Is Lieberman VP Story a Canard?

Thursday, August 21, 2008 | 12:23 PM

By Sarah Scully
Journalists may be unnerved by VP speculation but strategists must be positively over-wrought attempting to guess whom the opposition will choose.

Are the campaigns trying to fake each other out with decoy VPs?

While Obama has narrowed his choices to a group that is (however different in temperament) ideologically similar, McCain is still flirting with the "Independent Democrat," Joe Lieberman and his surrogates have been floating the idea of a pro-choice VP in tandem with rumors of a cross-party ticket.

Given the conservative beat down that John McCain endured during the primaries, it is puzzling that he would now turn his back on such a major issue for the GOP base, especially after the impassioned defense of his pro-life record at Saddleback.

Is it possible that Lindsay Graham is just playing along, or does he really believe that a pro-choice, former Democratic VP candidate would be the best choice? Furthermore, a non-GOP pick may violate party rules.

With Conservatives in a panic over Lieberman and Ridge and Huckabee denouncing Romney (perhaps in favor of himself), McCain still has a few viable alternatives including Rob Portman and Tim Pawlenty.

Whatever the reason, McCain has been spending a significant amount of time with the (CT-I-D) Senator in the weeks leading up to the convention, which means Lieberman is either on his way to making history or simply following in the footsteps of Zell Miller.