Former HP CEO Carly Fiorina a possible McCain Veep?
Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina has signed on to the John McCain campaign as head of McCain's "Victory 08" organization. While the pundits and prognosticators churn over who will be McCain's eventual VP selection - MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty? GA Gov. Sonny Perdue? LA Gov. Bobby Jindal? - perhaps it would be worth remembering that our sitting Vice President came not from the ranks of a current office holder, but a member of Bush's inner circle. Dick Cheney was actually charged with leading the search for Bush's VP before bush chose Cheney himself.
So, there is historical precedence for selecting someone from the inside. Could that person be Carly Fiorina? Don Wade of WLS-AM 890's Don Wade & Roma Morning Show put that question to her this morning:
Listen to the complete interview here: She's certainly not denying the possibility, and we can thusly assume, her interest in the post, either. Not that simply wanting would make it hers.
So, could Fiorina be the Vice President? It's a possibility. With Sen. McCain acknowledging that the economy isn't his forte, Fiorina's financial prowess could be a plus. The prevailing logic dictates that McCain needs to shore up conservative support in his VP selection, and it's unclear for the lack of a public file on her political beliefs whether she would be able to do that.
There would also be some concern over Fiorina's split with HP and the large severance package she received, as much as $42 million. While her departure wasn't acrimonious on either side, you can already hear the rhetoric targeted to the "robber baron-ism" of that large of a payout for a corporate CEO if either Obama or Clinton is the nominee.
The question the McCain camp has to answer is whether taking a shot at pulling over some female and economic-focused voters the right choice at the cost of solidifying his conservative base. Filed Under: Race for President