Who should be Romney's running mate?

[msduncan]

I just think that the mental connection will be as simple as Rice --> Bush foreign policy --> wars. I don't think Rice gets a lot of blame for the start of the wars, so that's not an issue, but I think there's a general association with Bush and wars that would not be super helpful.

Frankly I don't think it's a boiling issue anymore. People are more focused on the half-a-hundred they are pouring into their gas tanks a couple times a week. And if people have a hard time remembering Vice Presidents, they have a hella time remembering or associating bad things to cabinet members.

That's fair enough. Maybe I'd worry a bit more about the connection with Bush generally then, rather than about the war angle.

Also makes me think, though, that Romney's going to win or lose based on the economy really. So maybe it makes more sense to pick someone with credibility on economic issues? I know Romney has that covered to an extent with his business credentials, but if the core issue is going to be the economy it couldn't hurt to have additional crediblity on that.

True. Ironically few Presidents have great control over the economy, but it completely dominates public opinion of their administrations. It really must suck for them.

[Smoove_B]

She would be an asset to any ticket, but I don't think there's any chance.

Except I don't believe she's indicated she's militantly pro-life. I'm nearly certain Romney has repeatedly indicated he will not align himself with anyone this isn't 100% committed to a pro-life position. Well, at least this version of Mitt Romney.

[Kraken]

She would be an asset to any ticket, but I don't think there's any chance.

Except I don't believe she's indicated she's militantly pro-life. I'm nearly certain Romney has repeatedly indicated he will not align himself with anyone this isn't 100% committed to a pro-life position. Well, at least this version of Mitt Romney.

The etch-a-sketch has not yet been shaken.

[msduncan]

She would be an asset to any ticket, but I don't think there's any chance.

Except I don't believe she's indicated she's militantly pro-life. I'm nearly certain Romney has repeatedly indicated he will not align himself with anyone this isn't 100% committed to a pro-life position. Well, at least this version of Mitt Romney.

Doesn't seem to matter. Conservatives love her. She's one of the few Washington figures that hasn't been nailed down on social issues. She also has indicated in the past that she's supportive of some affirmative action, but again it didn't seem to hurt her with Conservatives.

I think it's a moot point though -- she's smart enough that she doesn't want to get into the messy business of being an elected official. I'd definitely call her first if I were Romney though -- what does he have to lose?

[Freezer-TPF-]

It's a losing move for Rice. Why would she want to drag her reputation down by being attached to Romney? And if they won, why would she want the actual VP job?

Romney has nothing to lose by asking her, unless folks find out that she turned him down. That would be a little embarassing for him.

[gbasden]

How about Condoleezza Rice? She's a woman and also extremely experienced with foreign policy. She also fits the bill for a person that worked their way up from the working class.

She would be an asset to any ticket, but I don't think there's any chance.

This. Rice as VP would actually make me more comfortable with Romney, something that can't be said of any of the other names thrown out there. But she's hasn't made any signs that she's interested at all.

[Rip]

Have to admit I am shocked by all the Condi love in the house.

I have always had a lot of admiration for her, but didn't expect quite so much across the aisle respect.

[Rip]

BTW if I were Romney I would beg her on my knees and offer to get her the NFL team of her choice after leaving office.

[ydejin]

How about Condoleezza Rice? She's a woman and also extremely experienced with foreign policy. She also fits the bill for a person that worked their way up from the working class.

She would be an asset to any ticket, but I don't think there's any chance.

This. Rice as VP would actually make me more comfortable with Romney, something that can't be said of any of the other names thrown out there. But she's hasn't made any signs that she's interested at all.

Be careful. Cheney was supposed to make us feel better about George W, because it meant there was an "adult" from George HW's team to keep an eye on things. I personally thought by-and-large George HW did a great job on Foreign Policy and his James Baker, Colin Powell, Dick Cheney team did great. And then instead of being the steady adult keeping an eye on George W, Cheney turned out to be one of the architects that sent the Presidency into Foreign Policy disaster. So having Condi on board to keep Romney on the straight and narrow may or may not work.

I'm still not sure why you all are so big on Rice. Regardless of what you think of her personally, the administration she was on did pretty badly on Foreign Policy and she was very much involved in that aspect of the administration. I do think the State Department did do a bit better during the second administration when Rice was Secretary of State in part because the administration realized that their originally bullying foreign policy didn't work all that well and that they needed to recalibrate. But regardless Rice is associated with an administration that at best failed to live up to its potential, and arguably was one of the worst in modern US history.

I would be very surprised if the general public did not view her as tainted by her association with the Bush administration. I suppose she might bring in some female votes, just because there are bound to be some female voters who think it is far past time that we had a female VP. Normally she might bring in some black votes as well, strictly on that basis, but not in this case running against Obama.

[Kraken]

Have to admit I am shocked by all the Condi love in the house.

I have always had a lot of admiration for her, but didn't expect quite so much across the aisle respect.

She is practical, competent and she has personal integrity. Characteristics I can get behind regardless of party. But I'd reassess if she were really a candidate for high office.

[ydejin]

Have to admit I am shocked by all the Condi love in the house.

I have always had a lot of admiration for her, but didn't expect quite so much across the aisle respect.

She is practical, competent and she has personal integrity. Characteristics I can get behind regardless of party. But I'd reassess if she were really a candidate for high office.

I generally agree with all that, although I've heard that she wasn't that great as National Security Advisor dealing with infighting between State and Defense, something that the National Security Advisor needs to deal with. Also she was National Security Advisor on 9/11, so based on the "buck stops here" principle, she needs to take some responsibility for that -- one of the biggest national security disasters in our history happened while she was the National Security Advisor.

Regardless she was part of an administration that most Americans believe overall failed very badly. I can't see why anyone would want to bring in someone closely associated with that administration and put them on a political ticket. Having her as part of the ticket will remind American's every day that the Romney team is the same team as the Bush team, and Romney will absolutely not want people making that association.

[Jaymann]

Maybe he should give Cheney a look. He's got a new ticker and he is an experienced trough feeder.

[LordMortis]

I generally agree with all that, although I've heard that she wasn't that great as National Security Advisor dealing with infighting between State and Defense, something that the National Security Advisor needs to deal with. Also she was National Security Advisor on 9/11, so based on the "buck stops here" principle, she needs to take some responsibility for that -- one of the biggest national security disasters in our history happened while she was the National Security Advisor.

Aye. Though, I don't know that she actively screwed up 9/11 or anything. I'd be more concerned if she were the head of the federal response team, say the Secretary of State that was supposed to respond to Katrina and decided that going on vacation was more important than actively involving herself in an emergent need for FEMA. Or if she were the "buck stops here" Janet Reno with regard to response and escalation for Waco.

[msduncan]

It's probably wishful thinking unless Romney names his administration "NFL" and starts trading politicians and placing salary caps on Congress.

[Arcanis]

It's probably wishful thinking unless Romney names his administration "NFL" and starts trading politicians and placing salary caps on Congress.

I'm strangely ok with this.

[gbasden]

And Romney leads off by saying Santorum might be ok for VP after all...

During a campaign stop in Rhode Island on Wednesday, Romney told supporters that “everybody is on” his list. He then said, “I don’t have a list yet … But I can tell you that the people who I had the privilege of running against would surely be among those I would consider.”

Dude, you just won against the crazy. Don't sleep with them now.

[Freezer-TPF-]

And Romney leads off by saying Santorum might be ok for VP after all...

During a campaign stop in Rhode Island on Wednesday, Romney told supporters that “everybody is on” his list. He then said, “I don’t have a list yet … But I can tell you that the people who I had the privilege of running against would surely be among those I would consider.”

Dude, you just won against the crazy. Don't sleep with them now.

It's just a standard line to make nice with Santorum supporters.

[El Guapo]

Yeah and it doesn't seem like he even mentioned Santorum specifically. It's almost certainly just making nice - he'd be nuts to pick Santorum.

[YellowKing]

I'm voting Trump for VP. He had the balls to fire George Takei. That has to count for something.

[Rip]

I'm voting Trump for VP. He had the balls to fire George Takei. That has to count for something.

Sorry but Trump's ego would not allow him to accept a position second to ANYBODY.

[msduncan]

Romney would never select a VP candiate that would Trump his authority.

[msduncan]

Come on guys, I at least expected a groan or two out of that one.

[Anonymous Bosch]

Trump is a perfect embodiment of everything that is wrong with the Republican Party as of 2012. I mean seriously, could you imagine Eisenhower, Reagan, or even Bush Senior, bowing down and kissing Trump's Mighty Ring of Dick-headed Insanity as part of their bid to become POTUS? Trump has turned the Presidency of the United States into an ad for reality TV, but the Republican Party was complicit in his efforts to do so. Sorry MSD, not funny, just sad, sad, sad.

[Rip]

No more unsettling than watching Obama bow and kiss the ring of the Saudi king.

[Anonymous Bosch]

No more unsettling than watching Obama bow and kiss the ring of the Saudi king.

Two wrongs don't make a right.

[Kraken]

Boston Globe put out this list today. (Click to embiggen)



Any surprises to you insider types? I haven't heard of half of these people.

[Mr. Fed]

I would like to see the VP choice based on who would provide the most entertainment. Let's face it, Biden's going to be tough to beat on that score. He's got a sort of 80s-sitcom-landlord thing going for him.

Chris Christie has potential. There's some real potential for NOM NOM NOM jokes. And he's aggressive, which often leads to hilarity.

Trump would be too much -- too funny -- to entertaining to the point of cloying. Trump would be like pouring melted butter and sugar over a Ding Dong.

[Fitzy]

I would like to see the VP choice based on who would provide the most entertainment.

Michelle Bachmann

[Exodor]

Romney seems to be narrowing his options

KUDLOW: All right, last one. You've appointed your longtime aide, Beth Myers, to run your VP search, and I just wondered if you had one or two key characteristics that you're looking for in a vice presidential candidate.

Gov. ROMNEY: Well, that's part of the process to look at the history of VP individuals and who served as vice presidents and look at the qualities that are most effective and most helpful. But I can tell you that the one quality that comes to mind immediately is that you want someone who, without question, could lead the country as president if that were necessary. I think all of the political considerations pale in comparison with the consideration of who has the capacity to lead America at a critical time. And I hope if I'm the president that eventuality would never occur. But that has to be the key consideration.

That would seem to rule out another Palin.

Would he still add Rubio to the ticket with this quote out there?

Because we know that once Mitt takes a stand it's not going to change.

[El Guapo]

I dunno. It suggests that Romney's going to pick someone he can brand as "presidential" and "with experience", but I don't think any nominee would pick a VP that he would say "ok honestly this person is not qualified to take over as President on day 1, but he/she will probably figure it out before I croak."

So maybe that marginally reduces Rubio's chances of being the pick, but not by much.

[Defiant]

Paul Begala's prediction

[Apollo]

I think Rob Portman is the clear choice. After all, he's from Ohio and he's unlikely to scare off moderates.

[Chrisoc13]

No more unsettling than watching Obama bow and kiss the ring of the Saudi king.

Or Oprah...

[Exodor]

No more unsettling than watching Obama bow and kiss the ring of the Saudi king.

Really?

[msduncan]

No more unsettling than watching Obama bow and kiss the ring of the Saudi king.

Or Oprah...

I think the Oprah thing bothers me more than any Saudi king for some reason...

[Exodor]

I'm sure it will be someone qualified - just like last time

Sarah Palin's qualifications were the overriding reason Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) selected the former Alaska governor as his 2008 presidential running mate, he said Sunday.

Speaking about presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney selecting of a vice presidential running mate, McCain said on ABC's "This Week" that the “primary, absolute, most important aspect is if something happened to him, would that person be well qualified to take that place?”

[Zarathud]

It's not going to be Bachman. She just activated her right to claim Swiss citizenship. This is not the move made by someone optimistic about Romney's chances.

[em2nought]

Too bad BP ex-CEO Tony Hayward isn't a US citizen, he's out of work. Free gas for all small businesses would be a good motto.

[msduncan]

Rice said she had no interest in being the running mate yesterday. She said she never even ran to be her class president and that it's not who she is as a person. She went on to say that Romney will pick a strong VP and she will support the ticket.

[Rip]

Late Thursday evening, Mitt Romney's presidential campaign launched a new fundraising drive, 'Meet The VP' -- just as Romney himself has narrowed the field of candidates to a handful, sources reveal.

And a surprise name is now near the top of the list: Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice!

The timing of the announcement is now set for 'coming weeks'.

It was Condi who received two standing ovations at Romney's Utah retreat a few weeks ago, and everyone left with her name on their lips.

Rice made an extended argument for American leadership in the world.

In recent days, she emailed supporters.

"2012 is perhaps a turning point for the United States," she warned.

"The upcoming elections loom as one of the most important in my lifetime. I'm very often asked to speak about our current foreign policy and the challenges that lie before us. However, we, as a country, are not going to be able to address any of those international challenges unless we first get our domestic house in order."

http://www.drudgereport.com/