Here is what Mitt Romney needs -- a war hero

[pbrower2a]

The one characteristic that neither Barack Obama, Joe Biden, nor Mitt Romney can claim is active-duty military service. It is arguable that such was the greatest political asset of John McCain in 2008, and that was good enough that it made the Presidential race as close as it was for as long as it was. John McCain was legitimately a military hero. He was clearly past-prime and that showed itself. It left some questions about the readiness of Barack Obama to set military policy.

Military veterans and active-duty members of the Armed Services are a substantial part of the American electorate; they are scattered over America. They also vote. It is not clear that President Obama has resolved every question of his suitability as Commander-in-Chief to the satisfaction of military people. If President Obama wins the active-service and veteran vote that he did not win in 2008, then the 2012 election will be a landslide for him.

So how about it?

[clarence]

I agree 100%

Out of many, I believe some one such as Duncan Hunter (either, but talking about the first here) would be perfect... former Army Ranger, Bronze Star and Vietnam service, former Chairman of House Armed Services Committee, and a consistent conservative

[memphis]

I think John Kerry would be a great pick. Oh and please save the mods some trouble and deposit these threads directly into the GOP VP speculation megathread.

[ShadowOfTheWave]

I agree 100%

Out of many, I believe some one such as Duncan Hunter (either, but talking about the first here) would be perfect... former Army Ranger, Bronze Star and Vietnam service, former Chairman of House Armed Services Committee, and a consistent conservative

Duncan Hunter has no moderate appeal whatsoever, for every conservative vote he gains for Romney he'll lose an independent.

[BaldEagle1991]

I agree 100%

Out of many, I believe some one such as Duncan Hunter (either, but talking about the first here) would be perfect... former Army Ranger, Bronze Star and Vietnam service, former Chairman of House Armed Services Committee, and a consistent conservative

Duncan Hunter has no moderate appeal whatsoever, for every conservative vote he gains for Romney he'll lose an independent.

This....

This is also how McCain lost.

[Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I remember in 2008, some people were saying on a Romney site that if Romney won the nomination and picked Hunter he would win California. lol


If he could get him through the Senate, he would be a great Homeland Security Secretary.

[Chaddyr23]

"War heroes" don't exist anymore

[clarence]

"War heroes" don't exist anymore

Please elaborate

[Pictor Ignotus]

Hagel

[Senator Napoleon]

Saxby Chambliss. Comes with the added benefit of giving Romney an advantage in GA and neighboring FL.

[Mr. Morden]

Is McDonnell the only veep prospect that's widely being talked about with military experience?

[fezzyfestoon]

I've never understood the connection between military experience and politics. It's not like the President really makes military decisions anymore anyway. And what else is there, immediate, unquestioned loyalty to the demands of superiors?

[ShadowOfTheWave]

Saxby Chambliss. Comes with the added benefit of giving Romney an advantage in GA and neighboring FL.

He could barely win GA in a presidential year and is also a douchebag.

[Oakvale]

Saxby Chambliss. Comes with the added benefit of giving Romney an advantage in GA and neighboring FL.

Chambliss is one of the worst people in the Senate. I can't imagine he'd be a good national candidate.

[Senator Napoleon]

Saxby Chambliss. Comes with the added benefit of giving Romney an advantage in GA and neighboring FL.

Chambliss is one of the worst people in the Senate. I can't imagine he'd be a good national candidate.

Yeah but Romney needs to lock up Florida. Otherwise he needs to pick Pawlenty and win WI and MN.

[ajb]

Saxby Chambliss. Comes with the added benefit of giving Romney an advantage in GA and neighboring FL.

I'm presuming this was a joke, right?

[Senator Napoleon]

Saxby Chambliss. Comes with the added benefit of giving Romney an advantage in GA and neighboring FL.

I'm presuming this was a joke, right?

Yes. Chambliss sucks.

[ajb]

Saxby Chambliss. Comes with the added benefit of giving Romney an advantage in GA and neighboring FL.

I'm presuming this was a joke, right?

Yes. Chambliss sucks.

... and has the opposite of a military record.

[cavalcade]

Is McDonnell the only veep prospect that's widely being talked about with military experience?

I looked at the reasonable (~1% and up) prospects on Intrade and it appears to be so.

Just for fun, here are the Republican Senators with military experience:

Scott Brown
Thad Cochran (MS)
Michael Enzi (WY)
Lindsey Graham
James Inhofe
Johnny Isakson (GA)
Richard Lugar
John McCain
Pat Roberts (KS)
Jeff Sessions (AL)
Roger Wicker (MS)
Mark Kirk (IL)
Dan Coats (IN)

Of those, Brown, Enzi, and Isakson were in the National Guard.

[Joe Republic]

Bennett isn't a senator any more, for what it's worth.  Though he would certainly add some much needed balance to Romney's ticket, that's for sure!

[cavalcade]

Bennett isn't a senator any more, for what it's worth.

Yep, looked him up myself and edited, was apparently working off the last Congress.  Should be accurate now with the addition of Kirk and Coats.

[Emperor SJoyce]

Saxby Chambliss. Comes with the added benefit of giving Romney an advantage in GA and neighboring FL.

The part of Florida Chambliss would help in Romney has already won. Chambliss does not appeal to the central/south Floridian; his appeal is with the North Florida, Panhandle-area people who are typically already conservatives. The only counties he might possibly be able to flip to Romney are Jefferson County and possibly Alachua, but neither of those are likely.

[Senator Napoleon]

Yeah I was just making a (bad) joke. Welcome to the forum btw.

[Former Speaker Superique]

Vice Admiral James Stockdale! He would crash anyone on the debate!

[Emperor SJoyce]

Yeah I was just making a (bad) joke. Welcome to the forum btw.

Thanks! (I've been here 2 weeks and it's been great so far)