Perdue Back On VP List With Georgia In Play

By Matt Towery
© Copyright, Creators Syndicate

(7/10/08) Despite the fact that the McCain campaign has been trying to disabuse pundits and experts of the notion that there are cracks in the solid GOP South, insiders have been hunting for an acceptable Republican Southerner who could help Sen. John McCain carry the region.

While names like Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and others have been floated, the once-discounted name of Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has again reached the level of true consideration.

Why? First, Perdue has strong approval ratings in his home state. Second, his home state is now in play and could, in a perfect storm, become the decision-maker of 2008. Third, former Sen. Sam Nunn, according to both Time and Newsweek, is an eye-blink away from being the Democratic nominee for VP. But Perdue’s name identification and popularity as a current Governor would easily eclipse that of Nunn.

So enter Sonny Perdue, former head of the Republican Governor’s Conference and a consensus style GOP leader.

Mere conjecture? Nope. Perdue, according to strong national sources, has risen to the top four in the veepstakes. Whether he’s the eventual choice or not, look for him to be a player in a McCain administration.