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

[HagridOfTheDeep]

so who the hell is being vetted?

[HagridOfTheDeep]

I will always believe Palin was actually a net-positive.

I still remember waking up the day of that rally and seeing Sarah Palin speak. I had no idea who she was, but I was smiling the whole time. It was probably the first time in months that I'd thought Obama could actually lose. It was absolutely thrilling.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

Which makes sense, because Obama was surely gonna win on that same media pizzazz if he was left unchallenged on that front. Turns out he did anyway, but at least Johnny tried.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

It's not like Portman would generate much buzz anyway. So I'm mixed on this one.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

Pawlenty would be a huge mistake. If the Supreme Court strikes down Obamacare, Romney should be getting a slight boost. With Pawlenty on the ticket, all Obama has to do is play Pawlenty's "Obamneycare" sound-bite.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

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.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

That is possibly the largest insult I've ever seen wrapped up so nicely in a nonchalant post.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

She would be amazing. That's why I don't see it happening.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

You fail to realize that Mitt Romney will actually fix America's problems in four years. So I can't take your predicition seriously.



Re: Romney/Rice... it would be a dream, and I think it would step the GOP in the right direction. Say what you want about Condoleeza Rice, but one thing she isn't is a nutjob. And while the "nutjob" criticism seems childish, it's a serious threat to the GOP. Ask moderates what they thought about guys like Santorum, and I bet the nutjob word comes up a few times. Personal feelings aside, Condi as Romney's running mate would immediately tell America that Romney is ready to run a serious administration with an exponentially qualified Vice President. And moderates would go crazy for her.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

See, I think it's wiser to choose someone who will elevate the ticket in general, not someone who will give Romney a few temporary brownie points in a certain state.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

Ughck. That was horrendous. The inexperienced female pick has gotta be Martinez, not Ayotte. They don't even compare.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

A-Bob: What baggage would that be? She served under a Dem guv who has publicly praised her AG performance in the past...

Hagrid: Romney isn't picking a 18-monther regardless of their gender. Plus Martinez is also centre-right last I heard, a Republican can't get elected statewide otherwise.

Nah, I know she's not gonna be chosen. But I believe Martinez is a rare example of a pick who would surpass expectations. She's high-calibre, and I hope she's got a bright future in the party.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

I really don't see how one clue points to a certain contender over another. There's a bunch of crap flying around, and the honest truth is, we have no idea who it's gonna be.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

Apparently Drudge is now saying it's T-Paw?

http://politicker.com/2012/07/matt-drudge-names-another-potential-romney-veep-pick/

Either way, it looks like we might be close to hearing something. If the Romney camp is leaking its top few choices to see how they go over, we're nearing the finish line.

Personally, Pawlently is probably the most anti-exciting choice he could possibly make. At least Portman doesn't look like a whiney pony. Pawlenty would be a big disappointment.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

I wonder if this tax return/Bain stuff is forcing Romney to come out with his running mate earlier than he would have liked. This is getting awfully close to the Olympics and his Europe trip. But it sure looks like we could be hearing something soon.

It explains the contradictions we've been getting from his campaign.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

Reuters claims the finalists are Portman/Pawlenty/Jindal, but again Jindal makes no sense because he hasn't spent any time with Romney. Romney won't pick someone he barely knows.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/07/16/us-usa-campaign-romney-vicepresident-idINBRE86F1BM20120716

Ah, thanks for the update. Honestly, I just want it to be anyone but Pawlenty.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

If Romney needs to win Wisconsin to even contend, this race is over.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

If I was Romney, I'd leave him/her behind to fundraise and make media appearances.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

I would almost argue that Romney needs a gamechanger now more than McCain did back in summer '08.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

Just got another Romney email...

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Looks like the waiting game is back on.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

I was starting to get excited, too. Shucks.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

I wonder if Portman has already been told it's not him.

Kind of strange for THE most betted on pick to be saying he doesn't want it so close to when we're expecting an announcement.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

Pawlenty was leading briefly, but Portman is back on top at Intrade.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

Yeah. I wonder how long he practiced that one?

[HagridOfTheDeep]

If it's this week, I feel like it's Pawlenty. If it's later, I feel like it's Ryan.

With Romney set to unleash hell on Obama (cocaine, Blago, etc.), I was starting to think he'd leave the VP announcement for later. Both a VP announcement and a negative ad frenzy would be big distractions from the tax returns issue, so why would he need both? Seems like overkill. Especially when a VP announcement isn't likely to backfire.