As the Democrats continue to figure out their candidate, John McCain, R-Ariz., is in the driver’s seat for the Republican nomination. McCain has already started giving speeches about what he would change as president and has been getting positive marks for differentiating himself from the current administration. He has also been making his case for being a candidate that values independent thinking. To balance his more moderate conservatism, several interesting vice presidential candidates have been named to create a strong Republican ticket in November.

McCain has the advantage of time working for him in this election. No one could have envisioned the long struggle the Democrats would engage in before having arrived at a nominee. McCain’s journey has strengthened him: his candidacy was seriously in doubt in the days leading up to the Iowa Caucus, and now he is the GOP’s chosen one. Now McCain finds himself with the Republican Party behind him, and a Democratic Party that looks harshly divided between two camps. More importantly, McCain has the time to carefully choose a vice presidential candidate that can help him gain support from all parts of the Republican base, while still attracting Independents to vote for his moderate “straight talk” policies.

One of the more interesting turns in the Republican campaign has been Mitt Romney’s, R-Mass., attitude toward McCain. Once fierce and bitter rivals in the primaries, they have campaigned together, and Romney has pledged to do whatever he can to help McCain’s presidential prospects. Romney has presented himself as a very viable choice to become the vice president. To some, Romney’s strengths are his economic presence as a very successful businessman and his social conservative stance that he brought to the primaries. It would be a fairly sound choice for McCain, who has admitted that the economy is not his strong suit and is generally seen as a fairly moderate Republican. Yet many remain skeptical about the odds of Romney taking a No. 2 slot on a ticket and it is more likely that he will eye a possible 2012 or 2016 campaign instead.

There is also talk about another former presidential rival of McCain’s becoming his future sidekick in Mike Huckabee (R-Ark.). Huckabee overachieved in his yearlong presidential pursuits and has now become a well-known figure in national politics. Huckabee was once a little known two-term southern governor who eventually skyrocketed in the polls in December to steal an Iowa victory from Romney. Huckabee has mass appeal with Republican voters mostly due to his congenial and relatable personality as well as his conservative Christian credentials.

However, many pundits believe that “Huck” would not be best choice for VP due to his less-than-stellar fiscal record (he raised taxes as governor of Arkansas — a big Republican “no-no”). In other words, many suspect a McCain/Huckabee ticket would be seen as double-trouble for economically minded conservatives who view both candidates as financial ignoramuses.

Political analysts agree that McCain’s running mate must make up for his apparent weaknesses, such as age, executive experience and his economic policies. Many agree that loyal supporter Gov. Tim Pawlenty, R-Minn., is a prime candidate for McCain due to his youth and charisma, qualities that could definitely balance the ticket. Pawlenty is also a two-term governor of a state that typically votes blue and could possibly tilt red with a moderate and a local politician on the ticket. Another candidate with strong executive experience is Gov. Mark Sanford, R-S.C. Sanford has a strong fiscal record as governor and is popular with the Republican base (he even calls himself a “right-wing nut”). Like Pawlenty, Sanford is young and has charisma to boot.

Another interesting candidate for the office of vice president is Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. There is talk that Rice may have some leverage with possible African-American or women voters, both demographics the Democrats seem to have sealed up due to their candidates. However, many believe this choice would hurt McCain due to Rice’s attachment to the unpopular Bush administration and the Iraq War. You never know, though. Two weeks ago the state of New York surveyed 2,000 likely voters about who they were more likely to vote for, a McCain/Rice or a Clinton/Obama ticket. Believe it or not, a McCain/Rice ticket won soundly, and this comes from the liberal state of New York.

Who McCain will choose as his running mate is anyone’s guess. But thanks to the Democrats, he will have plenty of time to think about it.