Mitt's VP pick

[Sdiver]

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.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Sdiver

.....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]

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

[MR2]

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.

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

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.

[PSM]

Rand Paul would keep his dad from running 3rd party and is a Southerner.

Pat

[longrange1947]

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.

[Richard]

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...

And so it goes...

Richard

[longrange1947]

Originally Posted by Richard

...but I thought because Mitt's a Mormon he could have as many running mates as he wants...

And so it goes...

Richard

Richard, not while I am having a morning coffee break!!!!

[greenberetTFS]

Allen West....... He's an excellent conservative speaker,and being black he could get some of "O"s votes..........

Big Teddy

[Badger52]

Originally Posted by Broadsword2004

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.

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by longrange1947

Richard, not while I am having a morning coffee break!!!!

lol One of his best.

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by panama jack

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.

[afchic]

Originally Posted by greenberetTFS

Allen West....... He's an excellent conservative speaker,and being black he could get some of "O"s votes..........

Big Teddy

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

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by afchic

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.