You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
Republicans aren't over Rick Santorum yet. A new Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that
[e]ighteen percent of Republican registered voters picked former Pennsylvania Senator Santorum out of a list of 19 potential running mates for Romney, the party's presumptive presidential nominee in the November 6 general election.
Runners up include Marco Rubio, who was named by 17% of those surveyed, and Chris Christie and Jeb Bush who tied for third with 13% support.
I know I shouldn't be surprised. After all, he campaigned for months, won a handful of primary contests, and has even more name recognition at this present moment among Republicans than do well known figures like Marco Rubio, Paul Ryan, or Chris Christie. But this just seems an awkward fit to me.
Romney/Santorum, anyone?
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Aug '10
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
After thinking about this fairly extensively (extensively for me at least) I have come to the conclusion that Paul Ryan would be the best VP choice for Romney. I will elucidate my reasons for Ryan in a future member post.
Santorum would be a ways down on my list...
Edited on May 4, 2012 at 1:16amAug '10
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
No to Santorum. And I respect him a lot as a person. But he's not the right guy. too much baggage from the campaign.
Frozen is probably right: Paul Ryan would be a great choice.
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
I love Paul Ryan, and would be very excited to see him picked, although a number of Members have articulated a very persuasive case for why we need him right where he is.
Still, I'd think he'd be high up on most Republicans' dream ticket. Turns out not to be the case. In the same Reuters/Ipsos poll of Republican registered voters, he only received 4% support.
Jan '11
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
Definitely a shouted no for Santorum. His position on social issues guarantees a loss for Romney. Looking at it from pure gamesmanship, let's face it, African Americans who voted for Obama last time will either stay home or vote for Obama again. They will never vote for Romney. The only swing votes to be had are in the Hispanic population. Hispanic VP = a real chance for Romney. I hate to break it down into ethnic lines like this, it makes me feel creepy to think about it let alone type it. But, I think it's the reality
Mar '11
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
Based on what?
A Santorum pick for VP would automatically make me feel better about a Romney Administration.
Sep '10
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
C.J. Box for Vice President.
Jan '11
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
Hi Douglas - my comment is based on the fact that while people hold a variety of positions on social issues, Santorum's views do not appeal to younger voters and a large swath of the undecideds. The media will portray him as a mix of someone teleported out of the 1930s and a religious theocrat. A losing combination IMHO. Cheers!
Aug '11
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
No, thanks...I'll pass. I can think of a dozen better choices than Santorum, including Ron Paul.
I think Romney is picking up some traction...why on earth would we want to throw it all away by adding Santorum to the ticket?
Apr '11
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
Why Santorum? So we can get wome whine with our cheese (Biden)?
Mar '11
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
Young voters usually don't vote at all... 2008 was a historical aberration that I would lay money won't be repeated in 2012... and the undecideds will decide on who they think can get the economy going. In short, the people that would pick Obama over Romney because of Santorum were almost certainly going to go for Obama anyway.
If Romney picks (or rejects) Veep candidates based on media preferences, then he's lost already.
Jun '10
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
What you're saying is, you can't be a faithful Catholic in any honest way, and be President. Santorum isn't out to transfer all his personal faith-based opinions into law. I guess he was just "dumb" (honest) enough to share his personal feelings. "What a loser!"
Apr '11
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
Much as I supported Santorum in the race, I just don't see him as a good partner for Romney.
Jun '10
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
I think Santorum acquitted himself well, and should be on the list. My criterion is who will most help Romney win. Based on my detailed gut level analysis, the top three are Ryan, Rubio, and Rob Portman.
I tend to agree with the argument that we need Ryan where he is (he'll get his chance to go for the gold). Rubio is the flashier, but needs further vetting (and I'm still not clear on his immigration stance). In the end, I think Portman, while the least flashy of the three, might be best. It would then be two serious adults versus Mr. Cool and his court jester.
Then the question will be whether the country is ready for serious, adult leadership or four more years of the circus that has been the Obama administration. I'm not certain that's what the country wants, but we will give it a clear choice.
Edited on May 4, 2012 at 12:30amJun '10
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
Apart from my defense of Santorum, I don't think there's any danger he'll be picked. He ragged on Romney a little too much for that. Less than Gingrich, but enough.
Dec '10
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
Santorum wasn't my first (Ryan), second (Daniels), or third choice (ABR, Santorum who?) in the early primary season. He became my first choice by virtue of not being Romney, being principled, being able to appeal to blue-collar Reagan Democrats and independents, having extensive foreign policy chops, and understanding that economic issues are, at the core, social issues (societal virtue versus government dependency).
However, I believe a VP candidate can hurt a candidate a lot more than he/she can help, and therefore, I apply two principles to the selection: 1) who does the least harm? 2) who do I want teed up for 2020, assuming Romney gets two terms (yeah, it's optimism on the verge of delusion). Based on these criteria, I've got to go with Rubio.
Aug '11
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
Michelle Bachmann would be a strong candidate who would get my interest.
Mar '12
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
Good grief. I'm an IL voter whom the Sun Times termed as the 'GOP firewall.' I applaud Mr. Santorum for adhering to his principles, however, and a big however, I watched all the Republican debates, and I still remember the debate where Rick answered a question about abortion and the doctors who perform them. His answer was that he would criminalize performing abortions, including those instances involving rape and incest. He. Lost. Me. And his "bridge to nowhere" vote was as bad as Obama's Keystone decision. He's the sanctimonious version of Gore, and that doesn't play well in the suburbs, which will be one of the primary battlegrounds of this election.
Jan '11
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
Is Dick Chaney still available? I really don't care although I read this conversation so I must care somewhat. I just hope Romney doesn't select someone with potential (i.e. Ryan, Daniels, Rubio) or someone designed to deliver a state or demographic (i.e. no woman or minority just to appeal to women or the minority). Keep the ticket bland to keep the focus on Obama.
Mar '11
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
I agree. It would be nice to have a real conservative on the ticket, though. Mr Ryan would be my first choice, followed by Sen Rubio.
I hope a cabinet post can be found for Mr Santorum - Secretary of Defense would be great.
Not that Mr Romney has been consulting with me.
Oct '11
Re: You'll Never Guess Who Republicans Want Romney to Pick as His VP
Liz Cheney!