The McCain Choice

John McCain is teasing now on his VP choice, trying to steal back some attention.

Senator John McCain has decided on his running mate, two Republican strategists in contact with McCain's campaign said Wednesday. He is expected to reveal his choice at a rally at a basketball arena in Dayton, Ohio, at 11 a.m. Friday.

McCain has the chance to turn this race upside down - but that won't happen if he does what is expected.

McCain's decision is known only to his small inner circle of advisers, no more than three or four people, who have refused all public discussion on the matter. Republicans close to the campaign said that the top contenders remained the same three men who have been the source of speculation for weeks: former Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and, possibly, Senator Joseph Lieberman, independent of Connecticut.

I know the arguments about mormons in Colorado, but I think that Mitt Romney would be a major mistake - he's too slick, insincere, and too vulnerable to attack for 1) what he said about McCain during the primaries and 2) for his lack of leadership in Massachusetts. I suspect Mitt's high level of visability this week was part of a ruse to keep people assuming that he's the nominee.

Joe Lieberman, while supposedly favored by McCain, would also be crazy. The message is too confusing. Is he a conservative? Is he a Democrat? Didn't he run with Al Gore?

Pawlenty looks like a good choice, but not a game changer. I see a game changer coming. A woman makes the most sense, to continue to drive the wedge between Hillary supporters and Barack supporters. Someone like Alaska Governor Sarah Palin would be great, but she's not experienced enough to go on the ticket with a 72 year old president, I'm afraid.

Kay Bailey Hutchinson, the Texas Senator is a possiblity, but she strikes me as so old school that her personna would undo that advantages that a woman would bring.

BTW - Great speech by Joe Biden. He made this feel like a convention for the first time. And Barack joined him on stage. Finally, some energy from these folks.