Veep candidates visiting McCain's ranch

Power brokers and vice presidential possibilities are visiting presumed GOP presidential nominee John McCain's northern Arizona getaway this weekend. It's all just a social good time, as the official spin goes, but you better believe, the deals are being cut.

Among those on the scene are former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and many lesser lights.

Romney would add economic expertise to McCain's national security and foreign policy credentials, but probably couldn't carry Massachusetts for the ticket but might help in Michigan. Crist would guarantee Florida, but has limited credentials to add to the ticket, except relative youth. Sanford is young, but from a state McCain would probably carry anyway. Huckabee is a no-hoper, given that McCain seems to be shunning the evangelical vote, with his recent refusal of support from televangelist and San Antonio pastor John Hagee.

Newly elected Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, an Indian decsended from India and devout Catholic, is present, and a possibility at age 39, since he has served in both the federal and state bureaucracy, as well as Congress. He is a wunderkind and very dynamic campaigner, but comes from a state McCain will carry anyway and lacks national security or foreign policy experience. Mark him down as a definite GOP future presidential contender, but maybe not yet.

In fact, a case could be made that the McCain settee is a way to let these folks down easy, stroking them before pushing them aside. More likely is someone like Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a 46-year-old evangelical hosting the GOP national convention, or other figure from a state McCain needs to pull away from Democrats. The candidate needs to be younger than McCain's 71 years, but must also be credible as a president in the eyes of voters.

Selecting a veep is neat trick for McCain, that could be damaging if his team messes it up. Stay tuned.