Who should Romney choose as his VP?

This link has some names listed which goes over the “strengths” and “weaknesses” of the choices listed. Some of them include Marco Rubio, Rick Sanctorum, Rob Portman, Tim Pawlenty, Paul Ryan, etc.

Romney would be more appealing if he chooses a prochoice moderate republican. I am not antiRomney, but I am a democrat, 80% sure I will vote for Obama, but am waiting to hear the debates. Part of what influences my vote now, unfortuneately, is the stronghold the religious right has over the republican party, and so I seriously consider that when I vote for any Republican. If there was not so many extremists in the party talking about creationism, being submissive, and accusing candidates of being in a cult or being a religion they aren’t (and at the same time offending everyone from that religion) and other ridiculousness that should not matter for a political race, then I would be much more fair in my evaluations of a candidate. A Republican candidate has to make a bold move against the party, especially on social issues to really get my attention. Romney used to be that guy.

I guess maybe he might as well suck up to the “base” of his party, since people like me are unlikely to switch over at this point. Although, I do know several people who didn’t vote or voted for Obama because of McCain’s Palin choice. I have one friend who is a democrat who voted for McCain, which freaked her out, and she is freaked about the upcoming election.

@JLeslie I would agree that for every 1 step the Left takes to the “left”, the Right will take 2 steps the opposite direction. I would also agree there are many over-zealous candidates out there such as Rick Sanctorum. It’s funny because he seems like such a genuine person, yet when he talks about his policies, it it appears that Christianity and the word of God plays too much of a role. And far be it from me to tell someone what to believe in, I simply don’t think we should let “faith” trump “logic”.

Ted Nugent.

@tedd – going with a Wild Card eh?

I was reading through that list and I think of the unknown group at the bottom Marsha Blackburn might appeal to a lot of people. She would not get my vote, but she is pleasant, on TV enough to be recognized. She is pretty good at talking the talk. I don’t agree with most of her stances on issues, but I have in the past had calls to conference in when she holds audio town meetings here in TN, and I am a registered democrat, so I guess they don’t look at party when they call to invite us to participate.

Jeb Bush would have been a very good choice if his brother had not been President.

I don’t know enough about the Hispanic Governor Martinez in NM, but that would be an interesting choice to appeal to minorities.

I think if Romney really wants to appeal to his base he should go with a southerner. I think otherwise go with a swingstate person.

I personally like Chris Christy, but I think he is very unlikely, too much northeast, and his directness will rub southerners the wrng way. I like him a lot, and he would be a Republican I would consider voting for in a general sense.

Imagine if he could get Mike Bloomberg? Never happen.

If I were to put myself in Romney’s “shoes” which by the way are probably worth more than my car – I think I would choose Marco Rubio. I saw him on The Daily Show, and he seemed like a very likable person. He is also of Latino decent so I’m sure he has some genuine idea’s to immigration policies which doesn’t consist of Making the fence larger and putting barb wire on it. He would help pick up some of the Latino vote, which the GOP doesn’t expect to win majority of, but this’ll assist. His approach to issues seem very level-headed and he also would help pick up a swing state (Florida).

@JLeslie – I don’t think the people are ready for another Bush to be elected to office. I don’t care how much better Jeb Bush is (and I know he is a lot better than GW), people will see it as another “Bush”.

I saw that interview with Rubio. If he chooses Rubio he definitely loses my vote.

I said that Jeb won’t work because of his brother, we are saying the same thing there I think. I didn’t love Jeb, I lived in FL when he was governor, but I think he is smart, knowledgeable, interested, and he was very very good concerning the multiple hurricanes we had. I agree with him on some things, as I do with many Reoublicans and if Romney/Jeb won against Obama I would be ok, I would not be freaked out like I was when Bush/Cheney walked into office or if Palin had wound up being our VP. But, it won’t be Jeb anyway.

@JLeslie – Also consider people are soo superficial these days. Who was the last unattractive president? You’ll have to go back some time. Chris Christie doesn’t fit that “Superficial” stereotype since he’s a bit heavy-set. I remember articles coming out early on before the Republican debates even began that would be titled “Is Chris Christy “FIT” to be President”. It’s a sad truth, but appearance seems to be most the battle. Too many people don’t even know the policies of the people they are voting for. Most just seem to vote on party lines.

Rubio is Cuban, and the only thing really working for him as far as Hispanics is his parents came before Cubans started getting asylum. And, of course the FL swingstate vote. Mexicans and other Latin Americans are pretty annoyed Cubans are legal just because they reach our shores.

I don’t think Christy’s weight matters. A lot of Americans are overweight.

@JLeslie – you are probably right. I also know that Chris Christie seems to be very popular with Republicans, which tells me a lot of people are going to like the guy regardless of his physical appearance. Honestly though, I don’t see a lot of “great” options available to Romney. Maybe I’m simply not looking at it the same way others are. It appears as though anyone who is a decent choice doesn’t want to run with him. Christie doesn’t seem to want to, nor does Condoleezza Rice. BTW, I think Rice would be a bit more ideal since Romney is struggling in the profiles she fits: Woman vote, Black vote.

I think Rice is pro choice and that’s why she was not seriously being considered. Not sure if that info is correct. Romney was pro-choice in the past so he needs to beat back that fact, and if he chooses smeone priochoice it will be dwelled on again.

Sarah Palin

Glen Beck.

Minnie Mouse.

Anyone who could do the job as president, should they find them in that position suddenly. I get so tired of how this country thinks the VP is supposed to be a “flavor” in order to get votes.

Michael Phelps

@woodcutter – With the exclusion of Palin, I would say that the nominee doesn’t just get the nomination because they fit a flavor but also because they are qualified in one way or another or they have experience in an elected position. Condoleeza Rice isn’t just a flavor, she does have other qualifications other than being a black female. I’m not saying it’s going to win my vote, but lets face it – Barrack Obama wouldn’t have gotten 95% of the black vote if he weren’t himself black. Honestly I think the President is simply a puppet for their party’s agenda, so why not simply throw out flavors that will win you election?

@RandomMrAdam Because the politicians are so out of touch with the voters they will go for the woman’s vote, or the Hispanic vote, etc. It’s insulting. You’re pretty much right about Obama and the fact he’s black, and that fact was used to the fullest to get him elected. If there was a white guy back then with the same name he wouldn’t have gotten anywhere. Especially after only being a junior senator? Come on. Total gimmick. Millionaires , and let’s face it ,are who are running for office. This Mr. Smith BS never happens and when was the last time anyone has known a millionaire running for office have any knowledge of real people? The answer is nobody. It doesn’t matter which party. If you’ve never struggled and hurt you cannot relate to average people. The best they can do is give lip service

Ms. Rice would be a better president than Romney I’m sure.

He probably will not win. But I would pick Portman, Jr. Sen. from Ohio.

How Cuban is Rubio? Was he born there or here. If the former, he wouldn’t be eligible to be president. I’m asking out of ignorance. and yes, I could look it up, but one of you knows. . .

@Sunny2 Born here. His parents came to America many years ago back in the 50’s.

Buddy Roemer is the only running mate I can think of that might get me to even think of Romney as a serious candidate, and even then it’s unlikely. However, Buddy is not batshit so, like any moderate, he would make Romney lose the base while not securing the swing voters. Assuming they even agreed to run together, which I doubt would happen.

Santorum or Christie would help Romney secure the base, but it would lose him the overall election just as surely as Palin sunk McCain.

I cannot think of any choice that would appeal to swing voters that would not cause the Republican base to just stay home on Election Day, so I am not sure if it even really matters who his running mate is.

Agreed with @jerv. Romney is pretty allergic to annoying the base these days (case in point, firing the gay adviser. And then getting attacked for it by the same people!) He’s not going to pick anyone that could annoy them. So Rice is out (though she has already said she wouldn’t take it anyway), and probably Christie, because he’s a little too sane. And I think Jeb is probably too intelligent to get wrapped up in this current campaign.

Overall, me changing my opinion would entail a major change from him, which would involve growing a spine and becoming a good person, essentially, actually making his position on issues known, stopping running dishonest ads, and telling the kooks in his party to shut it. Getting a sane VP would be part of that, but frankly, it won’t happen. (and if it did, I’d start looking for the brain slug).

@jerv You think the base likes Christie?

@JLeslie He’s edging farther right these days. He’s still, IMO, too sane for a lot, but he’s done some very… questionable things. Like cutting funding for PBS in jersey, killing the tunnel project (It’s going to save tons of money! Oh wait, not really, it will in fact costs tons of money, but now no one is paying attention), refusing to implement the insurance exchanges, vetoing a gay marriage bill, etc. He’s done enough they could probably leverage it into base support.

The potential people mentioned for Romney’s vice president are even more frightening than Romney himself. You know, the republicans haven’t had their convention yet and there aren’t many republicans that are enthusiastic about him. I believe there is a really good chance that the republican leadership will do a bait and switch. Let Romney take all the flack then nominate a completely different candidate. It’s perfect, the Democrats will have to retool their propaganda, and nobody has time to beat down whatever neocon they nominate. Republicans win by default and we have 8 more years of a Bush-Cheney government with a vanishing middle class and corporate ownership of everything form the post office, NASA, and prisons. It will be a corporate paradise.

Ron Paul
Rush Limbaugh
Dan Quayle
Dianne Black
Glenn Beck

@JLeslie More than they like Roemmer.

@jerv I didn’t know that. Interesting. Personality wise I actually think Romney is more like the base than Christie. Romney has that clean cut “Christian” look about him. Christie is rough around the edges, Catholic, Sicilian, etc, etc.

I’m hoping that he gives Sarah Palin a second shot. After all, she was very close to successful last time.

The choice for VP is overrated. I don’t think it can help or hurt as much as people think. Romney is the one running for President. McCain might have blamed Palin, but she could never save him because he died on his own. She was not responsible for bringing him down.

All this VP speculation is mental masturbation. The choice won’t make much difference.

@wundayatta In most cases, you are right. McCain was a bit of an exception as it was there was doubt (lets not argue over whether it was warranted or not) that he would remain physically and mentally sound enough to stay in office for a full term. That made the #2 seat a bit more relevant than it was for other recent presidents/hopefuls who chose wooden planks for running mates.

How about a middle-aged white guy? One with paranoia issues.

@JLeslie Thank you.

@Sunny2 No problem.

Gary Johnson, but there are drastic differences between the two so I don’t believe that many libertarian leaning Johnson supporters would buy this. Maybe a more moderate Republican such as Huntsman would work better for Romney, I don’t know.

I heard Mittens should choose a corporation to be his Vice President

@LKidKyle1985 you are right, Romney said that corporations are people too and the supreme court says they have the same rights as people. Of course the corporation will have to be American born so that leaves companies like G.E. and Westinghouse eventhough they are owned buy foreign corporations, they are still American “people”. I propose Coca Cola for vice president. I have always heard that things go better with Coke.

@Paradox25 I would appreciate seeing Gary Johnson on the political radar. He seems to have a sensible head on his shoulders. Unfortunately, this would eliminate him as a possible candidate.
@Ron_C Love it! a corporation for vp! lets do it! Dems should consider dropping Biden (not that I have anything against him) and nominating GM. Just to get the US population to realize wtf is happening.

Romney could follow Obama’s lead with using corporations in his administration.

@bkcunningham Do you seriously consider it a possibility that he will not?

Your comments just seemed a little hypocritical, @rojo. I was hoping to, in your words, get you to see wtf is happening. It is easy to criticize one party or political candidate and become blinded to another.

@bkcunningham No disrespect, but I am not criticizing either party. Corporations own both parties so how could Romney possibly not use them any more than the Dems? Or rather, how could he not BE used by them in the same fashion?
My wildest desire would be to see if we could literally name a corporation/person to the position to show the absurdity of the legal rulings that a corporation is a person.

A born again Christian with an IQ of 70

@basstrom188 that shouldn’t be too hard to find within the Tea Party.

@SuperMouse 70 may be asking a bit much. How about 60?

@jerv Here in Texas an IQ of 60 is not considered mentally handicapped. You can still be executed.
Personally, I think that it is our politicians who have set the bar so low so they qualify for office.

It’s a race for the middle now. The base is safely in their respective pockets. And what the middle is seeing these last few days are campaign adds from both sides with the “pants on fire” label. They won’t win any points with us like that, no matter who the veep choice is. Damn the torpedoes- full ahead to the bottom !!

IQ of 60, 70 or retarded?
What about Peter Griffin?

@woodcutter A race for the middle would make sense. Which means no right winger for Romney’s VP. But some people are still thinking he needs to make sure the wingnut base show up at the polls. I think they’re wrong. I think he needs to steal some votes from the middle. Of course, I hope he chooses a wingnut.

Chick-Fil-A
Regal Entertainment
Tyson Chicken
Home Depot

Romney needs to get someone other than Ryan. He doesn’t want to have to discuss cuts in medicare and Social Security in a campaign. He chooses Ryan….it’ll be all up in his ass….he loses.

@woodcutter I just read, this morning that he chose Ryan, That will make it very easy for me to vote for Obama because a Romney-Ryan regime will send us directly into a depression from which we many never recover.

Romney has taken the bait and he’s as good as done. Ryan plan has been perused in depth by now so there’s no back peddling that one. This by good reason makes seniors worried as well as those who are nearing retirement. The old folks are the one demographic who can be counted on to hit the polls on election day. So it looks like Romney is counting on the base to pull him through. Interesting.

@woodcutter “The old folks are the one demographic who can be counted on to hit the polls on election day.” They’re working on that in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana with new voter I.D. laws expressly aimed to keep progressiives from voting. It may work.

@Ron_C Old folks come in all types including conservatives. This will give them something to ponder. After you retire or become disabled (and not running a business) viewpoints often change even if you are not a progressive.or black. They have means testing to worry about. If you are retired pulling 6 figs or high 5’s they face having their benefits cut. Even though they would be the people who could afford it most, to them it’s still their money- they earned it- they are entitled to it even if they have other revenue streams. They are used to that extra govt. benefit and they won’t let it go without a fight. Even though these are exactly the people who should let some go ,so some guy squeaking by on 800 a month can keep his.

And somebody please explain to me just how hard is it, to get a state issued picture i.d. between election cycles? TWO YEARS ?Sure there are some places harder than others but persistence usually pays off to get that card. I fail to see how anyone can be on SSI, SSDI, without having the proper ID. to start with. They will find one inside your ass because to get in the system they check you out super thoroghly. It’s hard as hell to get SSI, SSDI/Medicare.

@woodcutter My dad was 93 when he died. He never drove a car and only had a couple I.D. cards. One was a social security card with just a number, the other was a union card with a 30 year old picture, the third was a State issued picture card that took him weeks to get but then he was only 83. He never missed an election and never committed a voting violation.

It seems simple to get an ID. card when you’re young. It is very difficult and time consuming when you are older. Since today’s Republican party is aiming at benefits for elder Americans, you would think there would be an effort to insure that they get proper I.D. and ease the lines for voting. Unfortunately conditions are just the opposite Remember, the fewer people that vote, the better the Republican chances to win.

@Ron_C Why do you mention your dad not committing a voting fraud? It struck me when you said that, because I have always thought the only concern for fraud is whether someone is a citizen or not. But, I guess fraud can also be counted when it is someone who is a citizen, but not registered to vote? I know there are some other exceptions like felons not being able to vote, but I don’t think people are really talking about that in the recent arguments over requiring identification.

Most of our elderly, especially those just reaching retirement now utilize medicare, so they have to be at minimum legal in the country to get medicare, and have some sort of ID’s. Either green card or social security number or something. I know green cards can’t vote, I am just saying people need to have provided documents to get these government services. Possibly in some states it is only recently they have started giving state ID cards if the persin does not drive?

I still haven’t been convinced old farts have a harder time getting ID cards than anyone else. It’s not the old they want to suppress it is the black population, same deal though. You have to want to have an ID to get one. The govt isn’t going to chase you down and hand you one.

I’m a born again Christian with an IQ of higher than 70. But two problems with me running for vice president
1) I know that I’m extremely not qualified, and
2) I’m an Independent, but more often look Democratic!

Congressman Paul Ryan.

@GracieT you shouldn’t have knocked yourself out of contention like you did. Look who he had to choose.

Paul Ryan’s starkly staight talk and piercing eye contact positively shredded Farty Old Left member (thank you Jello Biafra for the term) Biden to ribbons.

Biden acted like the whole debate process was beneath his station even worse than Bama-O.

Wow! @Crashsequence2012 I have not seen such a deluded assessment of reality in a long time, and I meet with mentally ill people every other week.

@wundayatta I heard the same attitude expressed after the debates.

When Romney stared at Obama in the first one he was being assertive, direct and decisive. When Obama did it in II & III he was belligerent, bellicose and combative.

Two elections in a row the republicans get a candidate they think they can squeeze in for president that the voters might find palatable, and want, then they a choose a neocon VP to represent what they really want. I think this is a flawed strategy and a losing one.

@woodcutter Speaking of that, Didya ever wonder how Chaney was able, from his position as head of the VP Choice committee, to select himself? And be allowed to get away with it? This whas his reward/paid off for something but what? Personally, my belief is that it had something to do with George the firsts time at the CIA.

@rojo It always is going to be somewhat incestuous whenever a new party takes over. Even Obama dragged all his homies from Chicago to DC.

No argument about that but Cheney was his dads homey, not his.
And this really was not about Bush (or Shrub if you prefer) but to look through the entire party and conclude that YOU and only YOU are qualified for that position?
And then to have everyone just nod their heads and go ‘Yup, Yup you’re right”! Something is not right.

He is Darth Vader and the force is strong with this one.