Could Tom Ridge be on the 2016 ticket?

[Mister Mets]

He might be on the long-list for potential Republican nominees who could benefit from the addition of a swing state elder statesman on the ticket.

Still if Republicans are picking a pro-choice Bush appointee, they're more likely to go with Condoleeza Rice.

[Mister Mets]

Looking at Republican presidential contenders and considering whether Tom Ridge would be a fit.

Rand Paul- Seems unlikely to go with an elderly Bush cabinet official.

Chris Christie- He has a lot of similarities with Ridge (Catholic Northeastern Governor who worked for Bush.) He might consider Ridge as part of an amplification strategy.

Paul Ryan- Could use someone with defense chops and executive experience. I don't know if he'll pick an elderly white male Catholic.

Mike Huckabee- There's a lot in Ridge's background that is a good fit for Huck, but this would be a ticket with two white guys who haven't held office in a while.

Jeb Bush- George W Bush's brother is not going to pick someone who served in his brother's administration.

Marco Rubio- This may be the best fit. A young legislator like Rubio could benefit from the addition of an elder statesman who had served as Governor and in cabinet posts.

Ted Cruz- See above. It might help Cruz rebrand for a General Election, although this assumes Cruz is strategically pandering.

Scott Walker- Could be part of a rust belt strategy. Not sure Walker wants an old white guy on his ticket.

Bobby Jindal- Would be a way to appear more moderate for a GE. A northeastern old white guy adds diversity to a ticket with a young southern brown guy.

Mitt Romney- Unlikely to select a pro-choice old white guy.

Susanna Martinez- Ridge adds a resume and geographic diversity, but I imagine that a woman who chose not to have kids will probably need a pro-life running mate for the Republican party.

Carly Fiorina- Safe establishment choice for a woman who hasn't held elected/ cabinet office.

John Kasich- Unlikely to pick another old white guy.

Rob Portman- Not sure he wants another Bush administration guy.

[Mister Mets]

The Republicans should be in better shape than they are for 2016.  One reason is that their party appears to that small core of voters that are weak partisans/independents to be ranting and unreasonable.   The Republicans scare people.  This is something that the Democrats used to do in their lean years, but they’ve learned to better keep their eye on the ball.

Ridge would be a good pick for VP for the GOP if they are serious in presenting themselves as a serious party.  He’s a guy who comes off as an excellent “backup QB” who can take the team to victory if the starter goes down.  It will be tough to convince any number of voters that Susana Martinez or Brian Sandoval are actually ready for the Presidency, having served only as Governors of small, insular states.  Ridge has national experience at the level that most doors are open to him. 

My own ideal ticket for 2016 would be Dan Quayle and Tom Ridge.  Few folks would agree with me, but this would be a ticket that could appeal to conservatives while presenting to America folks who are actually up to the job.
 

While it would never work, a Quayle candidacy would be awesome. Nobody would argue that he isn't ready to be President.

I would, mainly because he hasn't held office in decades. He's likely to have a poor understanding of how Washington operates now.