Would McCain be ahead in the polls if he had chosen Joe Lieberman for his running mate instead of Sarah Palin?

No the base was very against Lieberman. He was vetted and the response from the base was no that is why the next day Palin came on the scene.

It's a slim possibility. Lieberman is hated by most conservatives and picking a former democrat would cost him many republican votes as they would choose to wait four years and get a more conservative ticket rather than let that particular team win. McCain was behind in the polls before the vice presidential ticket was announced and the only time he passed Obama was immediately after the RNC convention, and it only last a couple days. I doubt there was a running mate that could have brought him even with Obama this year, but there are three or 4 candidates that would have been pretty strong.

1. Mitt Romney. Given his executive experience and perceived economic strength, this should have been a good pick. Add in his family history in Michigan, a state McCain tried to keep competitive, and he might have won 20 electoral votes from a blue state cutting his current map much closer.

2. Rob Portman. Although he lacks executive strength, he does have a great conservative economic background- a real strength given the state of the economy. Although he is relatively unknown- even in most of his native Ohio, he is nonetheless from Ohio, and as we have seen with Palin, an unknown doesn't mean the country won't quickly learn who you are. Winning Ohio is pertinent for McCain to capture the white house, and 17 electoral votes that Bush won twice would also help that map look better.

3. Tom Ridge. Not the best pick- he is pro choice, which angers many conservatives, but I don't think it is enough to keep them home. He is also perceived s close to Bush, giving plenty of ammo to Obama. He also has executive and strong national security ties and is a fiscal conservative. I don't think it would win him the election, but should have made Pennsylvania more competitive and 23 electoral votes is no laughing matter.

4. Olympia Snowe. Too moderate for many republicans, but is considered one of the best senators in the country. Maine has only 3 electoral votes, but if Palin was intended to win over women voters, and that was McCain's intent, Snowe would have made a much better choice. She agrees with McCain more often than not, could have better held the Maverick label as a member of the gang of 14, she is pro choice and gay rights, which keeps her values more in sync with most women voters and can be perceived as a true feminist- unlike Palin, she wouldn't have been a slap in the face of disenfranchised Hillary supporters. Unfortunately for McCain- he was advised not to pick a pro-choice VP.

No, it is the panic over the economy that is going to lose the election for him. When you look at the history of elections in America, whenever the economy is bad in an election year, the party in the White House (Dem or Repub) generally loses the election. I think it is because Independents panic and choose the opposite party because of a false notion that somehow they will make things better.

I think the ticket that would have the best chance to win would be Romney / Palin. Out of all the candidates running for president, from either party, Romney has the best economic mind.

Of course, we'll never know. But I have a gut feeling things would be a lot closer than they are now. I have heard many people say they just can't vote for Palin as Vice President. One of the radio hosts said Palin has the brain of a pineapple and should be wearing a Dole pineapple sticker on her cheek!

He'd be even farther behind.

Do you think McCain supporters would go for an Independent Democrat on the ticket?

NO.

I wouldn't vote for that traitor Lieberman.

would you dems vote for him

it is clear thats who the dems wanted him to pick/ Palin is a great lady and in touch with the regular person and you libs cant take it. Palin is in touch with regular america but you libs are elitist snobs who can not see that or you dont care. Maybe if Palin had killed her baby or was a single mom who had kids out of wedlock you would support her but no a good family woman with character and strength you libs cant have that

Lieberman would of had Republicans home on election day and you know it

No. Because the 'base' would simply sit home during election day and not vote.

He would have been absolutely finished if he had Joe Lieberman

Joe Lieberman is a slimeball

Liebermann is the lowest possible kind of being. A traitor to his party. Doesn't matter, what party that is, you don't betray your people.