When Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama unveiled Joe Biden as his running mate, the buzz for weeks had been Tim Kaine or Evan Bayh had closed the deal.  On Heading Right with Media Lizzy, I warned folks.  It is often one of the names you don’t see.  Why?  Because that person needs a few days to rehearse, to get the names of staff readied for the Secret Service, plan the events, get the advance teams in place, talk issues and strategy; get integrated into the ticket - and get ready for the campaign.  Talk to the family, organize the kids, get life organized.I was pretty confident about Joe Biden once the Russia v. Georgia conflict occurred, he dropped off the radar - went to Georgia.  And was silent on his return.

Expect the McCain process to be similar.  Missing from the official program, released by the GOP Convention, earlier today are a few names worth noting. Rob Portman, Colin Powell (trial balloon to stick a fork in arrogant Obama staff’s eye), and Eric Cantor.

From The Hill:

Rep. Eric Cantor (Va.), rumored to be on the shortlist of John McCain’s vice presidential candidates, is conspicuously absent from a complete list of speakers at the Republican National Convention.

The list, sent to reporters under the header “Republican National Convention Announces Full Program,” includes the names of all other individuals believed to be on Sen. McCain’s (Ariz.) shortlist.

Cantor was asked earlier this month to undergo the formal vetting process by the McCain campaign and served as one of his most vocal supporters in the House of Representatives.

From my AOL Political Machine colleague, Caleb Howe, who was lucky enough to speak with Eric Cantor earlier today:

I suggested that the week is full of the glamour of Senator Obama’s celebrity. He laughed and remarked that the Republican Convention next week will probably have its share of pomp and circumstance. I’m sure it will, although I’ll note without the American Idol-ready stage. You’re probably engrossed with the idea, like I am, that we might be treated to a 3AM text message that reads “CANTOR” in the next week or so. The Congressman thought that was pretty funny. Hey, he didn’t say we wouldn’t right?

Cantor is a short-lister for a reason. Just as we saw with the Democrats, wooing Virginia will be an important move this election cycle; And Cantor is popular with the base and grassroots. His being here in Denver is a good move for the McCain campaign. News organizations of course relish pulling in the opposition, and Republican voters will enjoy his rapid response to the Dean attack machine. Eric Cantor may be behind enemy lines, but he seems well-armed. After all, isn’t that what a floor fight is all about?

Updated: UPI report on Eric Cantor

#yeswecantor #yeswecantor #yeswecantor (and thanks toJoi the artist for the SuperCantor pic!)

—Media Lizzy

Pawlenty is a no-go.  Jindal, no-go.  A lot of other names, like Portman or especially Romney, are driven by staff and consultants - not by Senator McCain. Lest we forget: it’s his opinion that matters.

Mitt Romney’s qualifications place him in the hopper for Treasury Secretary, far more so than as potential Veep.  Does anyone honestly believe that John McCain is going to willingly anoint Mitt Romney as his successor? As his potential #2? As leader of the GOP?  As the party’s presumptive nominee in 2012 or 2016?  Team Romney is persistent, if nothing else.

Sure, McCain may pick Romney - but that would be seen as a panic-driven, pandering choice to the donor class and staffers looking to pull $10,000 a month.  If you think that sounds crazy, look at the Romney expenditure reports.

McCain’s ‘maverick’ streak may lead him to pull in someone scandal-free but with access to their own national network to augment his own.  The elephant missing in the GOP primary was George Allen, who famously macaca-d himself out of re-election & a presidential bid.  However, dark horse Virginian Eric Cantor could easily tap into the network Allen was building from 1993-2006.  Allen had strong ties into Orange County, CA money that fell to Romney by default.  Not just conservative cash - but Bush Pioneers that have yet to pony up. Think “movement” + Pioneers + New Majority + Lincoln Club.

In previous cycles, the GOP nominee raised one in four dollars in California.  McCain has Schwarzenegger and his fundraising machine, but in a donor state like CA - there is more than one set of Top Tier folks in the ‘underwriter’ class.  By underwriter, I mean Billionaires that routinely Co-Chair inaugural committees and Host Committees.  These are folks who don’t talk to staff, because they don’t have to.  Billionaires do not need the permission of even the most ‘Senior Adviser’ to chat with a potential president.  And the Senator may not report back every detail to staff.  Having watched some of those folks in action, my own instinct tells me that until Senator McCain makes it official -nothing can be counted on.

If McCain chooses someone like Cantor - it please multiple classes of politicos.  Top flight donors, potential Cabinet members, and national-grade consultants who have earned their way to the top as presidential campaign advisers. Cantor has a stable of folks around him, both current and former consultants he remains close to, that could make a McCain-Cantor ticket very formidable.

And that’s just the metrics.  Cantor is in his 40s, attractive, great wife, wonderful kids.  He’s a prolific fundraiser for his colleagues in the House.  He has earned his spot on the national stage - and the chances of being Speaker aren’t so hot right now.

It would be a bold move - and McCain needs to make one.  McCain-Cantor, gosh - it even sounds good.

 —Media Lizzy