The presidential race looks to be neck-and-neck, which means that who Mitt Romney chooses as a running mate could prove to be important. My own hunch is that this is the type of decision that plays to his strengths, and that he will make a well-considered choice.
DC insiders seem to think that there are four people on the "short list," which would include:
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty,
Ohio Sen. Rob Portman,
Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan and
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.
It's an intriguing list. Portman is the most obvious choice if Gov. Romney is attempting to pick up a state with the pick, as Ohio is on of the most crucial swing states.
Of course, the short list can be leapfrogged by someone unexpected-- and it appears that this is exactly what happened when John McCain picked Sarah Palin four years ago.
Some people, though, implausibly contend that Romney "could pick anyone." Really? I don't think so. For example, that group would include:
Abby Van Buren
Charles Nelson Reilly
P.F. Chang
Derek Jeter
Sarah Palin
Buzz Lightyear
Boris Yeltsin
Bruce Springsteen
D-10, The Demon Diesel
Ivan Lendl
Barney
What do you think? Who should he pick, and what should his purpose be?
One of the Wiggles. Purpose? To annoy the hell out of everyone.
ReplyDeleteShort is the operative word.
ReplyDeleteRomney’s VFW speech was a bit “short” on truth and seemed steeped in veiled neo-con whispers. To please donors and balance out the ticket he needs a “hole” card.
Pennsylvania may remain blue depending upon the legal maneuvers surrounding voter I.D. lawsuits. Virginia can remain in play with a strong Dem. ground game. Florida is Florida. Ohio will remain too close to call – Portman no guarantee. Minnesota is blue, T-Paw …zzzzzzz… Think west, Mitt, think west.
Romney needs to solidify his support from “rootin – tootin” Dick and the boys. There is no better gunslinger to ensure western electoral votes than…
Woody!
Woody is all cowboy, though the autographed cowboy hat he sent as a birthday gift to Mary Cheney’s five year old son this spring did not sit well with sister Liz. He is definitely on the “short” list and imagine a Woody – Biden debate, a camp fire setting excoriating the other’s middle class programs.
Sorry Buzz, with the shuttle sidelined, your jet pack is considered an alternative energy source by many – the big oil boys still prefer saddles and smokes.
Yes, Mitt needs a cowboy…
All the networks will be discussing whether Mitt Romney's choice will be his best choice to get elected. Mitt Romney will stay in character and choose in his best interest and after will probably proclaim they would be the countries best pick.
ReplyDeleteWith our country in such a fragile state and so many children facing an uncertain future, wouldn't it be wonderful to pick someone who could step in and lead-like Hillary Clinton.
Condelesa Rice would be his best choice to get elected.
Dad
But, Dad, don't you think Conoleeza Rice could also step in and lead? She would be a great pick.
ReplyDeleteSorry to disagree but Condoleezza Rice only sounds good on paper (and is very presentable). If we honestly look back at her diplomatic record during the years she served in the Bush administration she was the weakest national security advisors in US history. Just a few examples with her at the helm of foreign diplomacy advisory board (not mention W. Bush’s close confidante) would be the invasion of Iraq, which prompted a breach in relations with Europe, the missed opportunity with Iran (2003 peace offer), the Israel-Hezbollah war in Lebanon in mid-2006 which possibly marked a turning point for the decline of American power in the region. Plus I could also mention her total lack of involvement in the horrible mess in Darfur, but that would fall under a different rubric, since it was a humanitarian tragedy not a diplomatic stratagem.
ReplyDeleteRomney - Perry... Katy Perry
ReplyDeleteLet's stick with football.
ReplyDeleteJohn McCain to Sarah Palin was a Hail Mary. Considering his field position, it was actually a smart play on the part of McCain.
A few months ago, sensing that Romney would need to look down field a bit more at this juncture, I suggested Marco Rubio or Chris Christie might be smart choices.
Now it seems fairly evident that Romney merely needs to run off-tackle and hold on to the ball. Therefore, the four mentioned in the post all fit the bill.
Portman is perfectly fine but will NOT be the difference in OH. For me, Pawlenty will always be the guy who quit after losing a straw vote that meant nothing (head scratcher). Paul Ryan is beloved in many conservative circles, but he is actually a throw down field (higher risk). As a guy with LA connections, I really love Bobby Jindal. He is smart, competent, articulate, and bold. Having said all that, I am not predicting Jindal. DC Insiders say Romney really likes Portman. I think it is Portman. And he will be just fine.
Addendum:
ReplyDeletePurpose should be to select someone who can step in and be president. Political purpose should be a pick that tells us something about who Romney is and also offers a candidate who can be a good campaign partner.
Interestingly, I'm getting a sense (based partly on what I have seen directly) that Biden is actually a pretty good vice-president.
ReplyDeleteI think the Farmer is right about those four, except Pawlenty... who has never seemed a good choice for president or vice-president to me.
Given WacoFarmers addendum - I don't think Rubio or Christie fit the bill. And both lack foreign policy experience. In addition, Rubio is really not a likeable guy and given the obesity debates and related cost of health care I think you eliminate Christie on 'girth' alone. I don't think either bring enough to the table.
ReplyDeleteCondi may be viewed as weak, but I think if he goes the woman route she will be the pick.
"given the obesity debates and related cost of health care I think you eliminate Christie on 'girth' alone"
ReplyDeleteDoes fatism know no limits? A fat man can't be vice president? Are you worried that at the key moment when the president gets shot that vice president fatty will be knee deep in a hottub full of Snickers bars and won't be able to respond? That is messed up right there.
On a sidenote, I think RGIII should be vice president. He is aleady going to be in D.C., he is a natural leader, and his smile alone will alter the course of international politics. This is a can't miss proposition.
Now excuse me while I go find a hottub full of snickers bars...
My only quibble with RRL in re RGIII is that his suggestion represents an unconscionable waste of limited national resources; RGIII is way too good for the second chair.
ReplyDeleteLet him lead my new favorite team, the Washington Redskins, to a few Super Bowls before we ask him to lead our nation into unspeakable peace and prosperity.
And RGII will NOT be eligible to run for president until 2028...unless we amend the Constitution. Somebody get to work on that.
RRL, the hot-tub full of Snickers bars would most definitely not be vice presidents fatty’s inability to respond, it’d be the girth weakened knee.
ReplyDeleteHow about Mitch Daniels? I tend to think governors- in their executive role- can slip into the oval office and juggle the responsibilities of the president.
ReplyDeleteRRL - Romney can pick whoever he wishes; thin; fat; black; white; panda....
ReplyDeleteSeriously, if a person can't appear to care about their own health and well-being, should I trust them with decisions about my own?
When you name Barney, if you mean "annoying purple dinosaur," then no way. If you mean "Barney Stinson," then I'll get behind that. That administration would be legen...
ReplyDeletewait for it...
dary!
I mentioned Condelesa Rice would be his best pick to get elected. She would appeal to independents, moderates, woman and minorities, exactly where he is weakest. She however is pro-choice, and in Pres Bush's second term crossed Dick Cheney. With Paul Wolfowitz and John Bolton already advising Mitt Romney, she would not be a good fit.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe she would be good for the country as, she has proven herself to be a better follower than a principled leader. Whereas, Colin Powell realized he was duped and spoke out, C Rice just soldiered on. Dad
@ Mr. Osler Dad...I think you hit just the right note about Condoleezza Rice when you said she is more a follower than a principled leader. To me, at the time she was in office her “open door” policy was less about inviting people to see what she was up to and more about inviting them to tell her what to do. She was in over her head and being a follower was the only way to stay afloat.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to comment about this,but a tub full of Snickers awaits. I need to know,however why racism is no longer a problem,but fatism is?
ReplyDelete