older
We are being sensored by the pro Obama media.Try Fox News With Sean Hannity they bash Obama Daily ....Romney is an *arrogant elitist* who could never relate to the hard times americans are Facing ...besides it doen't matter who Mcattack VP is Republican will not win !!Poor Lieberman kiss up to him and help out with his memory by whispering to him the difference between Sunni and Shiite, now he trying to remember his attack lines from Rick davis And steve Schmidt a long time Protege of Karl Rove

libsarecowards   August 11th, 2008 2:55 pm ET

The amount of hateful comments from Obama supporters is astonishing... It is very scary to think of where our western society has lowered itself to, judging by the leftist, elitist, "we know better than you," Obama supporters outlook of the world. With people like these "respondents" getting in positions of power in an Obama administration, we will all be in dire straits.

Tag , you're it   August 11th, 2008 2:46 pm ET

Sounds like Barack Obama will be determining who McCain's running mate will be.

McCain isn't man enough to pick his person based on the issues and his view of the strategic direction for America.

Instead, he's looking for some picayune, tactical advantage against Senator Obama in the election.

John, it's about your vision for the next 4 years ... stop following Obama's lead.

Vig   August 11th, 2008 2:41 pm ET

DUMP OBAMA – NO Clinton? Then vote McCain.

Diane   August 11th, 2008 2:40 pm ET

who cares who McCains VP will be? He's nothing more than a John Edwards. While his first wife nursed him back to health, he ran around with his current wife whom he later married 5 months after his divorce. McCain is really a piece of cake only STALE.

Deb, Allentown, PA   August 11th, 2008 2:34 pm ET

L, I take exception to your post. I would love nothing more than to have an intelligent, reasoned debate on the issues. However, the format and moderation of the CNN tickers preempts any means for doing so. I do hope, that if the opportunity for debate presented itself, that you could you proper capitalization, punctuation and grammar when presenting your point of view.

Case in point, I submitted a response to Nick in defense of his questions to me on my earlier post. That post is still in moderation. Will it see the light of day? Your guess is as good as mine.

ginny bell j.b.n.ga.   August 11th, 2008 2:34 pm ET

MITT CAN BE FIN. CHARMAN...
PUT HILL.....AS YOUR VEEP.......
THIS WILL BRING ALL HER VOTERS OUT OF THE WOOD WORK....
THOSE THAT DECIDED NOT TO VOTE THIS YEAR, BECAUSE OBOMA STOLE THE ELECTION FROM HER........
THEY WILL VOTE IF SHE IS ON YOIR TICKET FOR YOU.......
THATS THE WINNING TICKET.......

Pat in Cali   August 11th, 2008 2:29 pm ET

Romney = Antichrist

McShame/Romney = USA third world nation

Retired Veteran from New York City, NY   August 11th, 2008 2:27 pm ET

McCain-Mitt Roomney, I'm hoping for this tiicket. It will be a landslide for Obama like Ronald Reagan did to Jimmy Carter 1980.

That guy Romney is very aggressive in negativity and frankly with his Religious, Momon Status, he could probably deliver couple of States with low Electoral College Votes to McCain. The Christian Conservative Base will certainly not vote for McCain while the Democratic Base will energize to vote for Obama, it' will be interesting.

Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity will have something to run their mouths about. I vote for the McCain-Mitt Romney Ticket, it will be a great one. Do it McCain!

Mac Stax   August 11th, 2008 2:27 pm ET

Who cares who he picks – the real choice for Republican voters this year is BARR.

Don't throw your vote away on McCain – he is just pretending to be on the conservative band wagon.

Let's right him in if we have to.... BARR, BARR, BARR!

Willow, from Iowa   August 11th, 2008 2:26 pm ET

We know Lieberman won't get it, he donated a whole bunch of money to the democratic national committee awhile back. I imagine it will be Mitt Romney, the bad used car salesman guy. He would back up anybody in hopes of being President someday. If you watch Lieberman and Crist standing beside McCain while he gives his speech, they are very careful watching for gaffes. How terrible it must be to be the person expected to save the candidate from himself.

Nikki   August 11th, 2008 2:25 pm ET

WHO CARES?

Carolina   August 11th, 2008 2:21 pm ET

McCain should pick Lieberman. That way he would pull in the Jewish votes in Florida and the thing is wrapped up.
And Independents love Lieberman and they are the ones who will decide this election.

minorities rule   August 11th, 2008 2:13 pm ET

Obama has to pick a white female to be VP, but he should announce the candidate as status quo and not alienate potential voters by informing 'his' people via text -people who already are going to vote for him. Clinton would make it a good ticket...

Rocky   August 11th, 2008 2:11 pm ET

Romney is the clear choice, he can help win Michigan and also help out west.

chris   August 11th, 2008 2:08 pm ET

I would definitely vote for mccain if they picked ridge as a VP candidate...but would not be sure if the team would beat obama...

Ray   August 11th, 2008 2:04 pm ET

Romney is the right choice. His track record of success (Bain, Olympics, Governor) stacks the deck in McCain's favor. Obama's lack of experience a huge problem that Dems are turning a blinde eye to. But they will come to realize this in Nov.

Emma, San Jose, CA   August 11th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Mitt Romney as potential President. No way. Likewise Ridge. Jindal said no. Pawlenty – if Obama is too inexperienced to be President, so is Pawlenty.

MoveOn   August 11th, 2008 1:58 pm ET

Romney would be an excellent choice, especially compared to the "Lie and Deny" strategy of Democrats – proof being Billy Clinton and Johnny Edwards. Mitt is a polar – opposite: honest, solid family values, high integrity and honesty.
I'd vote for him in a heartbeat!

McCain/Romney – Trust Restored 2008

Peggy - TX   August 11th, 2008 1:58 pm ET

Mike – Texas

If you are being censored, then why are your comments being displayed often?

I find that only about 1 in 3 of mine make it in.

Maybe they do not bother to comment, becasue Most Republicans are not capable of independent throught or analysis, else they would wake up and stop voting agaist their self interest.

Yankee Air Pirate   August 11th, 2008 1:56 pm ET

Romney probably but it won't mean too much.McCain will smoke the Magic Mulatto in November.

Penn   August 11th, 2008 1:54 pm ET

Mitt Rom. would have the number one office. He will not sit back and watch McCain blunder his way through............

McCain choose your VP carefully!

TX for OBAMA   August 11th, 2008 1:52 pm ET

I hope we outsource our Presidential Election every 4 years. Let some smart people in China and India figure out who our President should be for us. We sure seem to be doing a terrible job of it, and I am sick of being led by these Idiots that the majority of us have found for us.
Look at this Election so far – There is no business McCain should even be this close.

OBAMA ‘08

My Friends, let me tell you   August 11th, 2008 1:48 pm ET

Phil Gramm is not an oil man,didnt invent the Enron loophole,and wont take the rest of your paycheck when I am elected.He will wait at least one week.

JImmy in California   August 11th, 2008 1:40 pm ET

Like John McCain, I have no idea who will be his VP selection. I am, however, confident he will get it into the smoke signals as soon as he gets enough fire wood.

My Friends, let me tell you   August 11th, 2008 1:36 pm ET

I will start the draft the day after I get elected so everyone gets to have some fun.

democracynow2008   August 11th, 2008 1:35 pm ET

John McCain lacks alot more then a VP that understands economics he lacks the ability to understand what the real issues are that concern Americans thats why he will lose in November.

M. Winners, Mesa, AZ   August 11th, 2008 1:35 pm ET

Don't forget people, if by some freak of nature McLame get elected whom ever he picks as Veep is going to end up as POTUS. The Veep pick will be the real Prez.
Without question McLame is old, having memory problems, stamina problems (takes weekends off remember?) and has ailments that are being kept from the press that will certainly cripple if not kill him during his term.

Cindy   August 11th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

Condi Rice seems to be a fan of Obama... she's not going to block him for McCain, even if she is a Republican.

Oh and Mr. Wolfson.. cry me a river. The political process is full of twists and turns. Yes, had news been spread earlier, there would be a different outcome. Had Barack not been hit on the head by that rock, the outcome would be different. Had Monica not been an intern... you get my drift. Let it go, man.

therealist   August 11th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

It doesn't matter, HATE is all the left knows..

Tony   August 11th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

I hope McCain picks Romney as his V.P. choice. It just proves how two-faced McCain really is.

Val from MA   August 11th, 2008 1:28 pm ET

Judgement over experience August 11th, 2008 11:36 am ET

"Who cares??? Isn't it funny that there are less and less mccain supporters on these blogs and more Obama supporters? Gee, wonder why?????"

__________________________________

You know why? Because McCain's supporters are hard at work, while Obama's youngsters are on vacations from college and have nothing else to do but blog all day long. That's why.

Michelle   August 11th, 2008 1:25 pm ET

Sarah Palin!

Farrell, Houston, Tx   August 11th, 2008 1:24 pm ET

It doesn't matter who McCain picks because republicans are looking at 2012. GWB didn't pick McCain as his VP so what makes McCain think he'll jump ranks and become president. Ridiculous is what it is.

Ex-Republican for Obama   August 11th, 2008 1:23 pm ET

Republicans are set on a course to murder more of our children. They are pushing for a war with Russia now. McCain freely admits that the war in Iraq and his current pursuit of a war against the former Soviet Union is about Oil.

McCain = WW III

Obama = Solutions

Maggie Muggins From Selwyn   August 11th, 2008 1:21 pm ET

It doesn't matter who McCain picks as VP as all possibilities are tarred with the same brush by being Bush/Cheney Conservatives without the exposure.

The President has to rely on many different advisers on many different issues and if these advisers are flawed like Cheney then so will all the President's decisions. Phil Gramm, George Bush and John McCain all think the economy is in great shape and so it will continue. If you like it vote for it.

anyomous   August 11th, 2008 1:21 pm ET

mccain will lose in ohio

anyomous   August 11th, 2008 1:18 pm ET

your are wasting your time in peensylvania mccain

L   August 11th, 2008 1:16 pm ET

CNN bloggers have no brain. all they do is nit pick and fight and never get into a proper debate about the questions. you only want to attack anything a mccain supporter says but never say anything about the trash that obama supporters spew out.

back to this question. I will always be hoping to hear John McCain announce Romney as the VP. I bet the obama supporters are scared about this, they know romney is a smart man and has a lot to offer this country in the way of his economic experience.

Michele, Oregon   August 11th, 2008 1:15 pm ET

A Romney pick ought to send the Latino vote directly to Obama in the same ratios as the African American vote. Rather than 66% he will be getting 90+%. Romney wants to send all illegal immigrants back to where they came from unconditionally as he stated in the debates.

Latinos are very Catholic as well. As a pro-life Democrat and a Catholic myself, we are proposing legislation to reduce the number of abortions by improving how we support the single mother to make the choice for life. Immigration is also very much at the heart of the Catholic Church's message. McCain on the other hand has a partisan Catholic schooled in Rove, his name is Deal, who is an adviser to McCain and will be trying very hard to make it sound as if Catholics cannot be Catholic and vote for Obama. He DOES NOT represent the Catholic voice, refused to include the Catholic Bishops in his groups (obviously could not include the social justice agenda favoring the Democrats), had an affair with a young student and had to resign from a similar position he held with Bush campaign. So McCain picks him up as a so-called Catholic adviser.

Latinos for Obama!

Mark   August 11th, 2008 1:13 pm ET

Sen. McCain will certainly avoid the sleaze factor if he chooses Ridge over Romney. The problem would then be: What will the very honorable but not very effective Ridge bring to the ticket?

mike in MN   August 11th, 2008 1:13 pm ET

To anyone but these 2.

You are absolutly right. I got tired of posting thoughtful, fair and hopefull unifying comments. When I post outrageous and divise comments for fun, they get posted. Looks like CNN favors spliting the country apart for more news.

eugene from new york city   August 11th, 2008 1:08 pm ET

what do you call a democrat voting for mccain ? A hillary Democrat

Wisest one of All   August 11th, 2008 1:04 pm ET

To Judgment over Experience I can answer this question of yours: "Isn't it funny that there are less and less mccain supporters on these blogs and more Obama supporters? Gee, wonder why?????" It is because War Hero McCain supporters are working people with jobs. Hussein Nobama supporters are all handout cases who collect welfare.

Nick   August 11th, 2008 1:02 pm ET

Judgement over experience-
In answer to your first question. Everyone cares. In answer to your second, conservatives don't frequent CNN blogs. If you are implying that a lack of McCain comments on this thread is an indication that the country is overwhelmingly behind Obama, you clearly haven't seen the polls.
Deb, Allentown, PA-
"Jindal is too young, not "white" enough for the conservatives" Why do you quote white? White isn't a buzz word or phrased coined by someone. Furthermore, implying that the republican party is largley racist is extremely offesive. This coming from a democrat.
Informed Voter-
Your comment is the most annoying on this blog. Why preface your comment with "As an Obama Supporter". This doesn't give you any credibility. This just means that its your first time voting and you are in a bunch of political facebook groups. Thankfully you topped it off with the Flip Flopper reference. The phrase that UNinformed voters use to make themselves sound smart.

mark   August 11th, 2008 12:59 pm ET

to borrow a phrase from dear, old Don Rumsfeld, McSame is a "dead ender", trotting out the same tired strategies that have served this country so well these last 7+ years. I admire his military sacrifices, but we need a completely new direction, not more of the same. B-bye Sen McCain...

Phil   August 11th, 2008 12:58 pm ET

What kind of pretentious idiot {Obama} announces his VP pick via text message / email? I can't stand this guy more and more each day.

pat C.   August 11th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

message to Mauri....
if you are not an obama supporter anyway ,why do you care if you don't hear about his VP before we do? i think this is wonderful that obama cares enough for his supporters to give us a peek into what the rest of the world will know minutes later.for you couple of McSame robots ...don't let it bother you that we got it first!!
it's called good leadership and modern tecnoligy. both are something your candidate shows he lacks in big time.

Doug Ecklund   August 11th, 2008 12:53 pm ET

For those Obama supportes who are like "Informed Voter" – I'd say Obama and his manicas have Flipped-Flopped on more issues already in the Primaries than Mitt Romney has done – Obama flipping on wearing the American flag, not allowing the American flag on O-Force one, flipping on Drilling, flipping on Proud to be an American – – flipping on who his Mentor is ( who truly hates America )and he wants to be Our President??? pathetic!!

Mitt Romney is not only the best choice McCain can make for his VP – but can also be one of our Best Presidents – if necessary.

Never will I vote for Obama!

Wood   August 11th, 2008 12:53 pm ET

This really is not going to be relevant in a few weeks, since who ever BAM picks will solidify the general election for the Democratic Party..

(Don't go Hillary, however...)

Anyone but these 2   August 11th, 2008 12:50 pm ET

These boards are ridiculous. Every time I try to enter a balanced or unifying message, CNN won't post it. It's all about catfighting. Worthless.

Peter   August 11th, 2008 12:50 pm ET

I don't know much about Pawlenty but the rest of the guys on the "short list" seem to be more of a detriment than a help.

Wow, McCain is completely flawed and the #2 guys sound even worse.

qweenmum   August 11th, 2008 12:49 pm ET

Ridge, I would vote for. Not because I agree with him, but because he also makes the evang. taliban's heads explode.

geen   August 11th, 2008 12:48 pm ET

hmm..let me understand this....McCain condemns russia for invading the sovereign country of Georgia but CONDONES and favored escalating the Bush regmies invasion and occupation of the sovereign country of Iraq..go figure...and..WHAT is the common denominator...O-I-L!

qweenmum   August 11th, 2008 12:48 pm ET

Huckabee= DEALBREAKER, and will work for Obama campain, inculding donating money, which as a registered republican, I would not do, unless Huck is on the ticket. Pawlenty, I vote 3rd party. Can't and won't support anyone the bigot birdcage endorses or pushes It' time to purge the party of bigots.

The Patriot and not the Anti-American   August 11th, 2008 12:46 pm ET

I also agree that McCain should choose Mitt Romney. Romney is a very smart man and he's ready to take on the dirty work (criticize Obama). Obama has lots of unfilled question marks and Romney can hit them hard!

MCCAIN/ROMNEY 08'

Got news for you   August 11th, 2008 12:45 pm ET

No one much cares who Obama's VP will be either. Hillary would bring him a win because even though her supporters do not like Obama they would be really votng for her.

If he does not choose her – he will loose for sure. Frankly, he might even loose with her on the ticket – he is just not a good pick for President. He is the nominee only because of the media and the dem. party, but you cannot control the voters no matter how hard you try – we will not be taken advantage of by the media or the dem. party – we are way to smart for that.

People know who McCain is – not so with Obama. A Hillary supporter turned McCain supporter!!

qweenmum   August 11th, 2008 12:44 pm ET

Pawlenty is pushed by the Evangalical 'leadership'. In my book, that's a huge red flag. For my childrens sake, I cannot vote for anyticket endorsed or pushed on us by these bigoted men. My children are of all colorsl, but their faith preclueds them from obtaining higher office. I that fair? is that right? No. Therefore, I am willing to do 4 of Obamanation in exchange for purging the party of those who feel a experience, qualified Mormon is less quaified than a room temp. "evangalical'.

For my Children, I'll vote 3rd party or for Obama, if any of those supported and endorsed by what I term as the Evangalical Taliban is on the ticket.

My Friends, let me tell you   August 11th, 2008 12:43 pm ET

Im picking my doctor so he is close by.

J. Dean, a Republican from Juno Beach, FL   August 11th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

WHO WANTS TO JOIN A LOOSER ?
OLD MAN McCAIN LOST HIS BEST CHANCE IN 2000, AND CONSIQUENTLY OLD MAN JOHN McCAIN LOST HIS POLITICAL CARRIER.
OLD MAN JOHN McCAIN WITH HIS 18TH CENTURY MENTALITY AND DISASTROUS JUDGEMENT ABOUT IRAQ, PAKISTAN, GEORGE, AFGHANISTAN, CHINA, DARFOUR AND ON AND ON, AND ESPECIALLY REFUSING TO LEARN HOW TO USE A COMPUTER, ALL THE ABOVE WILL PUT OLD MAN JOHN McCAIN BACK TO 18TH CENTURY. I DON'T KNOW ANY AMERICAN WHO IS WILLING TO GO BACK TO 18TH CENTURE, HEY !
EVEN CINDY WILL NOT BE VOTING FOR OLD MAN JOHN McCAIN. SHE WANTS TO JOIN THE CELEBRITIES.

Empty suit, empty promises   August 11th, 2008 12:42 pm ET

I would be thrilled with Condi Rice as it would be great to hear and read the socialists and affirmative action only maggots up in arms as she is just a "token" or was picked just because she is "black" and a "woman".

Just watching Keith Olbermann, that nice man RayRay Maddow and Chris Matthews etc, etc, etc stuttering and stammering when trying to hammer her would be worth it.

I think she would and SHOULD get picked, because she is a genius and a good and decent person who would be a great VP candidate who HAPPENS to be black and a woman.

Calvin Tampa, FL   August 11th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

McCain/Romney will be a good ticket for GOP. If Obama is elected, we'll be the laughing stock of the world... Obama's energy policy of inflating tire pressure is a joke. Look at the rest of the world, they are looking for oil, anywhere they can find it. We use more oil than anybody in the world, yet Obama and Pelosi is saying no drilling.... how moronic can they get???? Maybe GOP can get lucky and Obama will pick Pelosi as his running mate....

Dave, Illinois   August 11th, 2008 12:41 pm ET

Ha Ha, "Judgement over Experience", that would be because most McCain supporters work for a living. Now go back to your bong.

Julie from LA   August 11th, 2008 12:39 pm ET

Has anyone looked at Romney and McCain side-by-side?

I don't think McCain wants a VP who makes him look even older and more decrepid. Plus, Romney's strength in economics just makes McCain look dumber (Romney can probably also "go online himself").

It'll be Pawlenty. "Bland and blander."

JC   August 11th, 2008 12:39 pm ET

Condoleezza Rice would be a decent choice for McCain and not because of the fact that she is a woman or black. She would be a good choice because she is well qualified. Who cares about the "black" vote or the "woman" vote. If people are voting solely because of a vice-presidential candidates skin color or gender, they are doing it for all the wrong reasons.

Andy in Charlotte, NC   August 11th, 2008 12:38 pm ET

Can we please report on what's going on in the world instead of trying to analyze things? Forget all these political analysts...let's actually hear some news stories! I'm so fed up with the media.

Mike - Texas   August 11th, 2008 12:38 pm ET

To - Judgement over experience

The main reason that there are fewer and fewer supporters on here for McCain than Obama is that the CNN moderators won't post our comments. We are being sensored by the pro Obama media.

SIMP   August 11th, 2008 12:37 pm ET

mike MN

Are you serious? How in the world can you criticize the democrat party when the last 8 years a dumb rebublician has been running this country? Now we have another dumb republician trying to get in office. You need to count your blessing, because mc old timer won't be the next president.

Obama

BR   August 11th, 2008 12:35 pm ET

You lefties are so unbelievable. You think the Messiah is this great man. He is a joke politician and will lose in Nov. Then you will be screaming how racist everyone is. You guys are such tools.

RYnAZ   August 11th, 2008 12:33 pm ET

Wow Obama supporters not only have bad taste, but they have bad grammer and can't spell either! Way to Go Obama! pshhh.. If we want to have a world we can live in, MCCAIN in 08!!! Arizona's got your back!

former (R) William, New Jersey   August 11th, 2008 12:33 pm ET

Barack Obama 08! no matter who the VP is...

Gobama!

Mccain is not ready to lead. He's a puppet. The best the repugs could produce. Please. If Hillary were a repug, the race would be Obama vs. Hillary for president easily.

Obama 08!

Judgement over experience   August 11th, 2008 12:32 pm ET

I truly hope he does pick Mitt, the used car salesman than mcsurge will definitely lose. Two losers on the same ticket=loser

Judgement over experience   August 11th, 2008 12:31 pm ET

I truly hope he does pick Mitt, the used car salesman than mcsurge will definitely lose.

Maria   August 11th, 2008 12:31 pm ET

I think Romney would be a great addition to the ticket. A hard worker, bright, articulate and successful.

I still don't get the support for Dems. They believe in killing babies, but don't kill a killer, bigger federal government and less local government, little or no individual responsibility and winking at those who have sexual perversions and treat it as if it's okay. How can anyone take their party seriously? Especially at a time like this with wars in many countries, plagues and natural disasters are prevelent. All they can do is make things worse.

some guy in New Hampshire   August 11th, 2008 12:30 pm ET

Romney has no more experience in government than Obama does, so that neutralizes his qualification in that area. He ran a business, but government exists to do things that business can't and don't do and are run to achieve different objectives. So Romney's business experience isn't directly useful either. The fact that someone ran a successful business doesn't translate to a knowledge of how to structure economic policy, so the idea that business success imparts economic wisdom to Romneyis another fallacy. Romney does seem to be a good organizational manager, but presidents and vice presidents don't run organizations; that's what cabinet secretaries and the president's chief of staff do. Presidents and vice presidents run policy - and Romney hasn't shown anything there but an eagerness to say "me too"to whatever the Republican National Committee decides is ideological orthodoxy.

McCain also would be wise to remember that Romney polled dead last in popularity among all candidates in the primary, Republican or Democrat. There's a reason for that.

How does CNN determine who gets posted?   August 11th, 2008 12:29 pm ET

Is it me or does Romney appear to be giving McCain googoo eyes?

michelle   August 11th, 2008 12:29 pm ET

Romney is an *arrogant elitist* who could never relate to the hard times americans are going thru
Good grief MCcain is getting more older looking every day!!!!
Hes too OLD for POTUS..period!!!!

Debby   August 11th, 2008 12:28 pm ET

Well the Repub. have a stronger choice than Obama has thats for sure.

Veteran for Obama   August 11th, 2008 12:27 pm ET

McCain may be a military veteran but he greatly exaggerates his accomplishments. He is no better than the 4200 plus soldiers who have been killed in Iraq and sacrificed their life at the expense of McCain and Bush and their manipulation of facts in order to go to war. At least McCain survived and is able to walk around and tell lies and dirty jokes like he has been doing. He is sick.

RSR   August 11th, 2008 12:24 pm ET

Obama needs to be defeated soundly. Read his Senate Bill (S.2433) He plans to tax Americans $845 Billion Dollars payable to the U.N. so they can give it to anyone (dictators, rouge countries hostile to the USA) all in the name of poverty. Obama has 'locked' this bill to the UN's Millenium Declaration which will 'require' America be subservient to UN doctrines & mandates!!! You better read up on this before you vote. Goggle in...'OBAMA'S GLOBAL POVERTY PLAN' and ask yourself, how will you pay this tax???
*** Obama will destroy our country ***

Michael "C" Lorton, Virginia   August 11th, 2008 12:22 pm ET

Under consideration......Pretty boy Romney or Tom "warrior" Ridge.........who would I pick.....Paris Hilton......why......because she is "HOT>"

Deb, Allentown, PA   August 11th, 2008 12:20 pm ET

There are numerous issues with many of the people on McCain's purported VP list.

Romney is all hair and no heart. His Mormon background will alienate the Christian Conservatives.

As mentioned in the article, Ridge's pro-choice stance will hurt McCain's appeal to conservative voters. His less-than-successful stint as head of Homeland Security won't help.

Jindal is too young, not "white" enough for the conservatives, and his exorcism experience makes him too far out there.

Lieberman just donated over $100,000 to the DSCC so he could keep his seat on a committee. Diehard repubs will HATE that.

Griff, you said a woman? Who?

Rice has potential, but she's going to represent Bush's failed foreign policies and it will be tough to distance herself.

Palin had possibilities but she's gotten herself into a very sticky situation with the brother-in-law firing issue.

I dare McCain to pick Carly Fiorina. It is incomprehensible that her name could even be on any short list – fired from her position at HP after pillaging the company and sending numerous jobs overseas, no government experience, etc. That would be a match made in heaven for Obama supporters.

BTW, where were the CNN moderators this weekend??? Even McCain worked this weekend.

Brian   August 11th, 2008 12:17 pm ET

Romney = dealbreaker
Ridge = dealbreaker

If McCain does not choose a solid conservative, both on social and economic issues, the Republican base will sit on their hands as Obama gets elected. Personally, Huckabee is my first choice for VP, but it seems the media and establishment Republicans have branded him as an economic liability, which is ridiculous because he turned a huge deficit into a huge surplus in Arkansas without raising taxes and resurrected the state's economy. Thus McCain should pick Pawlenty, Sanford or some other solid conservative like them.

ProudToBeDemocrat   August 11th, 2008 12:10 pm ET

Who cares I can not wait for this old man to disapear like Hillary. Sick at looking this pailed white old man.

Brenda of Saginaw ,Michigan   August 11th, 2008 12:09 pm ET

Well, maybe it will be that guy who worships his underwear. (Romney)

dennis from chicago   August 11th, 2008 12:07 pm ET

it is simple send me your E MAIL ADDRESS and when i lose i will sell them for 50 cents THEN i can quit the SENATE and be a millionaire buy cocaine and be happy........ CHANGE WE CAN COUNT ON///// i vote ROMNEY or CHRIS.....GO MC CAIN ALL THE WAY TO THE WHITE HOUSE///

v.a.   August 11th, 2008 12:05 pm ET

does anybody else find romney's stares creepy?

John Hussein Karsten   August 11th, 2008 12:05 pm ET

Hillary "the whinner" Clinton!!!!

California Gold   August 11th, 2008 12:05 pm ET

Who cares. McCain would be the President. That is dangerous: a man who can't remember the difference between Sunni and Shiite, can't remember if he voted on legislation or not and when reminded of his vote he laughs off his poor memory, cheated on his wife, can't remember that Czechoslovakia is no longer a country, and jokes about rape.

Denise Groves   August 11th, 2008 12:04 pm ET

i don't care, really. i suppose he should pick a walking, living, lively, breathing person, to contrast himself

LLMTruth   August 11th, 2008 12:02 pm ET

Whoever it is, I hope they have the strength to prop his tired, senseless butt up. If it happens to be anyone from the Dubya administration, it would be like the kiss of death. He already caved in to party pressure with, shoot you in the face, Cheney speaking at the republican convention. Birds of feather do flock together.

If it is good ole boy Tom Ridge that would just be further prove that McBrianless is just a stooge for the Dubya administration. And to be honest, the way the guys gray matter has been failing him more and more each day I wouldn't be surprised if Georgie and his croonies picked his running mate for him. He already has one of his croonies running his campaign; the same guy that insulted his adopted daughter by dragging her through the mud in his 2000 bid for the nonminaton.

And now that I think of it, you can't use my daughter to further your ambitions in whatever you're trying to accomplish. Not without a knock-down – dragged-out fight. That would show a serious lack of spine. In other words, cowardly. Besides, he already admitted he was a coward when he pandered on the confederate flag issue.

If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck.

Go ahead CNN and censor this if you want, who cares?

Tom B.   August 11th, 2008 12:02 pm ET

Hopefully the people of this country will come to their senses and realize that Obama is not the best choice. He was absolutely the least qualified candidate of the Democrats. McCain is a decorated veteran with many years of experience. Obama is an unknown.

JD   August 11th, 2008 12:01 pm ET

Obama's going to set up 1-900 numbers so America can vote for their favorite VP choices! Just like on "American Idol"! Isn't he just fabu??

Mike Dallas   August 11th, 2008 12:01 pm ET

Since Obama is announcing his VP choice by texting and emails, I would suggest that McCrypt and Crew set up a 24/7 watch on the corrals at their local pony express offices, just in case they wish to respond with the Republican's VP choice.

Barbara - 65 yr old white female in NC   August 11th, 2008 12:00 pm ET

When are you all going to show the clip about McCain saying at a townhall meeting earlier this year "……. and we will never have to go to war for oil again……."

Please show that cliip over and over. We got all of Obama's stuff over and over for months. Georgia has pipelines going thru it – that's why the repukes are so interested. Oil Oil Oil Oil Oil Oil

Fair and balanced should mean fair in ALL ways.

Obama '08

Filipina   August 11th, 2008 11:59 am ET

Who cares about Romney or Ridge, McSurge same ole same ole......Yes We Can!!!!

McCain Arrives at Failed Diplomatic Meeting in Scooter   August 11th, 2008 11:58 am ET

It's a tricky area for McCain. Can't pick someone that in comparison will make McCain look ancient, ill-qualified, undiplomatic, less vigorous, or a weak choice. Maybe McCain should give Dan Quayle a call..

Amanda, MD   August 11th, 2008 11:57 am ET

His medical records were more exciting than his pick for VP. The reason he is leading his party is because his party is regrouping. So he's a placeholder until they can get their A Team together.

Snoozefest.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

FL4Obama   August 11th, 2008 11:56 am ET

After McCain stooped to a level of blasphemous discourse in a presidential campaign, I really do not care about his VP pick any longer. That's unfortunate for a politician I used to support in 2000. It seems the more staff McCain hired from Bush/Rove, the less respectful his campaign tactics became. It's disappointing.

TN FOR OBAMA   August 11th, 2008 11:56 am ET

What???? America has a Vice President???
Do we have one now?

I don't think I've seen one of those lately.

Shari, NY   August 11th, 2008 11:56 am ET

Mr. McCain's VP should have an advanced degree in Economics among other attribures. Also there is an urgent need for someone who is familiar geography with emphasis on break away countries. Czechoslovakia comprises two separate nations: SLOVAKIA and the CZECH REPUBLIC.

Jordan, NJ   August 11th, 2008 11:55 am ET

Just one more name for the "Also Ran" column. We're waiting with baited breaths–NOT.

sue calgary   August 11th, 2008 11:55 am ET

Who cares? He's the losing team.. If it did matter probably Romney, in the land of the blind the one-eyed man is King!
CNN POST IF YOU LIKE

DJ   August 11th, 2008 11:54 am ET

Boring Romney of course. Who else would you select for a boring candidate? He's got to keep up his reputation. He's a boring candidate, with a boring barbie doll wife, who'll pick a boring VP. End of story. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

His convention will be the biggest snoozefest, after the most exciting convention in this country's history.

If I was John, I'd join the circus for a couple of months, maybe sticking his head in a lion's mouth would bring attention to his boring campaign.

dkroll   August 11th, 2008 11:53 am ET

I am hope for Condi Rice. I think she would be great on the ticket.

FLA Voter   August 11th, 2008 11:53 am ET

I REALLY hope it isn't Romney!!!

I would take Hillary over him any day!!!

Select Condi Rice...and IT IS OVER!!!

WHAT THE...?   August 11th, 2008 11:53 am ET

Maybe he should pick that no-name mayor of Podunk, N.J.

Henry Miller, Cary, NC   August 11th, 2008 11:53 am ET

As a former Republican, the one and only way McCain gets my vote is if he can convince Ron Paul to be his VP. Failing that, I expect I'll vote for Barr.

Ian   August 11th, 2008 11:52 am ET

"Who cares??? Isn't it funny that there are less and less mccain supporters on these blogs and more Obama supporters? Gee, wonder why?????"

That's probably a result of CNN moderators not letting pro-McCain comments through. I doubt if this one will see the light of day as I would venture to say that less than 25% of my comments ever get posted. Meanwhile, crap like "Obama is the Messiah!" gets posted with regularity.

If you can't see CNN's lips firmly attached to Obama's rear end, then you're blind.

DR. YES   August 11th, 2008 11:52 am ET

who cares who he picks.he'll never be president.too many lobbyists.he sounds like he wants to bash russia for doing the same thing we did in iraq,[only on a much larger scale].bush's deception in iraq,and mccain's support of it, has made the world less stable.we may be dealing with the consequences of this for some time to come.

Matt   August 11th, 2008 11:51 am ET

Romney would be my choice.

However, then we would have to listen to all the fear mongering from the leftists about how Romney is going to make everybody Mormon.

Ignorance knows no bounds in the democrat party.

McCain/ Romney for a REAL change to move America Forward!!!!

Eric in Ca   August 11th, 2008 11:50 am ET

WHO CARES – what McCain picks as VP?!
We had one President (Regan) develop Alzheimer after leaving office, we don't need one (McCain) going in with Alzheimer!
The future is NOW! Obama!

Historic vs. PreHistoric!

aaa   August 11th, 2008 11:50 am ET

both of this crooks look really good. Mccain and that Block of ice Romney. republican crooks!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sherry, Atlanta   August 11th, 2008 11:49 am ET

Allow me to say, Ms. Key...John McCain is MISSING MORE THAN ECONOMIC'S, MCCAIN LACKS "JUDGEMENT"

Rudy NYC   August 11th, 2008 11:45 am ET

Wow, what an election year. Both major parties have candidates with issues, and their popular choice for VP as well.

Obama loses on the experience card. Clinton for VP is popular but also a liability in the general election. Undecideds and independents will not vote for her because of her name and her husband.

McCain loses on everything except war card. Romney for VP is popular, but also a liability. He comes across as exactly what this country does not want, another Bush. Undecideds and independents will not vote for him.

Obama and McCain have nearly identical problems choosing a VP.

Rich in Indy   August 11th, 2008 11:45 am ET

McCain needs someone with economics to shore up his campaign. Obama needs someone with everything to prove that he has enough experience to be elected.

Sacto Joe   August 11th, 2008 11:44 am ET

WHO CARES who his VP choice is – unless people figure he'll drop dead halfway into his term....

Informed Voter   August 11th, 2008 11:43 am ET

As an Obama Supporter .. Romney is his best choice .... he brings in the economic experience/conservatives he is lacking .. but Romney has one large flaw . . He is on the biggest Flip Flopper .. he would replace Mc Cain

Heard Lie-berman was on his short list???? .. LOL

kim hussein taylor portland, oregon   August 11th, 2008 11:42 am ET

with the bumbling joke that mccain's campaign has been, picking ridge--a key figure in the FAILURES of the bush/cheney white house--makes perfect sense!

"...Rice could pull female and African-American votes from Obama"--that is a JOKE, women and african americans are not that stupid, thank you very much. we are all very aware of the fact that condi is just another old, white male when it comes to politics and policies! condi has really let us down!!!

Joe Kiloz   August 11th, 2008 11:41 am ET

1. Pawlenty 2. Romney 3. Bloomberg One opinion based on McCain's past track record of being independent minded along with constantly doing what is the right thing for the country, above political needs.

Jann, Denver CO   August 11th, 2008 11:41 am ET

You people are crazy if you think Condoleezza Rice can pull African American votes from Obama. This is not about color for African Amercians; its about the economy, education and health care. Condoleezza is part of the failed Bush Administration and therefore is part of the problem, not part of the solution.

Because McShame has no personality he has no choice but to choose Romney whether he likes it or not. In the end who McLame chooses will not matter because he will lose anyway.

Luis   August 11th, 2008 11:41 am ET

McCain/Romney vs Obama and anyone is a victory for GOP.

Down with the Socialist agenda of Obama and his merry band of anti-American clowns (Michelle, Ayers, Wright, Pfleger and on and on)

Vote McCain or join the insane

MD FOR OBAMA   August 11th, 2008 11:41 am ET

And this is news???

mike in MN   August 11th, 2008 11:40 am ET

Who ever McCain will choose for his VP, they will be 5 times more qualified to be President then Obama.
I can't believe Obama is the best the Democrats can come up with. On second thought, Gore, Kerry/Edwards. OK Obama makes sense now. They just don't have much to choose from.

McCain in 08!!!

NoMcSame   August 11th, 2008 11:39 am ET

Putin. If you can't beat him join him. McSurge may need him to make peace so that our thin troops that are spread out all over the world don't have to go and help fight against the commies. MSurge is yellow and will not use his surge method on Putin and the boys. No Guts no Glory.

Kevin   August 11th, 2008 11:39 am ET

I think Mccain should pick his first wife, Carol, to make up for the extra marital affairs he had on her. Oh wait, nobody is supposed to talk about that!

Walt, Belton,TX   August 11th, 2008 11:37 am ET

Extreme right-wing conservatives will not get John McCain elected. The moderate, mature conservatives will. We don't trust Romney, we don't like Romney, we'll stay home if Romney is the VP nominee!

Mauri   August 11th, 2008 11:37 am ET

Thank Goodness - John McCain WON'T be announcing his VP choice via texting. After all, whomever is elected is presumably the President and Vice President of ALL the people - not limited to individual supporters. In other words, if we don't support Obama, we'll have to wait to learn who is running as the Democratic VP. Not a good thing.

Susan   August 11th, 2008 11:37 am ET

No matter who he picks, that person can kiis his political career goodbye! OBAMA 08!!!

Judgement over experience   August 11th, 2008 11:36 am ET

Who cares??? Isn't it funny that there are less and less mccain supporters on these blogs and more Obama supporters? Gee, wonder why?????

Griff   August 11th, 2008 11:36 am ET

You can bet, it a Lady...

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

twitter
@wolfblitzercnn: Trifecta -- NOT. My Redskins, Bills and Packers all lose this weekend. Very sad.
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:40:09 -0800
@HornickCNN: RT @andersoncooper: Interactive: The top 10 Health-Care-Reform Players http://bit.ly/6C3OlX
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:47:50 -0800
@HornickCNN: RT @cnn_oppmann: CNN.com: Mexico City approves same-sex marriage. http://bit.ly/5RyMnk #mexico
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:46:26 -0800
@HornickCNN: Rudy's reportedly not running for NY SEN or Gov ...
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:43:48 -0800
@wolfblitzercnn: Redskins-Giants always exciting. Both teams have a lot to prove. And Giants can still salvage playoffs. Skins just need a win.
Updated: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:19:36 -0800
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP