I play a sniper character. I don't really have any good short ranged weapons besides 'This Machine'.
I usually have Veronica set to ranged using the unique Plasma Rifle, whose name I forget, and Max-Charged Microfusion Cells.
It depends on the enemies we're fighting. If there are robots, I let her go punchdrunk. She is using the Paladin Toaster glove with the added EMP effect. I've equiped her in Recon armor because it's Brotherhood'ish, and not Power Armor... cuz she's not a Paladin.

I have Eddie, too. But he's pretty useless. I just set him to passive and use him to carry my AMR and .50cal rounds (since they're so freakin' heavy).
I only use the AMR on Deathclaws. My silenced sniper is more than enough for everything else.