Inside the John McCain veep-fest

The GOP nominee in waiting, John McCain, is spending Memorial Day weekend with friends and supporters -- and potential running mates -- at his weekend home in Sedona, Ariz., before heading back out on the campaign trail Monday. Among the guests are Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida, Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts -- and  Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who provided a report to Bob Schieffer of CBS' "Face the Nation":

SCHIEFFER: You're out there at this little social gathering at Sen. McCain's weekend place there. He had various people, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida, former Gov. Romney, yourself and a lot of other people who are being thought of as possible running mates. What was this? Was this some sort of elimination contest, or what was this all about out there?

GRAHAM: Well, singing was last night. Dancing is this morning. But it was a lot of fun. John is like a kid at Christmas showing off his ranch up here. John and Cindy invited us all over. Joe Lieberman was here, Sam Brownback. He barbecued ribs all night last night. There's 67 different species of birds on the ranch. I know I've seen them all twice. It was a lot of fun. It's a chance for John to relax with some friends and supporters from the politics and business. We had a good time.

SCHIEFFER: Was this the beginning of a selection process to decide who is going to be on the ticket? Or where is he on that?

GRAHAM: There is some vetting going on. John is going to head up that process. No, this was purely social. If you know anything about John McCain, he is like a kid at Christmas when it comes to showing off his ranch up here. And his people who have helped John, his friends in the business world, some of his friends in politics. I wish it was more, but it's not. I'm sorry, that's all it is.

-- Leslie Hoffecker

Comments

[Ted]

Jindal (and Crist) are good Governors, but it’s a no-brainer that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is the best pick for McCain.

[Mike Meyer]

V.P.choice.... Hmmm,,, A woman....A smart woman...Respected.....In the know...GOT HER..! Secretary of State..Cody Rice..! No better possible choice..! Im telling you..! Mr McCain, open your eyes. Leave the others behind.

[jim]

Why does Sen. Graham keep referring to Sen. McCain as "being like a kid at Christmas"? Is he/the GOP that desperate to add a patina of youth?

[BJ]

McCain should have Meg Whitman as his VP... SHE can certainly fix the economy!

It would also make it more palatable to vote Republican for Hillary supporters, if Obama becomes the Democratic nominee.

[Lori]

I don't know, I kinda like the idea of Romney on the ticket. He gets things done. I would love a can-do guy next in line to McCain. There is a ticket I could actually get fired up about and return to my conservative Republican activism. I took a leave of absence when McCain became the presumptive nominee. Not sure when I'll return if he picks anyone else.

[Diana in California]

Mitt Romney is the best choice for Vice-President. Romney is a self-millionaire, family man, intelligent, looks presidential, mature, very handsome and would be good for the economy. I hope he doesn't pick a woman or an African-American. I'm sick and tired of the media shoving Barack Obama down our throats, and the 92% African-Americans voting for him on the basis of race. Crist is not married and does not have children, and Bobby Jindal is very young at age 36, although he has more experience than Barack Obama, anyone is better qualified than BHO.

[Keith]

I agree that Romney is probably his best bet. I am not sure it is such a good idea to test the waters with a woman, minority or Jewish (Bloomberg) candidate at this time. McCain is having a terrible time rallying up his conservative base, and without them, he can't win the election. Also Romney is already a household name, social conservative, will get the Mountain States, Sportsmen, and Mormon vote. His great business sense (Utah Olympics and Harvard MBA/J.D) will be a great addition in a faltering economy.

[Ted]

Here's an important piece of advice: If it looks like it's going to be McCain/Palin anyway (and that should be a "no brainer" for Team McCain), McCain should announce NOW or VERY SOON, rather than later towards the convention. There's currently a growing chorus for Obama/Hillary (as VP) ticket (in fact the Dems are likely aware of the Palin phenomenon). If the GOP waits while movement for Hillary as VP grows -- even worse until after it is solidified that Hillary will/could be VP pick -- selecting Palin will be portrayed by Dems/liberal media more as a reaction by GOP selecting its own female (overshawdoing Palin's own remarkable assets), rather than McCain taking the lead on this. Selecting Palin now or early (contrary to the punditocracy) will mean McCain will be seen as driving the course of this campaign overwhelmingly, and the DEMS will be seen as merely reacting. And, there's absoultely no down-side to this because even if Hillary is a no-go as VP for Obama, the GOP gains by acting early. McCain the maverick. Palin the maverick. Do it now!

There's no reason, and actually substantial negative, in McCain waiting to see what the Dems do first insofar as his picking Palin as VP, because, no matter who Obama picks, Palin is by far (and I mean far) the best pick for McCain and the GOP, especially in this time of GOP woes. The GOP can be seen as the party of real 'change' (albeit I hate that mantra, change, change, bla bla), while not really having to change from GOP core conservative values, which Palin more than represents.

In light of the current oil/energy situation, as well as the disaffected female Hillary voters situation, and growing focus on McCain's age and health, Palin is more than perfect -- now.

(Perhaps Team McCain is already on to this.)

[Romney08]

If Obama is gonna do a Obama/Clinton ticket, which seems more and more likely, then it only makes sense that McCain should pick Romney, who OVERQUALIFIED to be our next president after McCain. He saved the Olympics, ran a mega-successful company and as opposed to most politicians who only talk, Romney has actually accomplished things.

McCain/Romney 08!