Posted on 07/17/2012 6:00:49 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued
Mitt Romney's campaign announced Tuesday that it has hired staff for the presumptive Republican nominee's future running mate, further fueling speculation that the GOP hopeful will announce his pick soon.
Randy Bumps, the former political director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, will serve as the director of operations for the eventual vice presidential pick. And Kevin Sheridan, a former spokesman for the Republican National Committee, will serve as the running mate's communications director.
“I’m proud to add Randy and Kevin to our growing team,” said campaign manager Matt Rhoades in a statement. “They both have enjoyed long and distinguished careers in our party. Their work will be vital as we move forward in the campaign to defeat President Obama and elect Mitt Romney.”
The announcement comes as speculation mounts that Romney will announce his pick soon. Doing so could help the Republican challenger put to bed the Obama campaign's tough attacks on his tenure at Bain Capital, and provide an important surrogate to remain in the United States during Romney's international trip later this month.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
They could pick Romney himself for VP and then we conservatives could pick the right presidential candidate.
Here is the long list and my impressions:
Kelly Ayotte- Not likely. Has potential, but way too inexperienced. Most conservatives don’t know what to think of her yet. Give her a few years.
Chris Christie- Still possible, but looking less likely. Would overshadow Romney and would be hard-pressed to put New Jersey in the Republican column.
Luis Fortuno- Probably won’t happen, even though Romney likes him and he’s been a successful governor. Some conservatives have qualms about him.
Bobby Jundal- His chances are getting better every day, a principled and popular conservative, successful Governor, would be history-making and appeal to a growing demographic group. His poor 2009 speech hurts, but not fatally.
Susana Martinez- Won’t happen, she isn’t interested and has far too little experience.
Bob McConnell- Prospects are fading, Romney seems to be gaining in Virginia already and McConnell’s local popularity seems to be slipping. Still a viable contender.
Tim Pawlenty- His prospects are improving every day. Average man appeal, acceptable to conservatives (appointed a conservative majority to the state Supreme Court) and would give Republicans a shot at winning Minnesota. Would be first Polish-American VP.
Rob Portman- Still a top prospect, is well-liked in Ohio, has expxerience, very good debater. But is damaged by his ties to George W. Bush & family.
Condoleeza Rice- Very unlikely, not a good choice. Good demographics, but has no electoral or debate experience, might be pro-abort, among other things. Was perhaps a trial balloon.
Marco Rubio- Still possible, but looking less likely. Too green and there are rumors about mis-use of a state party credit card. Doesn’t seem that interested anyway.
Paul Ryan- would be a great VP, but is too risky and his House membership is a liability. Doesn’t seem likely.
I still think Rick Snyder may be on the short list.
Thanks for the list. Would hate to take some on the list away from their current positions after they were voted in, doesn’t seem fair to their constituents.
Do any of them have issues with citizenship? I keep hearing conflicting rumors.
Oh, PULL-EASE. He’s bad enough here. LOL
Thanks for the great list, but you missed someone:
Sarah Palin.
Just saying. That’s a pretty big miss.
If they hired staff, they have made their pick. They would want to make sure that a repeat of 2008 friction between the VP running mate and the campaign
I’ve heard a few, but they don’t hold water. If they did, those names would not still be speculated on.
Either would round out Romney's lack of foreign policy, national security and anti-terrorism experience.
Romney needs a complement, not a clone.
Are these the same turkey’s who picked Romney for us?
If they are, I don;t have much faith they will pick a Conservative.
Odds on Alan West?
Yeah, from Romney’s point of view Snyder probably looks like a conservative.
Didn’t say it was a pick I would like.
However from the outside he seems quite successful to many. He’s clean meaning virtually scandal free. Michigan liberals like him.
Won’t happen, West doesn’t want the job.
Agreed. This is the surest sign the pick is known and they are just waiting for the right time.
I believe it is Rob Portman 90% or Rubio 10%.
Kelly Ayotte- Not likely. too geographically located.
Chris Christie- Still possible, I don’t think it would work.
Luis Fortuno- Probably won’t happen, Agree.
Bobby Jundal- Agree.
Susana Martinez- Disagree. She would be a slam dunk. Has experience as a US Atty, but probably unlikly.
Bob McConnell- Agree
Tim Pawlenty- agree.
Rob Portman- agree
Condoleeza Rice- agree
Marco Rubio- agree to disagree, still up there.
Paul Ryan- agree.
Bobby Jindal himself said he wasn’t eligible.
In other words, Pawlenty. I guess that would make Romney look like an interesting person by comparison. Wake me in 2016, please, if we have a country left.
I think it will be Pawlenty. He had a well thought out economic plan during the primaries. He’s a pleasant enough chap, if not very exciting. But I don’t think people are looking for exciting this time around. They’re looking for competent, serious, focused, and dependable.
I agree that Portman’s ties to Bush would be a detriment. I also don’t know if Portman would really help Romney in Ohio anyhow.
Obama is a ripe target and Romney will easily assail his economic record. But it’s not enough to just attack. They’ll need to offer a solid alternative. Pawlenty had some great ideas and articulated them well.
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