Former Ebay CEO Meg Whitman To Be Named McCain Vice President

The word on the street is that former Ebay CEO Meg Whitman is the winner of the Republican Veepstakes.

John McCain's selection of Whitman will be announced in time for coverage on the Friday morning news shows. That to negate any bounce Barack Obama will get at the conclusion of the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

This comes indirectly from the McCain campaign; I learned of the pick from a political junkie I know who has direct ties to the Republican National Committee.

I came out ahead $500 on the pick of Joe Biden on the Democratic side; backing up my initial $1,000 bet on Kathleen Sebelius with a $1,500 bet on Biden. This time my money is on Whitman.

Senator McCain has said of the former Ebay CEO, "In these economically challenging times we need to call on people with wisdom and background like Meg Whitman."

If personal disdain and disgust, which could be set aside for political gain, was the criteria Mitt Romney would be standing beside McCain in St. Paul.

Romney, who was in the running until the very end, was rejected, ultimately, to avoid the Democrats using the same strategy which has been incorporated against Obama.

Governor Romney denounced Senator McCain during the primaries. That's video the Republicans do not want to see broadcast again and again as is the criticism of Obama by Hillary Clinton.

Senator Clinton's success in the Democratic primaries contributed to the choice of Whitman. Republicans have been aggressively pursuing Democrats and Independents who supported Clinton.

While the choice of Sebelius would likely have inflamed Clinton supporters on the Democratic side, choosing a woman bolsters the GOP ticket.

Whitman outdistanced Carly Fiorina, former Hewlett-Packard CEO, party because of a gaffe Fiorina committed on the trail during the primaries.

Fiorina caused a firestorm around McCain when she said, "Let me give you a real, live example, which I've been hearing a lot about from women. There are many health insurance plans that will cover Viagra but won't cover birth control medication. Those women would like a choice."

Whitman's ability to bolster the ticket when it comes to the economy was said to be more important than her gender. Economic issues are as much a weakness for McCain as security issues are for Obama.

She also won't have any problem serving as McCain's attack dog; a role Senator Biden stepped into nicely for Obama.

Choosing a Vice Presidential candidate who would solidify the ticket was, in the end, more valuable than someone who could help pick up Electoral Votes in a single state.

Fear and Loathing - The Gonzo Papers