Want to Be Veep? What to Do, and Not to Do

Political mag lists longshot candidates that strangely work

(NEWSER) - Nancy Pelosi suggested an unlikely vice-presidential candidate for Barack Obama this week, and got Politico's editors thinking—who are the best longshot candidates for both parties? They called up political analysts and drummed up seven names that are "unconventional" but "reasonably viable." Bill Gates topped the list for his business smarts, something John McCain needs—but Gates apparently leans Democrat these days. More»

Fuming campaign suggests paper find Obama's 'drug dealer'

(NEWSER) - The McCain campaign and the New York Times are at it again after the paper published a partly unflattering profile of Cindy McCain today, Lynn Sweet reports for the Chicago Sun-Times. Mrs. McCain’s lawyer fired off an angry letter at the Times, asking why it drudged up old stories on Cindy's drug use and charitable life. "You have not tried to find Barack Obama's drug dealer that he wrote about in his book," he wrote. “There is a terrific lack of balance here." More»

13 rides pack McCains' garages, including 2 Jeeps, a pickup, Caddie and foreign cars

(NEWSER) - The McCains own almost twice as many cars as they do houses, and a few members of the fleet are foreign—despite John McCain’s recent assurances to Detroit that "I've bought American literally all my life.” Thirteen cars are registered to John and Cindy McCain, Newsweek discovered in a search of public records.The number of vehicles registered to Barack and Michelle Obama? One. More»

'Maverick’ was always top pick: Mac camp

(NEWSER) - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was a strong contender to be John McCain's running mate all along, his campaign has revealed. Looking to diffuse speculation that Palin was a hasty, last-minute choice, aides told the Washington Post that she was high on McCain’s list since their first meeting in February. Advisers also divulged that Cindy McCain played a major role in the veepstakes. More»

AK gov. steals Dems' after-glow; could attract indy, Hillary voters

(NEWSER) - John McCain turned heads by choosing Sarah Palin today as his running mate, and the Weekly Standard explains why she’s the right woman for the job.

• Democrats just wrapped their glitzy convention, but the Sunday talk shows will be abuzz with Palin chatter.
• The mother of five softens McCain’s “crotchety” image and revives his reputation as “fly-boy and gambler."