Phoenix Rising: McCain-Gingrich
October 2006, according to the archives, is when I first predicted that either John McCain or Newt Gingrich would be the Republican nominee for president. I greatly elaborate on that thesis here. McCain's implosion last summer caused me to reevaluate my prediction, and Gingrich's formal denial of presidential ambitions sealed it. But today, with McCain the nominee (barring something extraordinary), and the veepstakes heating up, suddenly the second half of my prediction might be looking a whole lot better, as Mike Boyer at FP's Passport blog surmises.
I don't actually think Gingrich will be McCain's choice (there are too many to choose from that would suit McCain's style), and in fact I think the importance of a VP selection is overrated in general (has there ever been a presidential campaign that won or lost on the strength of the running mate?). But like any writer who wants to influence people, making good predictions two years ago certainly helps.