The Republican VP Contenders: The Governors

Gov. Charlie Crist (Fla.)

Governor Charlie Crist of Florida has been getting some attention as a potential running mate for Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain. As the popular governor of what will be a key battleground state in the general election, it is only natural that his name would make a list of potential Vice Presidential picks. But Crist vaulted his name onto the short list with his late, but well timed endorsement of McCain two days before the Florida primary. McCain's victory there over former Govs. Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee propelled him into the Super Tuesday primaries as the clear front runner for the Republican nomination. Furthermore, the victory by McCain knocked former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani out of the race. Giuliani endorsed McCain the following day and it has been no looking back for the Arizona Senator.

Crist, 51, has served as a state Senator, Attorney General, and now Governor of Florida. He carries very high approval ratings, over 70 percent in some polls, and considers education, crime, elder affairs, the environment, and ethics as issues he has championed. The latter two he shares with McCain, who has sponsored anti-global warming legislation in the United States Senate and has been a strong voice against waste of resources and abuse of power in Washington.

Crist's selection as a running mate seems unlikely. Crist is viewed as more of a moderate Republican, and has no signature issue that identifies him to conservatives and party activists, a constituency McCain will seek to mollify with his VP selection. McCain figures to win Florida in November, with or without Crist on the ticket, and especially with the controversy over the Democratic Party primary in the state possibly depressing Democrat turnout.

Gov. Mark Sanford (S.C.)

Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina has been on conservatives' short list of potential running mates for McCain, even if he has not been on McCain's list. Sanford is a former Member of Congress in the House and is considered a stalwart conservative. Sanford is a budget hawk, an area of agreement with McCain. He is a tax cutter, earning high marks from the National Taxpayers' Union and a number one ranking from the fiscal watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste during his time in Congress. As Governor, Sanford has cut taxes while focusing on government reform, economic growth and job creation, and quality of life issues in South Carolina.

Sanford, 47, is often mentioned in conservative circles as a future presidential candidate. He would be seen a shoring up a perceived McCain weakness on the economy and economic theory. He also would bring critical executive experience to the ticket. Sanford was reelected to his second term in 2006 with 55% of the vote, in a bad year nationally for Republicans.

Sanford did not endorse any candidate before the crucial South Carolina primary, although he was heavily lobbied by all the campaigns. His endorsement almost certainly would have swung the state to whomever he favored. McCain won the primary in a close contest over Mike Huckabee, which set him up for his momentum establishing victory in Florida. McCain is expected to win South Carolina in the general election, so a Sanford selection would be most useful in other conservative Southern states.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Minn.)

Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota is another young conservative governor who is highly regarded by conservatives. Pawlenty was first elected in 2002 and set about balancing the state's budget without raising taxes. He boasts having balanced the budget in both the 2005 and 2007 budget years while at the same time increasing state spending on education. He counts education, government efficiency improvements, welfare reform, and an increase in the use of renewable fuels as his signature achievements. All of those are areas of agreement with Sen. McCain. Pawlenty was reelected in a close race in 2006, winning by a margin of just one percent.

Pawlenty received national attention in 2007 when an interstate bridge over the Mississippi River suddenly collapsed, killing 13 people. Pawlenty received criticism for several vetoes and veto threats he had issued on transportation bills in previous years. He had also steadfastly resisted an increase in the state gasoline tax to fund infrastructure repairs. In 2008, Pawlenty vetoed another transportation bill.

Pawlenty, 47, has served as a City Councilman and in the Minnesota House of Representatives, reaching the rank of Majority Leader. He has been a strong supporter of Sen. McCain's campaign and is serving as one of three national co-chairmen of the the campaign. But his greatest asset may that he is the governor of a swing state. Minnesota has been trending Republican in presidential elections. Democrats still win the state, but by smaller and smaller margins. A favorite son on the ticket could tip that balance in McCain's favor in the general election. Pawlenty hails from St. Paul, site of the Republican National Convention.

For profiles of additional contenders see The Rivals, and The Conservatives.