Romney to announce running mate on Saturday @9am ET in Norfolk, VA

[Vosem]

An interesting statement from the chairman of the Massachusetts Republican party, which I have no doubt sums up the criteria Romney is using in his VP selection.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/romneys-vice-presidential-checklist/

“The first thing is he needs somebody who the people of the country will look at that individual and say if anything ever god forbid happened to Mitt Romney, this person could be president,” says Robert Maginn, chairman of the Massachusetts Republican party.

“So it’s almost like–the first rule is don’t be cute, don’t try to pick somebody who is going to bring a swing state, or bring a demographic, you pick the person who you honestly believe could step in the Oval Office and run the free world and run the country. ”

“The second thing is, there’s gotta be good personal chemistry. The president and the vice president have to work together very well. So there’s a personal connection that has to be there, they have to be able to help each other, advise each other,” Maginn explains.

“Those are the two most important factors and then you can say that from there, you can think about what balance does the person bring to the ticket?” Maginn asks.

That balance of course offers the best lead for speculation. Who balances out the successful businessman and former governor of Massachusetts?

Romney and Paul Ryan met campaigning in Wisconsin and apparently the two of them 'work'. Certainly it would be easy to imagine Ryan as the President. So I think these statements recommend Ryan. Of course, Ryan brings with him certain problems...

[Vosem]

GWB's approvals aren't that bad right now (and that makes me sick).

I think you're the first left-wing forumer to admit it, but keep in mind Republicans and independents have a 'he was alright' opinion about Bush, whereas Democrats remember him as 'he was f**king AWFUL!' The turnout effect picking a former Bush administration official would have would not be positive for Romney, unfortunately.