Yes, I agree. I think the smart parlay right now is probably Romney/Santorum. But Santorum risks being “quayled” so who knows if he’d really go for it.
I actually think a good choice for veep might be Suzanne Martinez the gov. of New Mexico. Female, hispanic, very conservative, former prosecutor law & order type.
I don’t think Rubio will go for it, I think he thinks his main chance will come later, and I wouldn’t disagree with him.
If all you care about is "winning," draft Hillary Clinton at the convention. Because values and policies don't matter.
Romney starts out with none of the base and is forced to play an uphill battle trying to peel off the same demographics that are Obama's core. Bad idea. Moderates lose. Not to mention, Romney has NOTHING in his stump speech except "fixing the economy." The jobs reports for the last 3 months were revised up to look fantastic. The economy's getting better and we won't be able to run on it most likely. Which is fine, since actual conservative Republicans can win elections on other issues. But Romney can't. Obamacare would become the major issue and he is completely neutered on arguing for the philosophy of keeping the government out of our lives by Romneycare. He believes in the liberal welfare state wholeheartedly and absolutely no one believes he's a social conservative, his supporters or detractors. He is Obama lite, pure and simple, and cannot win against the real thing.
Newt already mentioned Martinez as a possible V.P. pick for him. I don't know much about her. Obviously he's mentioned Rubio too. I think going for Hispanics is a big mistake against Obama. They will never desert Obama. The non-white Hispanics which make up the vast majority of them identify with Obama because of his skin color. Republicans can get Hispanic votes, but only when the Democrat is white, not a "person of color." In the age of "blatinos" and other race mixed people, a new racial divide is emerging, "people of color" (as the MSM calls them "globals") and whites. It's culturally true and the Democrats will be pushing the "people of color" vs. whites meme hardcore.
The ticket to win is Newt/Santorum or Santorum/Newt. The conservative contrast with Obama is there, both of them can connect to the middle class/blue collar that Romney can't, and they have credentials and a track record backing EVERY conservative principle. They can cede Florida to the Dems while picking up PA and other Midwest/blue collar states. Newt has the ability to communicate and explain why conservative ideas are best and Rick has "nice guy" appeal.
Martinez is good, but I don’t see the GOPE going for another first-term female governor.