Veepstakes update: 'Next generation'
Posted: Friday, June 27, 2008 5:29 PM by Domenico Montanaro
From NBC/NJ’s Mike Memoli
THE SHORT LIST. New York Times gets to the bottom of John McCain’s standard answer on potential veeps. Insert-name-here is part of the “the next generation of leadership” for the party.
WHAT THEY’RE UP TO. Sunday shows have their fill of potential VPs, including Wes Clark (D), Joe Lieberman (I-?), Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), ex-Rep. Rob Portman (R-OH), and Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA).
UNITY! Hillary Clinton referred to the combined 36 million votes for her and Obama becoming an “unstoppable force for change” now that they’re together.
ON THE RECORD. CNN has some more reaction from Portman yesterday on his potential selection: “Well, you know, I’m happy to be home,” he said. “I commuted between Washington and Ohio where we are now for 15 years, and about nine months, so I made the decision to come home and it’s been great. I’ve got three teenagers, so I’m not looking for a way back to Washington right now."
BUZZ METER. Grover Norquist called Obama “John Kerry with a tan.” For VP, he likes Jindal or Pawlenty for VP.
Chris Dodd “has emerged as a hero for the netroots and for opponents of the Dems' FISA cave-in because of his steady opposition to telecom immunity and his promise to filibuster it.”
US News calls the VP decision the toughest one for McCain. Most of the names are familiar, with eBay CEO Meg Whitman listed as a wild card. And the piece includes one suggestion: to take a cue from Reagan and wait until the convention, after Democrats have made their picks.
The magazine also looks at Obama’s decision ahead, saying his pick will likely try to offset some of his weaknesses.
ELECTORAL MATH. FL Gov. Charlie Crist (R) says Florida is going to be “tight.” “These are two strong candidates and I don’t know which way it goes.”
CHATTERING CLASS. Chris Cillizza makes the case against Hillary Clinton (as she spoke in Unity, N.H., with Obama). Among the reasons not to? She may turn off some indies, there would be concern about a co-presidency, and Bill Clinton.
E-VEEP. Bill Richardson fired up his email list and asked supporters to sign a petition urging Pres. Bush to sign the new G.I. Bill of Rights.
