The John McCain campaign is all-but-certain to announce the presumptive Republican nominee's pick of a vice presidential running-mate on Friday.

The goal is to trump Democrat Barack Obama's Thursday night acceptence speech -- an address that Democrats hope will fully introduce their candidate to the American electorate and launch a successful fall campaign.

The McCain camp wants to draw attention away from Obama so that the Democrat's "convention bump" does not extend on a wave of pro-Obama euphoria through the weekend and perhaps into next week's Republican National Convention.

How badly do the Republicans want to undermine any Obamamania?

The talk among Republican operatives today is of a Thursday evening leak, perhaps just hours after Obama finishes his outdoor speech to 75,000 in Denver.

And what if McCain picks Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison in order to play out his campaign's aggressive outreach to those women who remain unsettled by the defeat of Hillary Clinton -- or who are just looking for an excuse not to back Obama?

Hutchison remains an outside prospect. But the McCain campaign has committed immense energy to the effort to exploit an assumed opening among women voters who have provided key support to Democrats in fall races since the 1980s.

We may find out how serious the McCain camp is about empowering women -- or, to be more precise, about taking advantage of what they perceive as an opening in a close race -- before the echoes from Barack Obama's speech are gone.

Comments (45)

1. I see three possibilities for ol' Maverick-

   1. "A woman". In an blatent and OBVIOUS attempt to "win over Hillary voters", which will be a bust. Plus the field to choose from isn't good for him. If Hutchinson...she's boring and not really that helpful. If a Sarah Palin, McCain loses the "experience" issue, due to Palin's resume versus Obama's. If (outside at best) a Condi Rice, he links himself to Bush again and "hints" that Condi may not be onboard for all the social issues emerge (plus her marital status).

   2. "A moderate". Possible, but it alienates his base, who already don't like him much. Tom Ridge or some guy like Ridge and I think he's sunk, due to losing the Right (even with abject fear of Obama).

   Even Huckabee risks them, as he was part of Limbaugh's "If either of these two (McCain or Huckabee) win the nomination, it will destroy the Republican Party" duo.

   3. "A die-hard Hard Rightie". Somebody in the "Have the kids say the Lord's Prayer in school, before teaching them creationism, and how condoms are the Mark of the Beast" mold, who kisses Pat Robertson and Rick Warren's ass so much it's practically "Sodomite"...heheh.

   The problem there is, he loses ALL "maverick" status and becomes just another "true blue conservative Republican"...and again, makes himself look like a "sequel" to Bush and Cheney...as well as the "Schiavo" Republican Congress.

   Posted by Maskdelta at 08/28/2008 @ 10:01am

2. After Hillary's amazing speech I doubt many of us who supported her will turn to whatever woman the GOPPERS dangle as bait just because she's a woman. Ultimately this election isn't about race or gender it's about our future, or as Hillary said, "No way, no how No McCain".

   Posted by Pogge at 08/28/2008 @ 11:13am

3. The Hillary cultists who are planning on voting for McCain will vote for him no matter who his VP pick is so there would be no reason for him to bother picking a woman in order to attract Hillary cultists.

   Posted by i'm nobody at 08/28/2008 @ 11:26am

4. He's not picking a woman. No way in hell they accept a woman vice-president. That will be a worse choice, for him politically, than picking Huckabee. He'll probably pick Romney. What other viable candidate for his VP is there?

   Posted by k330k at 08/28/2008 @ 11:31am

5. He'll probably pick Romney. What other viable candidate for his VP is there?--------Posted by k330k at 08/28/2008 @ 11:31am

   Oh, PLEASE, let it be Romney...if just "locally"...

   so that LVLIB's head explodes!

   LOL

   Posted by Maskdelta at 08/28/2008 @ 12:02pm

6. Posted by Maskdelta at 08/28/2008 @ 10:01am

   Mask. I know you are looking AS forward to the RNC as me. When Bush gives his rah-rah speech about McCain. It's gonna be sweet.

   Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/28/2008 @ 12:19pm

7. will turn to whatever woman the GOPPERS dangle as bait just because she's a woman.

   Posted by Pogge at 08/28/2008 @ 11:13am

   wait till you see mr. mccain in drag...

   she's picked himself for vp.

   Posted by frosty zoom at 08/28/2008 @ 12:20pm

8. Posted by Maskdelta at 08/28/2008 @ 12:02pm

   Huckabee and Romney are two of the worst choices he can get. Huckabee alienates moderates. Romeny alienates far right. God I don't know which one would be better. I would like to see Romney just to see LVL's reaction.

   Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/28/2008 @ 12:23pm

9. Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/28/2008 @ 12:19pm

   I'll bet the RNC is BEGGING the networks to show something, ANYTHING that will draw ratings...

   the night Dubya gives his speech!

   LOL

   Posted by Maskdelta at 08/28/2008 @ 12:24pm

10. Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/28/2008 @ 12:23pm

    Talk of Kay Bailey Hutchinson is good too.

    Despite a lot of "pro-life" votes, Hutchinson has SAID that she thinks "Roe was decidedly rightly" and that women have a Constitutional right to an abortion.

    Maverick picks her, and he guts his "pro-life" bona fides.

    Posted by Maskdelta at 08/28/2008 @ 12:26pm

11. He's not picking a woman. No way in hell they accept a woman vice-president. That will be a worse choice, for him politically, than picking Huckabee. He'll probably pick Romney. What other viable candidate for his VP is there?

    Posted by k330k at 08/28/2008 @ 11:31am

    Before there were Democratic women in the Senate, any female senators were from the Republican party.

    It seems the leftist ignorance sometimes knows no limits.

    Conservatives have never had a problem with a strong female leader. We loved Maggie Thatcher, Golda Meir; Bhutto another proven female leader;

    As to Huckabee, watching him last night on Colbert reminded me just how good he would be on the ticket. He would ensure that McCain is able to rally the conservative evangelical vote this fall. McCain knows that he cannot win without us.

    Romney is out and has said himself that he won't be selected.

    Pawlenty is however looking like a finalist.

    Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/28/2008 @ 12:54pm

12. I was just thinking to myself ... what if he chose Condoleeza Rice? That could possibly be the ultimate trump.

    But (!!) ... my personal feeling is that if you are on a person's side because of the color of their skin, their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity then you're not that bright. We're talking about ideas that can change or hurt the world we live ... those principles transcend race, class and gender.

    Posted by Brannu at 08/28/2008 @ 1:01pm

13. Rudy in drag!

    Would be wonderful, just the sort of diversion we need.

    More pragmatic, Mitt with his fat checkbook, open & ready to cover millions in his own expenses. Mitt wants it soooo bad, he'll pay & pay & pay.

    Posted by sloper at 08/28/2008 @ 1:02pm

14. wait till you see mr. mccain in drag...

    she's picked himself for vp.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 08/28/2008 @ 12:20pm

    And it'll be in 2/4 blackface to boot!

    The McPOWhowmanyMANSIONS of today meets the Mav of yesteryear and in a true revolutionary statement -- comes out -- not only in two-face, half-man / half-woman-- but in four-face!?!?!: a quarter blackface-man and a quarter blackface-woman; a virtual checkerboard new con repub convention dic'tator continuing 'exception' speech!?!?! And it'll come off as another 'first' too.

    Posted by hsuBfools at 08/28/2008 @ 1:17pm

15. Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/28/2008 @ 12:54pm

    I hope they pick Pawlenty or Romney.

    Pawlenty has a horrible economic record in Minnesota and absolutely no foreign policy experience (less than Barack) that would make him qualified to step in if McCain can't finish his term.

    Romney is another out-of-touch rich dude, who like McCain, would be absolutely a nobody had not his father paved the way.

    Posted by Metteyya at 08/28/2008 @ 1:18pm

16. And the MSM is reporting that McPOWhowmanyMANSIONS has now NOT made his VP pick before he MADE his VP pick!?!?!

    This is what's called literally 'foreshadowing'-- and we can expect McPOWhowmanyMANSIONS as president, if we're all unfortunate to experience such a fate, will he call for NOT 'bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran', after he calls for 'bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran'....

    Posted by hsuBfools at 08/28/2008 @ 1:25pm

17. Romney is out and has said himself that he won't be selected.----Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/28/2008 @ 12:54pm

    I believe that is the first time LVLIB has actually PRAYED in a post here!

    LOL

    Posted by Maskdelta at 08/28/2008 @ 1:44pm

18. er, And the MSM is reporting that McPOWhowmanyMANSIONS has now NOT made his VP pick 'AFTER' he MADE his VP pick!?!?!

    This is what's called literally 'foreshadowing'-- and we can expect McPOWhowmanyMANSIONS as president, if we're all unfortunate to experience such a fate, will he call for NOT 'bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran', after he calls for 'bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran'....

    Posted by hsuBfools at 08/28/2008 @ 2:02pm

19. As to Huckabee, watching him last night on Colbert reminded me just how good he would be on the ticket. He would ensure that McCain is able to rally the conservative evangelical vote this fall. McCain knows that he cannot win without us. Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/28/2008 @ 12:54pm

    That's the problem LVL. Huckabee wins you guys yes but the problem is Huckabee alienates moderates. To you Huckabee is great. To a moderate Huckabee is nuts.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/28/2008 @ 2:10pm

20. Conservatives have never had a problem with a strong female leader.

    Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/28/2008 @ 12:54pm

    here's one for ya:

    LA Mistress Crystal, Los Angeles, CA, USA.LA dominatrix does in-person, phone and webcam

    http://openadultdirectory.com/bdsm/CA/

    Posted by frosty zoom at 08/28/2008 @ 2:26pm

21. That's the problem LVL. Huckabee wins you guys yes but the problem is Huckabee alienates moderates. To you Huckabee is great. To a moderate Huckabee is nuts.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/28/2008 @ 2:10pm

    But CCC, it is possible for McCain to win with only a small percentage of moderates. He absolutely has no chance without the conservative evangelicals.

    Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/28/2008 @ 2:29pm

22. Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/28/2008 @ 12:54pm

    huckabee is an ignorant fool.

    you should be embarrassed if he becomes vp.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 08/28/2008 @ 2:30pm

23. huckabee, while affable, knows zero.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 08/28/2008 @ 2:31pm

24. huckabee is an ignorant fool.

    you should be embarrassed if he becomes vp.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 08/28/2008 @ 2:30pm

    Nope; that's who I voted for in the primaries and he remains a favorite with me. He is neither ignorant nor a fool.

    perhaps you can provide some evidence of ignorance? or that he lacks common sense or judgment?

    Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/28/2008 @ 2:32pm

25. Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/28/2008 @ 2:29pm

    How's this for irony?

    I hope that BOTH LVLIBERTY AND RUSH LIMBAUGH are right...

    LL...that Huckabee is McCain's pick.

    and Rush, when he said...

    "I'm here to tell you, if either of these two guys (McCain or Huckabee) get the nomination, it's going to destroy the Republican Party, it's going to change it forever, be the end of it. A lot of people aren't going to vote. You watch."

    Posted by Maskdelta at 08/28/2008 @ 2:34pm

26. perhaps you can provide some evidence of ignorance? or that he lacks common sense or judgment?

    Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/28/2008 @ 2:32pm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8tVbH5NfvQ&fmt=18

    Posted by frosty zoom at 08/28/2008 @ 2:52pm

27. While on the campaign trail in Iowa, Mr. Huckabee told his audience that the instability in Pakistan should be a reminder of the number of Pakistanis who enter the U.S. illegally. "It's interesting that there are more Pakistanis who have illegally crossed the border than of any other nationality except for those immediately south of our border," Mr. Huckabee said Friday. He added that 660 Pakistanis were caught trying to cross the border illegally last year.

    His numbers were wrong and the press was quick to criticize Mr. Huckabee. That figure of 660 covers a four-year period ending in 2005, not one year. And Pakistan is nowhere near the top of the charts in illegal U.S. border crossings nor U.S. deportations, lists dominated, not surprisingly, by countries in the Western hemisphere.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 08/28/2008 @ 2:53pm

28. WHAT HE GOT WRONG:"If Hillary is the nominee, [the parole of convicted rapist Wayne Dumond] will be as much an issue for her and for her husband as it ever will be for me."

    TOOLBOX Resize Text Save/Share + Print This E-mail This WHO'S BLOGGING » Links to this article -- Mike Huckabee, "Hannity & Colmes," Fox News Channel, Nov. 15

    It is a huge stretch to blame Hillary and Bill Clinton for the tragic case of Dumond, a convicted rapist who murdered a woman in Missouri two years after he was released from an Arkansas prison. Dumond's sentence to life in prison plus 20 years was originally reduced to 39 1/2 years by Bill Clinton's lieutenant governor, Jim Guy Tucker, but he was released from prison while Huckabee was governor. Evangelical Christians accused Clinton of blocking Dumond's release from prison on the grounds that his victim was a distant Clinton relative.

    In contrast, Huckabee expressed doubts about Dumond's guilt and announced his intention to commute his sentence to time served shortly after he came into office. He reversed himself after a public outcry but publicly endorsed a January 1997 parole board decision to release Dumond.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 08/28/2008 @ 2:54pm

29. But CCC, it is possible for McCain to win with only a small percentage of moderates. He absolutely has no chance without the conservative evangelicals. Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/28/2008 @ 2:29pm

    Actually it's the reverse LVL. The far right evangelicals make up MAYBE 20% of the electorate. He needs 51% of the vote. So he actually needs moderates MORE than he needs evangelicals. because he need 31% of them.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/28/2008 @ 2:55pm

30. During the Republican debate, Mike Huckabee said he believes one of the defining issues facing the country is the sanctity of human life. Arguing that the issue is of historical importance, he invoked the Declaration of Independence's rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and said that most of the signers of the declaration were clergymen.

    Not even close.

    Only one of the 56 was an active clergyman, and that was John Witherspoon. Witherspoon was a Presbyterian minister and president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University).

    Posted by frosty zoom at 08/28/2008 @ 2:58pm

31. Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/28/2008 @ 2:55pm

    Math has a left-wing/socialist/marxist bias, CCC!

    Posted by Maskdelta at 08/28/2008 @ 2:59pm

32. "You don't like people from outside the state coming in and telling you what to do with your flag. In fact, if somebody came to Arkansas and told us what to do with our flag, we'd tell 'em what to do with the pole; that's what we'd do."

    mike huckabee on the confederate flag.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 08/28/2008 @ 3:02pm

33. Posted by frosty zoom at 08/28/2008 @ 2:52pm

    Strike 1 for you Frosty. So a comedy show from Canada played a practical joke on a US politician; so what?

    Most of us have fallen for a practical joke on more than one occasion. Politicians get hit with it even more these days.

    Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/28/2008 @ 3:09pm

34. This really is shaping up to be a replay of 1996. I don't envy McCain having to stem the tide coming out of the Democratic Convention. The speakers have been articulate, passionate, competent, and most damningly for the Republicans, LIKABLE. The Obamas and Bidens are relatable, and most Americans have far more in common with them than with McCain and whoever his sidekick ends up being. How many of us are the sons of admirals? How many of us are married to heiresses? The Democratic Convention is going to be a tough, arguably impossible, act to follow. As with 1996, I expect lots of faux-patriotism and scare tactics that will likely backfire.

    Posted by Be Good at 08/28/2008 @ 3:23pm

35. Math has a left-wing/socialist/marxist bias, CCC! Posted by Maskdelta at 08/28/2008 @ 2:59pm'

    "We all know that reality has a well known liberal bias"

    -Stephen Colbert.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/28/2008 @ 3:24pm

36. Posted by Maskdelta at 08/28/2008 @ 10:01am

    LOL

    CCC@3:24 HA!

    Gods I love this thread

    Maybe he'll pick Giuliani .. if he wears his party dress it might woo the Hillar-ites (and a few gays to boot?)

    Does anyone know if they're handing and torches and pitchforks GOP convention this time?

    Posted by leftofcenter at 08/28/2008 @ 3:33pm

37. Does anyone know if they're handing and torches and pitchforks GOP convention this time? Posted by leftofcenter at 08/28/2008 @ 3:33pm

    I would hope so. What's the GOP without a boogey man to chase after? That's what their entire party is built on.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/28/2008 @ 3:45pm

38. I love the unmerited overconfidence of the leftist bloggers.

    Dole was a poor candidate who deserved to lose. I voted 3rd party instead.

    But Obama is showing more and more weakness while McCain is growing stronger with the American people. I actually think McCain now has a very good chance of winning.

    HRC's attacks on Obama were minor league compared to what's coming. All of the lies about Obama's achievements, his own words and associations about his marxist beliefs, his abortion beliefs and votes, the empty suit resume, all of it will be highlighted in a way that has yet to come to light.

    And the choice of Biden will not strengthen Obama with the youth and other anti-war leftists.

    President McCain is sounding more likely with each passing day.

    Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/28/2008 @ 3:46pm

39. Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/28/2008 @ 3:46pm

    Funny. I am pretty sure McCain's worthless judgement will be highlighted to better effect.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/28/2008 @ 4:02pm

40. Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/28/2008 @ 3:24pm

    Yeah, nod to Stephen on that one.

    BTW, I'm pretty sure it won't be Huckabee....LVLIB might not worry about his "past", but McCain will. Plus, as I noted Limbaugh has dissed BOTH guys as "destroyers of the GOP", so there's an anti-Huck contingent even on the Right.

    Romney or Pawlenty...maybe Kay Bailey Hutchinson if he's in a pandering mood.

    Again, probably help in the General Election and on fund-raising....so there's a downside, BUT...

    I ....WILL.....LOVE....IT....if it's Romney. And LVLIB goes absolutely ape-s**t and we get the MAJOR, COSMIC IRONY of...

    former Democrat FRANKGRITS supporting McCain/Romney....and right-winger extraordinaire LVLIBERTY opposing them!!!!

    Posted by Maskdelta at 08/28/2008 @ 4:16pm

41. Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/28/2008 @ 3:46pm

    Also LVL. How do you reconcile Huckabess speaking for the CofCC? I mean you complain about Obama sitting in a church with Reverend Wright. How are then ok with Huckabee speaking for the KKK without the sheets?

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/28/2008 @ 4:32pm

42. Also LVL. How do you reconcile Huckabess speaking for the CofCC? I mean you complain about Obama sitting in a church with Reverend Wright. How are then ok with Huckabee speaking for the KKK without the sheets?

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/28/2008 @ 4:32pm

    I noted in response to Mask on another thread that Huckabee neither spoke for or to the CoCC. And that the Republican party officially condemned the group as racist over 12 years ago.

    And I have not complained about Obama sitting in Wright's church. I even defended some of Wright's statements. I just thought his views on things like Farrakhan, and on 9/11 being a conspiracy were nutty.

    Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/28/2008 @ 4:43pm

43. "he accepted an invitation to speak at the group's annual conference in 1993 and ultimately delivered a videotaped address that was "extremely well received by the audience"

    http://tinyurl.com/3dqede

    I guess since he sent a videotape instead of appearing himself that makes it ok?

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/28/2008 @ 4:59pm

44. I guess since he sent a videotape instead of appearing himself that makes it ok?

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 08/28/2008 @ 4:59pm

    No. He has said he didn't know what their real views were. They had evidently formed under that name a couple of years prior to that. He has also said that if he had known what their views were he would not have even sent the tape. The group had no presence in Arkansas.

    there is just no evidence that Huckabee ever knew ahead of time about their views or that he has ever agreed with any racist views. As I noted, he received 48% of the African American vote in Arkansas as Governor. Obviously they didn't see any concern.

    Posted by lvliberty1 at 08/28/2008 @ 5:31pm

45. Wrong answer, 2HAPPY. Barack Obama is 100% American by citizenship, as we all are. No American citizen is any more or less "American". What we're born with, or who we're born to isn't important. Obama has achieved the American Dream through hard work and personal responsibility. McCain is Navy royalty. Though both candidates are 100% American, which story is more reflective of America's opportunity and promise?

    Posted by Be Good at 08/28/2008 @ 6:16pm