Bloodless Coup

Once Again Considering the Question of McCain's Running Mate

So last night Ryan and I were once again talking about who McCain might run with. And I was having trouble thinking of many possibilities. Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah seem like good possibilities, as does former Rep. Rob Portman of Ohio. I think former Gov. (and Homeland Security Secretary) Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania should get more attention than he does, and I find the idea that people are advocating Gov. Bobby Jindal (Louisiana) and Gov. Sarah Palin (Alaska) to be bizarre - both are brand new to their jobs, and so young that it might highlight just how old McCain is. I get the argument in favor of Sen. John Thune of South Dakota (he's young, handsome and very conservative), but I don't find him a likely choice for similar reasons. Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida has obviously been hugely helpful to the McCain campaign, but he too is relatively inexperienced. And of course a lot of people are speaking up for Mitt Romney, but I don't get that he adds much to the ticket, and it certainly appeared during the primary campaign that Romney and McCain weren't fond of each other.

So am I leaving anyone off the list? If not, does that make Pawlenty the heavy favorite? Personally, if I was McCain, I'd take Ridge or Huntsman. But he's close to Pawlenty, who's quite conservative, young but not too young, an experienced governor of a "purple" state, and of course the host of this summer's convention.