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I posted this blog back in April, and as I was going through my archives, I realized that the blog had become hopelessly outdated. So I’m going to update this blog to reflect the race as it is now (Feb of 2008).
People used to talk about Rudy Giuliani becoming Mitt’s running mate, but I think the chances of that happening now are pretty much nil. There is no way Mitt would ask Rudy to run with him after Rudy endorsed McCain. So that takes care of Sam Brownback, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, and Duncan Hunter too. Tom Tancredo endorsed Mitt after he dropped out, but I don’t think anyone honestly believes that he would be a good VP choice for Mitt, even Tancredo. I think he would do well in some sort of immigration post though - perhaps he could be put in charge of building the fence? 
I have heard some people hope for Ron Paul to run as Mitt’s VP, but I simply don’t see that happening. They just don’t mesh well together. I know that isn’t a scientific analysis, but I don’t have a better way of explaining myself.
The only other former presidential candidate to discuss would be Fred Thompson, and I think that one actually has some potential. I think that would lay to rest some people’s fear that Romney isn’t conservative enough, and of course Fred being from the south would be a huge plus. The only real problem is see with this is that again, the personalities don’t really mesh. Fred Thompson is laid back, Mitt is real go-getter. It also wouldn’t help with the experience card - Fred doesn’t have any more experience in government than Mitt does.
In a perfect world, Mitt’s VP would need to be:
- From the south
- Very conservative
- Without any professional or personal baggage
- Backed Mitt all along
- Has experience in government
- Influential - would love it if they were well-known nationally although I know that’s asking for a lot.
Heck, if I was really asking for perfection, I would say this flawless person would be black and a woman too, but I don’t think such a person exists. ;-)If you leave out the black and female part, Jim DeMint fits the rest. I think Mitt would do well to choose him as VP. Governor Tim Pawlenty used to top the list, but since he joined McCain’s election team and endorsed him, that X’s him off. Same for Charlie Crist.
One person who doesn’t fit the Southern role but who is female, is Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska. I am probably biased because she was born in Sandpoint, Idaho, making me a fan already but to those who don’t know her, here’s quick rundown of her strong points:
- She has an extremely high approval rating as governor of Alaska - she hovers between 85 - 90%
- She is strong proponent of the pro-life movement and always has been, which should help social conservatives who worry about Mitt’s conversion
- She’s Protestant, which will help calm down the anti-Mormon crowd
- She has been a lifelong member of the NRA, which is another huge plus for Mitt
- She’s been married to the same man all her life - there are no social personal scandals in her closet. They have four children together
- She is very conservative fiscally - well-known as being a tax cutter and for cutting spending out of the budget. She has a long record of integrity.
- Mitt and Palin share the same views on gay marriage and gay rights.
Her only negatives are that a) She isn’t well-known nationally, b) She doesn’t have much experience outside of being governor of Alaska - she was a two-time mayor of a growing city in Alaska before becoming governor, but that isn’t much to point to, and c) She isn’t from the south.
So for Mitt, I think his best choices would be either Jim DeMint or Sarah Palin. Do you have any other favorites you would like to throw out there for the rest of us to consider? Please add the names below in the comment section - I would love to hear your ideas on the subject! Useless conjecture is always fun to do, and helps pass the time between now and Super Tuesday.
Havs
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8:59 pm on February 3rd, 2008 1
I think Huckabee would be a tremendous choice for Romney. Romney is not particularly strong in the south, and Huckabee would solidify the southern base.
They each are fabulous speakers as well. They’d make a great team!
Team Romney
ValleyRed Blog
http://www.valleyred.wordpress.com
9:13 pm on February 3rd, 2008 2
condi rice, colin powel, jeb bush
10:09 pm on February 3rd, 2008 3
From your Canadian friends at “Canadians For Mitt” what about Governor Matt Blunt of Missouri? Check him out, he is quite impressive. http://www.gov.mo.gov/biography.htm
10:54 pm on February 3rd, 2008 4
I definitely think in a race where the Democratic nominee is either going to be a black or a woman, the Republicans need to nominate a black or a woman (or both) for the VP role.
11:00 pm on February 3rd, 2008 5
I would love to see Condi Rice on a ticket with Romney. Romney-Rice has a good ring to it, too. Jim DeMint I think is a bad choice because he is about as far from being a woman or a black as you can get. Bobby Jindal was just elected, but as far as I can tell he would be a great neutralizer of Barrack’s advantages - young, minority, charismatic. Add to that Southern, reasonably well known, very conservative, and would help balance out Mitt’s Mormon-ness.
11:47 pm on February 3rd, 2008 6
Romney-Rice 08 First Mormon, first black, first woman. Colin Powell would be cool too.
12:27 am on February 4th, 2008 7
First of all, if Mitt decided to choose Mike “the Huckster” Huckabee as a running mate then it would not only GREATLY disappoint me, but it would seriously make me question the already unquestionable judgement of Mitt. That would be a terrible choice based primarily on character and morals. Huckabee has done more harm to “Christian ethics in politics” than any other candidate in recent history. I would be greatly disappointed in Mitt if he made that decision.
I’ve heard grumblings about Mitt choosing Governor Crist from Florida, which makes sense regardless if Crist backed John McKennedy or not. Florida is too important of a state to ignore.
Personally, I think the best political decision would be Newt Gingrich. His political mind is second to none and he rivals Mitt in sheer brilliance. Let’s face it, America hasn’t seen a more well-rounded person run for president compared to Mitt Romney and by adding Newt Gingrich it would only solidify the stalwart nature of his character, personality, and brilliance. Besides, Newt would be able to help in Florida, which is where he has lived for the last several years.
There’s another name that has been mentioned in political circles, which makes a lot of sense especially if you know anything about him. His name is Mike Pence and he’s a congressman from central Indiana. His record is impecable and he has a TREMENDOUS amount of respect from his colleagues as well as his constituents.
I think Jeb Bush would be another great choice in principle, but it would be a disasterous decision in the end. There’s just way too much emotion tied to the Bush family right now, which is unfortunate for Jeb who is probably the most impressive member of the Bush family to date. This idea of “too much emotion” also disqualifies Condi Rice, unfortunately. I don’t think there is another woman in America who is more qualified, more brilliant, and more impressive than Condi Rice. She’s not only a woman, but she’s also a black woman, which would be very helpful when running against either Barack or Billary.
Ron Paul would be a disasterous decision, too…by the way. His supporters are fanatics and Mitt does not need that kind of backing. I’ll admit that Paul does have some interesting talking points, but that’s about it. I know some gas station attendants who are more qualified to LEAD than he is. After all, it is “leadership” that I think Mitt should focus on because he’s gotten away from that lately. He’s allowed John McKennedy to steal that issue and self-impose it on himself in an effort to trick Americans into thinking he’s all about leadership.
I should mention that I have decided NOT to vote for John McKennedy if he ends up getting the nomination. I will not allow myself to be held hostage by the republican party if they decide to allow a non-republican to run in their stead. Up until two weeks ago I used to be able to say that I respected John McCain’t. He has upset me in such a way that I would now rather cast a vote for an independent candidate, myself, or even Barack Obama. I promise…there is no chance I will ever cast a vote for John McKennedy. NO WAY!
6:15 pm on February 4th, 2008 8
#1 Gov Sara Palin - AK (she and Mitt would win in a landslide)
#2 Sen. Jim DeMint - SC
#3 Gov Matt Blunt - MO
#4 Rep. Mike Pence - IN
9:18 pm on February 4th, 2008 9
Mike the Hoosier:
I never thought I would say this, but I have been leaning the same way lately. I’m not sure if I would just sit the election out or if I would vote for a third party candidate (I certainly would never ever vote for Billary). I have to go vote because I need to help re-elect Dino Rossi as governor of Washington, but I will need some serious reflection about whether or not I could support McTrainwreck.
And that brings me to the point that his supporters bring up: He would bring a lot of independents and democrats to vote for him. Perhaps. But he would lose a lot of Republicans. I think it would be better to have a democrat as President for four years and then let Mitt or another conservative have a run at the White House than to have Johnny Boy destroy the conservative agenda.
So the real question is: If J-Smack is our nominee, who does he choose for VP? Because if he takes Huckabee or Giuliani or Crist or another moderate, I will be guaranteed to check off someone else’s name. The only way he can save himself - maybe - is if he selects a running mate who would be a true conservative stalwart, and then convinces me that this person actually will have some sway in his administration.
7:54 pm on February 5th, 2008 10
OH those are great nicknames for McCain. Sarah Palin definitly sounds great. Once people examen her record they will absolutely love it. Unfortunately there is no souther Women who has great national prominence that comes to mind without them being a Democrat. So I think, forget the southern thing. Lets build a winning ticket but first lets help our guy win.
11:09 am on March 4th, 2008 11
I think that if John McCain were smart he’d pick Mitt for VP. Would Mitt take it, is the question. Obviously this would assist Mitt as Presidential candidate in 2012. That’s just my hope…and opinion.
12:23 pm on March 6th, 2008 12
I agree that Mitt is the only one with the answers for the economy. I will vote for McCain if he picks Mitt.
12:42 pm on June 19th, 2008 13
Simply put, a McCain/Romney ticket would make me switch from democrat to republican in the general election. Otherwise I stay the course.
2:43 pm on July 17th, 2008 14
if we don’t get a lds/mormon president we need a lds/mormon vp.