The Fix Archive by Category

McCain Picks Palin

DENVER -- John McCain has selected Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his vice presidential running mate, according to the McCain campaign, a surprise pick sure to shake up the race and reinforce the idea of the Arizona senator as...

By Chris Cillizza | August 29, 2008; 10:35 AM ET | Comments (842)

Republican Veepstakes Line: The Final Cut

DENVER -- With John McCain expected to reveal his vice presidential pick in the next 24 hours, The Fix decided to take one last crack at our rankings of the men (and woman) most likely to receive that phone call...

By Chris Cillizza | August 28, 2008; 01:50 PM ET | Comments (228)

Analysis: What Biden's Pick Means

CHICAGO -- The Fix is in the midst of his semi-cross country journey to Denver even as the political world is getting used to the idea that Delaware Sen. Joe Biden is Barack Obama's vice presidential running mate. And, even...

By Chris Cillizza | August 23, 2008; 11:32 AM ET | Comments (321)

Obama Picks Biden as V.P.

Barack Obama confers with Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) during a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which Biden chairs. Barack Obama has chosen Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his vice presidential running mate, a pick designed to shore...

By Chris Cillizza | August 23, 2008; 01:30 AM ET | Comments (571)

Veepstakes: Process of Elimination

UPDATE, 11:20 p.m. ET: A report by ABC News that Secret Service agents had been dispatched to Biden's home to begin protecting the Delaware Senator seems to affirm the sense that Biden would be the pick. ORIGINAL POST Slowly but...

By Chris Cillizza | August 22, 2008; 10:50 PM ET | Comments (95)

GOP Veepstakes: Political Positioning or a Fundamental Rebranding?

The news that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will deliver the keynote address at the Republican National Convention -- broken by the lovely and talented Liz Sidoti of the Associated Press -- coupled with John McCain's repeated refusal...

By Chris Cillizza | August 21, 2008; 10:50 AM ET | Comments (66)

Fix Pick: Jack Shafer Hammers the Veepstakes

The Fix, like all political journalists, carries a strong tendency toward introspection and second-guessing. And so, in the midst of the frenzied speculation cum reporting about the vice presidential picks will be for John McCain and Barack Obama, we were...

By Chris Cillizza | August 20, 2008; 04:40 PM ET | Comments (21)

Obama's Late V.P. Date: Pros and Cons

With Barack Obama's schedule now public through tomorrow night -- he spends the next 48 hours on a bus tour through Virginia -- it seems increasingly likely that the announcement of his vice presidential pick will come Friday or even...

By Chris Cillizza | August 20, 2008; 12:42 PM ET | Comments (175)

Veep Tea Leaves: Saturday, Saturday!

Barack Obama will kick off a pre-convention tour on Saturday at the Springfield (Ill.) state House, an announcement that set off wild speculation (surprise, surprise) that the Illinois senator will debut his vice presidential pick that day. Our reporting suggests...

By Chris Cillizza | August 19, 2008; 05:50 PM ET | Comments (58)

Veepstakes: How Long Will The Secret Hold?

No scoop in political journalism is more sought after than the identity of the vice presidential nominees. In a world of 24/7 news coverage, scoops -- and those who score them -- are almost immediately forgotten as events quickly overrun...

By Chris Cillizza | August 19, 2008; 01:05 PM ET | Comments (40)

Veep Tea Leaves: Former Kaine Staffer Joins V.P. Team

As the eminent Dan Balz noted earlier today in his must-read "take", it's silly season in the Democratic vice presidential sweepstakes. To wit: Rick Siger, director of advance for Gov. Tim Kaine's (Va.) 2005 campaign, has signed on as trip...

By Chris Cillizza | August 18, 2008; 05:59 PM ET | Comments (19)

Friday Veepstakes Line: Crunch Time!

Last Veeps Standing (L to R) Dems: Reed, Sebelius, Kaine, Bayh, BidenGOP: Jindal, Lieberman, Romney, Ridge, Pawlenty The vice presidential sweepstakes has become such a hot topic that last night at The Fix gym one guy called out "Who's...

By Chris Cillizza | August 15, 2008; 01:25 PM ET | Comments (254)

The Case Against Joe Biden

Yesterday we argued for why Barack Obama should pick Joe Biden as his vice presidential running mate. Today we tackle the opposite argument. Loose Lips Sink Ships Over the course of his presidential bid, Biden cemented his reputation as --...

By Chris Cillizza | August 14, 2008; 12:47 PM ET | Comments (141)

Veepstakes: McCain's Pro-Choice Trial Balloon?

John McCain's admission to the Weekly Standard's Steve Hayes ("Shayes" to friends) that he would consider the possibility of choosing a pro-choice running mate is rightly seen as a trial balloon to gauge reaction among conservative base voters to such...

By Chris Cillizza | August 13, 2008; 05:45 PM ET | Comments (103)

Veepstakes: Kerry's New Ad and the Return of the Nominee?

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, the man who disappointed millions of Democrats when he came up short to President George W. Bush in 2004, is experiencing something of a renaissance within the party of late -- even being mentioned by some...

By Chris Cillizza | August 13, 2008; 04:30 PM ET | Comments (31)

The Case for Joe Biden

With Barack Obama rumored to be nearing a vice presidential pick, there is NO candidate hotter than Sen. Joe Biden (Del.). Why? The decision to name former governor Mark Warner (Va.) as the keynote speaker for the Democratic National Convention...

By Chris Cillizza | August 13, 2008; 01:09 PM ET | Comments (242)

Veepstakes: The Sunday Tryouts

Perhaps the best way to think about the vice presidential sweepstakes is as an extended -- and very public -- job interview. Resumes are examined, references are checked, past performance is measured. But, more important than all of those factors...

By Chris Cillizza | August 12, 2008; 05:00 PM ET | Comments (75)

Obama's Veep Vetting Enters New Stage

Barack Obama's vice presidential vetting process has moved into a new stage in which a larger than previously reported group of candidates is being exposed to a "deeper dig" into their backgrounds -- in the words of a source familiar...

By Chris Cillizza | July 31, 2008; 06:00 AM ET | Comments (151)

Obama Vice Presidential Team Staffs Up

The identity of Barack Obama's vice presidential running mate remains a closely-guarded secret but his campaign is already making preparations at the staff level to be ready when the choice is made. Kathleen McGlynn, who was former senator John Edwards...

By Chris Cillizza | July 30, 2008; 11:42 AM ET | Comments (83)

The Case Against Rob Portman

Yesterday we made the case for why John McCain should pick former Ohio Rep. Rob Portman as his vice presidential running mate. Now the case against Portman. A Bush Guy Portman has spent his entire career in the orbit of...

By Chris Cillizza | July 30, 2008; 07:00 AM ET | Comments (37)

Kaine Speaks! (with video)

After an appearance on WTOP radio with Gov. Martin O'Malley (Md.) and D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine held a brief press conference in which he addressed reports that he is under "serious consideration" to be Barack Obama's...

By Chris Cillizza | July 29, 2008; 12:40 PM ET | Comments (0)

The Case for Rob Portman

Mention the name of former Ohio Congressman Rob Portman to any Republican party insider and you are likely to get an extended riff on his tremendous skills as a politician and operative. Mention Portman's name to someone who doesn't live...

By Chris Cillizza | July 29, 2008; 07:05 AM ET | Comments (30)

The Case Against Evan Bayh

Yesterday we made the case for Barack Obama to pick Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh as his running mate. Today we argue the opposite side. What Does He Believe In? Depending on how you look at it, Bayh's centrist approach to...

By Chris Cillizza | July 23, 2008; 09:40 AM ET | Comments (97)

McCain Veep Pick: Feint or For Real?

Conservative columnist Bob Novak's piece in which he suggested John McCain might well pick his vice president this week set off a firestorm around political Washington late yesterday afternoon as reporters and operatives scampered to follow the Prince of Darkness's...

By Chris Cillizza | July 22, 2008; 04:49 PM ET | Comments (0)

The Case for Evan Bayh

There is no hotter candidate in the vice presidential sweepstakes right now than Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh. In addition to taking over the number one slot in last Friday's Veepstakes Line (no higher honor exists), Bayh was also at the...

By Chris Cillizza | July 22, 2008; 08:30 AM ET | Comments (93)

McCain To Meet With Jindal

John McCain will huddle with vice presidential aspirant Bobby Jindal during a trip to New Orleans later this week, sources close to the campaign confirm to The Fix. McCain's trip to Louisiana on Wednesday was the cause of much head...

By Chris Cillizza | July 21, 2008; 06:26 PM ET | Comments (275)

The Case Against Charlie Crist

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is one of the few potential vice presidential candidates of either party who doesn't seek to downplay his interest in and excitement about the post. "It is very flattering to be considered and even the mere...

By Chris Cillizza | July 17, 2008; 01:40 PM ET | Comments (59)

The Case for Charlie Crist

Florida Republican Gov. Charlie Crist has been all over the national news lately. On the policy front, he backed up Sen. John McCain's (R) call for lifting the moratorium on offshore drilling, a reversal of his opposition to drilling spurred,...

By Chris Cillizza | July 16, 2008; 07:00 AM ET | Comments (82)

The Veepstakes Line: The Only Constant is Change

One of the most fascinating elements of the vice presidential sweepstakes -- veepstakes for those of us in the know -- is its changeability. Names rise and names fall; some potential veeps get hot at the right time while others...

By Chris Cillizza | July 11, 2008; 07:03 AM ET | Comments (296)

The Case Against Tim Kaine

Yesterday we made the case for why Barack Obama should pick Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine as his vice presidential running mate in the fall. Today, we tackle the opposite argument. Foreign Policy Foreign Kaine's record of service on domestic issues...

By Chris Cillizza | July 10, 2008; 01:20 PM ET | Comments (24)

The Case for Tim Kaine

Once the hottest hotbed of potential vice presidential picks, Virginia has quickly lost its luster in the veepstakes as former governor Mark Warner and Sen. Jim Webb have both removed themselves from consideration over the last month. And yet, the...

By Chris Cillizza | July 9, 2008; 07:00 AM ET | Comments (51)

Analysis: Webb Drops Out Of Veepstakes

Virginia Sen. Jim Webb's decision today to voluntarily remove his name from the pool of people being considered as Barack Obama's running mate came as a significant surprise to those closely monitoring the veepstakes. "Last week I communicated to Senator...

By Chris Cillizza | July 7, 2008; 05:38 PM ET | Comments (48)

The Case Against Mitt Romney

On Wednesday, The Fix made the case that former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is an ideal vice presidential pick for John McCain. Today, the opposite case. Can't We All Just Get Along? For all of the talk that Romney and...

By Chris Cillizza | July 3, 2008; 05:00 AM ET | Comments (105)

The Case for Mitt Romney

When former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney dropped out of the presidential race on February 7, GOP insiders and observers in the press figured he would be persona non grata in John McCain's campaign. During the primary, the distaste that McCain...

By Chris Cillizza | July 2, 2008; 05:00 AM ET | Comments (105)

Jindal Dodges Potential Veepstakes Pitfall

One of the most fascinating elements of the quadrennial Veepstakes is its changeability. Even as the presidential candidate weighs his potential options, the politicians being considered are mixed up in the nitty-gritty of their day jobs -- often veering into...

By Chris Cillizza | July 1, 2008; 04:12 PM ET | Comments (65)

The Case Against Hillary Rodham Clinton

The unity huddle today in Unity (get it?), New Hampshire, between Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton is sure to stir talk of the so-called "Dream Ticket." Earlier this week we argued the case for Clinton to be picked as...

By Chris Cillizza | June 27, 2008; 01:00 PM ET | Comments (0)

The Case for Hillary Clinton

There is no person on either side of the veepstakes more speculated about than Hillary Rodham Clinton. And, with Clinton and Barack Obama set to appear together twice in the next two days -- tomorrow at a D.C. fundraiser, Friday...

By Chris Cillizza | June 25, 2008; 06:00 AM ET | Comments (406)

Hagel for (Democratic) Veep?

Sen. Chuck Hagel's (R-Neb.) acknowledgment that he would consider serving as Barack Obama's vice president speaks to his continued alienation from the GOP as well as from his longtime friend John McCain. "If it would occur, I would have to...

By Chris Cillizza | June 21, 2008; 02:54 PM ET | Comments (81)

The Case Against Tim Pawlenty

There's little dispute in Republican circles that Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is the leading candidate at the moment to be selected as John McCain's running mate. Yesterday we made the case for Pawlenty as the right pick; today we argue...

By Chris Cillizza | June 20, 2008; 02:48 PM ET | Comments (73)

The Case for Tim Pawlenty

No potential vice presidential pick -- with the exception of Hillary Rodham Clinton -- has received as much attention over the last few months as Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Pawlenty is widely assumed to be favorite pick of presumptive GOP...

By Chris Cillizza | June 19, 2008; 05:00 AM ET | Comments (0)

Veepstakes: When It Comes to Saying 'No'

Over the last week, three Democrats often mentioned as possible running mates for Barack Obama confront that most dreaded of questions: "Will you or won't you?" How each of the men handled the question about his interest (or lack thereof)...

By Chris Cillizza | June 17, 2008; 07:51 AM ET | Comments (0)

The Case Against Kathleen Sebelius

On Wednesday, The Fix made the case for why Kathleen Sebelius should be tapped by Barack Obama to serve as his running mate. Today, the opposite argument. Like yesterday's piece, this post is meant to spark conversation, so feel free...

By Chris Cillizza | June 12, 2008; 07:15 AM ET | Comments (159)

The Case for Kathleen Sebelius

Back when the 2008 presidential race was just getting started, The Fix made the case for and against nearly every major candidate for the White House. Those cases were built on conversations with operatives of both parties and The Fix's...

By Chris Cillizza | June 11, 2008; 05:00 AM ET | Comments (0)

The Line: Get Ready for Obama-Clinton?

From the moment it became clear that Hillary Rodham Clinton would come up short in her bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, the talk of whether Barack Obama would pick her as his running mate began. Groups were formed to...

By Chris Cillizza | June 6, 2008; 08:15 AM ET | Comments (462)

Veepstakes: Pawlenty Aims to Raise Profile Within GOP

Publicly, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) demurs when asked about his interest in serving as John McCain's running-mate. Privately, however, Pawlenty is doing all the right things to make sure he keeps his name in the mix as spring turns...

By Chris Cillizza | June 5, 2008; 02:02 PM ET | Comments (0)

'Dream Ticket' Group Looks to Fund Ads

VoteBoth, a group founded by two former aides to Hillary Rodham Clinton, is ramping up its fundraising efforts with the expectation of sponsoring television ads in key swing states urging presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama to pick Clinton as...

By Chris Cillizza | June 4, 2008; 03:31 PM ET | Comments (116)

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Archive: Veepstakes