by WonkoKevin

It’s just about time to start speculating on John McCain’s Vice President choice. McCain can either go after the electoral map, or balance the ticket ideologically or personality-wise. Here are the odds right now at BestBetting:
Romney (4:1), Pawlenty (6), Crist (8), Rice (10), LGraham (12), Jindal (12), Palin (12), Portman (12), Sanford (12), Ridge (14), Cox (16), Huckabee (16), Kasich (16), Lieberman (16), Hutchinson (2), Barbour (20), Coburn (25), Giuliani (25), Perdue (25), Watts (25).

I put my early money on Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. His fiscal restraint theme would probably play well this campaign season, and his stance on illegal immigration shores up a potential weak spot of McCain’s. And, he potentially puts Minnesota and perhaps Wisconsin in McCain’s electoral column. Along, the same logic, McCain could go for Florida Governor Charlie Crist for much the same reasons, although McCain may believe the already have Florida in the bag. The St. Petersburg Times puts the Crist VP meter right now at “Talk up those 27 electoral votes”. Romney odds on favorite? He might bring help in the West, but this is a tough marriage to see working. Romney has already raised his hand: “I think any Republican leader in this country would be honored to be asked to serve as the vice presidential nominee, myself included,” Romney told FOX’s Sean Hannity in a broadcast set to air tonight. “Of course this is a nation which needs strong leadership. And if the nominee of our party asked you to serve with him, anybody would be honored to receive that call … and to accept it, of course.”