The McCain-Huckabee Brand
By Jennn Fusion | Related entries in Huckabee, McCain, Republicans, VeepGreetings, Donklephant Readers! This is Jennn Fusion, reporting in from VicePresidents.com to bring you the latest in the oft-overlooked, very underestimated Veepstakes. As you can see, Justin’s a very busy guy, so I’m on the VP Beat to help him out. I bring to you my obsession — err expertise — that is the cumulation of a Journalism degree and hours of reading about vice presidents (past, present and future). Without further ado, let’s take a look at the latest scuttlebutt regarding the 2008 race…
What are Ticket Brands?
By now you’re probably familiar with the basics on picking a #2. Traditionally, analysts emphasize the importance of selecting a nominee that balances geographic location, age and/or ideology. However, VP expert Dan Coen says these days it’s more about picking a running mate that will fuel a “Rock Star Tour.” The nominee should be someone who emphasizes the good qualities to build a brand and captivate the electorate.
The Huckabee-McCain Ticket Brand:
This week Mike Huckabee ups the stakes by declaring his intention to become John McCain’s #2. On Sunday, Huckabee appeared on NBC’s “Meet The Press†to say, “Running for Vice President is not something one does…†But “There’s no one I would rather be on the ticket with than John McCain,†which makes one wonder if there’s some secret discussions taking place on the Straight Talk Express. “Whether I do the best for him is something only he can decide,†he adds. He also gives us a hint as to what the GOP attack strategy will be like if Obama takes the nomination: In a time of crisis, we need a reliable president, not a test drive.
McCain once said it was imperative that his #2 take a pro-life stance (which, of course, rules out Lieberman but boosts Huckabee). The Huckster is certainly forthcoming about his Evangelical beliefs, which could assuage the fears of Christian Conservatives who are still on the fence, feeling shunned by the McCain camp thus so far. A McCain-Huckabee ticket exudes: a forthcoming, transparent, “trust-me†sort of government, as well as a more balanced agenda that not only addresses foreign policy concerns but also progressively deals with immigration and economic reforms back home. They’re both affable characters that tempt many fence-sitting Independents or Democrats who’d feel bitter if their candidates didn’t win the nomination.
This entry was posted on Monday, May 19th, 2008 and is filed under Huckabee, McCain, Republicans, Veep. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
May 19th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Good analysis. Huck can rally conservatives, take swing-votes, enlist the fairtax army, and even pull a few lefties he’s so nice. No one else comes close.
May 19th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Absolutely the best choice is Mike Huckabee! What a team McCain and Huckabee would make! The two would complement each others positive characteristics…Huckabee is charasmatic and has brilliant oratorical skills plus a great sense of humor! He also derives his support from those that voted for him in the primaries (numbering in the millions-blacks and whites alike!). Those millions are just waiting for a chance to roll up their sleeves and get to work electing John McCain as president! It’ll only happen, though, if Huckabee is the v.p.! GO HUCK GO!!!
June 1st, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Mike Huckabee is the only campaign that did not go into DEBT. He used every resource wisely and frugally. Why would we want someone as VP who thought he could BUY the White House (Romney) and was rich enough to use his own money when he ran out? How can someone like that understand the real American people? Mike Huckabee understands the working person in this country and would help manage our country’s economy the way he did his own campaign’s funds. WE NEED MIKE HUCKABEE FOR VP. He is a man McCain TRUSTS, and during their campaigning together in Arkansas, McCain called Mike Huckabee his “role model”. Working together, they would bring the best of America to the forefront and lift us UP, not DOWN! Go McCain/Huckabee 08!!
June 2nd, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Huckabee is the best VP pick for McCain. They not only have chemistry, but Huckabee can bring the South and the Conservatives together. He is a great communicator, and is even liked by some that don’t share the same view. Huck’s Army will definitely campaign for a McCain / Huckabee ticket.