Vice Presidential denials thread

[Mr. Morden]

As I've said before, I don't actually believe the people denying their interest in being Romney's running mate at this early stage, but we might as well keep a running tally of the denials and non-denials, so we can keep track of it all.

To get things started, while Rubio had previously ruled out accepting the job, he now gives a non-denial denial:

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/r/30937713/detail.html

"I'm not even going to discuss the process anymore," Rubio told CNN Chief Political Correspondent Candy Crowley on CNN's "State of the Union." "The last thing he needs are those of us in the peanut gallery to be saying what we would or would not do."

When Crowley said his response would be "translated that you've backed off saying 'I would not accept it,'" Rubio said he wanted to be respectful of the process, now that it is officially under way.

Rubio's past denials haven't stopped the questions because, apparently, no one, even those close to him, believe the denials:

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/04/why-nobody-believes-marco-rubio/

Daniels also gave something of a non-denial denial:

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, who decided against a White House bid of his own earlier in the year, went so far as to say he would "demand reconsideration" if asked to assume the position.

"I think I would demand reconsideration and send Mr. Romney a list of people I think could suit better," Daniels said on "Fox News Sunday."

Two weeks ago, Martinez said she wouldn't do it because of family considerations:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2012/04/susana-martinez-vice-president-mitt-romney-/1?csp=34news#.T5VCb-2e2Lo

The rising GOP star told an Albuquerque newspaper recently she couldn't do it if she got asked because of family considerations, particularly her developmentally disabled sister and her father with Alzheimer's.

Martinez is the legal guardian for her sister, Lettie, who lives in Las Cruces, and she says her father, who is in El Paso, is still able to recognize Lettie.

"The family has to be a consideration, and for me to take (my sister) to Washington would be to separate her from ... the family that's down there, and that would be devastating," Martinez told the Albuquerque Journal. "I just couldn't do it."

Jeb Bush said he wouldn't rule out accepting the veep offer from Romney, but doubts he'll be asked:

http://www.bradenton.com/2012/04/21/4007650/jeb-bush-says-hed-consider-vice.html

Paul Ryan gave a classic non-denial denial by saying he doesn't think he'll be picked:

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/04/when-no-means-yes-a-guide-to-veepstakes-denials/

Rep. Paul Ryan, who campaigned in his home state of Wisconsin alongside Romney in the build-up to the Badger State’s April 3 primary, said he is “not giving any serious thought to it” because he is “in a good place in Congress.”

Haley says she'd turn down the job if asked:

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said, if asked, she would tell Romney, “Thank you, but no.”

Pawlenty claims he's out:

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who served as a loyal surrogate to Romney after his own presidential bid failed last summer, said, “I’m not going to be considering that.” Just in case there was any doubt, Pawlenty noted, “I’ve taken myself off the list.”

Finally, in 2007, Joe Biden said "I will not be vice president under any circumstances":

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/meet-the-press/25314965#25314965

[State Comptroller Atkins]

Ok....I can confirm that I will not be accepting a place on Mitt Romney's ticket.

[Mr. Morden]

Ok....I can confirm that I will not be accepting a place on Mitt Romney's ticket.

I *might* accept a place on his ticket......if that place is court jester.

[Pacific Councillor Big Wiggly Style]

I'll be VP on Mark Foley's POTUS ticket.

[Mr. Morden]

More reactions from the potential candidates:

Christie has left the door wide open:

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/04/christie-would-listen-if-romney-asks-him-to-be-running-mate/

He continued, saying if  “Mitt Romney calls and wants to discuss it with me, I will sit down and talk with Gov. Romney about it.”

Christie said the former Massachusetts governor knows it’s not a job he’s interested in.

“He knows that it’s not my desire, my lifelong wish to be vice president of the United States, so the fact is if he comes and talks to me about it I’ll certainly listen and listening means going into it with an open mind,” he said.

McDonnell has done the same:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/post/bob-mcdonnell-on-romney-obama-and-the-vp-pick/2012/04/19/gIQAAmWUTT_blog.html

As for the VP job, he says, “We’re not looking for it. We’re not running for it.” But . . . and that is what everyone waits for, he also says that you have to consider it when “a nominee calls . . . and says you can help the ticket.” More directly he says, “If I can help [Romney] win in one way or another, I’m glad to help.”

Ayotte responds to the speculation by changing the subject:

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/newsstatenewengland/958262-227/ayotte-flattered-by-vice-president-rumors-but.html

Seriously, Ayotte said she’s flattered to be brought up, but maintained her focus is on representing New Hampshire in the Senate.

“I just got elected to the Senate by the good people of New Hampshire and that has been and will continue to be my only focus,” Ayotte said.

Portman is similar:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/19/portman-leaves-door-open-for-vp-spot/

Asked on CNN's "John King, USA" if he liked the sound of a Mitt Romney-Rob Portman ticket, Portman demurred.

"I think Rubio's got a better ring, actually," Portman suggested. "Maybe Ryan."

[Mr. Morden]

So, to summarize:

"I'd think about it", or some similar indication of interest:

Bush
Christie
McDonnell

"I don't think I'll be picked", or some other dodge of the question:

Ayotte
Daniels
Portman
Ryan

Outright denial that they would take the job:

Haley
Martinez
Pawlenty

Outright denial, followed by messy backpedaling that suggests possible interest after all:

Rubio

[A dog on every car, a car in every elevator]

McDonnell needs to be in his own category of people running ads for themselves simultaneous to cementing their position as worst possible choice.

[Mr. Morden]

Jeb Bush walks back his sort-of expression of interest in the vice presidency:

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=F77E4C4E-D3DA-4917-B01D-FDA2229FB0AE

But sources close to Bush say he wasn’t signaling anything and that’s why he sought to shut down speculation with an email to Bloomberg’s Mark Silva, a former Florida reporter, writing, “I am not going to be the veep nominee. Lay that to rest.”

Cathy McMorris Rodgers gives a non-denial:

http://m.spokesman.com/stories/2012/apr/15/mcmorris-rodgers-could-balance-republican-ticket/

“I’m not seeking it. I don’t expect it,” she said in a recent interview. “It’s flattering to have my name mentioned.”

Pressed if she’d take the job if offered, she insisted it was “way premature,” adding: “I’d have to give that one a lot of thought and talk to my poor husband.”

Thune also gives a non-denial:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/26/thune-puts-damper-on-vp-speculation/

"I don't expect to be there, but I do expect to be in the Senate, hopefully working with a new president to take on big issues because in order to solve big problems, you gotta have presidential leadership," Thune said.

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

I've just blocked Mitt Romney on AIM in case he might message me and offer the vice presidency.

Better safe than sorry.

[Mr. Morden]

Pawlenty again claims he's out:

http://www.startribune.com/politics/151364125.html

"I'm going to take my name off the list, so if ... you're a journalist, an observer, remove my name from the list," Pawlenty said. "I went through it before with McCain."

Martinez has offered one of the more convincing denials, and she makes it more convincing by criticizing Romney on immigration:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/nm-gov-susana-martinez-criticizes-romneys-self-deportation-idea/2012/05/14/gIQAl8l8OU_blog.html

[Pacific Councillor Big Wiggly Style]

I can confirm that I will not, under any circumstance, serve as Mitt Romney's vice president.

On a more serious note, it's looking like Christie is going to be "the guy."

[rwoy]

If asked, I will accept the VP nomination and run alongside Mittens.  I will out-charisma him (by not being creepy) and will win the VP debate against Biden (simply by letting Biden speak).  This will automatically make me a contender for the GOP nom in 2012 when the Dems will be sitting around with no clear successor to Obama.

I just need to get Mittens to ask.

[A dog on every car, a car in every elevator]

Daniels

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/mitch-daniels-vp-post-thought-call-coming-disconnect-203437718.html

When asked if Romney had contacted him about vetting him for the job, he said "of course not," adding: "If I thought that call was coming, I would disconnect the phone."

[Mr. Morden]

This was already mentioned in another thread, but Pawlenty seems to have done a 180 on his previous denials and now seems open to the vice presidency:

http://articles.boston.com/2012-05-17/politics/31749796_1_tim-pawlenty-gop-ticket-romney-aide

“He’s going to have a lot of great people to pick from,” Pawlenty, the former governor of Minnesota, said on MSNBC. “Obviously, anyone would be honored to serve if asked.”

[ChairmanSanchez]

I can confirm that Mitt Romney has asked me to be his running mate. I will be flying to St. Louis tommorow for the announcement, and Ron Paul will endorse us.

[milhouse24]

Looks like Daniels or his wife has decided he won't even consider being vetted. 

I wonder if Jeb Bush will allow his finances to be vetted, probably not. 

Its Pawlenty by Default. 

If Romney is up big in the polls, then Thune will allow himself to be vetted.