VEGAS ODDS - REPUBLICAN VEEPSTAKES

Since I am a Las Vegas native, I must indulge in the opportunity to set some very rudimentary Vegas odds on the republican Veepstakes happening tomorrow. Here's what I've come up with, let's see if I have a career in odds-making should all other career choices fail me:

Joe Lieberman
Odds: 20/1
The Connecticut Senator is a favorite of McCain's and bosom buddies in the maverick camp. Both buck the party-line trend and are often derided by their respective parties. Problem is Lieberman leans from left to right and McCain from right to left. Too much middle ground is not necessarily a good thing.

Tim Pawlenty
Odds: 10/1
CNN.com reports that the Minnesota Governor was on his way to a fundraiser but abruptly turned back for home on the eve of selection, hmmm... While not well known to the general public, those close to the McCain camp cite Pawlenty as being on the VP short list.

Mitt Romney
Odds: 5/1
My personal favorite but I can't let that influence the lines here. The former Massachusetts Governor and Republican Presidential candidate was McCain's chief rival in the primaries and had some very nasty exchanges with the former POW turned politico. It certainly got ugly and it seemed, especially in the Reagan Library smackdown, that these two have nothing more in common than the "Republican" affiliation. But it seems campaign squabbles are easily forgiven and Romney has become one of McCain's most influential backers. The Clash of the (republican) Titans has since become friends 'till the end. Enough pontification, I prefer a more tabloid approach to the odds-making: This just in - Romney was spotted today with unusually stepped-up security. An indication of things to happen tomorrow? Tune in next time...

Tommy Ridge
Odds: 7/2
Former Pennsylvania Governor and first-ever Homeland Security Chief is the true odds-on favorite to win selection (with the exception of my dark horse below). Ridge is fairly well known from his political and cabinet background as well as his close friendship with McCain. If he is picked it will be a personal choice and not necessarily the optimal political move. However, Ridge is not embraced in conservative circles with his pro-abortion slant, and that could be the death knell to McCain's presidential aspirations. Will McCain risk ostracizing the conservative community and gamble on Ridge? One thing is for sure, he's no stranger to unpopular decisions.

Wilford Brimley
Odds: 2/1
CNN.com reports "Upon arriving in Dayton, Ohio, Thursday evening, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate was asked on the airport tarmac who he has selected for the No. 2 job. 'Wilford Brimley,' McCain deadpanned." Deadpanned?? Who says McCain is kidding? After all, Brimley is the very conservative type that Obama disparaged (gun & bible toting rural folk.) Wilford is a proud voice for senior citizen conservatives in America with his various medical supply infomercials that feature him in John Wayne-esque western settings, horse and all. And hey, he does know a thing or two about co-starring; like with Hollywood legends such as Don Ameche in Cocoon and even C-listers like Jean Claude Van Damme. Talk about versatile! Sounds like a lock to me.

Wow, what a field! Now, every bettor wants the odds maker's take, so here's mine: the long odds men have little to no Cinderella shot here and the Ridge and Romney bets are too mind-numbingly difficult to handicap. Think I'll go with the easy money on Brimley...