What a busy, news-filled (well, really just speculation-filled) day! The big question is McCain’s running mate. If I had to bet, I’d say he’ll go with Romney. I hope I’m wrong. I keep hearing how Romney will inspire conservatives–well, the fact is that conservatives don’t have any other place to go. I keep hearing that Romney adds a conservative bent to the ticket–well, a year ago, the debate about Romney was whether he could be trusted by conservatives given his assortment of formerly middle-of-the-road and even liberal positions until only recently. Lots of self-delusion going on here.

Get beyond politically engaged conservatives to the rest of the nation and I get the feeling that to them, Romney is just another rich white guy with a haircut. It is difficult to imagine two older, whiter-than-white guys playing well this year. They just look like the past, you know?

I think McCain needs to choose a woman. It helps with the Hillary voters, and I think it would give Hillary a little more inspiration not to campaign so hard for Obama (not that she would, but this could reduce it even less). Of course, that’s small beer compared to the real reasons for a woman–history, inspiration to the mainstream, a complement to McCain, contrast to Obama, appeal to women in general, etc. Bottom line:  I hope it’s anybody–maybe even Lieberman–other than Romney, good guy though he may be.

Have PoliticalMavens.com delivered to your inbox in a daily digest by clicking here