It's looking more and more like Mitt Romney is going to be the Republican nominee, so what does everyone think about running mates? These are the people that would be on my short list if I were Romney; Allen West - First term Congressman from Florida; a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel, he brings the military experience that Romney, Obama, and Biden lack, plus his fiercely conservative views would bring in those who don't think Romney is conservative enough. And, to be honest, it doesn't hurt that he's black. Congressman Allen West Marco Rubio - First term US Senator from Florida and former Speaker of the House of the Florida House of Representatives. Very popular in heavily-Hispanic Florida, where he beat incumbent Governor Charlie Crist for the Republican nomination for the open Senate seat vacated by Mel Martinez. A favorite of the Tea Party, he would also appeal to conservatives who are skittish about Romney, and being of Cuban descent and a strong opponent of illegal immigration would blunt the inevitable "You're racist if you're for securing the borders" argument. U.S. Senator for Florida, Marco Rubio Bob McDonnell - Governor of Virginia. Also a former US Army officer, he would bring the military experience as well as a solid conservative record, including trying to limit state funding for abortions, that would surely appeal to the conservative wing of the party. Governor Robert F. McDonnell Condoleeza Rice - Former US Secretary of State and National Security Adviser. A solid conservative record with extensive experience in the Executive Branch, she would also appeal to Tea Partiers and other conservatives, plus being the Daily Double of being black and female is a big plus. http://www.hoover.org/fellows/10078 What does everyone think?
Well, it won't be anyone who's run (or toyed with running). They've either got serious baggage (Daniels, Christie, etc.) or have trashed Mitt in trying to be the "not Romney" candidate. Your list: West has said so many unhinged things. Rubio's fictions about his parents and his current financial dealings are difficult. McDonnell wants to forcibly insert things into women or, at the least, play doctor. Rice is kinda good, but the GOP isn't going to let Romney nominate a woman--especially an educated one who is a waif in politics. I wouldn't bank on any of them getting it. Romney's guy in Ohio might get it. Rob Portman.
"To the extent there is a difference between tabloid journalism and respectable reporting these days, it's probably that tabloid types would refuse to print articles as speculative and as thinly-sourced as those about possible vice-presidential picks," Ana Marie Cox recently wrote for The Guardian. (...Yeah, she goes on to speculate about possible vice-presidential picks, making a few good points; Post Palin, what's the logic behind the GOP's VP pick? (Ana Marie Cox, The Guardian blog, February 27, 2012.)
Rice has repeatedly said she is disinterested in higher public office. I don't know that you could play the gender card without disenfranchising Sarah Palin. The VP typically is a balancing act, isn't it? Romney, seen by some as "too moderate" might go for a more conservative running mate. On the other hand, the VP isn't typically announced until after the primaries and so he might want to "move to the center" and pick someone who's more moderate than he is. In my mind I don't want anyone who's a "first time" anything. The VP should have experience (if nothing else) because they are, as the saying goes, "a heartbeat away from the Presidency." So here's my guess: It'll be the governor of a southern state where Romney is weak.
No chance. She's from SC (not a swing state by any stretch of the imagination), and her religious background could raise questions. The Romney camp will not want to add any fuel to that fire. IMO, the VP nominee will be unquestionably Christian, but not necessarily of a Santorum variety.
He would be a good choice--from a swing state, has legislative experience, served as US Trade Representative and OMB director (both of which play well into Romney's business-focused narrative).
