Posted on 08/30/2011 2:56:03 AM PDT by Kaslin
While the presidential horserace will consume much of the political media’s attention over the next year, muted Running Mate Match Game speculation is already underway. One figure that generates a disproportionate amount of discussion on this front is Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). Despite a series of public demurrals, Rubio-for-VP buzz is unlikely to dissipate any time soon. In Rubio, Republicans have a gifted politician, a very effective communicator, and someone who has earned near-universal admiration among conservatives. He also hails from a critical swing state, and could almost single-handedly put a coveted and growing demographic into play, virtually overnight. Rubio could be especially attractive to a potential Romney general election campaign, as the former Massachusetts Governor may feel pressure to select a running mate who ignites major excitement among the base – a la Sarah Palin in 2008.
But what if the nominee is Texas Governor Rick Perry? CNN’s latest nationwide poll of Republican primary voters gives Perry a nearly 2-to-1 advantage over Romney, solidifying his status as the field’s new frontrunner. Beyond a prevailing sense of urgency to fire the incumbent, Perry’s larger-than-life persona, hard-charging style, and conservative record make it entirely plausible that the GOP base would not need any further energizing heading into the campaign’s home stretch. Therefore, Perry’s political calculus for filling out his ticket would differ significantly from Romney’s.
Enter Tim Pawlenty. The former Minnesota Governor became the first major presidential candidate to drop out of the Republican race after registering a disappointing third-place finish at the Ames Straw Poll in early August. He has since swatted down suggestions that he run for the Senate against Democrat Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) in the upcoming electoral cycle. This decision renders him available for the Veepstakes -- and although he may not be the most exciting choice, Pawlenty just might suit Rick Perry’s needs quite nicely.
Rick Perry is brash, bold, and projects a thoroughly Texan ethos. By comparison, Pawlenty is a gentler, though earnest, Midwestern conservative. He hews so closely to the “Minnesota nice” stereotype that he looked visibly uncomfortable attacking Mitt Romney and Michele Bachmann during GOP debates. This contrast in dispositions could prove mutually valuable. Pawlenty could somewhat soften Perry’s hard-edged, take-no-prisoners personality and could slightly tamp down the razor-sharp spurs on his running mate’s cowboy boots. Meanwhile, the Texan’s aggressive campaign posture could focus and sharpen some of Pawlenty’s broadsides against President Obama.
Pawlenty also owns an established record of appealing to independent voters. He was elected governor of deep-blue Minnesota in 2002, cultivated an admirable – though not flawless – record of governance, and was re-elected in 2006, a rare bright spot for Republicans that year. One of the few pertinent questions voters ask themselves to evaluate Vice Presidential candidates is, “Could this person assume the presidency and do a credible job, if, God forbid, it should become necessary?” Pawlenty’s eight years as a chief executive, salted heavily with international travel to augment his foreign policy chops, should decisively answer that question in the affirmative. The man is prepared to be president.
Two more considerations: Pawlenty’s status as a Midwesterner would add some geographic diversity to the ticket, which is sometimes seen as a relevant “balancing” consideration. His Great Lakes, blue-collar background would have regional appeal in areas that were crucial to last year’s Republican landslide – namely, states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Whether he could make his home state even somewhat competitive is an open question.
Finally, despite all the disparaging analysis (some of it deserved) that he’s not a dynamic presence on the campaign trail, Pawlenty does not commit major, unforced errors. As a fixture on McCain’s short list for VP three years ago, Pawlenty has been vetted and re-vetted at a very high level. If Republicans are intent on making the 2012 campaign a referendum on President Obama (as they should), fielding an pre-scrutinized, workmanlike, reliable, and generally unthreatening Vice Presidential nominee would be helpful. If the goal is to spotlight Obama’s failures, it wouldn’t hurt to have a disciplined campaign veteran on the ticket who isn’t a liability, and who wouldn’t draw undue and unwanted attention. In short, one of Pawlenty’s underrated attributes is that he would almost certainly do no harm.
On a personal level, I’m told Perry and Pawlenty get along exceptionally well, and traveled together fairly extensively during their Republican Governors Association days. A well-placed GOP consultant says that despite his professed lack of interest in being considered for the number two spot next year, Pawlenty would “seriously consider” the offer if it’s extended – perhaps especially so if it comes from Perry.
Perry-Pawlenty would offer voters a robust contrast next year: Two proven, competent, budget-balancing, conservative chief executives vs. a pair of failed, liberal former legislators whose self-regard far outstrips their accomplishments. Pawlenty certainly has his shortcomings, but in light of the case laid out above, the future GOP nominee would be wise to at least give him a long, serious look.
“He also hails from a critical swing state, and could almost single-handedly put a coveted and growing demographic into play, virtually overnight. “
I’m so sick of identity politics. That’s what got us our affirmative action president.
This writer seems to be an anti-Perry mole. Why in the *world* would an interesting candidate like Perry link himself with a howling bore like “T-Paw”?
Well he has a right to his opinion, whether you like it or not.
I would rather take Bachmann over T-Paw any day.
Adding a certifiable moron to the ticket would NOT help Perry.
Gotta do something to make Perry less appealing...
It isn’t fair to Obama otherwise...
Yes, of course he has a “right” to his opinion. Why even mention it? Must we phrase every comment, “Although he has a right to his opinion, I think the writer must be ... (on drugs, a fool, the product of a ‘liberal’ education, etc.)”?
Should Gov. Perry be the nominee, there are a lot of potential VP candidates who are not demonstrably (i.e., total misfire candidacy) uninteresting to the voters.
Because 2nd bananas are supposed to stay on message and otherwise stay out of the way. I predicted this a while ago. I think Perry-Pawlenty is a very likely scenario.
VPs often play the role of bad cop in election run ups.
T-Paw is more parking checker.
No. Whoever heads the Republican ticket needs to have senator Rubio as the VP. No and, ifs, or buts about it.
It seems to me Perry is happy being the bad cop. My impression is he wants a good cop VP, and he had many nice things to say about Pawlenty. It seems very likely to me. Perry doesn’t want a big mouth. That’s his job.
Freshman senator? No thanks.
Birds of a feather and all that.
Interesting perspective. I’ll have to think about it more.
I don’t think so. Just my impression, but I don’t think Perry wants an alpha male with a big mouth—he wants that job all for himself. That’s one reason I think Pawlenty is a likely choice. Has executive experience, and yet is not likely to be overly independent, go off message, or cause trouble. I am sure Perry believes he has all the gravitas the ticket will need. He wants a reliable 2nd fiddle.
Perry/Pawlenty ? Two big reasons to vote NO on the RINO twins.
Pawlenty = carbon tax, ethanol, publicly funded stadiums?
Hell No!
I still think Obama has the edge. He's a tireless demagogue with the race card as his shield and sword.
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