Run, Condi, run?

As chance would have it, I’ve been writing an article on presidential running mates for First Past the Post, and news on both sides of the Atlantic has centred on the prospect of an unusual political marriage

The latest news from the American campaign trail is the media speculation about who John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, will select as his running mate.

Back in February, many thought that McCain would choose Florida Governor, Charlie Crist. But this week political journalists have got themselves in a frenzy over the prospect of Condoleezza Rice, the Secretary of State in the Bush Cabinet, and former National Security Adviser.

Most commentators think it is unlikely that Rice will run since Condi has no history of running for elected office. And the feeling is also that McCain would be unwise to bring on board such a prominent official connected to the invasion of Iraq – many Americans are trying to forget about Bush, whom many consider as one of the worst presidents in American history.

Read about the background and the possibility of Rice becoming nominee for veep in the Post.

How important is the running mate? Well, that is the subject of the article and the new edition of FPTP should be available soon.