2012 Republican Rundown picks Romney, so who is his best running mate?

[J. J.]

A conservative from the south or west; someone with strong foreign policy credentials.  Condi?

[big bad fab]

Tim Pawlenty, because of his roots and because of Mid West.

Or a woman, neither too moderate (no Susan Collins), nor a conservative whichever her category (Palin, Hutchison).
Condie Rice would have been perfect, but a Bushie is impossible.
I don't know...
Jodi Rell is useless "regionally" and she hasn't a big name recognition.

He wouldn't pick a conservative (Sanford, Jindal, even Thune): he wouldn't be forced to, as conservatives, even social conservatives would vote for him anyway. They don't want Obama again.

I agree, but...

[pbrower2a]

A conservative from the south or west; someone with strong foreign policy credentials.  Condi?

Regional balance matters little. Pick someone ideologically similar who isn't going to contradict the Presidential nominee. Jindal?

Condaleezza Rice has no experience as an elected public official, and that is a huge detriment to a VP nominee. She doesn't have any idea of how to campaign for public office, and should the Justice Department go after persons involved in the Iraq War fiasco she will be guilty at least by association -- to voters.

Senate or State Governor; Representative isn't enough even if from New York State and well respected (Ferraro; Kemp). 

[paul718]

Regional balance matters little. Pick someone ideologically similar who isn't going to contradict the Presidential nominee. Jindal?

Would he accept a VP slot, just 9 months after being re-elected?

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Eh, I think that had more to do with running against the incumbencies of Reagan and Clinton than anything.  If the congressperson has been a large enough voice for his party, he could be a fine runningmate.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Tim Pawlenty, because of his roots and because of Mid West.

Or a woman, neither too moderate (no Susan Collins), nor a conservative whichever her category (Palin, Hutchison).
Condie Rice would have been perfect, but a Bushie is impossible.
I don't know...
Jodi Rell is useless "regionally" and she hasn't a big name recognition.

He wouldn't pick a conservative (Sanford, Jindal, even Thune): he wouldn't be forced to, as conservatives, even social conservatives would vote for him anyway. They don't want Obama again.

I agree, but...

Rell would be too moderate. Hutchinson is a great choice she is not a raving conservative by any sense of the term. Thune is a good if lets say its June or July and Romney is only getting 55% of the Evangelical vote and it secures those close Midwest states like ND, SD, and MT and peels back Nebraska-01. These may not seem important but the Republicans if they are come back in the Senate(Get above the 45 mark) will need to pick up the seats in this area and having them vote for Obama would not be very helpful.