Let me revisit my letter of March 14 in which I predicted who the nominees on the big tickets in November of both political parties would be. I now must admit that I was a bit off. But I am ready to make more fearless calls about the election selections for the vice presidential spots.

By March, there was little doubt that McCain would have enough delegates before the primaries were over. I get no credit for that call. Without naming who he might choose as a running mate, I said that he would pick a person with a solid conservative record. He could call upon a woman to join him on the ticket. But I can think of no younger, well-known conservative Republican female who would be an asset in the general election.

I mentioned in March that Mitt Romney had the credentials that would have made him a formidable candidate for president. I now see no other person in the party who could do more than Romney, as a running mate, to give McCain the boost he needs to overcome the Democratic challenge. Take my word for it, senator.

I predicted that Hillary would be at the top of the Democratic ticket with Obama as the vice president. I now think that Obama will ask Hillary to run with him. She would unify the party and pull in a pile of votes, especially from among older women. She could raise gobs of money for the big run. No way will Obama “dis” Hillary by asking another woman to run with him. And most of the high-profile Democratic male V.P. wannabes are too bland to complement the star at the top of the ticket. Hear me, Sen. Obama.

Oh yes, Bill Clinton might prove to be a problem as he was at times during the primary run. They surely will help him keep his comments clean until Nov. 4, turning him loose to raise campaign funds through the mail and Internet. And he makes jillions from his celebrity speaking engagements. But not as much as Rush Limbaugh does behind his “golden microphone.” Both these voluble guys (nicer term than “gasbags”) are highly overpaid.

I’ll be back to call the big one after the vice presidential choices are firm.

C. Keith Sigler

Joplin