The Occasional Observer

Pros:

1. Popular hero status speaks for itself.

2. People view him as a strong, tough leader, and he has a track record as a solid executive.

3. Consistent track record of supporting an aggressive approach to the GWOT. Should fit in well with the central message of the McCain campaign.

4. Liked by fiscal and defense conservatives, and yet, does not necessarily scare away socially moderate blue state voters.

5. Good name recognition. Unlike lesser known candidates, he would give the ticket a polling bounce when he's announced.

6. Has an optimistic, forward-looking persona that is, in some ways, a nice balance to the Mr. Hyde portion of McCain's persona.

7. Has a witty personality and is strong in debate and off-the-cuff situations. Would likely win the VP debate.

Cons:

1. Skeleton full of closets (divorces, publicly-conducted extra-marital affairs, Hampton-gate, cross-dressing photos, etc.)

2. Might have a personality that overshadows the guy at the top of the ticket.

3. Won't carry his home state.

4. Will greatly alarm the large pro-life segment of the party, which constitutes the majority of those who typically volunteer for GOTV and other active roles in a GOP campagin.

5. His policies that were deemed to be "racist" (e.g. support of NYPD's anti-crime teams, public spats with "community leaders" like Sharpton), may add to the feeling that the GOP ticket is "divisive" and the Dem ticket "uniting." Particularly with Obama at the top of the Dem ticket.