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.
Thanks for the great list, but you missed someone:
Sarah Palin.
Just saying. That’s a pretty big miss.
Either would round out Romney's lack of foreign policy, national security and anti-terrorism experience.
Romney needs a complement, not a clone.
Odds on Alan West?
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.
“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.”
I heard Rob Portman on the Medved show today. He sounded absolutely brilliant.
He was Bush’s budget director when Bush made progress on reducing spending supposedly.
Having someone with experience managing the budget would be desirable. And it would help us win Ohio.
He is also ultra wealthy like Romney which would mean two super rich guys on the ticket.
I wonder if Jindal will be the pick? He is an experienced, popular governor, not tied to Bush, from a humble, immigrant family background and a proven conservative.
Jindal also very bright and a person of “color”.
A VP from the south may be appealing to voters down there who don’t like politicians from Massachusetts.
The word (which of course could be pure BS) is that the shortlist is Portman, Pawlenty, and Jindal and that the pick could come as soon as Friday.
The governor of Virginia is Bob McDonnell, not McConnell.