Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
I subscribe to the view that we're down to either Romney or Santorum (Perry is toast; Newt has self-immolated, though he has a long-shot chance in SC; does anyone really see a surge for Huntsman?; Paul will not be the nominee).
But, regardless of the nominee, there are some no-brainer potential running mates. Here's my list of the best:
Marco Rubio, FL Senator — excellent for Romney; probably OK for Santorum, but both are Catholics; from an important state; would help with Hispanics, though his family is from Cuba, not Mexico; not a lot of national experience
Pat Toomey, PA Senator — excellent for Romney; very important state; shores up the base for Romney; he's really smart and well-spoken--obviously a no-go with Santorum
Rob Portman, OH Senator — very smart with excellent credentials (director of Office of Management and Budget); from Ohio, another swing state--he could work for either candidate
Paul Ryan — great national voice for fiscal sanity; winning personality; helps win Wisconsin; I'd pay money to see him debate Biden: he works for either candidate
Susana Martinez, NM Governor — great help with Hispanics, but largely an unknown; would help with women voters
Nikki Haley, SC Governor — would help with Evangelicals, but like Martinez is a bit unknown; would help with women voters
Tim Pawlenty, former MN Governor — quit too soon; Evangelical (right?); solid but not exciting; would certainly help in Minnesota
Rick Santorum—might be a good match with Romney heading the ticket, but wouldn't Toomey help more in PA?
I'm sure I missed some (could Mitch Daniels be persuaded to take the second slot?) and would love to hear your comments (I hear Charlie Crist is available)?
Second topic: If he gets desperate, I can see Obama dumping Biden for Hilary. Would she do it? I don't see a lot of upside for her.
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Jun '11
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
I've heard nothing but good things about Susana Martinez, intriguing. I wonder how Jindal would play, he certainly has the substance.
Finally, I'm warming to Santorum. I've been very harsh on Rick in the past, but he has impressed me, VP might be a stretch -- not sure he brings enough to the ticket -- but a power Cabinet position perhaps?
May '10
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
Is there any merit to Rep. Allen West being the best choice: Military experience + Campaign attack dog + Florida + negation of the LDS anti-black legacy?
Edited on January 12, 2012 at 4:02amJul '10
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
I'm with Mr. Kaiser, at least where senators are concerned. In addition to their generally having no executive experience (and the VP is not an executive position in any real sense) the GOP should zealously protect every seat in the Senate, that is the tough contest for 2012..
Sep '10
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
I like ParisParamus' suggestion of Allan West, for the reasons that he gives. Mitch Daniels would be my second choice.
I want Rubio, Ryan, and other good legislators to stay in Congress and fight the good fight. Congress is in many ways at least as important as the White House.
May '10
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
Pawlenty is good. He could reinforce the midwest-to-NJ line that I see Romney as winning. Yes, New Jersey!
Jun '10
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
Tsk, tsk. We're 65 comments into the thread and nobody mentioned Rudi Guliani. When you need a hatchet man, who could be better? He'll turn Joe Biden into sliced baloney in the debates, and force Obama to pour money into New York to boot.
Edited on January 12, 2012 at 4:51amRe: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
Franco
Ricochet is a "center right" site. I'm beginning to get it now · Jan 11 at 5:08pm
Actually, we describe ourselves as right-of-center. We think there's a difference.
May '10
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
Dogsbody, Allen West, because he's black, would also cause the MSM and various Obama surrogates to flip out, and, at the very least, waste time on The Stupid. It would be fun--with a purpose.
Edited on January 12, 2012 at 5:34amMay '11
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
I will vote republican regardless... But I would absolutely love to hear Chris Cristie debate, well, anyone on the left. But he would mop the floor with Biden. It would only make the floor dirtier, I suppose.
May '11
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
tabula + franco ... reading your back and forth was kind of funny. But I like Tabula's direction w/ the post. The nomination for VP could really make a huge difference in the national election, and it's never too early to start talking about it. Would be nice if the candidates read sites like this to get a feel for the base. I just want to be clear on one thing, though. We can argue all day long about these candidates, but at the end of the day, I'd love to see everyone agreed that no matter who gets nominated, that person should probably be elected over Obama. At that point, can we all throw early allegiances aside and rally around whoever it is? That's kind of what I don't like about primaries - if it gets dirty within the party, that makes it all that harder for us in the general election. And in any of these debates, that seems to be exactly what the MSN wants. Turn folks against themselves, and try to get as much mud out there to the public. I support everyone against Obama this year... I hope that sentiment is shared!
Jun '10
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
Totally agree.
Apr '11
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
Although I like Santorum, my first choice to win South Carolina, I haven't spent much time thinking about his VP. For Mitt, though, I think two choices stand out. From a political perspective, I really like Gov. Martinez. She's been sound in policy (successful budget cuts, immigration hawk, originalist, social conservative), steady, not too attractive (avoiding the charge that Republican women are chosen for Bachmann/ Palin looks), has a special needs sister, and is not too stiff. Liberal misogyny was on display with Palin. With Martinez, I think there would be tremendous amounts of racism, too, which would help Republicans down-ticket for many years to come.
My first choice, though, would be Ohio Sentator Portman. Super smart, with a career that has taken him through both houses of congress and two of the key financial branches of the executive branch along with two legal roles for Bush '41 and some time in the private sector. Portman is clean living and scandal free; unbelievably important given the flow of negative ads coming our way. He's a Methodist and a keen believer, but without alarming religious views.
As vice president, he would be an amazing super-ambassador.
Apr '11
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
Embittered Redleg: We just got Susana Martinez here and we want to keep her.
Also, she's made it clear that she wants serve out her term before looking at anything else.
Look for her to spend a lot of time on the campaign trail for pretty much every candidate that has a lot of hispanic voters to win over. · Jan 11 at 4:12pm
This is a fair point, although all of the candidates above would leave huge holes in their previous jobs. I don't think that a single one of them could be replaced without significant loss.
Dec '11
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
Let me throw out this wild card-- Virginia's governor Robert McDonnell.
Oct '10
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
Here's my picks for VP. it doesn't matter if it's Romney or Gingrich.
Rubio.
Christie. (if Obama dumps Biden for Hillary)
Martinez.
Bush, Jeb
Jindal
Ryan
Trump
Jun '10
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
No mention of John Bolton? You want to see a complete knockdown of Joe Biden in a debate? He certainly would add the foreign policy heft that neither Romney nor Santorum bring to the table.
Jan '11
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
I agree with Diane both that Ryan's talents would be wasted on the Vice Presidency and that they'd be better employed keeping President Romney's -- wow, I just wrote that -- feet to the fire. My concern with Sen. Rubio and Gov. Haley is that, like Sarah Palin, they're both unknown to the public and potentially interesting to the press; I don't want a race to get sidetracked by ua VP again. If we can't coax Governor Daniels out for the number two slot, I'm for finding someone else who's unsexy, available, and competent.
Dec '10
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
That would be Bob McDonnell.
BTW, I think this is an interesting conversation to have right now. Most of us aren't excited about Romney, but are excited about the idea of a strong enough ticket to take on Obama/Biden. Speculation like this, pointing out some of our strong conservatives waiting in the wings as backup helps lift the spirits.
Dec '10
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
Oh my, I think we're underestimating Santorum's time on the Senate Foreign Relations committee a bit, aren't we?
Bolton would be great as Secretary of State. The State Department needs a bit of whirlwind reaping.
May '10
Re: Yes, It's Too Early, But Let's Talk Running Mates
Oh my, I think we're underestimating Santorum's time on the Senate Foreign Relations committee a bit, aren't we?
I like Santorum, but he would turn off many more Dem and independent voters than he would get Republicans to the voting booth. But cabinet postion? Definitely a good pick for State or UN or something international.