I think it’s more likely that McCain would look for someone apolitical. Carly Fiorina is probably the name at the top of that list, and with good reason: she could potentially pull some of the still-bitter Clinton supporters, her background in business and technology would balance McCain’s lack of understanding of either, and she would add an appearance of “change” that adding another old white guy to ticket could never accomplish. But probably most importantly: she’s not a Republican

But then I am not a big fan of the strategy of choosing the most charismatic governor of a state you’re worried about carrying. Nor am I fan of balancing the ticket on any of the usual-suspect PC axes like geography, gender, age, etc. They bring all the problems of any arranged marriage.

I like the idea of a ticket of two people who make a good team, have a rapport, can work together well, etc.

Both Lieberman and McCain have shown a taste for wee bouts of iconoclasm, and that will be attractive to all the “pox on both houses” centrists. Then, consider that Lieberman could reasonable spend time talking about both what he loves and hates about the democratic party. This will please both conservatives and centrists.

Ed, while it may be true that partisans of the “progressive” wing of the democratic party despise Lieberman, it is decidedly NOT the case that he’s universally despised by democrats. Don’t forget that he was easily re-elected as an independent, and that had to include him getting lots of votes from the more centrist portion of the democratic party.

I can’t see too many other democrats who might take the leap who could conceivably be attractive to McCain. Anyone younger and more promising would be quite loathe to commit career political suicide by taking such an action. But there’s no reason to think it would be an issue for Lieberman now. Especially given that his party essentially disowned him for failing to toe the anti-war party line.

Anyone else would be death to McCain’s chances. For every swing voter he might pick up, he’d lose two Republicans. One that would stay home and the other that would vote for Bob Barr. It would prove right all those who doubted McCain was a true conservative, despite all his flip flops.