John McCain's best choice for running mate may be a familiar face in the vice presidential slot—Joe Lieberman. The independent Connecticut senator would be the "first Jewish, party-crossing, second-time-around VP nominee in American history," and could push McCain toward the center just enough to attract valuable conservative Democrats, writes Walter Shapiro in Salon.
Lieberman is pro-choice and voted with Democrats 81% of the time in 2007. But he is hawkish on Iraq, and would be an excellent "character witness...for McCain's independence and bipartisan approach," says a top McCain strategist. Lieberman downplays the possible ticket: "I'm not a candidate. I don't think it's going to happen. And at this stage in my life, I am very happy where I am." (More Joe Lieberman stories.)