The American Spectator

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McCain ought to choose somebody who can plausibly make him at least competitive in a state or region or constituency where he otherwise would not be. This does not mean that McCain should expect the veep to definitely carry a particular state -- too many variables come into play for there to be guarantees -- but that the running mate should at least make the Democrats fight for a place or constituency, or fight harder than they otherwise would to win it. The Democrats ought to be made to spend resources defending turf they otherwise would easily own.

Oh, and one more thing: The choice ought to be ethically above reproach, and a clear reformer. McCain's reputation for straight talk and principled stands is likely to come under attack in the fall. The last thing he needs is a running mate whose own record isn't beyond reproach.

So there you have it: McCain needs a solidly "full-spectrum" conservative, reformist, youngish, cool, well-rounded, brainy, all-media-respected, articulate, telegenic, border-state/constituency-challenging, non-party-weakening, executive-experienced, running mate who can handle the presidency at a moment's notice.

Good luck to McCain in finding such a candidate. The good news, amazingly enough, is that there are several potential running mates who fit the bill. I'll save their identities for another occasion.

topics:
Foreign Policy, John McCain, NATO