Cross-Posted at Fred2Blue
Up until now, the only McCain/Cantor talk has revolved around a Draft Cantor for VP website started by a lobbyist named Beau Phillips. Big whoop right? Well apparently when you represent represent Big Oil, Arthur Andersen, and Steroid-Using Baseball Players, it gives you a lot of pull in GOP circles. Because now, according to the National Journal's poll of Republican insiders, Cantor ranks second behind only Mitt Romney when asked for their preferred runningmate. In their poll of Democratic insiders, Kaine ranks third behind Hillary Clinton and Ted Strickland.
But with Mark Warner and Jim Webb removing their names from consideration, Kaine has definetly moved into the top tier of potential Obama runningmates. Two insiders, Robert Novak on the right and Al Giordano on the left, have Gov. Kaine at the top of the list. The two also agree that Mitt Romney will be McCain's runningmate.
A lot of folks here in Virginia probably find it unusual that now, when he's facing a real rough patch in his time as Governor, Kaine's stock is so high. But if Mitt Romney is McCain's no. 2, it will be a moot point. Why? Because Kaine's current "unpopularity" is NOTHING compared to Romney's final year in his one and only term as Gov. of Massachusetts.
In Romney's final year, Survey USA gave him an average approval rating in the 40's. Including 34% in November of 2006 and 39% in December of 2006. And on that note.....Willard Mitt Romney saw fit to run for President of the United States.
Kaine, even now, has never experienced that level of unpopularity. Kaine's most recent Survey USA poll shows him at 56%, which is low for him. Plus he's always had a higher approval rating than Sen. Webb, everyone's favorite pick for VP.
Cantor, meanwhile, is jewish. So....there ya go. There are no black Republicans interested in the job; Sen. Mel Martinez was born in Cuba; Gov. Piyash "Bobby" Jindal is an exorcist and has been in office for, like, 6 months; so Congressman Cantor is as close as the GOP gets to a minority these days.
Not to mention the fact that as a VP pick, Cantor would be like Dan Quayle, only without the intellect.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE pick Cantor, John!
I just found a post from Hugh Hewitt on Town Hall from a month ago saying that Cantor, Ridge, Portman, and Romney were the top 4. He also said that Mike Allen told him that Anthony Zinni was at the top of Obama's list fwiw.
[I still think it'll be Sebelius v. Pawlenty, but Zinni is an interesting name I hadn't heard yet.]
You know what - we don't need national security on the ticket - Obama has the top of top advisers to include Clark and Zinney(?).
Kaine will bring Virginia, will bring the southern/midwest White Man, the Catholic vote and a whole lot of other things. Plus - his wife a daughter of a Republican Governor...
I thought it was interesing @ the Dem VA state convention that the montage of Kaine's career through his race for LT G and 2005 Governor. He ends with big 2008 - and the only pictures are of him and Obama. People - the decision has been made!
Plus - the General Campaign was launch in Virginia with Kaine - introducing Obama. The signs are all pointed to a Kaine.