Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
Let's face it: whatever drama is left in the Republican presidential race at this point consists mostly of determining exactly when and how Mitt Romney will sew up the nomination -- pretty anticlimactic, as these things go. With that in mind, I put the next great question to you, the Ricochetoise: assuming he is the nominee, who should Romney choose as his running mate? A few choices that would satisfy me:
Marco Rubio -- The almost painfully obvious choice. Energizes conservatives, but would attract moderates. Comes from the vote-rich electoral battleground of Florida. Creates inroads to Hispanic voters without pandering (anyone who sees Rubio on the stump will know that he was not chosen on the basis of identity politics). Best of all, it tees him up for a future presidential bid, regardless of whether Romney wins or loses.
Paul Ryan -- Perhaps Ryan accomplishes more of substance in the House of Representatives than he does in the notoriously thankless second banana position. And perhaps the Romney campaign wouldn't want to defend the litany of specific proposals for economic and entitlement reform that Ryan has authored in recent years. Still, it's unlikely that any other choice could as seriously telegraph Romney's intent to be a substantive reformer -- or provide such a vigorous contrast with the free-spending ways of the Obama Administration.
Jon Kyl -- A name that doesn't come up much in veepstakes chatter, but the Arizona senator and Republican Whip (who's retiring this fall after three terms in the upper chamber) is in reality what Joe Biden was in theory: an elder statesman with a policy wisdom born of experience. He's also been a leader on foreign policy issues in recent years, which could buttress the inexperienced Romney should international affairs become more prominent in the run-up to November.
Allen West -- The Tea Party congressman from South Florida may be the Sarah Palin of this cycle: high risk, high reward. West is a gifted speaker, a rock-ribbed conservative, and a distinguished Army veteran. He has also proven, at times, to be bold to the point of impetuousness, a trait that could be a red flag for the notoriously controlled Romney campaign.
Those are just a few names I'd be happy seeing. Which figures could satisfy you at the bottom of the ticket?
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Mar '12
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
As much as VPs go to funerals and such, they are also "one heartbeat away from the Presidency." One comment that Newt Gingrich made resonated with me, because he articulated my thinking. When he was asked how he would choose his VP, he said his first criteria was to find someone (to paraphrase) who was READY to take over the job.
Say Mitt chooses Marco, Mitt wins, Mitt dies. Do I honestly believe that Marco has the smarts to be President?
If Romney, and I believe the nominee will be Romney, chooses an "elder statesman" similar to George W, chose Cheney, that shows he's not grandstanding to the Latino vote, but is serious about the choosing someone who has the wisdom and experience to take over. And that also leaves Ryan and Rubio more time to develop.
So, maybe Kyl, maybe Tom Coburn. Maybe he needs a "slightly" conservative/conservative who will appeal to the Red State, evangelical constituency because he's doing so poorly among them (but they'll get out the vote and vote).
Romney wants this win badly, so I think he will give the VP choice real thought. You notice Condaleeza said no.
May '10
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
Noesis Noeseos, my point was that Romney is such a poll hound.
West was indeed being refreshingly honest. He's my favorite of the Tea Party bunch. I'd love it if he was the VP candidate. But it won't happen because the things he says scare politicians like Romney who are so concerned about the supposed mild sensibilities of swing voters.
That is the same reason I doubt Romney will choose anyone like a social conservative.
Romney might be cognizant of first principles, but they are certainly not where his thinking begins. He's a businessman. The economy is his focus and numbers are where his estimation of America's problems starts. I doubt he fully understands social conservatism.
He won't try to strengthen his appeal to social conservativism if he doesn't believe doing so is necessary. And Beltway pundits will continue to advise him that "middle" voters are scared by it.
Jan '12
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
Aaron Miller: Noesis Noeseos, my point was that Romney is such a poll hound.
West was indeed being refreshingly honest. He's my favorite of the Tea Party bunch. I'd love it if he was the VP candidate. But it won't happen because the things he says scare politicians like Romney who are so concerned about the supposed mild sensibilities of swing voters.
That is the same reason I doubt Romney will choose anyone like a social conservative.
Romney might be cognizant of first principles, but they are certainly not where his thinking begins. He's a businessman. The economy is his focus and numbers are where his estimation of America's problems starts. I doubt he fully understands social conservatism.
He won't try to strengthen his appeal to social conservativism if he doesn't believe doing so is necessary. And Beltway pundits will continue to advise him that "middle" voters are scared by it. · 0 minutes ago
Thank you, Aaron, that is a fair analysis. Sadly, it does not allay my fears. (I'll continue in an original comment.)
Jan '12
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
Aaron,
If the country's only wounds were domestically economic, then a timid Mitten approach might be appropriate and salutary. But you and I know better.
Still, you are correct in your analysis of Romney the poll hound, and a MAN like Allen West would scare him, shake him to his wobbly core.
So, I guess he will look at the P/L statement and choose somebody like Chirs Christie. That would not be a bad choice, since our friend in Jersey seems to be able to combine balance-sheet sagacity with a pungent pugnacity.
Although some of our comrades in the Ricochet-sphere will demur, I agree with you that the social-conservative emphasis is not a winner. But with this provisio: once it becomes clear that the Left is actually intruding upon the First-Amendment rights of religious groups, then they become vulnerable to general outrage. Zealots always push things too far, and Obama is nothing but a left-wing zealot.
Apr '11
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
Noesis Noeseos
Would you mind elucidating what specifically you believe demonstrates Allen West's lack of tact?
There is no serious Constitutional conservative who has not had controversy thrust upon him by the Left through its dominance in the so-called mainstream media. If none can vigorously controvert Obama's policies, then why even challenge him in the election?
Allen West is a blunt guy with the courage to speak out forcefully on hot, controversial issues. This is great for a congressman who only has to win over thousands to win a district. We need more folks like West, but his confrontational style is not likely to win over voters who don't agree with him.
Like a football team, a political movement is made up of talented individuals who excel at different positions. In media, for example, we need both our Andrew Brietbarts and Dennis Pragers, but each are most effective in a different context.
Jan '12
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
Cutlass
Noesis Noeseos
Would you mind elucidating what specifically you believe demonstrates Allen West's lack of tact?
There is no serious Constitutional conservative who has not had controversy thrust upon him by the Left through its dominance in the so-called mainstream media. If none can vigorously controvert Obama's policies, then why even challenge him in the election?
Allen West is a blunt guy with the courage to speak out forcefully on hot, controversial issues. This is great for a congressman who only has to win over thousands to win a district. We need more folks like West, but his confrontational style is not likely to win over voters who don't agree with him.
Like a football team, a political movement is made up of talented individuals who excel at different positions.. · 8 minutes ago
You may be right, Cutlass. I confess that I, a man more of ideas than of cozy community, may not know. But, oh God, shall we sink into the abyss because we must go along to get along?
Apr '11
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
It's a dangerous fantasy to think people will listen just because they hear "the truth." Barry Goldwater was the most blunt and honest major party presidential candidate in history, and also one of the biggest electoral losers. The problem? Conservatism is at an inherent political disadvantage because it often goes against what people want to believe. So long as there are politicians around to give hope to the lie that we can magically pay for everything we want and that the government can kiss away all our boo-boos it is human nature for people to recoil from any truth that goes against this fantasy. Simply shouting the truth loudly and often does not work.
Nov '10
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
I am surprised that no one has mentioned Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin. He has displayed courage of the highest order and a willingness to fight for what he believes in that puts most of his peers to shame. I should be glad to see him more carefully and thoroughly considered.
Jan '12
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
Sigh! There are times that I am almost glad that I am very old and that soon all my illusions will join me in the dust.
Still, I'd like to send Obama back to Chicago next Fall, for my son's sake.
Edited on March 24, 2012 at 3:38amJul '10
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
Excellent point. The flip side for the Left is Mondale.
Hi. I'm Walter Mondale and I will raise your taxes to reduce debt.
Hi Walter. We're the American people and you will win exactly one state out of fifty.
In politics, blunt is useful insofar as it is "refreshing," otherwise it is a handicap.
Edited on March 24, 2012 at 3:40amOct '10
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
The VP should be a fighter in this election. Some of my favorite VP picks
Allen West - tea party warrior not afraid to do displease the tea party.
Newt Gingrich - Great debater and rhetoretician (watch youtube).
Chris Christie - Another tough guy with great communication skills who can attract independents.
Marco Rubio - Everybody's favorite and consensus pick.
Jeb Bush - another strong pick.
Oct '10
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
If Mitt's the nominee and you know the democrats will do class warfare, race warfare, class warfare, who would you select to take on the OWS/Obama crew?
Allen West? Newt? Chris Christie?
May '11
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
James Gawron: Gee, we might be forced to accuse the democrats of being racist. How much more fun could we have?
Jim · 19 hours ago
While we're at it, we might accuse the sun of being hot.
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
Aimee Jones
I happen to think that Mitt actually would pick a strong and vocal conservative to balance his more moderate positions (e.g. RomneyamaCare) and milder personality, not to mention to make sure conservatives show up to vote. Rubio has my vote. · Mar 23 at 5:25pm
Seems to me the choice comes down to whether Team Romney feels their guy to be in a position of weakness or strength. If strength, McDonnell. If weakness, someone very unlike Romney. I still say the best answer for Romney is Petraeus, while the most clever answer is Rand Paul. Any woman chosen would be endlessly compared to Palin, which could be good or terrible news. Nobody who ran against Romney would make a good choice. Their past criticism would fatally underscore the party's and the nominee's most embarrassing difficulties.
Apr '11
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
James Poulos
Seems to me the choice comes down to whether Team Romney feels their guy to be in a position of weakness or strength. If strength, McDonnell. If weakness, someone very unlike Romney. I still say the best answer for Romney is Petraeus, while the most clever answer is Rand Paul. Any woman chosen would be endlessly compared to Palin, which could be good or terrible news. Nobody who ran against Romney would make a good choice. Their past criticism would fatally underscore the party's and the nominee's most embarrassing difficulties. · 2 hours ago
Gov. Martinez would not be compared too much to Palin. Nor would any other woman not conventionally attractive. McDonnell would suggest that Virginia was the key swing state, which, along with North Carolina, is probably true. Nonetheless, I don't think that picking the home state favorite projects strength so much as weakness; an electoral rather than substantive pick.
Sep '11
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
Marco Rubio is the obvious choice. He's the most charismatic orator the Republicans have had since Reagan. (See the video of his talk at the Reagan Library.)
Rubio's family story is compelling. He knows foreign policy. He bonds Republican economic policy with our aspirations for upward mobility. The challenge to create your own American Dream is the perfect response to the left's dark, divisive invitation to class struggle.
The Vice Presidency has become a highly symbolic choice with the power to resonate across the media environment and impact the election. That's for better or worse, as we saw four years ago.
The conversation Rubio would start within the Latino community is necessary and potentially transformative, with Castro/Chavez-style repression juxtaposed against the opportunities of American liberty.
If Rubio forcefully and with finality refuses even to be vetted for the job, Romney will face his first difficult decision.
Portman and he are friendly, but Paul Ryan is more dynamic and likely to break through the media boredom barrier. Selecting Ryan would prove that Romney is comfortable around thought leaders. Romney-Ryan would be a ticket of the best and the brightest from private and public sectors.