The hard cold reality is that other than as a source of fundraising most of the South is irrelevant to both candidates. It's the nature of the Electoral College system. With a few exceptions they're not competitive states and it would be tactically silly for Romney to try to do anything for "southerners."
Romney could pick Jesse Jackson Jr. for VP and he'd still win Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama.
He brings fiscal conservatives into play which were to vote for Romeny anyway.
Out in the real world (not the tiny hothouse of Free Republic") self-described "social conservatives" were going to vote for Romney anyway as well.
And there are more fiscal conservatives would would be scared off by a social conservative VP pick than vice-versa (the weird constituency of Mike Huckabee notwithstanding.)
Ryan also would add some youth and humble(r) background to the ticket - his family wasn't poor, but he was a waiter, drove the Weinermobile for a while, etc.
you do know FL and VA are in the south right?
Also many social conservatives are not voting for Romney anyway and this does not help. plus it doe snot help hispanics, old people or even military in VA and VA.
Without FL and VA then kiss this election good bye and you can say how great Ryan was after because it goes with your views.
Me, I’m looking at this as a way to win not my views and we need FL and VA and yea it is the south so if Romney wants ot piss off the south then he looses
I’m very excited about Paul Ryan possibly being the pick.
My prayers go out to him.
He opted out of the presidential race because he did not want to subject his young family to the onslaught.
Well.....here it comes!