Posted on 05/09/2012 11:33:06 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
The conventional wisdom about Mitt Romneys vice-presidential short list, according to a handful of Romney insiders, may be wrong. Instead of picking a straitlaced Midwestern senator such as Ohios Rob Portman, or an outspoken northeastern Republican governor such as Chris Christie, there is a chance Romney will tap an evangelical from the South.
And the name on the lips of Romney friends and supporters isnt a rising southern senator or a current Dixie governor. He has been out of office for five years, resides on a beach in the Florida panhandle, and hosts a television show.
In other words, Mike Huckabee, the bass-guitar-playing former governor.
Yes, according to several sources close to the Romney campaign, who insisted on anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the vice-presidential search, the 56-year-old Arkansan may be included in the veep mix.
To many Republicans, a ticket with a Mormon bishop and a Baptist preacher isnt far-fetched. In a way, its almost a dream ticket, says Ed Rollins, the chairman of Huckabees 2008 presidential campaign. Hes substantive and knows domestic policy, and his personality wouldnt overshadow Romneys.
For now, it isnt clear whether Huckabee is going to be vetted, or that hes anywhere near Romneys short list. But he is, at the very least, being discussed. As one Romney ally puts it, tapping Huckabee would energize tea-party conservatives, evangelicals, and related voters who soured on Romney during the GOP primaries. Hes also not a sweat-inducing pick, since he was vetted by the Beltway press during his presidential run four years ago.
A second top Romney source is less enthusiastic about Huckabees conservative appeal but acknowledges that the former governor is probably on the larger list of about 40 names thats being debated within Romneys inner circle. People have made that suggestion, the source said, during conversations with Matt Rhoades, the campaign manager, and tight-lipped Romney confidants such as Scott Romney, the candidates older brother, and Ann, Romneys wife.
Over the next month, that larger list will be whittled down, but the ongoing talks among Romneys broad group of advisers are reportedly lively and wide-ranging, with the usual names, such as Portman and Senator Marco Rubio, being mentioned, along with other, less obvious options such as Huckabee.
This is a time to be frank and open about our options, a third Romney source says, and if Huckabee rises during the consideration process, it wont be a surprise. Romneys camp, the source explains, may be tight-lipped in the official search, which is being led by longtime aide Beth Myers, but when it comes to soliciting advice from outside advisers and donors, it is open to suggestions.
What matters to Romneys campaign, more than anything, sources say, is beating President Obama, and if a slightly unconventional or unexpected vice-presidential selection is part of that equation, theyre willing to do it. Experience and competence are two key factors, but theyre not the only ones.
The growing buzz about Huckabee within segments of Romney World delights social-conservative leaders and Huckabee allies, who have long hoped that Romney would reach out to the GOPs evangelical voters with the veep selection. If hes not on the short list, somebody ought to put him there, says Hogan Gidley, a former adviser to Huckabee. Hed bring excitement to a ticket thats lacking that, to some degree, right now. Beyond that, hed bring a huge grassroots organization, and, to put it simply, the South.
Veteran conservative activist Ralph Reed agrees. Huckabee would be an outstanding and inspired choice, he says. He has tremendous support among evangelicals and conservatives, and he knows how to frame issues in a way that makes it clear he has core convictions and he does it in a winsome way.
Whatever differences Romney and Huckabee had during the 2008 campaign, and I dont think they were significant, they have put that behind them, Reed adds. Governor Huckabee and Governor Romney, from what I can tell, have a good relationship, and each of them respects the work and views of the other.
Romney campaign aides say Huckabee and Romney have healed any lingering wounds throughout the past year, mostly during the public forums hosted by Huckabee during the primary campaign, and behind the scenes before television tapings. Huckabee, they say, may not have received a lot of attention as a Romney supporter, but he has been supportive during key moments in the campaign, such as when Democrats attacked Romney as a flip-flopper on abortion. Huckabee, speaking on Fox News, favorably compared Romneys conversion to Ronald Reagans.
Frank Tsamoutales, a Huckabee adviser and current director of HuckPAC, Huckabees political-action committee, tells National Review Online that the former governor is open-minded about his political future.
He would certainly listen and entertain the idea, Tsamoutales says. Its a serious question and hed take it seriously. Now, he is extraordinarily happy with the way things are going for him, but he also has the capacity and energy to transition into a presidential campaign as a running mate, should he be asked.
Other sources close to Huckabee echo Tsamoutales, noting that the former governor is busy with his Fox News program, which airs on weekends, and The Mike Huckabee Show, a nationally syndicated radio program distributed by Cumulus Media. He relishes the jobs and his home on Floridas Blue Mountain Beach, which cost approximately $3 million to build, but just because hes comfortable doesnt mean hes going to stay there forever, Gidley says.
Last month, when asked about the vice presidency, Huckabee demurred. I havent gotten a call and I doubt I will, so I just merrily go about doing my business, he said on Fox News. I think his better pick is Marco Rubio.
Regarding Huckabees Fox News contract, one GOP operative predicts that it wouldnt play a role in the decision, since Huckabee could potentially take an unpaid leave for several months, from August through November, with the opportunity to come back in the event the ticket lost.
I dont think the door is closed, says Alice Stewart, a former Huckabee adviser and spokesperson for his 2008 campaign. So far, hes stayed out of the mix and he loves doing his radio show, but if he felt it was Gods will to get back into electoral politics, he would. Private prayer, she says, played a major part in his decision not to run this cycle, but he hasnt ruled out the veep spot.
Stewart, who traveled on the trail with him last run, also shrugs off any perceived past drama with Romney. Huckabee has a deep respect, on a personal level, for the candidates he faced in the 2008 primaries, she says.
Beyond his media work, Huckabee would give the ticket an additional dose of gubernatorial experience. He served as governor in Little Rock for over a decade and amassed a record as a conservative on social issues, but as a big-government Republican on several tax-increase proposals. He also increased state spending. During his 2008 run, he ran a populist campaign similar to Rick Santorums 2012 bid, blasting Wall Street greed.
Of course, should Huckabee make the short list, hell have plenty of critics. Most observers think Romney needs to pick up moderates and independents, not evangelicals and southerners. Choosing a pundit and talk-radio host might send the wrong message. I dont believe hed help the ticket, says Ruth Griffin, a well-known Romney supporter in New Hampshire and a former Huckabee endorser. His exposure on radio and television is not necessarily positive, she says. I supported him last time because I believed hed bring new life to the party, and because I didnt believe it was Romneys time. Since then, Huckabee has been overexposed.
The upside of Huckabee, however, is too tempting for Romney to ignore, says Bob Vander Plaats, an influential social conservative. Picking Huckabee would be a smart move, he says. Im not at all surprised to hear it being talked about. Romney knows he has a problem with the base and he needs to build a bridge to that base, so Huckabee, or someone like him, would make sense. Social conservatives are keeping an eye on who Romney chooses to surround him.
On Saturday, May 12, Romney will give the commencement address at Liberty University in Virginia, which was founded by the late Jerry Falwell. Romney officials, many of whom declined to speak about the veep search, say that this speech is critical for Romney, who has spent the post-primary season reaching out to social conservatives. They say he will underscore his commitment to their values and pledge to battle with them for religious freedom throughout the campaign.
Romney will not mention Huckabee in his address, but it will still be a message for his supporters. Many within the university community, such as Liberty board members Tim and Beverly LaHaye, supported Huckabee during his run. Huckabee has also been a speaker on campus in recent years, talking with students about Jesus Christ.
In a close election, Huckabee would help, says Rollins, who steered Reagans 1984 reelection campaign. Picking him would show that Romney is a much bigger man that most people thought. It would show that he has what it takes to win.
Robert Costa is a political reporter for National Review.
Gov. Bob McDonnell, R-VA. Make book on it.
Huckabee is too populist for me.
VP Huck, Obama wins.
Willard and the Merv Griffin of Fox News. LOL, just great.
With Huck, he will only get dueling RINOs.
If this is what we get it would be concidered by me to be two HUGE disappointments in one voting package. How disgusting no one to vote for. My country has been trashed by the political elites over my life time.
If this is what we get it would be concidered by me to be two HUGE disappointments in one voting package. How disgusting no one to vote for. My country has been trashed by the political elites over my life time.
GOP is stuck on death wishes. . .
Boob Bait for Bubbas
<><><><><
Wouldn’t Boob Bait for Bubbas actually have boobs? And not man boobs.
I find it shocking that the GOP continually finds new ways to alienate its base...seems like a daily occurance.
After the food fascist Huckafeller cut a deal with McCain to stab Romney in the back in 2008, he’s on Romney’s VP list?
2. They are getting concerned with the base sitting this one out and they need to toss around some more Boob Bait for Bubbas to keep the base ginned up.
Either way, its still a No Sale with me.
While I love FR, I notice when I step outside of it to check the pulse of the nation, the GOP base is fired up, if only to vote against our Dear Leader. Reading the negative nellies on FR all day, every day, would give one the impression that Romney is the worst candidate ever and we can't win. Not true.
Too bad your non-vote goes for Obama, but this is a free country and you have the right to express your opinion at the ballot box.
Multiple southern states did in 2008. The issue isn't whether conservatives in these states will vote for Obama. They won't. The question is whether they will show up. That's what determines whether southern states stay in the red column.
I totally agree. Here in Indiana it wasn't because Mourdock was a dynamic mesmerizing candidate, it was because we wanted to KICK OUT LUGAR.
I see the same thing with Baraq.
Based on our Indiana primary, and the WV fun, I’m pretty convinced that there will be a good turnout to oppose Baraq Obama and his Dem colleagues. More convinced than I’ve been in months.
Humor?
Satire?
Ugh ... if this is true, the GOP really doesn’t want to win.
2008 was when Obama was an unknown quantity, and you could color him in anyway you wanted. Not so in 2012, he is a known political figure with a record. I will stand by my statement that all southern states will go Rep excluding Fl.
I don’t think Mitt needs Arkansas that bad. Likely going to be Rob Portman. Ohio is a must win.
They have been around forever, just that lately they are more brazen because we have a dependent culture now that they can remold to their liking.
Davey Crockett went to Texas for a reason.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.