AEI’s David Frum, a former Bush speechwriter and top aide to Rudy Giuliani’s presidential campaign, has an item in The New Republic this week about John McCain and the possible impact of his running mate. It’s Frum’s conclusion, though, that’s noteworthy. (via Yglesias)

I have my own personal nomination for vice president for McCain. It’s Rudy Giuliani, precisely because he shares the vision of a practical, reforming, war-winning Republican Party that inspires John McCain, plus the stronger-than-usual grounds for hoping that he might be the rare candidate who can make a difference in an essential state — in this case, New Jersey.

But, my personal preferences aside, I hope, Senator, that you will make your choice with this consideration in mind: This choice may prove to be your most important legacy to your party and your country. Your nominee probably won’t help your candidacy–but he or she may secure your vision or else destroy your reputation. Sports talk about the veepstakes is good, entertaining political fun. But a party in as much trouble as the GOP in 2008 has little time for fun.

Oh, I don’t know, David, if McCain picked Giuliani for the ticket it would enormous fun.

In fact, just to extend the entertaininment factor a bit, I’ll add some fuel to the baseless speculation and note that once the McCain campaign secured the nomination and took over the RNC, the committee hired Victory 2008 directors, many of whom are “veterans of the Giuliani presidential campaign, and before that, veterans of the 2006 RNC field operation run by Mike DuHaime, formerly the Giuliani campaign manager.”

Clear evidence of a Giuliani role in the presidential campaign? Well, no, but a guy can dream.

Keep in mind, there was ample talk of a McCain-Giuliani ticket earlier this year.

When Giuliani traveled to California to officially endorse McCain, MSNBC’s report immediately touched on the notion of Giuliani as McCain’s running mate.

The same day, Stephen Bainbridge wrote:

Listening to Giuliani’s withdrawal and endorsement speech, I couldn’t help wondering whether we just heard Rudy making a bid for the Vice Presidency. The emphasis on their shared beliefs, their similar policy positions especially on the GWOT, and especially the need for a 50-state coalition. That last point sounded like an argument that McCain needs a VEEP who can appeal to Blue State voters; namely, Rudy.

Hugh Hewitt added at the time that no one should be surprised if “McCain selects a Rudy or Joe Lieberman as a running mate as an ‘all-in’ play for the muddled middle of the country.”

I realize that there have been plenty of surprises this year, but I simply cannot imagine the circumstances that would lead McCain to pick Giuliani for the GOP ticket. It’s simply unfathomable. Giuliani ran one of the more embarrassing presidential campaigns in recent memory and lost every contest in which he competed, usually by enormous margins. He invested millions and ended up without a single delegate.

Frum believes Giuliani could help McCain win in New Jersey. Not only do I think that’s false, I’m quite confident Giuliani wouldn’t even move the needle in his home state of New York.

For that matter, the quickest way to enrage the Republican base is to put a serial-adulterer and supporter of abortion rights, gay rights, gun control, and liberal immigration policies on the ticket.

Then again, maybe I’m going about this the wrong way. Allow me to revise my analysis — please don’t put Giuliani on the ticket, Sen. McCain, because he’d be too great an asset. With him, you’d be unbeatable. Dems everywhere are scared of the Giuliani juggernaut and the ease with which he’d help you win a national landslide.

Yeah, that’s what I meant to say.