"The Ticket?"

Drudge had that headline on his page earlier tonight as he linked to an AP article that showed Romney and McCain campaigning together in Utah.

A tanned and rested Romney said it was fun to be campaigning again and nice not to feel any pressure.  "I don't have to worry about goofing up," he said.  He brushed aside questions about a No. 2 spot on the GOP ticket.

Wishful thinking Matt?  Does the rumor have legs or is it just a headline to drum up speculation?

Part of me thinks that McCain has got to give his selection for the VP slot a lot of thought and reflection.  I think it is too easy to pick Romney.  And really why should he?  Name recognition?  Uniting the party?

McCain won the nomination.  And he won by pretty good margins.  It wasn't a knock down, drag out fight like the current Democratic nomination.  So would it really be about "uniting" the party?

In my opinion, I think McCain should do what he has always done and that is buck the status quo.  This election is going to be won or lost in the middle.  Romney would be an average choice in my opinion.  I think he needs to go with a VP candidate that is both a straight shooter and politically attractive.

I still think Palin is at the top of my list for the post.  Human Events had this article on Palin (thanks Zak for the link) however unlikely the possibility.

“I’ll tell you, I think that the possibility of this ever happening is so far out there, that it’s tough to get my arms around and even contemplate,” Palin told us, so I don’t have an answer.” But, she quickly added, “I would like to see a governor on that ticket. I do think a governor understands, being on the front lines there, serving the constituents, how to administer. I think that’s very important for a team that would be serving in the White House.”

The one trap McCain cannot fall into is his potential administration looking like Bush's, especially with the likes of Obama harping on the failings of Bush all of the time.  I think a McCain/Romney ticket would make it too easy.  I say make it hard.

Palin is attractive, ethical, and almost maverickesque in her political style.  That is what will bring in the independents and solidify a win.