Who Would Be The Best Running Mate For Romney?

[LINCOLN REPUBLICAN]

If Mitt Romney wins the Republican Presidential nomination, who should he pick for Vice President?

Please discuss.

[BushKenya]

I think either Governor Charlie Crist of Florida, Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, or even Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona.

[Padfoot]

PAWlenty iz da only opshun for GOP Vise Prez!  Den all Minnersota vohts belong 2 GOP!

[bbt]

Cong. Marsha Blackburn of TN would be awesome...............what a great team that would make Romney/Blackburn '08

[JSojourner]

Very few Senators have endorsed Romney.

Jim DeMint has, but I'm not sure anyone wants that endorsement.

Judd Gregg has, but a Romney-Gregg ticket might look too New England.

Orrin Hatch has.  But Romney-Hatch would be too Mormon.

Thad Cochran recently endorsed Romney.  But he's over 70.

Former Congressman Vin Weber is a huge Romney booster.  If Weber is not a Mormon, he might be a really good pick for Romney.  He's a neocon on Iraq (a key member of the Project for a New American Century) and he was on most of the right foreign policy and defense committees in congress.  Not a lightweight.  But he has been out of the spotlight awhile.  Still, as has been pointed out, being named running mate pretty much takes care of that problem.

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

I think either Governor Charlie Crist of Florida, Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, or even Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona.

Huck would be great - but they've fought a little too much - but it WOULD reunite the party.  He needs a strong Christian to help him win the south.

[Jake]

1. A non-poor hater.
2. A non-fundamentalist Christian.

Both would balance Romney out and make him not look like a billionaire with non-mainstream religious beliefs.

[bbt]

Fred Thompson knows his way around Washington but can still claim to be an outsider since he's a former Senator now.  Thompson helps Romney in the South and with the religious right.  Fred is also on good terms with McCain, which would help heal the wounds of the hard fought convention  Eithe that or he takes Huckabee

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

1. A non-poor hater.
2. A non-fundamentalist Christian.

Both would balance Romney out and make him not look like a billionaire with non-mainstream religious beliefs.

I disagree with point 2.  I think he NEEDS a fundamental Christian - otherwise, he'll lose a lot of the party base because of his Mormonism (which is stupid and I've begun to hate the religous right for that).

[HardRCafé]

Gallagher.

[charltonNick]

Haley Barbour from Mississippi. Regional balance, would shore up the unsure conservatives to get out and vote. And he's a wily political operator, who wouldn't do any damage.

[Adlai Stevenson]

In order of preference in terms of success and what they add to the ticket:

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas

Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee

Congressman Mike Pence of Indiana

Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi

Governor Bob Riley of Alabama

Governor Sonny Perdue of Georgia

Senator Mel Martinez of Florida

[CARLHAYDEN]

Haley Barbour from Mississippi. Regional balance, would shore up the unsure conservatives to get out and vote. And he's a wily political operator, who wouldn't do any damage.

A very astute observation.

Oh, and welcome to the Forum.

[Michael Z]

Orrin Hatch has.  But Romney-Hatch would be too Mormon.

Oh wow, can you imagine what would happen if there was a Romney-Hatch ticket? "OMGZ DE MORMONZ R TAKING OVER AMERICA OHNOEZ!!!111"

Anyways, a Romney-Sanford ticket doesn't strike me as entirely implausible.

[Senator Ben]

In order of preference in terms of success and what they add to the ticket:

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas

Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee

Congressman Mike Pence of Indiana

Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi

Governor Bob Riley of Alabama

Governor Sonny Perdue of Georgia

Senator Mel Martinez of Florida

Martinez wasn't born in the US, he can't be VP.

In no particular order:
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX)
Governor Haley Barbour (MS)
Governor Robert Riley (AL)
Governor Mike Huckabee (AR)
Governor Sonny Perdue (GA)
Congressman Mike Pence (IN)
Governor Mark Sanford (SC)
Governor Rick Perry (TX)
Congressman Jack Kingston (GA)
Senator John Thune (SD)

[shua]

Mitt Romney 2008, a right-wing midwesterner, could be balanced out well with a moderate north-easterner VP such as Mitt Romney 2002.

[NHPolitico]

Mitt Romney 2008, a right-wing midwesterner, could be balanced out well with a moderate north-easterner VP such as Mitt Romney 2002.

That's hilarious. Good job.

On topic, does Romney need to stay away from DC guys to maintain consistency on his anti-DC campaign theme? So, no senators, congressmen, or Bush administration folk?

[Mr. Morden]

On topic, does Romney need to stay away from DC guys to maintain consistency on his anti-DC campaign theme? So, no senators, congressmen, or Bush administration folk?

No.  Every governor running for president in the last 30+ years has run against Washington in one form or another, and every single one of them picked a Washington insider as their running mate.