Ramesh — Let’s all agree that McCain-Huckabee really will cement the choice of economic conservatives to stay at home. So who do you think passes the new bar of Gore/Cheney-like vice-presidents who are serious enough to be president themselves, from the start? It is yet another manifestation of the problems with this year’s GOP field that each of our candidates demonstrated flaws great enough to keep him from winning much of anything. Thompson and Rudy — either of whom would have met your standard (well, mine) two months ago — are too much diminished now to be helpful. Former rock star Condi Rice has gone off the reservation in the last year, and demontrated quite unsound views on foreign policy, especially in the Mid-East. Also, she has never run for anything — which is a big liability, skill wise, when jumping in midsummer. Not much political talent in the Bush cabinet.

It is hard to think of a rising star who is likely to be a good vote-getter, a solid conservative, and also good at the policy areas (at least a few of the central ones, like the economy) where McCain is weak. Which is why it has to be a governor with some talent, charisma, and regional respect. But maybe you have someone in mind?