Novak: SEC's Cox as McCain's running mate

no way.. he'll pick a southerner in order to shore up support there (he lost several primaries in the south to huckabee)

D

Indeed McCain might pick a young conservative Southerner, but don't count Cox out just because he's from California. After all, his Congressional voting record was favorable to the conservative base. Also, picking Cox could make California a battle ground state as 20% of Democrats are likely to abandon the party and vote McCain if their candidate isn't the primary winner, according to polling. Additionally, Cox's Wall Street ties might help the pair raise significant cash, should they choose to abandon matching funds in the general election.

John McCain must win Ohio
or it is all over.Missouri,Florida
also,but Ohio for sure.
John Kasich is the go to guy.
Unless with Chris Cox,California
is put back on the GOP Map.

To Ohio or Bust:
You are certainly correct at suggesting someone from Ohio is a likely contender, since the state will certainly remain a battleground -- no matter who the Dems put forth. And I think Novak tacitly addresses the issue by mentioning Rep. Bob Portman of Ohio as another Congressional favorite.
However, how important is it to pick someone from a battleground state? How many independent voters really are swayed by a favorite son (or perhaps daughter)?

Read Quin Hillyer's piece on Christopher Cox. Hillyer article points to all the right reasons why Cox should get the nod.

If one thinks that if Chris Cox is selected as John McCain's running mate that it will suddenly make a traditionally blue state like California competitive, then they have clearly missed out on a two word drama that polarized Orange County and the rest of Southern California for 10 plus years - El Toro! As a congressman, Chris Cox singlehandedly did more to negate aviation reuse at El Toro than any other human being on the planet!

Of course Cox will have the gratitude of a mere 13 of 34 (South) Orange County cities that voted to scuttle El Toro Airport in 2002, even though their "Great Park" today is nothing more than a grounded balloon and lots of pretty brochures. But outside 949 area code, Cox will find far less support and even a lot of resentment. For example, residents near outlying airports such as LAX, John Wayne, Burbank , and Long Beach are not exactly enamored to be burdened with expansion in order to offset the loss of El Toro.

Even within his hometown of Newport Beach, Cox cannot be incredibly popular for abandoning his very powerful congressional post (at number 5 in the nation no less) within a mere 20 days after Lennar assumed title to El Toro in 2005. Especially, when the long term future of John Wayne is unresolved.

Then there are thousands of pilots around California and elsewhere who cannot possibly take great joy in seeing El Toro set the record for being the largest military airfield ever to completely go to waste. We are talking 39,000 feet worth of runways! No other defunct facility in the nation is even close!

Even when it comes to non-aviation uses of El Toro Chris Cox has not exactly scored many brownie points. In 2003 some veterans approached him to use his immense congressional power to set aside the commissary and some sorely needed military housing for reuse.

Instead Cox who has never served, sided with developers who had far more lucrative ideas for the base. As a result, Camp Pendleton Marines continue to languish on a long waiting list for housing, and veterans must make further drives at $4 a gallon for shopping privileges that they earned.

Just imagine if word got out about Cox and El Toro to a military community like Pensacola, which just so happens to be located in the critical swing state of Florida. As one can see, Cox's presence on the ballot will not only make McCain's long odds in California even longer, it would also put some other states (with large military populations) into play for his Democrat opponent. Cox is an anchor that a former Navy officer like McCain should not set sail with, lest he sink his candidacy for President. Therefore, it would behoove John McCain to find another running mate without so much baggage.

Truman, thanks for the suggestion. For readers not familiar, Truman is pointing to a story in the American Spectator. Here's the link:

http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=12888

Additionally, to NorCalDude, you've answered my question about the potential impact of a native son, who in fact to some is not a favorite son. However, you should read the Hilyer piece because it points out the multifacets of Cox beyond the world of Southern California politics, and how McCain could capitalize on them.

At least McCain has the time to identify a running mate who balances his age, ideology, geography, etc. Meanwhile, Obama has to fight every day for a nomination he's already won. Here's how the VP process should work for both Parties:
http://digits.hrblock.com/ssDigits/digits.php?rType=1&sPath=1140&sNode=1140&uId=198