Well I'm a political science major, so I think I'd know, and Kerry was perceived to have split the debates with Bush, I think there were three, and the split resulted in Bush winning (whatever that means) due to him being "dumb."

I just remember one network said he won all three. I think it was CNN but I don't think it matters that much.

You're right about CNN (or at least a snap poll) and also right about the debate being not that important.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/10/13/debate.main/index.html

I remember most giving Debates 1 and 3 to Kerry, and 2 to Bush. Though I don't remember anyone saying either of them really beat the other. They can be important since they are just weeks before Election Day, but if they are split, with no clear winner, I doubt it does much and probably ends up helping the incumbent a bit.

Pawlenty seems to be the front runner now.

What's Pawlenty's appeal? Does he play well to the Hannity crowd?

He's a big time Christian, if I'm not mistaken. Choosing him would be to get the evangelicals in line. Like the Dan Quayle choice in 88.

And he's from Minnesota, so if McCain can get that state to switch red it will help.

This race is a little too much like 88 for my taste. The well meaning but a little too weak dem candidate and his older, experienced vp versus the elder statesman insider who is somewhat hated by his party and that guy's evangelical vp. Luckily Obama is not half as boring as Dukakis and McCain doesn't have elder Bush's "nice guy" appeal.

He'll get Pawlenty of criticism...

Chip made an almost funny?

Pawlenty has cleared his schedule.

if it's pawlenty, i'm kind of meh. The dude won't be able to swing his own state. If he was eligible for re-election in Minnesota, he'd lose.

Romney is a good choice, he can bring in Michigan as it is already a close race there and he would appeal to those kind of Republicans up there.

I guess we'll find out in about 12 hours or so.

He would be an awful choice. He isn't even that popular in Minnesota.

538 said it's not Pawlenty.

Sarah Palin just chartered a flight from Anchorage to Dayton, apparently.

that would be a very odd choice.

and right now it IS the choice (according to CNBC)

A little bit about her:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/26454655

I will admit, thats a ballsy choice, picking an unknown woman for VP.
Lol, i see what McCain did, you know he thinks Democrats wont go after her because she is a woman and they would be afraid to alienate that demo, he also expects to sway those pissed off Hilary voters.

It also looks like a very, very obvious attempt to exploit disgruntled Hillary supporters. Luckily, they'll be offended by his trying to take advantage of him and would never side with someone as anti-choice as Palin.

Just saw some pictures of her, she has my vote.

And also, McCain's lack of tact with this choice should devastate his camp's strategy: how can they dismiss Obama mostly on the claim that he is inexperienced when they pick a "hockey mom" with one year of experience as the governor of Alaska and ZERO national experienced as their back-up for President in case McCain kicks the bucket. It just makes no sense on their part.