McCain sends out a trial balloon.
Cross posted at The Vanel Journal
The Veep chess battle continues with the news that the McCain camp is vetting Eric Cantor (R-VA), the GOP minority whip. Actually, his name has been floated a few months back but gained traction when it was reported that McCain had requested personal docs from the Virginia representative. A Cantor pick would be attractive for several reasons: He is young, Jewish, and a staunch conservative whom the right adores. Lastly, his home state of Virginia will be a competitive battleground where Obama has been doing well in the early polls. I wonder if the Cantor trial balloon is a response to the Gov. Tim Keane rumors we've been hearing?
If Obama does pick Gov. Kaine, I cannot see Rep. Cantor beating a sitting Governor, but stranger things have occurred. McCain must really be concerned about looking old versus the much younger Obama and a Cantor pick exposes that concern. However, he will help McCain challenge Obama for the Jewish vote, the same voting bloc that Sen. Lieberman was supposed to deliver for McCain. Sure, Cantor is an interesting pick but I am not sure how he helps McCain, a Kaine pick would neutralize his appeal in Virginia and I have my doubts that Jewish voters will flock to the Republican party given its damaged brand and the state of the economy.
The only name that would cause alarm for Dems would be Tom Ridge, former head of DHS and former Governor of PA, he is very popular in there and could help McCain carry it. Fortunately, The right will never accept Ridge because of his pro-choice stand. Pawlenty, Crist, and Romney are still on the shortlist but the McCain camp could consider Cantor if polls don't tighten in Virginia. Besides, I think McCain still despises Romney. These guys are already the butt of jokes
Gov. Mitt Romney-his real name is Willard and as a Mormon, the Christian right is suspicious. He also highlights McCain's weakness on the economy.
Charlie "I am not gay" Crist-He wants it too badly, going as far as getting engaged which makes him look desperate, those nasty gay rumours would persist and could resurface late October.
Tim Pawlenty-He simply does not generate much excitement in a year when the GOP needs as much as they can muster. McCain-plenty..had enough?
So when facing a young charismatic opponent, you get your very own GOP version (Rep. Cantor is 45 years old). Bobby "the exorcist" Jindal was too young at 36 years of age, I guess McCain feels he needs to inject some youth into the ticket to galvanize the GOP base.
The Vanel Journal has decided to do its own "vetting", here is Rep. Cantor getting grilled on Hardball. He incorrectly states that the President has the sole authority to declare war:
I have not been overly impressed with Rep Cantor thus far and picking a staunch conservative will alienate independent and moderate voters. Ultimately, McCain's pick will be determined by three main factors: Battleground polls, Obama's Pick and the need to generate excitement for the GOP ticket.
A Cantor pick results in a collective yawn from the Commentocracy.
Nothing to see here folks, move along..
UPDATE: Check out Janis' diary.