October 12, 2008 4:06:03 PM CDT
(Newser) – Florida’s importance in the general election can hardly be overstated, and his presumed ability to deliver it for the Republicans is at the heart of the case for popular governor Charlie Crist in the veepstakes, writes Chris Cillizza for the Washington Post. McCain may select a VP with more conservative bona fides, assuming he’ll take Florida with or without Crist, but that could be a mistake.
Conventional wisdom points to a solid Republican victory in 2004, and high numbers of Clinton supporters who may be unenthusiastic about Obama. But Democratic voter registration in the state has beat Republican efforts sevenfold this year, and Obama will use his financial advantage to flood Florida airwaves. With Crist securing the state, McCain could use that TV money in other battleground states.
Source Washington Post
Aug 26, 08 12:38 PM CDT In a meeting soon after Hillary Clinton conceded the nomination, Barack Obama told her he probably wouldn’t select her for the VP slot, sources close to the conversation told the Washington Post. She had requested that he not put her through a charade of vetting if she wasn't a serious candidate; he didn’t want to raise false hopes and knew after the rough primary season that the two wouldn’t make a good match. More »
Aug 23, 08 6:40 PM CDT Hillary Clinton tried to rally her disappointed supporters behind an Obama-Biden ticket today, praising her “colleague and friend” in a statement. “Sen. Biden will be a purposeful and dynamic vice president,” Clinton said, adding that he was “an exceptionally strong, experienced leader.” Clinton had little realistic chance in the veepstakes, but supporters had held out hope anyway, Politico reports. More »
Aug 20, 08 9:00 AM CDT After a day in which the media obsessed that Joe Biden was Barack Obama's near-certain choice for a running mate, the Delaware senator appears to have dismissed his own chances, writes the New York Times's Caucus blog. Yesterday evening as Biden got into his car, he told reporters staked out at his home, "Hey guys, I’m not the guy. See ya." More »
Aug 14, 08 4:41 PM CDT John McCain would consider a run for the White House with a pro-choice veep at his side, ABC News reports. When asked about Tom Ridge, McCain told the Weekly Standard that the former Homeland Security chief shouldn’t be “ruled out” for the No. 2 job because he supports abortion rights. Dem-turned-Independent Joe Lieberman, another McCain short-lister, is also pro-choice. More »
Aug 11, 08 7:53 PM CDT Much ink has been spilled over Barack Obama and John McCain’s upcoming VP selections, but a running mate is not a game-changing choice, the Chicago Tribune reports. History suggests the effect on opinion polls will be noticeable but not huge: Gallup shows recent candidates getting an average 5% bump after announcing their picks. More »
Barack Obama • John McCain • Hillary Clinton • Republicans • Florida • vice presidential candidate • vice presidential sweepstakes • Charlie Crist
