Veep thoughts

Several people, including our own Raised by Republicans and Joe Biden, have suggested that the ideal running mate for John Kerry is John McCain.

Please.

If you're going to reach out and try to convert a Republican, you might as well go for the gusto -- the one person who would guarantee victory for Kerry and defeat for Bush:

Colin Powell.

Now hear me out: it's not as crazy as you might think. Have you read these accounts about the inner workings of the Bush administration? Geez, if these are accurate, then Colin Powell is that little guy in the office who has all these great ideas, you know? But his boss decides to listen to these other guys who he hates instead. And then, after
arguing about how it's stupid and it'll never work, he has to go and announce the other guys' plans to the world. How would you feel if that were your job?

But maybe you don't think he would jump ship and become a democrat. Have you seen Colin Powell's political views? Tell me he's not a democrat. He certainly would not be shunned by the party if he decided to join.

Like John McCain, Colin Powell is well-respected, well-liked and well-spoken. Those few idiots who wouldn't vote for a ticket with a black man on it are probably right-leaning anyway, so Kerry need not worry about that. But the biggest advantage he would give Kerry would be the devastation he would leave behind in the Bush camp. If he were to leave, even without saying anything, it would give tremendous credence to the reports about the inner workings of Bush's circle. Plus, Powell is the only Bush administration member that people actually, well, like. Who would become their public face, John Ashcroft?

No, it'll never happen. But if you're going to hope McCain jumps ship, why not Powell too?