In less than one week, the electorate will know their respective candidate's choice for vice presidential running mate. Both parties offer an outstanding pool of potential candidates. John McCain must choose a running mate that will not only unite the Republican Party, but will also garner the electoral votes in the swing states as well.

The social conservatives have spoken against the choice of a candidate that is pro-choice. Although Tom Ridge, with his experience in national security, and Joseph Lieberman, with his foreign policy expertise, would be great additions to the ticket, their support of a woman's right to choose would alienate the religious right in the Republican Party. Tim Pawlenty would be a very viable candidate and would add some relative youth and vigor to the ticket. However, Pawlenty is still somewhat unknown on a national level, and his ability to draw support from critical swing states is questionable.

The best choice for John McCain's running mate is former Massachusetts Governor Willard Mitt Romney. The former presidential candidate and runner-up to McCain would bring some superior economic experience to the ticket. A recent Forbes study showed that the top five of America's fastest dying cities are in the swing states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio. Three of the top five are in Ohio (Canton, Youngstown, and Dayton). Romney would be an attractive choice for such voters and his familial roots in Michigan would bring the Wolverine State into play for the GOP.

John McCain needs a running mate that would unify the Republican Party and attract the highly coveted independent voters. Some social conservatives may not be very fond of Romney's past views on a number of social issues, but they are likely to remain in the fold as both he and McCain have committed to pro-life values. America needs a Vice-President that could effectively implement a staunch economic policy and would be ready to lead should circumstance warrant it. Mitt Romney is the best candidate with both the professional perspicacity and business acumen to turn around the struggling U.S. economy. America needs Mitt Romney....and so does John McCain.