Condoleezza Rice, that is—just the thought has The Nation worried. They’re thinking for Sen. McCain, but I think she’d be equally good for Gov. Huckabee in the (increasingly unlikely) event that he ends up with the nomination. On the symbolism front, her presence on the ticket would balance the Democrats; what’s more, she would be an incredible campaigner, since she’s charismatic, tough, and deadly in debate. For Gov. Huckabee, she would shore up his greatest weakness, the widespread distrust of his ability to handle foreign policy; for Sen. McCain, she would amplify his greatest strength. (She might also help address his greatest weakness, the distrust he’s earned among the party’s evangelical wing; though not known primarily for her views on domestic policy, she is herself an evangelical and is well regarded among evangelicals.) Plus, she’s already a national figure with significant experience in the Executive Branch. Her presence on the ticket obviously wouldn’t address charges that Sen. McCain (or for that matter, Gov. Huckabee) “isn’t a real conservative,” but I would think that those could be addressed in other ways. (My preferred thought at the moment would be to bring Gov. Romney aboard the campaign as presumptive nominee for Secretary of the Treasury.)
Rice for running mate. If she’ll take it, who better?