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'VP-poll-ooza'
Here is the first round of results of the hottest "game" around — "VP-poll-ooza," in which players speculate on whom Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama will select as their running mates.
You can still join in the veep-guessing fun. Tell us who you believe should be on the ballot with McCain and Obama.
Go to www.azstarnet.com/opinion, find the poll on the right side of the page and answer the questions.
Sen. John McCain's running mate should be:
Marsha Blackburn 3%
Charlie Crist 3%
Mike Huckabee 54%
Bobby Jindal 3%
Joe Lieberman 10%
Tim Pawlenty 3%
Mitt Romney 26%
Sen. Barack Obama's running mate should be:
Hillary Clinton 24 %
Janet Napolitano 12 %
Sam Nunn 10 %
Ed Rendell 4 %
Bill Richardson 27 %
Kathleen Sebelius 7 %
Jim Webb 17 %
Poll results aren't scientific and reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate. Percentages may not add up to 100 percent due to rounding. Results as of 2 p.m. Friday.

Opinion

Huckabee, Richardson top readers' VP poll

Our view: 'VP-poll-ooza' gives election watchers a chance to weigh in on the big decisions Obama and McCain must make
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 06.16.2008
Mike Huckabee is the clear front runner in "VP-poll-ooza." More than 54 percent of readers who responded to the Star's online poll said they preferred the former governor of Arkansas to be the running mate of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
On the Democratic side, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico are close contenders for the No. 2 position to presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.
Here are some of the comments we received regarding Huckabee.
● I'm not sure I would vote for McCain if he chooses to ignore the millions of Americans who voted for Mike Huckabee.
● Huckabee with McCain would balance the ticket and would get people excited to get to the polls.
● McCain needs Huckabee. He and McCain are made for each other politically. Both ran civil, issue-focused races. Both are principled men who would rather lose an election than lose the strong principles they believe in.
● Mike Huckabee is a conservative and he is a true pro-life and pro-family candidate who will get the evangelical and grass-roots vote.
● Huckabee brings charisma, intelligence and a vision for America.
● Huckabee has his finger on the pulse. He gets the struggles "real" people are going through.
● Huckabee has experience, character, integrity, honesty, passion and love for nation.
● A good guitar player in a rock band is a good candidate for VP.
Another possibility for McCain is former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Here is what readers said about him:
● Romney is the most intelligent, has executive experience, is a proven leader, is successful at most things he attempts, is brilliant on economic issues, young, dynamic, well-spoken and not bad to look at either.
● Romney is a strong, full- spectrum conservative.
On Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut:
● By picking Lieberman, McCain solidifies his centrist position.
● Lieberman would give the ticket the appearance of bipartisanship and would soften McCain's conservative image among independents.
● Lieberman has the courage of his convictions.
Other comments:
● Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota is the best of the bunch.
● Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana is young and the future of the party.
● Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee is a reliable conservative.
Here are some comments from the Democratic side of the ballot:
On Clinton:
● Obama and Clinton would make a fantastic pair.
● Clinton would guarantee an extra 18 million votes.
● Clinton deserves to be there because she was cheated out of her nomination by Obama's organization.
● Without Hillary, my vote goes to McCain.
● Clinton — if Obama is courageous enough, if they can trust each other, and if Bill Clinton can sit down and shut up.
On Richardson:
● Richardson has the most experience and will energize Hispanics.
● I've always admired Bill Richardson for taking an interest in Sudan and other issues in Africa.
● Richardson would bring Hispanic and Southwest votes, and global and diplomatic experience.
● I love Hillary but I think Richardson is the go-to guy; he appeals to Latinos and has foreign-policy and executive experience.
● He brings the Hispanic vote and mitigates Obama's weak areas.
Other comments:
● Gov. Janet Napolitano of Arizona would give Obama a chance of taking Arizona — and she is funny.
● Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia. Jim has common sense for a politician and he can pull more independents.
● Webb would blow a hole in McCain's flawed Iraq policies.
● Webb fought in a war and knows what is necessary.
● Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas might win back the Hillary supporters who want a woman.
We also asked readers for additions to our ballot for the second round of "VP-poll-ooza." Here are some of the responses that we received:
Republicans:
• U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas
• John Kasich, former U.S. representative from Ohio and a TV host
• Alan Keyes, political activist, author and former diplomat
• Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska
• Colin Powell, former U.S. secretary of state
• U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
• Lt. Gov. Michael Steele of Maryland
Democrats:
• Madeleine Albright, former U.S. secretary of state
• Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware
• Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana
• Sen. Barbara Boxer of California
• Al Gore, former vice president of the United States
• Wesley Clark, retired Army general
• John Edwards, former U.S. senator from North Carolina
• Gov. Mark Warner of Virginia
• Rep. J.C. Watts of Oklahoma
More possible running mates
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