The Republican Vice-Presidential Spectulation Thread.

[Badger]

Look at Condi:

Pros:

* Foreign policy experience
* Well-known
* Minority
* Woman
* Highly qualified and vetted
* Not a politician

Cons:

* Links to Bush administration - while I think it'll be irrelevant in most circumstances, being the SOS and the NSA could lead to scandals on Iraq.
* Pro-choice
* Not a politician
* Black woman - though the states where this matters probably will vote Romney anyway.

Major con: Useless, bordering on detrimental, for any campaign wanting to focus on the economy as an issue. Picking someone who's background is entirely foriegn policy oriented when the economy strains to recover would strike voters as tone deaf.

[Badger]

The only reason I can see not to pick Rubio is he might overshadow/outshine Romney. As the last election showed, there is a different percieved gravitas between a first-term Senator and first term governor. Rubio gets a leg up over Martinez there. Don't know how she presents on camera and public speaking, but Rubio does so quite well indeed. He would likely pass the "voter comfort test".

Ironically, Palin's dismal performance may help him there. He'll initially be compared to Palin (statewide officeholder for only 2 years before tapped for Veep), and Rubio is at the opposite end of the spectrum in poise and speaking ability. The comparisons would only help elevate him.

[Badger]

Rubio doesn't want it.

Are you kidding? On what possible basis do you make that leap of faith?