Howard Wolfson, former
communications director for Hillary Clinton, has been writing for us from Denver. Here are his
thoughts on McCain's upcoming v.p. selection.
What will John McCain's pick, due tomorrow, of his
vice-presidential running mate, say about him to the American people?
McCain is running ahead of the generic Republican ballot
because many Americans believe he is an independent maverick, an image he forged
during his 2000 run. If McCain picks a pro-choice running mate like Tom Ridge,
or a woman like Meg Whitman, or a Democrat like Joe Lieberman, he
will do much to help cement that image, which has justifiably been tarnished
during the Bush presidency. Such a pick would shake up the race and jumble
the electoral math. It would send a strong signal to independents and
moderates that McCain would conduct his presidency in a different way than
George Bush has. Perhaps for that reason I'm told that the Bush White
House is counseling against such a pick.
A real maverick might make such a pick.
The betting here is that McCain won't. Why?
Over the last eight years McCain has moved considerably to
the right and disowned many of the moderate positions that he once held
dear. This was done in a clear attempt to assuage the right wing of his
party and secure the presidential nomination.
Despite this, the right of the Republican Party remains
suspicious of him. The lack of enthusiasm for him among base Republicans
is palpable. For that reason he is likely not in a position to make a
bold pick--a pick that he may well be more comfortable with in his heart.
A Romney, Pawlenty, or Huckabee pick would send a clear
signal to America: McCain--Maverick no more.
--Howard Wolfson