Romney's Running Mate

I like his ideas, but he really comes across harsh. I know that should not matter, and it does not with me. I never noticed it until reading an article about his demeanor.

 

I am not sure who these people are. I know they are not the normal conservative types; Sean Hannity, Rush, etc.

The problem you are facing is between 5 and 20 percent (depending on the state) of the GOP electorate, who lean paleo conservative/libertarian, and are now vowing to write in Ron Paul. That is a 100 percent sure loss.

The few conservatives that might think Rand is a "goof ball" (and I haven't heard anyone say this...), would STILL vote for the ticket, just to not have Obama elected...

 

Here are some of the latest rumors on the VP picks. Who do you like and why?

* Marco Rubio - Florida Senator. Very popular. Would help carry Florida and also help nationwide with hispanics, evangelical Christians and more conservative voters. Dowside is his young age and the fact he was just elected to the Senate.

* Jeb Bush - Former FL Governor. Still very popular in the state and would help Romney win FL. Has the downside of his last name. Has publicly stated that he does not desire the role. I don't see this happening.

* Nikki Haley - SC Governor. While she may help with women nationwide, SC is clearly red so I'm not sure what else she brings to the table. Has also stated she is not interested. (But they all say that.)

* Rob Portman - Ohio Senator. Strong contender with "nuts and bolts" budget experience. Could help win key swing state of Ohio.

* Bob McDonnell - Virginia Govenor. Supposedly very popular there. Could help Romney win swing state.

* John Kasich - Ohio Governor. Former Congressman. A lot of "nuts and bolts" experience like Portman. Again, could help Romney win Ohio.

* Chris Christie - NJ Governor. Don't see this happening, but would shake things up. Not sure if this would help Romney win NJ.

* Mitch Daniels - IN Governor. Romney will probably win IN anyway, so don't see this happening.

* Paul Ryan - Wisconsin Representative. Probably the most polarizing choice -- unless Romney pulled out Bachman, Santorum or Paul -- and don't see any of those happening.

 

I don't view him the same as his father. From what I've seen of him on C-SPAN I think he would be an asset to Romney. There are a lot of Paulites that would either abstain from voting or else write in Ron Paul unless Rand is on the ticket.

 

Rubio: Lacks experience.

Bush: Won't run.

Haley: Doesn't bring anything to the table.

Portman, McDonnell: Don't know enough about him.

Kasich: Competent, but not inspiring

Christie: Not sure if he would appeal to the conservative base.

Daniels: Won't run.

Ryan: Would be a good choice.

-------o-----------o----------

Rand Paul: Would bring the Paulites but is inexperienced.

Bobby Jindall: Would be a good choice.

 

Not a fan. His education pieces...egads. Has done some stuff for job production here in Indiana, but...I don't know. Just something about that guy (you get that gut feeling).

 

Of all the choices, I like Kasich. He might be boring, but he is conservative, experienced, and pro life. He is also from a critical swing state. Anyone would be better than Biden.

It is tragic though, because no Vice-President can make up for the totally unacceptable character of a Presidential candidate.

As a side note, and it really does not matter to me since I am not voting for either ticket, but Obama could help his chances as much as any VP can by replacing Biden.

 

I like Rubio. Romney and Rubio are good together from what I saw on C-Span.

 

Santorum is "safe". He has been totally and publically vetted by the press, GOP and the DNC.

Nothing more that a few gaffs, no outrageous scandals (ala. Herman Cain), etc.
There probably wouldn't be many campaign surprises (underline probably).

Also he is Catholic (which trumps Mormon IMO). Most non-Catholic Christians have (religiously) a lot more in common (doctrine of the Trinity, deity of Christ, etc) with catholicism than mormonism.

We already have had a Catholic president, JFK, young, family man when he was in office, well loved and very popular (he was my commander-in-chief when I was in the service and almost everyone loved him), also he was/is an American martyr. All these things help the public image of a Catholic president/vice president.

But, you never know.

November 2012 is a LONG way off in political measurements of time.

HankD

 

I would vote for a ticket with Santorum as President regardless of the VP. I just do not think a VP adds much. I voted for Nixon (a mistake in itself) despite the fact that Spiro Agnew was his VP, who I could not stand. Another case was the votes for Reagan with Bush as his VP, who I did not like. (although I voted for him later as President).

Another way to look at it, was in 1988. Dukakis had a fairly decent VP, Lloyd Benston. He was fairly conservative, as at the time, there were still conservative Democrats. I doubt many conservative voters would have voted for Dukakis over Bush because of Benston on the ticket.

Most voters will consider the President only. Maybe this year is different. You have in essence two liberals in a faceoff, with basically the same ideals on morality. The VPs might be more critical this year. Romney definitely has an advantage if that is the case, as he can choose anyone. Unless Obama changes his mind, he is stuck with Biden, and at the moment, I cannot think of a worse candidate than Biden, unless it was Obama or Romney.

 

The greatest influence of a VP is that it gives the voters a better look at him (the VP) as a possible candidate for a future presidency.

This year is a dilemma.

What's gone wrong with the GOP?
Are they that diluted by liberalism?
I guess so.

Hopefully Romney will keep his newly found conservative promises.


HankD

 

I agree, Bobby Jindall would be a good choice.

 

Rudy Guiliani? Jeb Bush?