View Full Version : Mitt's VP pick
McCain surprised almost everyone picking Palin as his VP pick last election.
Who do you think Mitt will pick?
Who do you think would make a good running mate with him?
Who would you like to see in the #2 spot with him ????
Me .... I would love to see Condi Rice get the nod.
:munchin
.....Who do you think Mitt will pick?......
Mitt will pick somebody "safe". Somebody he's comfortable with. And it will be lights out.
McCain was down and out until he picked Palin and that's about the only reason it was close. She fired up the base.
Mitt is doing nothing to fire up the base and if it continues, which I think it will, the election will be fairly close but Obama will pull it out.
The Reaper
04-16-2012, 18:39
I would hope it would be someone with solid conservative credentials, but that sounds a lot like McCain's tactics.
On the other hand, choosing another RINO will even further alienate the base.
IMHO, most of the candidates and former candidates have burned bridges with Mitt and his campaign. Maybe Ron Paul, but I seriously doubt that his style would mesh with Mitt's.
Theoretically, Romney needs a counterbalance. Someone who is a genuine conservative, with a common man touch. I believe that he should choose someone who is not wealthy or from a privileged class, and ideally, who understands foreign policy. A real conservative, both socially and fiscally. If such a person could be found, it would be helpful if they were from (and could deliver) a large swing state, like Florida, Ohio, or Pennsylvania. The ideal potential Veep has to be free from baggage or a bad history for the Dims/media to exploit. A conservative Hispanic or someone who could bring in independent or minority voters would be a home run.
Personally, I would like to see a Condi Rice, a Paul Ryan, or a Marco Rubio.
I think Condi has a huge lead in knowing how a Presidency works, and has the best foreign policy credentials around. OTOH, she has no real constituency, and against Obama, would probably deliver few minority or female voters. Ryan has been a budget driven fiscal conservative from a small state, for the most part, with little foreign policy experience. Rubio could be a game changer. He is relatively young, comes from a large swing state, and is Hispanic. He is a social and fiscal conservative who is popular with the right wing. If it were an appointed position, I would pick Condi. I would love to see her back as the Secretary of State or Intel Director. But if I had to pick a partner for Mitt in a close race with Obama, I would select Rubio.
Just my .02, YMMV.
TR
Condeleza Rice would be my first pick followed by Tom Bolton. Third choice is Allen West - third only in that I think he needs a little more seasoning in how dysfunctional government really works. How about Gov. Scott Walker (Wis.)?
Senator Rubio is not a natural born citizen and also needs more seasoning. I like Paul Ryan, but believe he would be best as Speaker of the House or director of OMB.
Some other thoughts...
Attorney General: Condeleza Rice.
For Chief of Staff, I'd consider Newt Gingrich or Condeleza Rice.
Sec. of Energy - Sarah Palin of course.
Amb. France: Bill O'Reilly.
Dogcatcher: John Boehner.
I would hope it would be someone with solid conservative credentials, but that sounds a lot like McCain's tactics.
On the other hand, choosing another RINO will even further alienate the base.
IMHO, most of the candidates and former candidates have burned bridges with Mitt and his campaign. Maybe Ron Paul, but I seriously doubt that his style would mesh with Mitt's.
Theoretically, Romney needs a counterbalance. Someone who is a genuine conservative, with a common man touch. I believe that he should choose someone who is not wealthy or from a privileged class, and ideally, who understands foreign policy. A real conservative, both socially and fiscally. If such a person could be found, it would be helpful if they were from (and could deliver) a large swing state, like Florida, Ohio, or Pennsylvania. The ideal potential Veep has to be free from baggage or a bad history for the Dims/media to exploit. A conservative Hispanic or someone who could bring in independent or minority voters would be a home run.
Personally, I would like to see a Condi Rice, a Paul Ryan, or a Marco Rubio.
I think Condi has a huge lead in knowing how a Presidency works, and has the best foreign policy credentials around. OTOH, she has no real constituency, and against Obama, would probably deliver few minority or female voters. Ryan has been a budget driven fiscal conservative from a small state, for the most part, with little foreign policy experience. Rubio could be a game changer. He is relatively young, comes from a large swing state, and is Hispanic. He is a social and fiscal conservative who is popular with the right wing. If it were an appointed position, I would pick Condi. I would love to see her back as the Secretary of State or Intel Director. But if I had to pick a partner for Mitt in a close race with Obama, I would select Rubio.
Just my .02, YMMV.
TR
I concur wholeheartedly. I hope Rubio understands he's needed and is compelled by duty to accept.
Rand Paul would keep his dad from running 3rd party and is a Southerner.
Pat
longrange1947
04-16-2012, 19:56
Rubio is not "Natural Born" and the libs would run hard with it as well as the MSM for the hypocritical running of Rubio and all the "investigating of Obama". I like Rubio, but I do not think he is "Qualified" based on natural born clause.
No Rubio is carrying too much baggage in that department.
Rand would not stop Ron from running a third party. Ron is to hid bound to understand the consequences of running a third party and feels that he could bring all the conservatives together under his roof. Problem is he would only split off the hard core and Obama would win.
Senator Rob Portman - Romney likes and respects Portman - Portman wants the job - Portman is vetted, more so than any other potential pick (except for Condi Rice) - Portman is ready for the job and, more importantly, primed for the obligations that will fall upon Romney if he's elected. In the transition, Romney will need skilled advice and guidance on the magilla lame-duck session that's coming. In those precious few weeks in November and December the nation will have to decide the fate of the following: the expiring Bush tax cuts, the expiring payroll-tax cut, unfinished spending bills, the expiring Medicare "doc fix" that shielded physicians from a 27 percent premium cut, extended unemployment benefits, the scheduled $1.2 trillion across-the-board discretionary spending cut (sequester), the farm bill, and quite probably, a transportation bill. Oh, and one other thing. A $3 trillion debt-ceiling increase will come up then or right after Inauguration Day. A lame-duck Congress with a president-elect may decide to punt these tough issues to the new administration. If so, no governor or minty-fresh Tea Party senator will suffice. Portman knows the West Wing like few others (he also served in the White House Counsel's Office and the Office of Legislative Affairs under President GHW Bush). He knows the House and Senate and served on the super committee. He knows what the numbers are, what they mean, and how the politics of budget, taxation, and trade work. Romney will have to govern and govern quick. The headaches will be immediate and the choices difficult. If governing matters, Portman prevails. And Portman is to Romney what Al Gore was to Bill Clinton. He amplifies the central message and the skills set the "alternative" ticket brings. The choice is about President Obama and another term. It's a firing choice more than a hiring choice. In this context, the alternative needs to be acceptable, not exciting. Portman is not Romney in miniature and Romney isn't Portman in miniature. But they are both boardroom-ready and politically inclined. They are cool, analytical, data-driven and conversant in the central issue of the day -- the economy. This is not '92 and Romney won't have a force carving up the Democratic base like Ross Perot did to GHW Bush. Romney's not charismatic and never will be. Portman reinforces all that Romney offers or hopes to offer the country. And won't suffer charisma comparisons to Portman. Don't kid yourself that this doesn't matter to Romney...
...but I thought because Mitt's a Mormon he could have as many running mates as he wants... :rolleyes: :D
And so it goes...
Richard :munchin
longrange1947
04-17-2012, 05:30
...but I thought because Mitt's a Mormon he could have as many running mates as he wants... :rolleyes: :D
And so it goes...
Richard :munchin
Richard, not while I am having a morning coffee break!!!! :D
greenberetTFS
04-17-2012, 08:04
Allen West....... :cool: He's an excellent conservative speaker,and being black he could get some of "O"s votes..........;):D
Big Teddy :munchin
Badger52
04-17-2012, 08:22
The major problem I'd see with Condoleeza Rice is people thinking "GEORGE W. BUSH" in a negative way.Agree; we've seen what happens in the mid-terms when people throw a general "blanket" of a temper tantrum in the voting booth. This would be handing Zero's camp a chest-rig full of 30-rounders. A whole new barrel of "she was a principal architect of..."
Paul Ryan is destined for other things (I hope) because his skills would be wasted as a VP, imo.
Removing the current tyrants from office. THAT is the job at hand. Whoever is picked, many will not like that choice; get over it fast & refocus.
Richard, not while I am having a morning coffee break!!!! :D
lol One of his best. :D
Big Teddy Sir.
You So funny!!!!! Hilarious for sure.
Lets see, Allen West - Conservative, Black and an excellent Speaker.
OXYMORON perhaps, lol,,,, or perhaps he's just a M_ _ _ _n for sure!
I've about had it with your bullshit, dude. :munchin
Allen West....... :cool: He's an excellent conservative speaker,and being black he could get some of "O"s votes..........;):D
Big Teddy :munchin
I like Allen West a lot, but he has some baggage that will be very difficult for him to overcome, at least during this go around.
I like Bobby Jindal, but he has no foreign policy experieince.
I love Condi Rice, but right or wrong, she has the stain of the Bush administration.
Like Chris Christie and what he is doing in NJ, but once again, no foreign policy experience and he isn't conservative enough to help Romney overcome the RINO lable.
I personally think, at this point in time he would be best served by looking at a retired General Officer (who I don't know)
As far as the rest of the cabinet here would be my pics (only for the fact that they would piss the Dems off so much)
Paul - HHS Secretary
Rubio - Sec State
Palin - Secretary of Interior
Gingrich - Secretary of Energy
Rice - DOJ
Gulianni - Homeland Security
Duncan Hunter (the senior) - Department of Defense
I like Allen West a lot, but he has some baggage that will be very difficult for him to overcome, at least during this go around.
I like Bobby Jindal, but he has no foreign policy experieince.
I love Condi Rice, but right or wrong, she has the stain of the Bush administration.
Like Chris Christie and what he is doing in NJ, but once again, no foreign policy experience and he isn't conservative enough to help Romney overcome the RINO lable.
I personally think, at this point in time he would be best served by looking at a retired General Officer (who I don't know)
As far as the rest of the cabinet here would be my pics (only for the fact that they would piss the Dems off so much)
Paul - HHS Secretary
Rubio - Sec State
Palin - Secretary of Interior
Gingrich - Secretary of Energy
Rice - DOJ
Gulianni - Homeland Security
Duncan Hunter (the senior) - Department of Defense
Good lineup. :cool:
IMO, he's also too fat. Like it or not, I think this would concern some people.
Yeah, and Biden was too stupid...that concerned some people, too...look where he is now! :D
mark46th
04-17-2012, 15:12
I would put Hugh Hewitt in as EPA boss to dismantle it or at least let most of the air out of it. I believe in clean water and clean air but the people in there now are punitive, not helping anyone but their own agenda and pay check. . Whoever gets Sec of Education and Sec of Energy should also plan on dissolving them. Dept of Ag Sec should defund the Food Stamp program. 50,000,000 milion people on food stamps? Think the system is being abused?
Romney taps former chief of staff to lead VP search
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2012/0417/Romney-taps-former-chief-of-staff-to-lead-VP-search
"Mitt Romney has tapped a longtime adviser to begin his search for a vice presidential candidate.
Romney said Monday that Beth Myers is in charge of "selection and vetting and analysis."................."
Well, at least now we know who will do the looking.
IMO, he's also too fat. Like it or not, I think this would concern some people.
That's hate speech. Better hope Sis doesn't tap into that post.
That's hate speech. Better hope Sis doesn't tap into that post.
She's too fat too.
Badger52
04-18-2012, 10:31
No hate speech I've seen according to the Holder protocol:
IF victim = white
THEN not a victim
ELSE call Al & Jesse to give them 4 hours leadtime and prosecute.
ENDIF
:rolleyes:
No hate speech I've seen according to the Holder protocol:
IF victim = white
THEN not a victim
ELSE call Al & Jesse to give them 4 hours leadtime and prosecute.
ENDIF
:rolleyes:
Caveat: Always call the Justice Bros at the same time to avoid professional jealousy.
Badger52
04-19-2012, 07:50
Caveat: Always call the Justice Bros at the same time to avoid professional jealousy.LMAO. Sad, till the past few years I only thought Justice Bros. meant a decent line of fuel-injector cleaners & additives....
:rolleyes:
Not that I know what a false-flag operation is, but wouldn't it be fodder for the Comedy Zone to play one against the other? With all the feely-good social networking tools available that probably wouldn't take much. You could get them so busy one denying that he "diss'd" the other they'd forget which little girl they were drooling after.
Vice President David Petraeus? (http://shadow.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/04/26/vice_president_david_petraeus?wpisrc=obnetwork)
Posted By Paul Miller Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 9:47 AM
After Republican leaders rightly criticized Senator Obama, a former state legislator with merely two years in the U.S. Senate, for being unqualified to be commander-in-chief and leader of the free world during the 2008 campaign, it would be an irony if they selected Marco Rubio, a former state legislator with merely two years in the U.S. Senate, as vice president in the 2012 election.
Mitch Daniels and Chris Christie will almost certainly not be the vice presidential nominee for the simple reason that they don't want to be president. Both declined to run for the top job because, if rumors are to be believed, they were unwilling to undergo the rigors and personal scrutiny that a presidential campaign brings. If they were unwilling to do so for the presidency, why would they do so for the much lesser prize of the vice presidency?
Paul Ryan, meanwhile, is too valuable to the GOP in the House. As one of the more serious-minded legislators in the party, he would be wasted on the vice presidency.
Besides which, the vice presidential nominee almost never makes an actual difference in the election. The great myth is that the presidential nominee should pick a VP from a swing state in order to win more votes there. The problem is, that never happens. Perhaps once in American history has the VP delivered his state and swung an election: LBJ bringing Texas to give JFK the prize in 1960. That's it, just once.
So it comes down to this: Who is actually qualified to be president? That's the question Mitt Romney should be asking in selecting his running mate. That's the only criterion that should really matter. There are very few people in the country with a plausible claim to being qualified for the presidency. Unfortunately, Bob Gates has definitively retired, reducing the number of candidates by one.
That leaves David Petraeus. Petraeus served as commanding general of both wars the U.S. fought over the last decade, headed up central command, and is now director of the CIA. And, of course, he had the courage and professionalism to serve in a deeply unpopular war and, remarkably, come out with his reputation enhanced. Probably no person alive has a better grasp of the international situation, America's role in the world, and the limitations and capabilities of American power.
Petraeus has nearly universal name recognition and is one of the most well-respected figures in the country. A year ago only 11 percent of Americans had an unfavorable opinion of him, according to Gallup, half that of Christie. And as a non-partisan figure he has not been tarnished by the partisanship and mud-slinging of recent years. Additionally, Petraeus would bring foreign policy expertise to the ticket, balancing Romney's focus on economic issues. If Obama really intends to claim that his foreign policy accomplishments should earn voters' respect, there is no one in the country with more credibility than Petraeus to take Obama's argument apart.
He would bring gravitas and seriousness to a campaign season that, so far, has been more memorable for the parade of not serious GOP challengers who, thankfully, had the decency to drop out. His intelligence and ethic of public service would be a good match for Romney's own. I admit "Romney-Rubio" has a nice, almost poetic ring to it; it rolls off the tongue beautifully. "Romney-Petraeus" has too many syllables. It sounds like something out of a technical manual, or a nickname for a loophole in the tax code. On the other hand, they might actually govern competently, which counts for something.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/rubio-obama-most-divisive-figure-modern-american-history_645218.html
Florida senator Marco Rubio slammed President Barack Obama in a South Carolina speech delivered last night to a large gathering of Republicans.
“For all the policy disagreements that we may have with the president, it is hard to understate how much he inspired people across this country four years ago, with his promises to unite America and lift it up,” Rubio said about Obama, referring to his 2004 DNC speech and 2008 presidential run.
But, Rubio said, President Obama has changed: “The man who today occupies the White House and is running for president is a very different person. We have not seen such a divisive figure in modern American history as we have over the last three and a half years.”
Rubio, who might be the next Republican vice presidential nominee, also said that Obama and his Democratic party are on a "destructive, counterproductive, and very unfortunate" path.
"The president and his party’s view of America’s government and our lives is a failed one. It hasn’t worked. His ideas that sounded so good in the classrooms of Harvard and Yale haven’t really worked out well in the real world," said Rubio. "They get frustrated. They can’t win on their record, and so they’ve chosen to go down a different road, one that I think is destructive, counterproductive, and very unfortunate."
Rubio also used the speech to introduce himself and talk about his personal story.
Snip
greenberetTFS
05-21-2012, 09:59
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/rubio-obama-most-divisive-figure-modern-american-history_645218.html
Florida senator Marco Rubio slammed President Barack Obama in a South Carolina speech delivered last night to a large gathering of Republicans.
“For all the policy disagreements that we may have with the president, it is hard to understate how much he inspired people across this country four years ago, with his promises to unite America and lift it up,” Rubio said about Obama, referring to his 2004 DNC speech and 2008 presidential run.
But, Rubio said, President Obama has changed: “The man who today occupies the White House and is running for president is a very different person. We have not seen such a divisive figure in modern American history as we have over the last three and a half years.”
Rubio, who might be the next Republican vice presidential nominee, also said that Obama and his Democratic party are on a "destructive, counterproductive, and very unfortunate" path.
"The president and his party’s view of America’s government and our lives is a failed one. It hasn’t worked. His ideas that sounded so good in the classrooms of Harvard and Yale haven’t really worked out well in the real world," said Rubio. "They get frustrated. They can’t win on their record, and so they’ve chosen to go down a different road, one that I think is destructive, counterproductive, and very unfortunate."
Rubio also used the speech to introduce himself and talk about his personal story.
Snip
He's sounding better and better to me every time he speaks........;)
Big Teddy :munchin
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/rubio-obama-most-divisive-figure-modern-american-history_645218.html
"The president and his party’s view of America’s government and our lives is a failed one. It hasn’t worked. His ideas that sounded so good in the classrooms of Harvard and Yale haven’t really worked out well in the real world," said Rubio. "They get frustrated. They can’t win on their record, and so they’ve chosen to go down a different road, one that I think is destructive, counterproductive, and very unfortunate."
I agree with this approach. Forget the gay stuff, focus on the fact Obama has failed, and if in power for 4 more years those failures will grow exponentially destructive.
Airbornelawyer
05-21-2012, 13:32
One problem with some of the candidates mentioned is they have too much personality. Presidential candidates rarely choose a running mate whom they perceive as outshining them. When they do, it is usually a "Hail Mary" play because their campaign is otherwise troubled.
In 1976, Ford dumped his incumbent VP, establishment Republican Nelson Rockefeller, in part in response to the growing conservative insurgency within the GOP. But rather than choose his primary opponent, Ronald Reagan, Ford went with Bob Dole, liked by conservatives, but unlikely to outshine Ford. Carter chose Mondale, probably to assuage liberals worried that Carter was too centrist (boy, were they wrong).
Reagan didn't really have to worry about being outshined, and he chose as his running mate the number #2 in the nomination battle in what would count as straightforward ticket-balancing (conservative Western-stater and establishment Republican New Englander).
Mondale's choice of Ferraro in 1984 probably falls in the "Hail Mary" category. He thought the choice of the first female major-party VP candidate would inspire some voters, especially feminists. Also, I imagine he had no desire to run with Jesse Jackson, but feared that choosing a white male would alienate Jackson's supporters and other Democratic constituencies for whom diversity is both all-important and solely a matter of chromosomes (not much ideological diversity between Mondale and Ferraro).
G.H.W. Bush's choice of Dan Quayle in 1988 is probably the classic example of finding the guy who isn't going to outshine you. Dole's choice of Jack Kemp was a bit of "Hail Mary" play, but Kemp would probably have been a better choice for Bush in 1988. Quayle didn't hurt the candidate in 1988 but he also didn't really help at reelection time in 1992; Kemp would probably have been a stronger voice for conservative issues within the Bush Administration and might have helped keep some of the conservatives who drifted to Pat Buchanan in the primaries and Ross Perot (or even Clinton/Gore) in the general election. Or just stayed home.
Clinton chose Gore, I imagine, because he got along with him and he wasn't worried about the wooden Gore outshining him.
G.W. Bush's choice of Cheney remains a rather interesting one. He brought elder statesman gravitas and added foreign and defense policy experience, as well as Washington insider knowledge. Arguably, Cheney outshone Bush personality-wise, but Bush does come across as someone comfortable in his own skin, so he perhaps didn't feel threatened.
Gore seems to have gone with Lieberman for regional and ideological balance. Lieberman wouldn't be seen as outshining even Gore. I would put the Lieberman choice in the same category as Quayle. Kerry's choice of Edwards also seems motivated by regional balance (by 2004 the Democrats were pretty uniform ideologically, with a moderate-left to far-left spectrum from Lieberman to Kucinich, and few prominent moderates or conservatives). Howard Dean might have done a better job firing up liberals, but also might have made Kerry look bad by comparison.
Obama's choice of Biden definitely reflects someone who didn't want a running mate to outshine him, but Obama does also seem to have overestimated Biden's elder statesman status and underestimated his buffoonery. McCain's choice of Palin certainly seems like a "Hail Mary" and at the time appeared to be working, until McCain's indecisive reaction to the financial crisis doomed him.
With this history, I would conclude that whomever we might want Romney to choose, he probably won't. Romney is not in the desperate Hail Mary position at this point (though who knows where events will take us over the next few months), so he is probably inclined toward the "safe" choice. This is probably why Portman's name keeps coming up even though most people's reactions to Portman are "who?". As long as conservatives are energized by "anybody but Obama", Romney probably doesn't feel the need for a Palin-esque energy boost. Also, Romney's message is heavily oriented toward competence and experience, so, as some of you have noted, a choice of one of the less experienced rising Republican stars like Rubio would undercut the message. Right now my fear is that Romney will make the "safe" choice and will spend next January 20 watching Obama's swearing in on TV and regretting it.
Entire post.
I have a feeling Romney's been made aware of it. I hope so.
greenberetTFS
05-21-2012, 16:14
G.W. Bush's choice of Cheney remains a rather interesting one. He brought elder statesman gravitas and added foreign and defense policy experience, as well as Washington insider knowledge. Arguably, Cheney outshone Bush personality-wise, but Bush does come across as someone comfortable in his own skin, so he perhaps didn't feel threatened.
Cheney was G.W. Bush's "pit bull"............;):D
Big Teddy :munchin
Airbornelawyer
05-22-2012, 02:40
One name I don't think I saw in this thread is one of the few politicians who hasn't been coy about saying he would accept the nomination if offered: Gov Bob McDonnell of Virginia. Virginia governors are barred from running for re-election, so he will be out of a job once his term is up. That probably affects his willingness to entertain the VP possibility more openly than other candidates.
PROS: popular Governor of a key swing state Obama won in 2008 (the first Democrat to carry Virginia since LBJ in 1964), though McDonnell's approval ratings have slipped somewhat recently. Legislative (House of Delegates), executive (Commonwealth Att'y General and Governor), business, and military experience (retired LTC, USAR).
CONS: no specific foreign policy experience. Democrats and their media allies would be expected to tarnish him and Romney as part of their "war on women" strategy over the recent ultrasound debate in Virginia.
Any thoughts?
Airbornelawyer
05-22-2012, 03:13
Also, a couple of posters mentioned Condi Rice as a preferred Attorney General pick. I don't see this, as Dr. Rice has no legal experience. You maybe don't technically have to be an attorney to be Attorney General, but it helps, to say the least.
Some potential VP candidates have been criticized for lacking foreign policy experience. Dr. Rice's experience is all foreign policy. If I had my druthers, I wouldn't mind seeing here in Foggy Bottom again, though I imagine she might view it as a step down to take the same job she already had. She intimidates Putin, a good trait to have. I would actually prefer John R. Bolton, but absent a filibuster-proof Senate majority, he and his mustache of doom might have a little trouble getting confirmed.
I think there are a number of strong candidates for AG with both the legal credentials and the conservative bona fides. Among these would be Judge Michael Chertoff, the former Secretary of Homeland Security, former Solicitor General Paul Clement, and Senator Mike Lee of Utah.
----
Another name to throw into the VP mix: Gov. Tim Pawlenty. As I recall, T-Paw endorsed Romney pretty quickly after abandoning his own quest for the White House last year.
Also regarding Rubio and West: I can't remember where I saw it mentioned, but someone pointed out that if Romney tapped Rubio, Gov. Scott could appoint West to Rubio's Senate seat.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/03/2830795/sen-marco-rubio-earning-respect.html
Sen. Marco Rubio earning respect in Senate for foreign-policy work
Political pundits focus on Sen. Marco Rubio as a vice-presidential shortlister, but Senate colleagues from both parties say the freshman Republican is becoming a key foreign-policy player.
Marco Rubio had just stepped off the plane from his first visit to Cuba, the homeland of his forebears, a land at the heart of his political identity.
Did he at least bring back a souvenir?
“No,” he said Tuesday evening.
No sand? No water? No rocks?
“No,” he smiled.
For Rubio, who traveled to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base as a member of the Senate’s Select Committee on Intelligence, the trip was all business. And that’s pretty typical for the Republican freshmen senator, according to colleagues like Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry and Rubio’s fellow foreign-policy hawk Sen. Joe Lieberman.
“Marco’s not a show horse,” Lieberman said. “He’s a workhorse.”
One day he’ll be giving a speech at the Brookings Institution in Washington or the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Thursday. Next, he’ll be lugging Henry Kissinger’s “Diplomacy” tome to a Munich conference, stopping along the way in Madrid to chat with Spain’s prime minister in Spanish as his unilingual Anglo colleagues twiddle their thumbs. He also has travelled to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Malta, Libya, Haiti and Colombia.
The nation’s political chattering class focuses most heavily on Rubio as a vice-presidential shortlister, but his Senate colleagues can’t help but talk about him becoming a key foreign-policy player as a member of the intelligence and foreign-relations committees.
Lieberman and Kerry are Senate experts both in foreign policy and running in a presidential election. Kerry was the Democrats’ presidential nominee in 2004; Lieberman the Democrats’ vice-presidential candidate in 2000 before becoming an independent.
Both say Rubio is able to handle the rigors of the national campaign trail and the Senate at the same time.
“I’ve been impressed by his thinking — doing the homework necessary to earn the credibility with respect to your approach to things. I think that’s constructive,” Kerry said.
“A lot of the colleagues around here, obviously, are interested in substance and interested in people who do the work and are not impressed by people who are prone to play the political end of something and hold a press conference and not do the work,” Kerry said. “They want to see someone buckle down and learn the ropes. And I think he’s clearly been doing that in a very positive way.”
Rubio, though, still adheres to the party line.
His praise of President Obama is sparse — even amid seeming foreign-policy triumphs like the overthrow and death of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi in October. At the time, Rubio and other Republicans gave Obama relatively little credit.
“Let’s give credit where credit is due: it’s the French and the British that led on this fight,” Rubio, echoing the Republican Party line, said at the time in a video clip mocked by The Daily Show’s John Stewart, who essentially accused Rubio and others of being neither gracious nor statesman like.
Asked Stewart: “What the f--- is wrong with you people? Are you that small?”
When asked about the lampooning on the popular liberal comedy show, Rubio said he stood by his criticisms, which were aimed more at Obama for not acting more quickly and decisively.
Snip
I can't remember if it was Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh, but one of them mentioned last week that Mark Levin might be a potential running mate.
I can't remember if it was Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh, but one of them mentioned last week that Mark Levin might be a potential running mate.
It was Hannity and it was a joke.
Pat
It was Hannity and it was a joke.
Pat
Ahh...thanks. I can never tell when he is joking.
:rolleyes:
longrange1947
06-04-2012, 18:27
I will mention it again, Rubio is not "Natural Born". Sauce for the Goose. :munchin
I will mention it again, Rubio is not "Natural Born". Sauce for the Goose. :munchin
That's still a requirement?
Badger52
06-04-2012, 19:54
I will mention it again, Rubio is not "Natural Born". Sauce for the Goose. :munchinI'd like to see Rubio trot out his birth certificate from Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami. The Constitution says "natural born" - it's the relevant US Code (http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1401) that defines what that term means and currently:
The following shall be nationals and citizens of the United States at birth:
(a)a person born in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereofNowhere do I find that "but if your parents didn't get naturalized till 4 years later you can't be President."
OTOH, I didn't find anything in the many succeeding paragraphs that give any wiggle room for the current incumbent.
longrange1947
06-04-2012, 20:43
I'd like to see Rubio trot out his birth certificate from Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami. The Constitution says "natural born" - it's the relevant US Code (http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1401) that defines what that term means and currently:
Nowhere do I find that "but if your parents didn't get naturalized till 4 years later you can't be President."
OTOH, I didn't find anything in the many succeeding paragraphs that give any wiggle room for the current incumbent.
The current President, whether born in the US or not, is not "Natural Born" as defined by Supreme Court decision, yes ancient but still in force. His father was not a US citizen at time of his birth nor any other time. Mr Rubio has the same problem. US Citizen, not Natural Born. If the Conservatives are going to raise a stink over Obama then the same stink hits MR. Rubio. Sauce for the Gander.
Badger52
06-05-2012, 06:31
The current President, whether born in the US or not, is not "Natural Born" as defined by Supreme Court decision, yes ancient but still in force. His father was not a US citizen at time of his birth nor any other time. Mr Rubio has the same problem. US Citizen, not Natural Born. If the Conservatives are going to raise a stink over Obama then the same stink hits MR. Rubio. Sauce for the Gander.No dispute, it already is being played by others. The issue of citizenship based on inheritance from a citizen parent (only rarely the mother), or simply by virtue of one's birth location, may be a rabbit hole the opposite camp doesn't want to go down.
SCOTUS has ruled on many aspects of citizenship via birthright (and women get the short-straw almost always), but they rule narrowly. I'd like to see that SCOTUS cite which completely trumps the current statute RE Mr. Rubio or the President. (I personally don't care if the current President can trace his roots back to the Mayflower; IF he was born in Hawaii, move on. If not, then he's unable to inherit citizenship from a father who clearly had no ties to the US.) Mr. Rubio appears to have been born in Miami. I'm not aware that SCOTUS has ruled sufficient to ditch the very first requirement in the law.
Many may not like it & want to change it but where one is born matters.
Some talk of Allen West...Click to sign your general endorsement of Allen West (http://www.allenwestforcongress.com/endorsement-map/)
I would like to see him as VP.
Some talk of Allen West...Click to sign your general endorsement of Allen West (http://www.allenwestforcongress.com/endorsement-map/)
I would like to see him as VP.
Oh, yeah.
Anybody will do who's conservative enough to influence Romney from veering left.
Hey, it's the 21st Century! You can pick your nose or you can pick your VP, but you can't...well...unless... :rolleyes:
And so it goes...
Richard :munchin
IMO Dr. Rice would also place an additional burden upon the ticket because of her strong religious views.
To many Americans, "separation of church and state" means that if a president regularly goes to church, he's trying to turn America into a theocracy.:rolleyes:
If she were on the ticket, the GOP would need to be ready to push back against the misogyny Governor Palin and Senator Clinton received from the left back in 2008.
In any case, before the GOP puts an African American on the ticket, I think there needs to be some intense conversations if the party is really interesting in getting blacks to come back home. At the very least, some buttons on the control panel will need to be labeled clearly "DO NOT BREAK GLASS DO NOT PRESS BUTTON EVEN IN AN EMERGENCY."
Call it a hunch.
greenberetTFS
06-26-2012, 07:27
Oh, yeah.
Anybody will do who's conservative enough to influence Romney from veering left.
Dusty
Do you think we should start a poll?.........:cool:
Big Teddy :munchin
...Dr. Rice...
I listened to an interview with her this morning on my way home from the airport. When asked about a VP nod, she laughed and stated that she never even ran for student council because she has never been interested in elective office. In her words, her interests lie in "policy" (e.g., SecState, NCA) and not "politics."
Richard :munchin
Badger52
06-26-2012, 08:07
I listened to an interview with her this morning on my way home from the airport. When asked about a VP nod, she laughed and stated that she never even ran for student council because she has never been interested in elective office. In her words, her interests lie in "policy" (e.g., SecState, NCA) and not "politics."
Richard :munchinHer comments related by Richard make a good point. Remember current POTUS said (warned us) that we could judge what kind of President he'd be by the people he surrounded himself with. We see how that turned out and, other than comic relief, the current VP hasn't had much impact.
I suspect the Romney camp is savvy enough not to pick a VP just for electability but w/o substance. But if he's elected it's important that he keep as large a pool of savvy advisors avaliable to fill various posts and contrast the current debacle with some competence and subject matter expertise. This is why folks like Ryan, Dr. Rice, et al, would have more value (imo) as other than name recognition on a ticket.
http://www.drudgereport.com/flashcm.htm
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."
"The upcoming elections loom as one of the most important in my lifetime," she warned. "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."
Snip
But then there won't be anyone for the opposition to call racist, or woman basher, or against minorities...
I can see the riff beginning to form.
The dems and Obama must be detecting a disturbance in the force with just the thought of this being a possibility.:)
But then there won't be anyone for the opposition to call racist, or woman basher, or against minorities...
I can see the riff beginning to form.
The dems and Obama must be detecting a disturbance in the force with just the thought of this being a possibility.:)
But, she was in the Bush administration! Opening, and salting, old wounds. I hope leaking her name is a diversionary tactic. What's her husband's name, by the way?
As a diversion, she's perfect. Let them attack a (supposedly) conservative woman, a conservative black woman, and a conservative black lesbian woman (they will say that, you know). Then slip in someone the left didn't see coming. ;)
Pat
p.s. I know, I'm dreaming. :(
What's her husband's name, by the way?
Rice has never married and has no children.
As a diversion, she's perfect. Let them attack a (supposedly) conservative woman, a conservative black woman, and a conservative black lesbian woman (they will say that, you know). Then slip in someone the left didn't see coming. ;)
:(
F.ck that. Less than four months to go. Who could be better?
To the left Condi is not black and is not a female.
The left made no outcry of some of the more nasty political cartoons that were drawn of her back in the day.
Of course place Obama's face in any of them and you would be a racist.
To the left Condi is not black and is not a female.
No flippancy intended-Who GAS? Nobody from the left is gonna vote for her, anyway.
What we need are "independent" female and minority votes.
greenberetTFS
07-13-2012, 12:24
No flippancy intended-Who GAS? Nobody from the left is gonna vote for her, anyway.
What we need are "independent" female and minority votes.
I'm with Dusty 100%,she would be an excellent VP in my opinion....... :lifter My next question is when is he going to make an announcement on his VP,seems like now would be the right time don't you think?....... :D If not her than Allen West would be my next vote.......;)
Big Teddy :munchin
To the left Condi is not black and is not a female.
The left made no outcry of some of the more nasty political cartoons that were drawn of her back in the day.
Of course place Obama's face in any of them and you would be a racist.
Agreed. It's just like in 2004 when John Sylvester, the Wisconsin radio host, maliciously called her "Aunt Jemima" (fortunately, even MSNBC picked up on that story and thus opened him to the criticism he deserved). If you're not in agreement with Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and that camp, then there are plenty of people on the left who don't consider you to be truly black.
I could not care less about Condi's sexual orientation as that is none of my business. As long as she is qualified for the position and can bring in votes, it's fine by me if Romney selects her....though I suspect that this might indeed be a PR ruse of some kind...:munchin
Badger52
07-13-2012, 13:31
Agreed. It's just like in 2004 when John Sylvester, the Wisconsin radio host, maliciously called her "Aunt Jemima" (fortunately, even MSNBC picked up on that story and thus opened him to the criticism he deserved). He's a slug; everything from the Lt. Gov's cancer battle to Breitbart's death makes him 10x the vile buffoon Limbaugh could never be, even in a progressive's wildest wet dream.
Did I mention he's a slug? He needs to have someone open up a 55-gal drum of whupass on him.
He's a slug; everything from the Lt. Gov's cancer battle to Breitbart's death makes him 10x the vile buffoon Limbaugh could never be, even in a progressive's wildest wet dream.
Did I mention he's a slug? He needs to have someone open up a 55-gal drum of whupass on him.
I'll take your word for it! ;)
greenberetTFS
07-13-2012, 13:42
Just Saying...........;) :D
Big Teddy :munchin
I would hope it would be someone with solid conservative credentials, but that sounds a lot like McCain's tactics.
On the other hand, choosing another RINO will even further alienate the base.
IMHO, most of the candidates and former candidates have burned bridges with Mitt and his campaign. Maybe Ron Paul, but I seriously doubt that his style would mesh with Mitt's.
Theoretically, Romney needs a counterbalance. Someone who is a genuine conservative, with a common man touch. I believe that he should choose someone who is not wealthy or from a privileged class, and ideally, who understands foreign policy. A real conservative, both socially and fiscally. If such a person could be found, it would be helpful if they were from (and could deliver) a large swing state, like Florida, Ohio, or Pennsylvania. The ideal potential Veep has to be free from baggage or a bad history for the Dims/media to exploit. A conservative Hispanic or someone who could bring in independent or minority voters would be a home run.
Personally, I would like to see a Condi Rice, a Paul Ryan, or a Marco Rubio.
I think Condi has a huge lead in knowing how a Presidency works, and has the best foreign policy credentials around. OTOH, she has no real constituency, and against Obama, would probably deliver few minority or female voters. Ryan has been a budget driven fiscal conservative from a small state, for the most part, with little foreign policy experience. Rubio could be a game changer. He is relatively young, comes from a large swing state, and is Hispanic. He is a social and fiscal conservative who is popular with the right wing. If it were an appointed position, I would pick Condi. I would love to see her back as the Secretary of State or Intel Director. But if I had to pick a partner for Mitt in a close race with Obama, I would select Rubio.
Just my .02, YMMV.
TR
..... and T.R. NAILS IT !!!!!!!
:lifter :lifter :lifter
Com'on down Sir and claim your prize. :D