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McCain camps.

Geography and Ideology are critical, and neither will be ignored by McCain strategists when they outline the strengths and weaknesses of various candidates. Since this is a column having no bearing on the serious issues the next President will face, there lies the tantalizing opportunity to look at celebrity candidates who; while highly engaging, have no prospects of taking the job McCain himself would never accept. Arnold Schwarzenegger can never be President, but there is nothing in the Constitution which disqualifies him from the Vice Presidency. He would put California, Hispanics and young people in play. McCain-Schwarzenegger is a dream ticket. Colin Powell has the respect of Republicans and Independents and would be unstoppable in debates, the campaign trail and across the world. None would question McCain-Powell as among the best-qualified tickets in American history. But there is no compelling reason for Gen. Powell to leave a life of quiet retirement for a job lower than the big one he rejected in 1996. Rumors of the General's private support for Barack Obama would be hard for McCain to ignore. Regardless of whether Democrats nominate Hillary or Obama, how could McCain do better than selecting Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice? She boasts unmatched foreign policy expertise. Rice blunts the novelty aspects of Senators Clinton and Obama without overshadowing the candidate himself.

It is impossible to know who John McCain will select. General David Patraeus and Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno are serious, dark-horse contenders. With the likes of Charlie Crist, Rick Perry, Haley Barbour and a dozen others in the mix, there is no shortage of solid options. In the end, the best person to beat the Democrats in November is likely to be a familiar face. It's the one John McCain sees in the mirror each day, just before the old warrior hits the trail.

Learn more about this author, Luiz Bravim.
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