The Hill: Portman, Ayotte, Thune on G.O.P. veep wish lists

[Suburbia]

The Capitol Hill newspaper says that Sens. Rob Portman, Kelly Ayotte, and John Thune are on the vice presidential shortlists, and would add gravitas for a Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio. They would add some states, demographics, and some vitality. Thoughts?

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/265016-veepstakes-cloud-senate-gop-hopes-of-preserving-majority

[Slow Learner]

Lol what is this 2012

[Asian Nazi]

I'm not sure there's a person in this country who associates Portman, Ayotte, and Thune with "gravitas" lol

[Blair]

Lol what is this 2012

This 100%

[Darthpi – Anti-Florida Activist]

I doubt I would be aware that John Thune even exists if it weren't for the fact that he is constantly inexplicably listed as either a potential presidential candidate or running mate.

[Landslide Lyndon]

I doubt I would be aware that John Thune even exists if it weren't for the fact that he is constantly inexplicably listed as either a potential presidential candidate or running mate.

He is the modern equivalent of Dan Quale. A handsome, inoffensive, reliably conservative empty suit. 

[Brittain33]

Two of them are at risk of losing their senate seats in 2016.

[Lincoln Republican]

Portman is a great pick.

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

None of the above have a multi-billion dollar empire and thus must be failures.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

I would love for them to pick Ayotte, whose vote to defund Planned parenthood and vote against background checks on guns wont go over well, with Females, due to violence. She's will be defeated regardless.

[Zache]

I doubt I would be aware that John Thune even exists if it weren't for the fact that he is constantly inexplicably listed as either a potential presidential candidate or running mate.

Sounds a lot like Martin Heinrich to me.

[Mr. Morden]

Aren't all of them up for reelection this year?  I don't know if Ayotte or Portman will even agree to be vetted, since they may not want to risk their Senate seats.

Ayotte seems like a lock to be put on the veep short list if any of the "establishment" candidates is the presidential nominee, since they're going to want to have at least one woman there.  But again, that depends on her willingness to even go ahead with the vetting process.

[Blair]

Portman is easily traded for Kasich imo unless the candidate has specific problems with Kasich, you can't run as VP whilst running for a two of the most important swing states.

In fact I'd argue that most strategists would rather have a Senate that's 51-49, than say the GOP getting 50 more voters than they would have before

[Kingpoleon]

I doubt I would be aware that John Thune even exists if it weren't for the fact that he is constantly inexplicably listed as either a potential presidential candidate or running mate.

Sounds a lot like Martin Heinrich to me.

Heinrich is handsome, charismatic, and intelligent. John Thune is one, maybe two of those.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Lol what is this 2012

[Prince of Salem]

Lol what is this 2012

[ProgressiveCanadian]

Lol what is this 2012

[TarHeelDem]

GOP deserves to lose again

Always.

[Zioneer]

None of the above have a multi-billion dollar empire and thus must be failures.

So you're saying Jon Huntsman Senior (father of the governor) would be a good choice? he's got a multi-billion dollar empire.

[JMT]

Portman and Ayotte are both running in competitive reelection races. The GOP nominee won't want to risk loosing their senate seats by picking either of them as VP. So sure, they may be vetted, but won't be chosen. If the GOP wants a woman on the ticket, there are other solid choices, such as Nikki Haley, Susana Martinez, or Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

Thune is a possibility though. Yes, he's up for reelection, but it won't be competitive. He didn't even have an opponent last time. So I'd keep an eye on him.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

This proves to me that they are worried about losing reelection, they're in jeopordy of losing to two outstanding candidates. If a bipartisan Kasich cant win, I dont think Portman who supports SSM is going to fot well, and Kelly Ayotte,who supports to some degree planned parenthood, eventhough she voted to strip funding of it.

[heatmaster]

Portman could easily run for reelection while pursuing the Vice Presidency, not sure about New Hampshire or South Dakota election laws regarding running for two offices at once. If there is a prohibition against seeking two offices at once, then I can't conceive of either Ayotte or Thune running. 

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

I am sure the Kasich supporters would rather have the Veep Spot than Portman, but with Trump, Clinton will still win.

[King]

GOP hasn't gotten any of its wishes so far. Why start now?

[JMT]

Portman could easily run for reelection while pursuing the Vice Presidency, not sure about New Hampshire or South Dakota election laws regarding running for two offices at once. If there is a prohibition against seeking two offices at once, then I can't conceive of either Ayotte or Thune running. 

While Ohio state law may let him seek both the Vice Presidency and the Senate seat, it won't look good for Portman to do both. It would give Strickland a great way to attack Portman, saying Portman is more focused on his own political career than the people of Ohio. In a swing state like Ohio, Portman will need to focus all his attention on his senate seat to defeat Strickland, it is expected to be a competitive race. Same idea applies to the Ayotte / Hassan race in NH. Thune, on the other hand, is running in a safe republican state; so even if his Dem challenger accused Thune of focusing more on himself than the people of SD, it likely wouldn't matter too much.