Romney to announce running mate on Saturday @9am ET in Norfolk, VA

[RogueBeaver]

If personal chemistry is the deciding factor then the nomination is definitely Ryan's to lose- when the word "bromance" was being thrown around...

[RogueBeaver]

If he does, though, the Democrats will tear him a new one.

What, pray tell, would the Dems say that they haven't been saying for 2 years now? Romney is running on that budget and both men have literally put their arms around each other quite enthusiastically (unlike Dole/Kemp). If Romney's unafraid of a de facto ticket, no reason to be afraid of a de jure one.

[RogueBeaver]

When will Romney announce who his running mate is? Obama and McCain announced theirs in August, but didn't Kerry announce his in June?

Kerry announced his in early July- 3 weeks before the DNC. No real bump. By all indications Romney will announce the pick no more than a week before C-Day. Probably by appearing with said person at a campaign event like Obama and McCain did in '08.

[RogueBeaver]

Portman is meeting Bibi in Israel.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/vp-contender-rob-portman-to-meet-with-israel-pm/

[RogueBeaver]

Most likely Rubio, Portman, Jindal, Ryan, Pawlenty, CMR/Ayotte or Toomey as longshots. I'd be very surprised if McDonnell wasn't on the list but we'll only find out in 2 years when H&H release their book.

[RogueBeaver]

I would also bet that most, if not all, of the people who say "no comment" are being vetted.

[RogueBeaver]

I wouldn't use the word desperate so much as interested. Desperate is McDonnell, who has outdone John 'effin Edwards in his public campaigning for that job but with little effect. I said it would haunt him and now look- he claims he's not being vetted and NJ/WaPo have way downgraded him on their rankings. Romney isn't the sort of person to appreciate that sort of stuff given his background and personality.

[RogueBeaver]

He probably wasn't on the list to begin with.

[RogueBeaver]

Those people aren't big names? *facepalm*

[RogueBeaver]

Not after the stock market crashed, but that's for another thread.

As for finalists, we have a pretty good idea about who might make that list.

[RogueBeaver]

Jeb continues to be Shermanesque.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0612/77137.html

[RogueBeaver]

Romney might move the announcement up to late July/early August, per Mike Allen.

http://www.politico.com/driving-the-day/

[RogueBeaver]

Portman to NC next week for a roundtable, following Ryan in NC yesterday. Audition Phase II is definitely underway.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2012/06/08/vp_auditions_phase_2_portman_like_ryan_to_hit_nc_114426.html

[RogueBeaver]

GOP12 had him on the list a couple of weeks ago. Silence means yes.

[RogueBeaver]

NJ's rankings: Portman #1, T-Paw #2, Ryan #3.

http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/your-favorite-vice-hotline-s-veepstakes-power-rankings-20120610

[RogueBeaver]

Dunno if they've narrowed it down, Romney won't make the pick for nearly 2 months. In the meantime- cavity search.

[RogueBeaver]

Pawlenty will not get Minnesota.

Is Portman really off the list?

Where did you get the idea that Portman's off? If GOP 12- LOL. Any report that the list doesn't include Portman and Ryan is probably junk IMO.

[RogueBeaver]

Speaking of which, Romney will join Ryan in Janesville on Monday.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2012/06/14/ryan_appearance_in_wis_to_highlight_romney_bus_tour_114481.html

[RogueBeaver]

Hmm... so financially speaking, Portman and Ryan are the best off of Romney's probable shortlisters.

http://nationaljournal.com/2012-presidential-campaign/potential-romney-running-mates-in-congress-underwater-20120614

[RogueBeaver]

More on today's Waukeshan event.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2012/06/18/romney_joins_wisconsin_republicans_in_show_of_force_114512.html

[RogueBeaver]

Rubio is not being vetted, per Jon Karl.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/06/marco-rubio-not-being-vetted-to-be-mitt-romneys-running-mate/

[RogueBeaver]

WaPo suggests that Portman is still the frontrunner but that Pawlenty, Ryan, Jindal are also in the mix.

https://ssl.washingtonpost.com/actmgmt/registration/login/long?appnid=politics&destination=http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sources-say-rubio-isnt-getting-seriously-vetted-by-romney-campaign/2012/06/19/gJQAUq19nV_story.html

[RogueBeaver]

No surprise if true.

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/303798/ryan-being-vetted-vp-robert-costa

[RogueBeaver]

No link, but my sources out in Utah said Condi Rice was the star of Romney's speech, receiving a standing ovation. I expect her name to start being floated around more.

I hope. She would be a fantastic pick. Her pro-choice stance isn't exactly one I agree with, but she's content to accept pro-life politics. And... people in the rust belt will take kindly to a moderate, well-spoken woman. I think Condi is the only real trump card left in this game.

She's said ad infinitum that she's an academic, not a politician. Bush's SoS whose tenure is controversial even among conservatives and a self-admitted moderate on the issues. Portman has a similar problem- closely tied to Bush when Obama's been running against GWB on and off for 5 years. I could see her being asked for FP advice once in a while or maybe PFAIB if Romney wins, but that's about it.

[RogueBeaver]

CMR was named House liaison a while back.