Republican and Conservative political analysis and commentary

As focus on the Republican side begins to turn to potential running mates for John McCain, we will begin looking weekly at potential candidates for the second spot outlining what they bring to the ticket; and their potential weaknesses.

Marsha Blackburn is a three term Congressman from the 7th district of Tennessee - one of the most reliably Republican districts in the country. Prior to her service in the U.S. House, she served in the Tennessee State Senate and as a Party worker.

While in the State Senate she was a vocal opponent of a proposed income tax in her home state; an opposition which she used to ride into Congress. In Congress, she has been one of the most conservative members of Congress as a strong opponent of abortion, taxes, and spending.

As a "minority," she would provide a good counterpoint to the minority candidacy presented by the Democrats. Within the Party, she provides a solid conservative balance to the moderate/maverick McCain.

She is a Southern belle, who at 55 looks more like 45. She is the antithesis of Hillary Clinton and would offer the country a clear choice between a traditional Christian woman or a feminazi.

She also has a limited national profile which could serve as both a strength and a weakness. Her profile is low enough that she would not draw the ire of the moderate voters attracted to McCain, but high enough that conservatives, and especially Southerners, know who she is. Additionally, she would know her place on the national ticket; and she has the potential to be able to energize the Republican base like she has in her home district. 

A strike against her, however, is that she endorsed McCain's opponents. She first endorsed Mitt Romney in early 2007, changed her endorsement when Fred Thompson entered the race, and then quietly endorsed Romney again after Thompson withdrew. And then her district went for Mike Huckabee on Tsunami Tuesday damaging her credibility among social and Christian conservatives.