Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
The set Republican pattern: nominees (Bush, Dole, Bush, McCain) select more conservative running mates (Quayle, Kemp, Cheney, Palin). It's hard to see how Rick Santorum would gain from following that pattern. If he tried, we all know the outcome: a chorus (a phalanx? a flashmob?) of Reasonable People will stage a first-order freakout in the media and the party. Even some unofficially reasonable people will be concerned.
And yet: can we really imagine Santorum tapping a less conservative party figure? A mere token would be electorally wasteful and offensive to the base. A heavyweight moderate-to-liberal would be offensive not only to the base but (if his words are to be believed) to Santorum himself.
Yes, you and I both can hardly believe I'm typing out hypotheticals based on a Santorum nomination. But I'm chained to this laptop, down in this mine, and I'm really disinclined to show anything but perfect subordination to my new insect overlords.
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Mar '11
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
You didn't go back far enough. Would Reagan have suffered in '80 had he chosen Phil Crane or Jack Kemp rather than George H. W. Bush? I doubt it, and if he had done so we'd have been spared the second GWB administration.
Apr '11
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
Santorum should choose Romney....Then it can be like Reagan Bush...at least in congruity.
Nov '11
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
What, you don't think he'd choose Romney??
In reality, though, he would probably want a governor, would he not? And realistically, probably not a Catholic. Surely there's someone out there who is close to where Santorum is politically without being a "firebrand."
How about McDonnell in Virginia -- how solid a conservative is he? I know he's popular in his home state.
What would be fun but won't happen is Santorum/Christie 2012.
Apr '11
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
For just a brief moment, I'd like to see someone in the media (should we get to this point) suggest a Santorum / Palin ticket. It'd be amusing to watch for the few days the liberal media goes utterly insane with fury.
Jun '10
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
Since Santorum is mainly known for the social issues, someone like a Mitch Daniels or Paul Ryan might bolster his credibility as a fiscal conservative. Alternately he could pick someone like John Bolton with more foreign policy experience. Plus Bolton would lock up the coveted mustache vote...
Oct '10
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
Candidate Santorum hopes he will have to worry about this someday in the future, but I doubt he's losing much sleep about it right now. :-)
May '10
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
Eric Cantor might be an idea. I wonder if he'd do it?
I'm not sure I'd want him as the party favorite for 2020 though.
May '10
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
You're right, Joseph. Mitch Daniels would be ideal. Paul Ryan we need where he is.
May '10
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
Daniels is great because he's retiring. I'd hate to see us take an active conservative governor like Scott Walker or Jindall or McDonnell out of office.
Oct '10
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
Rand Paul might get Santorum some libertarian leaning, non-social issue voters.
Dec '10
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
katievs
You're right, Joseph. Mitch Daniels would be ideal. Paul Ryan we need where he is. · 2 minutes ago
Mitch Daniels would be ideal from a credentials standpoint, but I don't see him running. I doubt his wife would change her mind.
Why not Rubio? I'm a big believer that the VP pick can hurt the candidate a lot more than help, but Rick needs to lock up Florida, whereas I think Indiana is probably safe for the Republican this cycle. And really, we need Rubio teed up for 2020.
I love Allen West, but might some people see him as a cynical pick because of race, the way some saw Palin as a cynical pick because Obama dissed Hillary? Of course, Republicans will probably never get those voters anyway.
Mar '11
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
Well, this is the bone that generally gets thrown to conservatives ("wait 'til you see the veep nominee...you'll like him!") so the temptation to play the same game is strong. I'm trying to think of someone who could fit the bill, but I'm coming up blank.
Sep '10
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
What about Pat Robertson? Just kidding..
Apr '11
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
katievs: Eric Cantor might be an idea. I wonder if he'd do it?
I'm not sure I'd want him as the party favorite for 2020 though. · 25 minutes ago
You assume a lot, to say the least.
Oct '10
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
I think Santorum/Bush would do the same to the media. Plus, then we wouldn't be losing a sitting governor and be gaining Jeb's strengths on the ticket. Won't happen but one can dream.
May '10
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
Western Chauvinist
Mitch Daniels would be ideal from a credentials standpoint, but I don't see him running. I doubt his wife would change her mind.
But the family of the VP doesn't usually get the same level of vicious scrutiny that the family at the top of the ticket get. Unless her name is Palin.
I love Rubio, and if Romney gets the nod, I hope Rubio will say yes. But Santorum might do better not to pick a newbie Senator. Also I doubt Rubio would do it. I think he's serious about being a good Senator for a while before he aims higher.
Too new and too Tea Party for Santorum, who will need to reassure the establishment types.
Mar '11
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
Speak for yourself, James - I can quite easily think of a Santorum nomination, and was thinking only the other day of possible running mates.
Of course, Mrs Palin came to mind, first...
Then Mrs Bachmann, Mr Rubio (though I doubt he would accept). I don't think Mr Santorum will have a particular problem.
I hate to break this to you, James, but this election is not following the Republican pattern - if it does, then Mr Romney will be the nominee.
Mar '11
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
katievs
Too new and too Tea Party for Santorum, who will need to reassure the establishment types.
Allen West - perfect! I think Mr Santorum needs to reassure the Tea Party more than he does the establishment dinosaurs.
Edited on February 10, 2012 at 4:21amJan '11
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
Repeat after me, "We aren't concerned about the economy, We aren't concerned about the economy." Rick Santorum's record is one that is only about being a social conservative. He's another compassionate conservative who'd lead us into pre-emptive foreign conflicts in parts of the world we aren't close to. Wait, we have seen this episode before - eight years of W.
Santorum voted against Right to Work legislation, he is very comfortable with big labor unions, has no problem with pork, and consistently voted to raise the debt ceiling. Plus, in the most telling moment of his life in terms of being "pro-life" his wife and him both stated that if necessary, they would have done whatever they needed to to save her life, and not their child's - if that isn't an admission that being anti-abortion is only a slogan, I'm not sure what is.
Jun '11
Re: Does Santorum Have a Running Mate Problem?
Both Santorum and Romney will need to balance their tickets with a candidate that will reassure the protestant/evangelical portion of the party. Religious balance may be more important than regional or idealogical balance.