Bauer touts Thompson over Rice for McCain's running mate (OneNewsNow.com)

Bauer touts Thompson over Rice for McCain's running mate

Jim Brown - OneNewsNow - 4/12/2008 6:20:00 AM

Former Republican presidential candidate Gary Bauer is expressing skepticism over the notion that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is interested in becoming GOP nominee John McCain's vice-presidential running mate.

Republican strategist and former Coalition Provisional Authority spokesman Dan Senor recently told ABC News that Secretary Rice has been "actively campaigning" in recent weeks to be considered for the number-two spot on the GOP ticket this fall. But Gary Bauer, a McCain supporter and prominent evangelical Christian leader, says he is not convinced Rice is seeking the job or that she would be an ideal choice for McCain.

"Condoleezza Rice, for the entire administration, has denied that she has any desire to get into the political arena. And quite frankly, even as she is [a] very astute ... official, she's never campaigned for any office at any level. And campaigning takes a particular set of skills that not everybody in government naturally has," Bauer contends.

McCain needs a running mate, according to Bauer, who has a good and clear record on values issues, which Rice does not. On the issue of abortion, for example, Rice has described herself as "mildly pro-choice."

Bauer believes a John McCain-Fred Thompson GOP ticket would be a dynamic duo. He says McCain and Thompson's meeting over the weekend has only fueled speculation about whether the former Tennessee senator is on McCain's short list of possible vice-presidential running mates. Bauer, who supported Thompson in his short-lived presidential bid, says he is not sure the Law & Order star wants to get back into the political arena again.

"[He] certainly has a lot of experience here in Washington, DC, and is also generally well-thought-of by conservatives. [He] comes from a border state, and those states are likely to be very important during what could be the third very close presidential election in a row. So, I hope that Senator McCain is considering former Senator Fred Thompson among many other possibilities around the country," Bauer adds.

If McCain were to win the White House, Bauer believes Thompson would likely be tapped to a cabinet post such as attorney general.