Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, (60) Former Republican National Committee Chairman, Haley Barbour is a favorite of conservatives, evangelicals, and party regulars alike, which would make him a unity influence as McCain's VP choice. Barbour's demeanor and deportment during the Katrina disaster was exemplary, and his being from the south would not hurt the ticket either. However, Barbour's history as a top DC lawyer and lobbyist may conflict with McCain's well honed, if undeserved, image as being above the reach of Washington insiders.

Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, (55) Blackburn comes close to being the complete package for several reasons. Not only would she be the first female on the GOP ticket, (Which would either offset Hillary if nominated or take advantage of the situation if Hillary is spurned) but she is also from the enormously important swing state of Tennessee. (Not to mention the south) In addition, her nomination would reassure the conservative base of the party inasmuch as she has compiled a 98% conservative rating from the American Conservative Union. Blackburn's greatest drawbacks are that she is not that well known, and has served in Congress only two years longer than Barrack Obama.

Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, (60) Rarely has an individual made such an impact upon entering Congress as McCain's friend, Dr. Tom Coburn. Coburn is a solid conservative on all counts and has almost single-handedly challenged pork barrel appropriations in both House and Senate. Coburn's uncompromising maverick status, almost makes him a younger (albeit, a more conservative) version of McCain. This could be the surprise pick of the 2008 election. On the down side, Coburn, while reassuring conservatives and evangelicals, adds little to the dynamics of geography. Remember however, that John McCain is fully conscious that his selection is tantamount to giving a mantle to the one on whom he bestows it. I think that he would love to bestow it on Tom Coburn.

Florida Governor, Charlie Crist, (51) Governor Crist must be considered a contender for several reasons. First, the GOP can't win the White House without Florida. Second, given the backhanded treatment of Florida by the Democrats during the primary, coupled by an antagonistic Jewish vote if Obama is on the ticket, Florida is a huge prize that could be snagged by choosing Crist. On the down side, Crist's one marriage ended in divorce after six months, and at best, he is soft on defending traditional marriage.

U. S. Senator of South Carolina, Jim DeMint, (56). If one candidate could unite conservatives and evangelicals behind McCain, Senator Jim Demint would have to be at the top of the list. Like Governor Rick Perry of Texas, Demint is young, conservative and Reaganisque. His three-terms as a South Carolina Congressman established him as staunch fiscal and social conservative and in 2007, The National Journal ranked him as the most conservative member of the United States Senate. Demint, a Presbyterian, has taken an uncompromising stand against abortion, gay rights and same sex marriage. However, DeMint's strong endorsement of Mitt Romney might cause John McCain to pass him by.

Former Congressman Newt Gingrich, (63). While talk of Newt Gingrich might be considered by many to be backward looking, many think that it is looking back to the future. Gingrich, the author of the GOP's "Contract with America", is intelligent, articulate and remains an inspiring spokesman for the conservative heart of the Republican Party. Being from Georgia, Gingrich would solidify the south while energizing the base. His prolific writings including, Rediscovering God In America, have once again put Gingrich on solid ground with evangelicals. Even so, Gingrich remains a less than likely McCain pick.

Former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee, (52). If Crist could deliver Florida, Huckabee could deliver the whole South, without which, no Republican nominee can hope to win. Huckabee would also energize the evangelical vote nationwide, which provided Bush his winning margins in back to back presidential elections. What the McCain campaign needs now more than anything else is a fired up evangelical base, and few of the VP possibilities could do this like Huckabee. McCain would do well to learn from Gerald Ford's mistake of leaving the second place finisher (Reagan) off the 1976 GOP ticket. (And it cost Ford the White House) As an additional bonus, the McCain campaign would benefit from Huckabee's trademark wit and humor.

U.S. Senator of Texas, Kay Bailey Hutchison, (64). This conservative Senator form Texas is on most everyone's VP list. However, word has it, that Hutchison is more interested in running for governor of Texas than being on the 2008 Republican presidential ticket. Just the same, if it's a conservative female that could reach both south and west, Kay Bailey Hutchison stands alone. On the down side, because Hutchison's age does nothing to help the McCain ticket look younger, she is almost assured of being passed over.

Louisiana Governor, Bobby Jindal, (37) Conservative Governor Bobby Jindal, like Barrack Obama, has come so far, so fast that he almost seems like a Rhodes Scholar set-up. Just the same, you'll look hard to find anyone who has anything negative to say about him. At thirty-seven, he is extremely young, which may not be a bad thing with seventy-one year-old McCain at the top of the ticket. Imagine, the youngest and the oldest ever nominated on the same ticket. Jindal is staunchly conservative, with a 98% ACU rating. He converted from Hinduism to Catholicism in high school and has since written articles for conservative Catholic magazines. Jindal has a resume that reads like someone twice his age, and his ethnic background could offset Obama's appeal in this regard.

Former Oklahoma Governor, Frank Keating, (64) Frank Keating is extremely intelligent, energetic, witty and an impressive speaker. He has a who's who resume that reads like its talking about a whole troop of individuals, including: FBI agent, U.S. Attorney, Associate Attorney General, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Deputy Secretary of HUD and two-term governor of Oklahoma. Keating is a conservative Catholic who served his church well during the Catholic priest abuse scandal by representing the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Just the same, geography and age will most likely work against him as the McCain pick.

U.S Senator of Connecticut, Joe Lieberman, (65). In seams incredible that Al Gore's wild-eyed liberal running mate from 2000 would even be mentioned as a Republican VP candidate. But then that was before Lieberman was dumped by his own party and then won another term as the senior Senator from Connecticut as an Independent. And remember, we are talking about John McCain, who loves to play the maverick. The selection of Leiberman would turn democratic hearts stone cold while causing conservative republicans to nash their teeth. In spite of Lieberman's hawkish views on the war, and his Jewish connection, his otherwise liberal views on all things social would undo any supposed benefit. It is more likely that Lieberman will lead an "Independents For McCain" this fall and go on to serve as Secretary of State if McCain wins in November.

Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin, (44). Under normal circumstances, a young and inexperienced first-term governor would not be seriously considered as a Vice-Presidential candidate. However, inasmuch as John McCain has sent out signals of looking for a younger running mate, (as evidenced by inviting thirty-seven year old Bobby Jindal to his Arizona home for a VP look) some are asking, why not a young, attractive, female governor? Palin is a mother of five, staunchly pro-life and pro gun. She is a long shot to be sure but could be the big surprise of this presidential year.

Minnesota Governor, Tim Pawlenty, (47). Tim Pawlenty is the Mark Sanford of the north. Like Sanford, he is young and conservative while offering a tempting opportunity to put the rustbelt region into play. While the Democrats have carried Minnesota in every single presidential race since 1976, with this year's GOP convention being held in Minneapolis, Minnesota's conservative governor could be just the ticket for turning the tide in Minnesota and the Midwest. This however would be a big gamble, leaving the south with a big question mark. Although Pawlenty endorsed McCain early in the campaign, he remains on the doubtful list of possible picks.

Texas Governor, Rick Perry, (58). Rugged and Reaganisque, what better voter-appeal than a ticket combo of war hero, (McCain) and national defender of the Boy Scouts, (Rick Perry). His book, On My Honor, strikes at the very core of political correctness. While Perry may not be on any short list, his strong conservative views, Christian credentials and Texas geography make him an attractive consideration for Vice President. But then again, Americans may be tired of Presidents from Texas. Regardless of what happens in the VP selection, watch for Rick Perry to join the ranks of future GOP presidential contenders.

Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, (53) Few women in America have the name recognition and experience of Condoleezza Rice. Those who count her out of the VP race because of her association with an unpopular war are forgetting just how fickle public sentiment can be. In a head to head with a possible Obama/Hillary ticket, a Condi Rice addition would close the age, race and gender gap all at the same time. Nevertheless, Rice's after taste of the Bush era may indeed nix her chances for the number two spot. Just the same, don't count Condi out.

Former Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Ridge, (63). Few candidates have a better combination of name recognition, resume and geographic appeal. (Republicans would love to carry Pennsylvania where Obama got creamed by Hillary Clinton.) His watch as the first Secretary of Homeland Security earned him great respect among the American people. However, as a pro-choice Catholic, Ridge would hardly appeal to social conservatives. For this reason alone, McCain will probably pass him by.

Former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney, (61). Romney would bring business savvy and presidential good looks to the ticket. (Neither of which should be underestimated) He is an establishment candidate with an ever-increasing conservative bent. The thing that could hurt Romney the most is that, geographically speaking, he hails from the section of the U.S. where McCain was stronger in the primaries and where the GOP will probably fare badly anyway. Moreover, Romney's Mormon connection alienated many evangelicals during the primaries. Just the same, America has not heard the last of Mitt Romney.

South Carolina Governor, Mark Sanford, (48). Here is another well-respected southern governor who could very well be chosen to bolster the south. Both as a three-term congressman and twice elected governor, Sanford has built a solid reputation for fiscal responsibility and for cutting waste and inefficiency in government. However, Sanford, like some of the others, is somewhat one dimensional in what he brings to the ticket. At best he is another one of those future possibilities that remains a dark horse at the present time.

Former U.S. Senator, Fred Thompson, (64). Although Thompson didn't get much traction in the presidential race, (due primarily to a late start) this doesn't mean he doesn't present possibilities as McCain's number two man. Thompson would deliver Tennessee and solidify the south while adding "star appeal" that nostalgic republicans haven't seen since the days of Ronald Reagan. Moreover, Thompson's selection would reassure many conservatives who feel like they are being taken for granted. On the down side, Thompson's lack luster debate performance and aging look will dampen the likelihood of his selection. Likewise, his long history as a Washington DC lobbyist seems to fuss with McCain's image.

U.S. Senator from South Dakota, John Thune, (47). Referred to as "John the Giant Killer" for his 2004 upset victory over liberal Senate Minority Leader, Tom Daschle, (and in a very difficult year for Republicans too.) John Thune could offer a very real shot in the arm for Republican moral in 2008. An out and out Christian with a solid social and fiscal conservative record, (with an ACU rating of 100%) a McCain selection of Thune would be a powerful statement in itself.