Romney VP search: free-floating speculation and wish list thread

[RogueBeaver]

Jindal or Ryan would be my choices.

[fezzyfestoon]

I'm rooting for Ayotte as of now for the simple pleasure of seeing the media response. I expect a near constant comparison to Palin. One that undoubtedly will make her appear even less intelligent than she thinks she is. Seeing her flail on center stage in front of the "liberal media elites" as she unwittingly digs herself deeper into her idiot hole would be fantastic...in a horrible way? But what about this campaign isn't already starkly depressing.

[Phony Moderate]

I'm rooting for Ayotte as of now for the simple pleasure of seeing the media response. I expect a near constant comparison to Palin. One that undoubtedly will make her appear even less intelligent than she thinks she is. Seeing her flail on center stage in front of the "liberal media elites" as she unwittingly digs herself deeper into her idiot hole would be fantastic...in a horrible way? But what about this campaign isn't already starkly depressing.

Her interview from the other day would certainly be repeated.

[RogueBeaver]

Yep. Which is why Romney needs an effective communicator as his Veep.

[Lincoln Republican]

I still say Portman.

As a CNN guest commentator said the other day-

Portman is as solid as a rock and as safe as a seat belt.

[RogueBeaver]

I still say Portman.

As a CNN guest commentator said the other day-

Portman is as solid as a rock and as safe as a seat belt.

Putting Bush on the ballot and risking a Senate seat? I don't think so.

[Lincoln Republican]

I still say Portman.

As a CNN guest commentator said the other day-

Portman is as solid as a rock and as safe as a seat belt.

Putting Bush on the ballot and risking a Senate seat? I don't think so.

Portman was elected to the Senate in 2010.  If Romney/Portman lose Portman continues to be a U.S. Senator.  No Senate seat is at risk.

[rbt48]

I still say Portman.

As a CNN guest commentator said the other day-

Portman is as solid as a rock and as safe as a seat belt.

Putting Bush on the ballot and risking a Senate seat? I don't think so.

And Gov Kasich would appoint his successor if Romney were to win.

[California8429]

I think Portman is the best package at this point. T-Paw would be the same low charisma, a little better back story which I think Romney is looking for to campaign on in the rust belt states and win those Reagan democrats back, however he doesn't have foreign policy experience.

Susana Martinez would be great, hispanic woman who is a popular Governor and can work with both parties. She wouldn't overshadow Romney. Problem is she's only in the job for 2 years, but she isn't new to politics.

I'm thinking less and less Jindal now unless Romney wants a revival of the health care debate and make that a defining issue which I don't think he can. In a year and a half he hasn't escaped Romneycare is different enough from Obamacare, people have just stopped talking about that.

I'm not sure Ryan is that great of a choice. High level house member, but, I don't think Romney is bold enough with the leadership capabilities to actually go for entitlement reform.
McDonnell is also a solid choice outside of his thesis and the abortion bill, though it was watered down so you could make an argument that he isn't a radical social conservative at all.

[Vern]

Right now I think the best two choices IMO is: Sen. Richard Burr or Gov. Mary Fallin.

[stegosaurus]

Romney needs someone straight-forward and unafraid to challenge people to their face - a counter balance to Romney's aloof, "no comment" style. Christie comes to mind, despite inexperience.

[RogueBeaver]

It isn't Christie and that's not Romney's looking for- NYT has a couple of articles on that subject. Romney wants someone of similar temperament.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Romney needs someone straight-forward and unafraid to challenge people to their face - a counter balance to Romney's aloof, "no comment" style. Christie comes to mind, despite inexperience.

In these days of SuperPACs supersaturating the airwaves with with attack ads, the benefits of picking a running mate to be the attack dog of the ticket are minimal.  Being seen as Presidential is far more important, and Christie doesn't project that.

[Progressive]

It will be Rudy Giuliani

[ajc0918]

It will be Rudy Giuliani

That'd be a good pick. Idk how the base would like that though.

[HagridOfTheDeep]

It would probably play out well in places like Ohio and Michigan and Pennsylvania though.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

It will be Rudy Giuliani

Horrible pick. Rudy would drive conservatives away in droves.

[Dereich]

It will be Rudy Giuliani

If Romney was going to break his no pro-choice promise it would be for Condi, not Rudy.

[Darius_Addicus_Gaius]

Bob McDonnell- takes VA off the map
Rubio- takes FL off the map
Christie- rallies the conservative base and makes NJ competitive
Kasich- takes OH off the map in all likelyhood
Huntsman- moderate New England ticket never hurt the country but wouldn't be strategic
Jeb Bush- would outshine Romney
Thune- safe pick
Brown- too early in his career
Pawlenty- safe pick
Jindal- safe pick
Daniels- safe pick
Haley- not enough momentum and there are better choices

I thought I would get the basics off of my chest. What do you guys think?

[Warren 4 Secretary of Everything]

Bob McDonnell- takes VA off the map Doesn't do much in Virginia, maybe a point or so
Rubio- takes FL off the map
Christie- rallies the conservative base and makes NJ competitive New Jersey is not going red anytime soon, even with Christie on the ticket
Kasich- takes OH off the map in all likelyhood really not that popular, he might even hurt him.
Huntsman- moderate New England ticket never hurt the country but wouldn't be strategic Huntsman was Gov. of Utah and was probably the MOST conservative running this year, he just wasn't crazy enough.
Jeb Bush- would outshine Romney
Thune- safe pick
Brown- too early in his career
Pawlenty- safe pick
Jindal- safe pick
Daniels- safe pick
Haley- not enough momentum and there are better choices

I thought I would get the basics off of my chest. What do you guys think?

[Maxwell]

Rick Scott as VP...

Romney sweeps every state?

[Darius_Addicus_Gaius]

Bob McDonnell- takes VA off the map Doesn't do much in Virginia, maybe a point or so
Rubio- takes FL off the map
Christie- rallies the conservative base and makes NJ competitive New Jersey is not going red anytime soon, even with Christie on the ticket
Kasich- takes OH off the map in all likelyhood really not that popular, he might even hurt him.
Huntsman- moderate New England ticket never hurt the country but wouldn't be strategic Huntsman was Gov. of Utah and was probably the MOST conservative running this year, he just wasn't crazy enough.
Jeb Bush- would outshine Romney
Thune- safe pick
Brown- too early in his career
Pawlenty- safe pick
Jindal- safe pick
Daniels- safe pick
Haley- not enough momentum and there are better choices

I thought I would get the basics off of my chest. What do you guys think?

Fair enough but I think Ohio and most other states would vote for their governor. McDonnell is a very strong candidate and currently governs VA which is huge though. As for Huntsman he has a home in NH which is really all I was meaning. Plus he's also very moderate so I agree that he wouldn't help too much. I just listed any name that came to my mind. Who do you think would be the safest, most strategic, and most energetic? I'm liking this discussion.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Bob McDonnell- takes VA off the map Doesn't do much in Virginia, maybe a point or so
Rubio- takes FL off the map
Christie- rallies the conservative base and makes NJ competitive New Jersey is not going red anytime soon, even with Christie on the ticket
Kasich- takes OH off the map in all likelyhood really not that popular, he might even hurt him.
Huntsman- moderate New England ticket never hurt the country but wouldn't be strategic Huntsman was Gov. of Utah and was probably the MOST conservative running this year, he just wasn't crazy enough.
Jeb Bush- would outshine Romney
Thune- safe pick
Brown- too early in his career
Pawlenty- safe pick
Jindal- safe pick
Daniels- safe pick
Haley- not enough momentum and there are better choices

I thought I would get the basics off of my chest. What do you guys think?

Fair enough but I think Ohio and most other states would vote for their governor. McDonnell is a very strong candidate and currently governs VA which is huge though. As for Huntsman he has a home in NH which is really all I was meaning. Plus he's also very moderate so I agree that he wouldn't help too much. I just listed any name that came to my mind. Who do you think would be the safest, most strategic, and most energetic? I'm liking this discussion.

They've done polls showing that Kasich and McDonnell wouldn't help. Has there been anything with Ayotte?

[Supersonic]

Bob McDonnell- takes VA off the map Doesn't do much in Virginia, maybe a point or so
Rubio- takes FL off the map
Christie- rallies the conservative base and makes NJ competitive New Jersey is not going red anytime soon, even with Christie on the ticket
Kasich- takes OH off the map in all likelyhood really not that popular, he might even hurt him.
Huntsman- moderate New England ticket never hurt the country but wouldn't be strategic Huntsman was Gov. of Utah and was probably the MOST conservative running this year, he just wasn't crazy enough.
Jeb Bush- would outshine Romney
Thune- safe pick
Brown- too early in his career
Pawlenty- safe pick
Jindal- safe pick
Daniels- safe pick
Haley- not enough momentum and there are better choices

I thought I would get the basics off of my chest. What do you guys think?

Fair enough but I think Ohio and most other states would vote for their governor. McDonnell is a very strong candidate and currently governs VA which is huge though. As for Huntsman he has a home in NH which is really all I was meaning. Plus he's also very moderate so I agree that he wouldn't help too much. I just listed any name that came to my mind. Who do you think would be the safest, most strategic, and most energetic? I'm liking this discussion.

They've done polls showing that Kasich and McDonnell wouldn't help. Has there been anything with Ayotte?

I'm sure there was a New Hampshire poll a while back where Ayotte actually hurt Romney slightly.

[Darius_Addicus_Gaius]

Bob McDonnell- takes VA off the map Doesn't do much in Virginia, maybe a point or so
Rubio- takes FL off the map
Christie- rallies the conservative base and makes NJ competitive New Jersey is not going red anytime soon, even with Christie on the ticket
Kasich- takes OH off the map in all likelyhood really not that popular, he might even hurt him.
Huntsman- moderate New England ticket never hurt the country but wouldn't be strategic Huntsman was Gov. of Utah and was probably the MOST conservative running this year, he just wasn't crazy enough.
Jeb Bush- would outshine Romney
Thune- safe pick
Brown- too early in his career
Pawlenty- safe pick
Jindal- safe pick
Daniels- safe pick
Haley- not enough momentum and there are better choices

I thought I would get the basics off of my chest. What do you guys think?

Fair enough but I think Ohio and most other states would vote for their governor. McDonnell is a very strong candidate and currently governs VA which is huge though. As for Huntsman he has a home in NH which is really all I was meaning. Plus he's also very moderate so I agree that he wouldn't help too much. I just listed any name that came to my mind. Who do you think would be the safest, most strategic, and most energetic? I'm liking this discussion.

They've done polls showing that Kasich and McDonnell wouldn't help. Has there been anything with Ayotte?

Yes but how many voters are actually aware of the running mates. I think a bigger deal is made by the media than what people actually pay attention to. On election day people will vote for the top half of the ticket.