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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Comments:
Dec '10
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
Rubio is the Peyton Manning in this draft for all the obvious reasons. In addition he would embarass Joe Biden in debate, which is important.
But, assuming that his protestations are sincere about being a candidate then West and Jindal would be close seconds. Unfortunately, we live in a new era of sectionalism, where the old sectionalism was geographically based while the new is ethnically based. Kyl is qualified but he is another older white guy and is better suited for a hig-level cabinet post.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned governors Nikki Haley (early endorser of Romney), Susanna Martinez, or Mary Fallin.
Mar '11
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
David Williamson: With the exception of my senator, Jon Kyl, who I thought was retiring, I'd be happy with any of these - I'd prefer 'em all over our likely nominee for President, actually.
Oh, and I still like Sarah Palin, just to annoy the elites. · 2 hours ago
Edited 2 hours ago
And I like Palin because I think she's actually better than the final four--by a fairly wide margin.
*Sigh*
Apr '11
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
Traditionally, the VP choice is used to bolster the candidates weaknesses. McCain needed a conservative, a women could appeal to Clinton supporters miffed by the way their favorite was treated by the Obama campaign, and she fit the maverick narrative.
Romney is considered too moderate, too white, too Northeastern, too rich... I think for a lot of reasons Marco Rubio is the best choice on that list but the obvious choice is not the one the candidate usually makes.
Biden, Palin, Edwards, Cheney, Gore, Kemp, Quayle--I think you might have to go back to Reagan/Bush for a predictable choice. (?)
Ooooops! I forgot Lieberman.
Edited on March 23, 2012 at 9:27pmMar '12
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
My guess would be one of the following:
Rand Paul - part of a deal with Ron Paul to get his support for the nomination and the general election.
Tim Pawlenty - an up yours to the conservatives pick. Helps in the midwest flyover country. Also, more ideologically in sync with Romney.
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen - ( my longshot ala Palin candidate) Cuban American female, a twofer, would help withthe Latino vote and the female vote. Might help with conservative voters also.
May '10
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
Troy Senik, Ed.: This feels suspiciously like you've been calibrating a pitch for the express purpose of winning the Senik primary. · 2 hours ago
Edited 2 hours ago
Ask Steve Hayes- he can provide details.
Jun '10
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
Love Rubio. I go with Portman as number two.
Kyl would be perfect in the job, but not as a candidate.
Aug '10
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
That seals it for me.
May '11
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
Do we have to worry about Rick Scott selling Rubio's vacated Senate seat after we win in November?
Dec '10
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
When the worthless Republicans deal us another John McCain, we should not then hope that our very best young, national players get robbed from their national roles. Leave Ryan where he is most needed. Leave Rubio where FL desperately needs him (and has only had him for 14 months!).
Sure, Portman would be a good choice. Jindal also. But why rob people from critical D.C. roles, just to run them through the meatgrinder that faced Palin?
Of course, I would love to see West selected, but we're talking Romney, here.
May '11
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
I fear it will be Bob McDonnell, a safe, uninspiring, establishment choice.
Apr '11
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
I say hands off Ryan. A cynical case could be made that any effort to bring Ryan into the administration would be a "team of rivals" type play to remove a potential thorn in Romney's side.
I still don't trust Romney and we would absolutely need solid conservative leadership in Congress to keep a Romney administration honest.
Also, as mentioned, Ryan is a wonk and not suited to the more theatrical attack dog role. As a junior senator Rubio's primary role is as a vote, which can be replaced, and an ideological voice, which would be strengthened as VP.
Jun '10
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
top 3: Rubio, Rubio, and then Rubio. In that order.
Kyl, no. I love him, but Romney does not need an "elder statement", he already is sober and mature. Rubio is exciting, and has not been in federal office long enough to be a DC insider, but has been in government long enough at state level that he is good at the game.
Paul Ryan is good but looks too young. Rubio looks young too, but not as young as Ryan.
Apr '11
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
I love Allen West, but he doesn't have the tact we need against Obama. You'd think after the effective demonization of Palin and Cain we'd have learned our lesson. In both cases we gleefully tried to play the left's game of promoting unseasoned politicians based on identity, thought their gender/race would neutralize attacks, yet we ended up with the embarrassing spectacle of desperate conservatives hypocritically crying sexism/racism.
Again, I'm a huge fan of West, but we can't be fooled into thinking that we can get away with nominating him just because he's black.
A VP nod to West - or any controversial figure - would make the entire campaign about Allen West. They'd ruthlessly attack him, he'd fight back hard with - fully justified - anger and indignation, and we'd go back and forth while Obama floats above it all imploring Americans to just re-elect him already to move beyond the nastiness.
Rubio, meanwhile, is a uniquely talented young politician with a masterful ability to articulate conservative ideas, an excellent speaker, a calm and persuasive debater who just happens to be Hispanic. He would be a star regardless of race.
Apr '11
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
Tim Pawlenty could be a brilliant sleeper pick for VP. The only question is whether he'd put enough Democratic voters to sleep by election day to counter the slumbering conservative base.
Edited on March 24, 2012 at 12:07amMay '10
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
This is such an amazing game of vectors/dynamics to contemplate. Is the goal to add swing voters? GOTV Republicans without turning off swing voters? Would a woman governor from the Southwest (Martinez or Brewer be best, net-net)? If West was given lower octane beverages, would his military experience be an asset? Would West's COLOR! help short-circuit the MSM? So many variables...
Jan '12
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
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?
What I say is not intended to diminish Marco Rubio, who is also forthright, even if less lance-pointed than Col. West. His talents speak more to the cordially liberating experience of one who has escaped a country already fallen to tyranny. Col. West speaks as a soldier who has dedicated his life to preventing tyranny. I believe, however, that Marco Rubio's position in the Senate is at this time the most effective for him personally and the seat from which he can best influence our country for the better.
Edited on March 24, 2012 at 1:03amMay '10
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?
This is why West would be unthinkable to a politician like Romney. He is a dagger in the heart of political correctness, and it scares the hell out of poll hounds.
Jun '11
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
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.
Jan '12
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
@Aaron Miller:
[I have to respond unusually via IE. Functionality in FF has suffered interference in a manner I do not understand.]
I don't see the problem. West is only telling the truth. If you, Mittens, and the majority of American voters cannot stand this truth, then woe unto all of you--and to the rest of us. It won't then matter who resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., in 2013; the jihadis will have already coaxed the dhimmis to bow under their swords.
Good luck with the decapitation.
Jul '10
Re: Open Thread Friday: The Search for a Running Mate
The goal is to improve the ticket. Any coach or businessman worth his salt knows that to be competitive he needs a variety of talented people who will adapt to the system.
I'd be fine with lots of folks (Portman, Pawlenty, McDonnel, Martinez, Jindal, Haley) but as Duane noted, Rubio is the obvious pick for a reason.
Recruit the talent that will stay on message, Mitt.