Who Will Be McCain's Second-In-Command?

Who's in the Republican Veepstakes?

A Break Down of the GOP Newsmakers in the Vice Presidential Mix

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1. Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota

PROS: An early, loyal McCain supporter who has long been close to the candidate. Solid conservative who has won two elections in an important swing state that is hosting the Republican National Convention. Age (47) is a balance to McCain's.
CONS: No significant foreign policy experience. Untested and not fully vetted on the national stage. Weak reelection win in 2006 raises questions about whether he could help carry his state.

2. Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts

PROS: CEO background strengthens McCain's economic credentials. Vetted through his own presidential campaign. Personal wealth solves potential money woes. Reportedly favored by Bush insiders. Aggressive and effective surrogate work endearing himself to McCain insiders.
CONS: Skewered McCain during primary season, with quotes that would be thrown back at the ticket. Has little personal relationship with the candidate. Will offer no help in carrying his home state. History of liberal-to-moderate positions could haunt him with GOP base.

3. Republican Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida

PROS: Popular governor of perhaps the most important electoral state in the nation. Endorsement of McCain may have been critical in helping him win Florida -- and the nomination.
CONS: Doesn't solve McCain's problems with conservatives, particularly on immigration and environmental issues. Has served less than two years as governor.

4. Republican Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina

PROS: Considered a "safe" pick by conservatives. Could strengthen McCain's economic credentials, particularly on taxes. Effective television presence who is helping line up conservative support for McCain.
CONS: Doesn't add a state that isn't already in the GOP column. Stayed neutral during tightly contested South Carolina primary, even though he endorsed McCain in 2000. Has had a tense relationship with Republicans in his home state.

5. Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah

PROS: Bucked conventional wisdom in Utah by supporting McCain over Romney. Will be 48 on Election Day. Deep experience in Reagan and both Bush administrations.
CONS: Home state is among the safest Republican states in the country. Mormon faith could present challenges similar to those faced by Romney.

6. Former Rep. Rob Portman, R-Ohio

PROS: Deep experience in legislative and executive branches, as trade representative and budget director in Bush administration. Popular among conservatives. Reputation as a tax-cutter. Would bring strong Capitol Hill relationships to the ticket.
CONS: Would further tie McCain to Bush administration. Represented conservative district and may not necessarily help McCain win Ohio, a key swing state.

7. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.

PROS: Strong conservative with national celebrity in political circles after defeating Democratic leader Tom Daschle in 2004. Good television presence. Impeccable credentials on conservative judicial nominations.
CONS: A two-senator ticket would have trouble running as Washington reformers. Geographical diversity would not add states to GOP column.

8. Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard

PROS: Strong background in economics. Early and aggressive McCain supporter. Prominent female with experience in public eye.
CONS: Has never run for public office. Has been off-message several times in discussing McCain's positions.

9. SEC chairman Christopher Cox

PROS: Brings immediate economic and business credentials. Has a job that's growing in profile with economic unease. Strong ties on Capitol Hill as champion of tax reform.
CONS: Would provide little help in carrying California, the state he represented in Congress. SEC leadership has been criticized by conservatives who favor freer-market approaches.

10. Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana

PROS: A conservative rising star. At 36, would provide an antidote to McCain's age. Ethnic diversity, as nation's first Indian-American governor.
CONS: Newly installed governor is untested on the national stage. Would face questions about his ability to take over in a crisis.

11. Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn.

PROS: Choosing Al Gore's former running mate would constitute a bold move to the center. Has worked closely with McCain on Iraq policy and environmental issues. Deep personal relationship with the candidate.
CONS: Still votes with the Democrats on most issues not connected to the war, and supports abortion rights. Could prompt a conservative revolt. Probably wouldn't help carry his heavily Democratic home state.

12. Gen. David Petraeus

PROS: Widely respected U.S. commander would help raise the stakes in a national-security election. Cerebral and talented general with strong political skills.
CONS: Has never held elected office. Would ensure more than ever that McCain's fate would rest on outcome of Iraq War.

13. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind.

PROS: A conservative rising star who will be 49 on Election Day. Has led House efforts to control wasteful spending. Former talk-show host would be effective campaign presence.
CONS: Minimal national profile or foreign-policy experience.

14. Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue of Georgia

PROS: Brings executive experience and strong support of social conservatives. A proven fundraiser who would give McCain a base of support in the Bible Belt.
CONS: Has tangled with home-state Republicans on tax issues, and for pursuing a small-bore agenda. Stayed neutral during most hotly contested portion of primary campaign.

15. Meg Whitman, former eBay CEO

PROS: Recently joined McCain campaign as national campaign co-chairman. Wildly successful in business world, and brings gender diversity.
CONS: No experience in elected office. Early and enthusiastic supporter of former rival Mitt Romney.

16. Former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas

PROS: Entertaining and talented debater. Strong social conservative. Wowed political establishment with his rise during the primaries.
CONS: Lingered perhaps a few weeks too long in the presidential race, serving as a reminder of conservative discontent with McCain. Light foreign-policy credentials. Mistrusted by fiscal conservatives. Just signed with Fox News Channel as a political commentator, which could leave him out of politics for a while.

17. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

PROS: Has maintained respect among conservatives and independents despite unpopular war. Brings gender and racial diversity in a campaign that will feature a barrier-breaking Democrat.
CONS: Would complicate efforts for McCain to separate himself from Bush on war policy. Describes herself as "mildly pro-choice." Has shown little interest in pursuing elected office, despite reports that she's lobbying for the job.

18. Former Republican Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida

PROS: Well-known nationally and popular in his native state. Would give McCain easier access to Bush family fundraisers and political connections.
CONS: Agreement with McCain on immigration reform could further enrage conservatives. Last name is almost certainly a liability in a general election.

19. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell

PROS: Remains one of most respected Republicans in the country. Brings diversity to the ticket. Has McCain's deep respect. Maintains credentials as strong military voice despite missteps in Iraq war.
CONS: Has passed up previous chances to seek elected office. Could create uncomfortable relationship with other former Bush administration officials. Has provided foreign-policy advice to Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama.

20. Independent Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York

PROS: Business background would bring immediate credibility on economic issues. Immense wealth would take off fundraising pressure. Strong centrist credentials would attract independents.
CONS: Abandoned Republican Party in 2007. Also likely to be considered for a spot on a potential ticket with Obama. Supports gay marriage and abortion rights, and stricter gun laws. May disagree with McCain on more big issues than he agrees with him on.

1. Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota
		PROS: An early, loyal McCain supporter who has long been close to the candidate. Solid conservative who has won two elections in an important swing state that is hosting the Republican National Convention. Age (47) is a balance to McCain's. CONS: No significant foreign policy experience. Untested and not fully vetted on the national stage. Weak reelection win in 2006 raises questions about whether he could help carry his state.

2. Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts
		PROS: CEO background strengthens McCain's economic credentials. Vetted through his own presidential campaign. Personal wealth solves potential money woes. Reportedly favored by Bush insiders. Aggressive and effective surrogate work endearing himself to McCain insiders. CONS: Skewered McCain during primary season, with quotes that would be thrown back at the ticket. Has little personal relationship with the candidate. Will offer no help in carrying his home state. History of liberal-to-moderate positions could haunt him with GOP base.

3. Republican Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida
		PROS: Popular governor of perhaps the most important electoral state in the nation. Endorsement of McCain may have been critical in helping him win Florida -- and the nomination. CONS: Doesn't solve McCain's problems with conservatives, particularly on immigration and environmental issues. Has served less than two years as governor.

4. Republican Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina
		PROS: Considered a "safe" pick by conservatives. Could strengthen McCain's economic credentials, particularly on taxes. Effective television presence who is helping line up conservative support for McCain. CONS: Doesn't add a state that isn't already in the GOP column. Stayed neutral during tightly contested South Carolina primary, even though he endorsed McCain in 2000. Has had a tense relationship with Republicans in his home state.

5. Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman of Utah
		PROS: Bucked conventional wisdom in Utah by supporting McCain over Romney. Will be 48 on Election Day. Deep experience in Reagan and both Bush administrations. CONS: Home state is among the safest Republican states in the country. Mormon faith could present challenges similar to those faced by Romney.

6. Former Rep. Rob Portman, R-Ohio
		PROS: Deep experience in legislative and executive branches, as trade representative and budget director in Bush administration. Popular among conservatives. Reputation as a tax-cutter. Would bring strong Capitol Hill relationships to the ticket. CONS: Would further tie McCain to Bush administration. Represented conservative district and may not necessarily help McCain win Ohio, a key swing state.

7. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.
		PROS: Strong conservative with national celebrity in political circles after defeating Democratic leader Tom Daschle in 2004. Good television presence. Impeccable credentials on conservative judicial nominations. CONS: A two-senator ticket would have trouble running as Washington reformers. Geographical diversity would not add states to GOP column.

8. Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard
		PROS: Strong background in economics. Early and aggressive McCain supporter. Prominent female with experience in public eye. CONS: Has never run for public office. Has been off-message several times in discussing McCain's positions.

9. SEC chairman Christopher Cox
		PROS: Brings immediate economic and business credentials. Has a job that's growing in profile with economic unease. Strong ties on Capitol Hill as champion of tax reform. CONS: Would provide little help in carrying California, the state he represented in Congress. SEC leadership has been criticized by conservatives who favor freer-market approaches.

10. Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana
		PROS: A conservative rising star. At 36, would provide an antidote to McCain's age. Ethnic diversity, as nation's first Indian-American governor. CONS: Newly installed governor is untested on the national stage. Would face questions about his ability to take over in a crisis.

11. Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn.
		PROS: Choosing Al Gore's former running mate would constitute a bold move to the center. Has worked closely with McCain on Iraq policy and environmental issues. Deep personal relationship with the candidate. CONS: Still votes with the Democrats on most issues not connected to the war, and supports abortion rights. Could prompt a conservative revolt. Probably wouldn't help carry his heavily Democratic home state.

12. Gen. David Petraeus
		PROS: Widely respected U.S. commander would help raise the stakes in a national-security election. Cerebral and talented general with strong political skills. CONS: Has never held elected office. Would ensure more than ever that McCain's fate would rest on outcome of Iraq War.

13. Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind.
		PROS: A conservative rising star who will be 49 on Election Day. Has led House efforts to control wasteful spending. Former talk-show host would be effective campaign presence. CONS: Minimal national profile or foreign-policy experience.

14. Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue of Georgia
		PROS: Brings executive experience and strong support of social conservatives. A proven fundraiser who would give McCain a base of support in the Bible Belt. CONS: Has tangled with home-state Republicans on tax issues, and for pursuing a small-bore agenda. Stayed neutral during most hotly contested portion of primary campaign.

15. Meg Whitman, former eBay CEO
		PROS: Recently joined McCain campaign as national campaign co-chairman. Wildly successful in business world, and brings gender diversity. CONS: No experience in elected office. Early and enthusiastic supporter of former rival Mitt Romney.

16. Former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas
		PROS: Entertaining and talented debater. Strong social conservative. Wowed political establishment with his rise during the primaries. CONS: Lingered perhaps a few weeks too long in the presidential race, serving as a reminder of conservative discontent with McCain. Light foreign-policy credentials. Mistrusted by fiscal conservatives. Just signed with Fox News Channel as a political commentator, which could leave him out of politics for a while.

17. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
		PROS: Has maintained respect among conservatives and independents despite unpopular war. Brings gender and racial diversity in a campaign that will feature a barrier-breaking Democrat. CONS: Would complicate efforts for McCain to separate himself from Bush on war policy. Describes herself as "mildly pro-choice." Has shown little interest in pursuing elected office, despite reports that she's lobbying for the job.

18. Former Republican Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida
		PROS: Well-known nationally and popular in his native state. Would give McCain easier access to Bush family fundraisers and political connections. CONS: Agreement with McCain on immigration reform could further enrage conservatives. Last name is almost certainly a liability in a general election.

19. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell
		PROS: Remains one of most respected Republicans in the country. Brings diversity to the ticket. Has McCain's deep respect. Maintains credentials as strong military voice despite missteps in Iraq war. CONS: Has passed up previous chances to seek elected office. Could create uncomfortable relationship with other former Bush administration officials. Has provided foreign-policy advice to Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama.

20. Independent Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York
		PROS: Business background would bring immediate credibility on economic issues. Immense wealth would take off fundraising pressure. Strong centrist credentials would attract independents. CONS: Abandoned Republican Party in 2007. Also likely to be considered for a spot on a potential ticket with Obama. Supports gay marriage and abortion rights, and stricter gun laws. May disagree with McCain on more big issues than he agrees with him on.