McCain should really consider a McCain/Taft ticket

[So the Heroes Fall]

Really, I'm surprised this hasn't been mentioned. See, McCain needs to win Ohio, so adding Taft is a great way to lock up the state. After all, adding a VP from a state always guarantees the state will vote for that ticket, period. Just how John Kerry won NC in 2004 as well.

[Mr. Morden]

But he might very well win Ohio anyway, so it's a bit of a waste.  Obviously, the best choice is Pete Wilson.  That's 55 free electoral votes that he wouldn't even have to work for.

[Grad Students are the Worst]

But he might very well win Ohio anyway, so it's a bit of a waste.  Obviously, the best choice is Pete Wilson.  That's 55 free electoral votes that he wouldn't even have to work for.

How do you feel that this will affect Nevada and Oregon, two states which vote heavily on the "Vice Presidents who were willing to live in states that touch ours" issue?

[Mr. Morden]

But he might very well win Ohio anyway, so it's a bit of a waste.  Obviously, the best choice is Pete Wilson.  That's 55 free electoral votes that he wouldn't even have to work for.

How do you feel that this will affect Nevada and Oregon, two states which vote heavily on the "Vice Presidents who were willing to live in states that touch ours" issue?

Oh, I forgot about that effect.  In that case, maybe he'd be better off with George Pataki, as that could also get him PA, NJ, CT, MA, and VT along with NY.  RI is also kind of close to the tip of Long Island, so that could be affected as well.  Overall, that's like 90 free electoral votes.  And while neither Ontario nor Quebec have any electoral votes, since they border New York, McCain would inevitably become quite popular in the Great White North.

On the flip side, Obama should probably pick someone from Tennessee, as it gets him most of the South.....I'm thinking maybe Harold Ford Jr.

[So the Heroes Fall]

Don Seigleman! Absolutely perfect for Obama! Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia all become in the bag for him.

[Grad Students are the Worst]

Don Seigleman! Absolutely perfect for Obama! Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia all become in the bag for him.

Not only that, but anyone who lives near a jail will be all over his candidacy.

[auburntiger]

Is this a joke. Bob Taft? No way in hell would he be the VP

[Χahar]

Ooh! Obama/Talent! Think of all the states he'd lock up!



He'll also get the loser vote, which could swing several other states.

[Grad Students are the Worst]

Is this a joke.

No.  Clearly you don't understand.  Here is a graphic illustration of a McCain/Hutchinson vs. Obama/Schweitzer ticket:



As you can see, the Hutchinfront radiates gloriously out of Texas, even warming the frigid hearts of the Illinois voter.  Safe McCain.

[Χahar]

Is this a joke.

No.  Clearly you don't understand.  Here is a graphic illustration of a McCain/Hutchinson vs. Obama/Schweitzer ticket:



As you can see, the Hutchinfront radiates gloriously out of Texas, even warming the frigid hearts of the Illinois voter.  Safe McCain.

WYOMING 4 OBAMA!!!!11111111111

[Mr. Morden]

Is this a joke.

Ah, you might have missed a few lines in the thread that I think give away whether or not this is a joke.  I think it's clear when you read these parts:

After all, adding a VP from a state always guarantees the state will vote for that ticket, period. Just how John Kerry won NC in 2004 as well.

Obviously, the best choice is Pete Wilson.  That's 55 free electoral votes that he wouldn't even have to work for.

How do you feel that this will affect Nevada and Oregon, two states which vote heavily on the "Vice Presidents who were willing to live in states that touch ours" issue?

Oh, I forgot about that effect.  In that case, maybe he'd be better off with George Pataki, as that could also get him PA, NJ, CT, MA, and VT along with NY.  RI is also kind of close to the tip of Long Island, so that could be affected as well.  Overall, that's like 90 free electoral votes.  And while neither Ontario nor Quebec have any electoral votes, since they border New York, McCain would inevitably become quite popular in the Great White North.

On the flip side, Obama should probably pick someone from Tennessee, as it gets him most of the South.....I'm thinking maybe Harold Ford Jr.

Don Seigleman! Absolutely perfect for Obama! Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia all become in the bag for him.

Not only that, but anyone who lives near a jail will be all over his candidacy.

Of course, the other parts of the thread were a bit more serious, so I can understand the confusion.

[HardRCafé]

Ooh! Obama/Talent! Think of all the states he'd lock up!



He'll also get the loser vote, which could swing several other states.

McCain-Romney vs. Obama-Talent:  Romney and Talent would not run on opposite tickets, even in Bizarro World.
McCain-Huckabee vs. Obama-Talent:  I would give Obama another look.
McCain-Paul vs. Obama-Talent:  I would give Obama another vote.

Now, back to Earth.

[Vasall des Midas]

He'll also get the loser vote, which could swing several other states.

Indeed. That would ensure breaking 70% everywhere in the world.

[cannonia]

Really, I'm surprised this hasn't been mentioned. See, McCain needs to win Ohio, so adding Taft is a great way to lock up the state. After all, adding a VP from a state always guarantees the state will vote for that ticket, period. Just how John Kerry won NC in 2004 as well.

Sarcasm aside, a quick look at the Atlas shows a real swing in, for example, NC in 2004 and WY in 2000.  Picking someone popular in a state that's on the tipping point could be a good idea.  Picking someone unpopular or trying to get that effect in a large state is obviously not so bright.

Wait, did I just feed the troll?

[Joe Republic]

Sarcasm aside, a quick look at the Atlas shows a real swing in, for example, NC in 2004 and WY in 2000.  Picking someone popular in a state that's on the tipping point could be a good idea.  Picking someone unpopular or trying to get that effect in a large state is obviously not so bright.

0.39% is not what I'd consider a "real swing".

[cannonia]

Sarcasm aside, a quick look at the Atlas shows a real swing in, for example, NC in 2004 and WY in 2000.  Picking someone popular in a state that's on the tipping point could be a good idea.  Picking someone unpopular or trying to get that effect in a large state is obviously not so bright.

0.39% is not what I'd consider a "real swing".

Look which way the national vote went.  In a state that was closer to begin with, it could have made the difference.

[DownWithTheLeft]

McCain only has one choice now, Eliot Spitzer.  The map would look something like this as Spitzer would secure NY and all bordering states, including some that he a direct route if you ignore Canada, feeling boxed in, ME and NH comply as well:

[Kushahontas]

obama-freudenthal ftw

dont even get me started on obama-henry or obama-cazayoux

[Mr. Morden]

I think if both candidates were allowed to have about 5 or 6 running mates, you could spread them out geographically, such that the outcome of every state was determined by the geographical proximity of the state to the running mate's home state.  Too bad the constitution doesn't allow for that, as it would allow you to cancel the actual election, and simply infer the winner based on geography.

[Joe Republic]

I think if both candidates were allowed to have about 5 or 6 running mates, you could spread them out geographically, such that the outcome of every state was determined by the geographical proximity of the state to the running mate's home state.  Too bad the constitution doesn't allow for that, as it would allow you to cancel the actual election, and simply infer the winner based on geography.

Ah, but you're forgetting:  McCain could always announce his intended appointments to various cabinet positions ahead of election day.  For example, by stating his intention to pick Rep. Peter King for the office of Secretary of Labor, that'd swing New York's electoral votes firmly into McCain's column.  Game over, Barack Obama.

[Torie]

Fun thread! 

This post however gets the prize. LOL!

I think if both candidates were allowed to have about 5 or 6 running mates, you could spread them out geographically, such that the outcome of every state was determined by the geographical proximity of the state to the running mate's home state.  Too bad the constitution doesn't allow for that, as it would allow you to cancel the actual election, and simply infer the winner based on geography.[/quote}

[Mr. Morden]

I think if both candidates were allowed to have about 5 or 6 running mates, you could spread them out geographically, such that the outcome of every state was determined by the geographical proximity of the state to the running mate's home state.  Too bad the constitution doesn't allow for that, as it would allow you to cancel the actual election, and simply infer the winner based on geography.

Ah, but you're forgetting:  McCain could always announce his intended appointments to various cabinet positions ahead of election day.  For example, by stating his intention to pick Rep. Peter King for the office of Secretary of Labor, that'd swing New York's electoral votes firmly into McCain's column.  Game over, Barack Obama.

Hmmm....I hadn't thought of that.  The Cabinet could make things rather interesting.  How about this?  Each candidate announces his running mate, and his entire Cabinet, along with all the undersecretaries, and so forth......in, fact, why not?  How about each candidate announces who they're going to hire for the entire federal workforce.

The election will be decided based on a mathematical equation, that weights every citizen's "vote" on the basis of their physical proximity to each of the potential federal workers (with of course greater weight being placed on higher offices, so living near a prospective VP counts for more than living near a prospective undersecretary for water planning in Nome, Alaska), integrated over the course of their entire lifetimes.

This would require a rather detailed census, to determine how close every "voter" has ever been to every prospective federal employee.  But it would be worth it, in order to have the "election" decided by a computer program rather than an actual vote.

[Lunar]

Kentucky has the most neighboring electoral votes, after that Tennessee, Nevada, and Oklahoma according to my quick estimates.  Anyone good from Louisville?

[Vasall des Midas]

I think if both candidates were allowed to have about 5 or 6 running mates, you could spread them out geographically, such that the outcome of every state was determined by the geographical proximity of the state to the running mate's home state.  Too bad the constitution doesn't allow for that.

The Constitution does allow that.

[Χahar]

I think if both candidates were allowed to have about 5 or 6 running mates, you could spread them out geographically, such that the outcome of every state was determined by the geographical proximity of the state to the running mate's home state.  Too bad the constitution doesn't allow for that.

The Constitution does allow that.

1836 plan, eh?