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Streetcar Line
Of Various Veepsters, and the Christie Conjecture
Choices seven through twelve on the Hillyer List.
Okay, it’s time to get on with it: Everybody with a “short list” for Mitt Romney’s running-mate choice seems to have most of the same names on it, for the very good reason that sometimes political calculus is something well short of Einsteinian physics. Nonetheless, it is well worth analyzing the potential candidates’ strengths and weaknesses, because the entire election really can be won or lost even in the small margin of electoral difference that a running mate can make.
Today we begin (but don’t finish) the list of Hillyer’s Tremendous Ten – or rather 10 along with two bonus picks – based not on a prediction of what Romney will do, but rather what he should do.
To review the first three segments of this series of columns, I have variously ruled out Nikki Haley, Susana Martinez, Allen West, Rick Snyder, Scott Walker, Rand Paul, Jeb Bush, Mike Huckabee, Condoleezza Rice — and Kelly Ayotte, although more on her later. I have listed eight longshots, somewhat in fun but not entirely without merit: Artur Davis, Heath Shuler (the least wise), Richard Burr, Frank Wolf, Peter Pace, Carly Fiorina, Liz Cheney, and a name I later bumped up to the top 25, John Ashcroft. In addition to Ashcroft, in no particular order, my numbers 11-25 included Jim DeMint, Luis Fortuno, John Kasich, John Thune, Tim Pawlenty, John Engler, Terry Branstad, Matt Blunt, Dave Camp, Frank Keating, Michael Mukasey, Wayne Allard, Janice Rogers Brown — and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, although more on her later as well.
I never mentioned, but continue to blow hot and cold on the idea of, U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma — somebody who, alas, is in a nasty spat with Americans for Tax Reform and who oddly considers Barack Obama “a personal friend” and thus might pull too many punches in the fall campaign.
I’ve also explained the “how and the why” of making a choice, a much longer discussion that can be encapsulated as encompassing “experience, philosophical soundness, and definitely the ability to politically help the ticket.” In this year, where the threat to the republic represented by four more years of Barack Obama is so great, it is an unfortunate imperative that the last of those three considerations predominate even more than usual, thus making some names (barely) palatable who otherwise would not be. It also makes it possible that promising candidates who might not have acquired sufficient stature may yet merit a second look.
In light of that last consideration, two names suggest themselves as choices 10B and 10C. First is New Hampshire’s freshman U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, who fails my otherwise hard-and-fast “two year rule.” After listening to Ayotte last week in a small-group setting, I came away so impressed that I am tempted to break the rule. Ayotte came across as a solid conservative, and tremendously thoughtful and, more important, remarkably knowledgeable on what should always be a national campaign’s two biggest issues, namely national defense and the federal budget (and the budget’s effect on both freedom and on the overall economy). She still breaks my rule demanding adequate experience, but she bears watching.
Choice 10B is Rep. McMorris Rodgers of Washington State, covered in an earlier column. Since I wrote that, I came across an earlier feature on her in which the great U.S. Rep. (soon to be Indiana Governor) Mike Pence said she has “almost a Thatcheresque quality.” That’s quite a recommendation.
But now we start with choice number 10, who exactly fits the category of “names (barely) palatable who otherwise would not be.” As it happens, I hereby predict that Romney will choose this man, an idea not pleasing to me.
Last weekend, Andy McCarthy of National Review Online explained comprehensively why conservatives should see that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is “not one of us.” Among other factors, wrote McCarthy, “The brute fact is that, while Christie is not a hardcore statist, he is a mild progressive — which is to say, a ‘compassionate conservative’ in the Bush mold who wants to make government ‘work,’ not drastically reduce its size and scope.”
Nonetheless, Christie offers Romney a boatload of political advantages. First, he is perhaps the single most effective communicator anywhere in today’s Republican Party. He talks in ways everybody can understand. His directness is refreshing, and it can cut through every strand of Obama’s various webs of deceit. Second, Christie can excite conservatives and Tea Partiers with his in-your-face style, while providing substance that comes across to independents less as ideological than as indubitably practical. Third, he would shake up the electoral map – forcing Obama to spend far more time defending New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and probably New Hampshire, Maine, and even Connecticut than Obama otherwise would. Even if Christie doesn’t succeed in helping Romney win an otherwise unreachable northeastern state, his ability to expand the playing field by his persona alone (without adding extra GOP resources) would force Obama to dilute his resources in a way that might hold Obama back in other swing states as well.
Meanwhile, about the only place Christie might marginally hurt the ticket is in the Deep South – but his pugnaciousness, again, can make up for some of his ideological apostasies (in the mind of many southern voters), and it’s also highly doubtful that Romney will come close to losing anywhere in the Deep South anyway.
Choice Number 9 is Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell. McDonnell suffers from two severe defects: First, close observers all agree the man is almost terminally cautious; and second, his pathetically weak “compromise” on voter fraud shows him to be virtually clueless about the stakes in one of the most important under-the-radar battles in American politics and government today. On the plus side, McDonnell would be almost certain to nail down otherwise semi-swing state Virginia for Romney, and he is one of the only potential candidates with a proven ability to appeal both to Evangelicals and to soccer-mom suburbia at the same time. McDonnell can help reassure various constituencies about the Romney team, while scaring off nary a soul.
Choice Number 8 is Ohio’s U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, who of course tops the lists of most establishmentarians and purveyors of conventional wisdom. Weighing against him should be the well-founded impression that he excites absolutely nobody. Also, he re-emphasizes the Romney-as-whitebread meme – silver spoon Dartmouth grad who is also the son of a Dartmouth grad joins silver spoon presidential contender also the son of a presidential contender. Third, in a year in which Bushes remain in bad odor (and in which the Obama team is salivating about making the election again a referendum on Bush 43), Portman is one of the only men in public office who is a creature not just of one Bush presidency but two, with the Bushes being his political sponsors every step of the way.
Weighing in Portman’s favor, of course, is the sense that he can add a needed point or two to Romney in Ohio, where a point or two could make all the difference. Also weighing in his favor is that, like McDonnell, he is inoffensive enough to scare nobody away.
Choice Number 7 is Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels. Militating against him is the reality that Indiana already is probably safe for Romney – and if it’s not, then Romney’s goose is likely cooked anyway. It is also questionable whether Daniels will be embraced by non-Indianans as a more broadly “Heartland candidate” who could also help in Iowa, Ohio, or Wisconsin. On the other hand, Daniels is a tremendously credible figure. He is smart, knowledgeable, accomplished, and extremely good at explaining, and selling, the need for budgetary discipline. He also has proved to be a surprisingly able retail campaigner, coming across as a motorcycle-enthusiast man of the people in his successful Indiana campaigns.
Indeed, while Christie, McDonnell and Portman are conventional wisdom choices to be Top-5 picks rather than at the bottom of a Top-10 list, it is Daniels who truly ought to be ascending “with a bullet,” quite possibly meriting the closest attention of all as the summer progresses.
Keeping in mind the idea that Daniels might deserve to top the list come August, we’ll stop this week’s column right here, with next week’s “Super Six” finally completing my Spring Veep series. Until then, conservatives this year may unfortunately need to remember the famous words of the Rolling Stones: “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you just might find, you get what you need.”
About the Author
Quin Hillyer is a senior editor of The American Spectator and a senior fellow at the Center for Individual Freedom. Follow him on Twitter @QuinHillyer.
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Mimi | 5.31.12 @ 7:32AM
Yesterday on Sean Hannity he brought up the name of "MARK LEVIN" I was driving home from the Dr.s and got tears in my eyes just thinking about this possibly bold choice. Wow, seems like they want a V.P. that can be confrontational, and take the truth to OBAMA.
Wow...can you see the likes of Levin debating Biden, answering every assault and untruth they throw?....And with the Conservative message finally brought cclearly to the NATION??
Cobalt| 5.31.12 @ 8:31AM
Mark Levin is very bright, but he can seem to be acerbic at times. Not all talk radio hosts are "liked" by the television camera.
Unfortunately, many voters judge presidential candidates by how well they come across on television; by how warm, friendly and photogenic they are. Richard Nixon knew about this phenomenon.
Unfortunately, in the United States, many voters are shallow and unsophisticated; if not just simple-minded.
Mimi | 5.31.12 @ 8:51AM
Mark is not only "BRIGHT" but is the best communicator of Conservative principles , the Constitution, History, Liberty, and yes the tain't of tyranny now taking hold , the LAW,and a good judge of character....he knows the Obama flaws to the "O'S" bones and the damage he has done to our country! He will need no vetting...we know him as a man of GREAT integrity!
One Mediator 1 Tim. 2:5. | 5.31.12 @ 11:09AM
Greetings, Mimi:
You are absolutely correct. Mark Levin would make the BEST V.P. EVER! And there's no comparison between him & Christie.
But the spirits that be in tis universe prefer the "Moderates".
However, I'll take Christie over Biden ANY day.
Brooksifier | 5.31.12 @ 5:56PM
The Convention makes sense as a ritual choosing another Cheney to team up with your latest empty silk nightcap of a POTUS.
Quartermaster| 5.31.12 @ 6:50PM
To call Levin acerbic is an understatement. He is very often simply abrasive and insulting. His raving threats against Rand Paul if his father bolted were beyond the pale. He often makes an ass of himself on the air.
Crassus| 5.31.12 @ 10:33AM
That was what's known as a joke, Mimi. Mark Levin isn't being considered for anything by Mitt Romney. Nor should he be. The guy is fine where he is right now--behind a radio microphone. Not too mention that Levin's health is extremely poor. Count how many times during a show he hits the cough button on his microphone.
Mimi | 5.31.12 @ 11:12AM
Mark would be like a piece of GOLD to Romney as long as he doesn't have to compromise his principles. The V.P. is nothing more than what Mark does best...Sticking up for AMERICA....Do you ever cough?....when you speak?...Marks CAD is under control with medications like a lot of us...and we plan to be of value for a LONG TIME!
Crassus| 5.31.12 @ 1:47PM
Like I said, Mimi, Sean Hannity was joking when he mentioned Mark Levin's name as a possible running mate for Romney. What don't you understand? Just because you love him as a talk show host doesn't mean he would add anything to a Republican ticket in the fall. And I'm saying this as a hardcore conservative not a moderate squish. Good grief.
Jack in Wi| 5.31.12 @ 2:55PM
Levin Ha Ha ha. I haven't had such a good laugh in a long time. Mad dog Levin is about as credible as Occam to be vice President. In fact Occam might be saner. The only 2 people who can help Romney get out the conservative base are Scott Walker, my governor, if he wins on Tues with a good vote count and Rand Paul. Romney needs to move to the left for peace to get the young and independents and to the right with someone like Rand or Scott to get out the pro-life base. He needs most of all to get rid of the people like Bolton and McCain and bring on some sane foreign policy advisors.
Mimi | 5.31.12 @ 6:36PM
Jack...Your bias nature irritates many of us Christians who will forever support Israel.... it eeks out and is unbecoming...PEACE!, MIMI
Jack in Wi| 5.31.12 @ 7:02PM
Mimmi how you doing after your surgery? The last time we talked you seemed to be doing fine. I hope that continues. Israel is not my country. Let it take care of itself and defend itelf without putting it's perpetual hands in our pockets. If it can't pay it's own bills it should go out of business. The Muslims are misguided but are still children of God and our brothers and sisters. I follow the Price of Peace not the gods of war. Levin is just another chickenhawk like Limbaugh, Hannity, Cheney and O'Reilly, who love wars as long as some else has to fight them.
chuck| 5.31.12 @ 8:20PM
Jack,
Israel and the United States have common enemies. This does not mean we are fighting Israel's war for them. It means we are fighting our own wars.
If Israel would just disappear tomorrow, the militant Muslims would still hate us.
What is so damned difficult for you to understand about this?
Oh, yea.......you just hate Jews.
Jack in Wi| 5.31.12 @ 9:53PM
With all sue respect Israel is the enemy. The Muslims don't own most of our political class using bribery, blackmail, and intimidation. They also don't have the Samson Option wchich would destroy most of the Middle East and a lot of Europe. The answer ahs always been peace. Israel could of had peace for decades, if it just gave up on it's expansionist ideas.
God in The Book of Leviticus tells Jews. To love your neighbor as yourself. He also says in the Book of Exodus to treat the aliens among you as you do yourselves. Right now there are pogroms going on in Tel Aviv as bad as any back under the Czar. Jews are beating up Africans led by racist members of the Knesset and others. Tell me what a great democracy Israel is? Peace and justice are the answer. Shalom.
RCV| 6.2.12 @ 12:45PM
Jack: this comment displays how far from reality your virulent antisemitism has taken you. "pogroms in Tel Aviv as bad as any back under the Czar"? Do you have any conception of the thousands of Jews who were slaughtered and persecuted in Russia? Your statement that "Israel is the enemy" puts in stark terms who you're fighting for, and it isn't the US and it isn't the Church. You're nothing more than a Jew-hating Jihadi.
Jack in Wi| 6.2.12 @ 6:37PM
The worst pogrom in Czarist Russia took about 45 lives. We have a lot worse record in this country with black race riots. Have a nice weekend.
RCV| 6.2.12 @ 6:59PM
Such a comment displays either your ignorance or deceit. The 1905 pogrom in Odessa alone killed perhaps 2500 Jews. The total killed in the latter half of the 19th century exceeds a quarter million.
Jack in Wi| 6.3.12 @ 12:30AM
Baloney: More exageration. The number is 45. There was a revolution against the Czar in 1905. You are trying to count everyone killed as a victim of a pogrom. The revolutionaries in Russia came from one particular ethnic group in a large number of cases. They were bound to be disliked by the royalists.
Jack in Wi| 6.3.12 @ 12:41AM
I looked it up again just from the hell of it. There were fewer people killed in pogroms in Russia then we lynched in this country from about 1890 to 1960. I think the figure for lynchings in this country is about 3000. The number killed in the largest pogrom in Russia was 45, like I said. Pogroms were just race riots. They often were set off by actions of either side, which tend to inflame. The actions of revolutionaries often led to pogroms. After all one Czar was assassinated and the lives of others were in danger from revolutionaries.
RCV| 6.3.12 @ 2:20PM
You mean Jooooos, huh? Those Jewish capitalist money-grubbing banker communists!
Von Mises Jr| 5.31.12 @ 7:58AM
Mr. Hillyer is dead wrong about the New Jersey TEA Party embracing Christie. Americans for Prosperity has waged a war on Christie's Cap and Trade plans. The Regional Greenhouse Gas initiative (RGGI) is a Northeast Plan to skyrocket electric prices.
As we speak, TEA Parties across New Jersey are in conflict with Christie over two other major issues of socialism. Christie is angling to pass a "Development and Redevelopment Plan" by Executive Order that IS Agenda21. Page 38 of the 41 page Draft Plan clearly states "planning authority also takes place at levels above the State's authority." In addition to appointing an unaccountable, unelected Board like the IPAB to centrally plan property use throughout the state, the plan cites that it will coordinate with the EPA, FTA and HUD.
There is also a Foreclosure Bill working its way through the Assembly. Christie will not announce that he will veto the Bill. If he does not veto the Bill, then the State issues a $1B bond sale to create a New Jersey version of Freddie Mac. The plan is to buy foreclosed houses throughout the state and designate them for thirty years for "special needs." This means subsidized rent throughout the state populated with ex-convicts, drug addicts, child molesters and sex offenders.
Christie may bully the unions that attract national conservatives, but that is his one redeeming virtue among his plethora of statist policies.
Maxwell| 5.31.12 @ 8:14AM
Oh, please. not Chris Christie again! He may 'sell' well in Jersey & he may look good on YouTube but two North East Republican in name only selling past the New York area, not so much.
Just a few notes, how do you like your Muslim judges? I hope you do and so does CC. You for gun control and assault weapon bans, good, you and CC are in fine company. You want a leader against Barry Care, not CC, he did not join the other states, leading from behind.
When Christie's brother was not indicted, despite being found by the SEC to have made 1,600 illegal trades, bilking investors out of almost $1.5 million and netting himself $1.5 million, it was just a coincidence.
When the US Attorney from NY didn't prosecute his brother for securities fraud and then got a multi million no bid deal from Christie himself, it was just a coincidence.
When Chris Christie went the wrong way down a one way street, causing an accident, sending the biker he hit to a trauma center - then didn't get a ticket when he identified himself as US Attorney - he did nothing wrong.
When Christie was caught in an apparent lie about being sued by that biker, that was just a misunderstanding and he had forgot.
When Chris Christie was stopped for speeding in an unregistered and uninsured vehicle, only to pull rank and not get a ticket, his position as US Attorney had nothing to do with him being able to leave without his car being towed.
I have more but that is a start.
rightasrain| 5.31.12 @ 9:51AM
I don't think Christie sells well in NJ--we know better. It's the rest of the country that swoons over him. But more to the point, Christie has said repeatedly that he is not ready to be president. Given that such readiness should be the number one criterion for the VP spot, let's hope Romney is smart enough to realize that Christie has disqualified himself.
Von Mises Jr| 5.31.12 @ 10:46AM
Let us hope Romney does not pick him because he is a RINO.
Quartermaster| 5.31.12 @ 6:54PM
If Romney were to name Christie as his running mate, Romney might as well not even bother to campaign. He will lose in a landslide. He would be telling the world that Mittens will be no better than Obama, as Christie is a jerk that has done little for NJ except to publicize smoke and mirrors as substance. Mittens is insubstantial by himself. Naming Christie as running mate would be slapping us in the face with his insubtantiality.
Fast and Curious| 5.31.12 @ 8:35AM
Anything that excites the core conservatives. Levin gets my vote. Romney is lacking plenty in this election, and one of those things is this- he's not really an exciting guy. We need that to combat Obama's perceived flair. Portman? big time yawn. Same with Daniels really. I'm not sure about Christie, but he is definately lacking in the "Consistent Conservative" category.
Obama will not get Virginia, McDonnell or no. Although infested with liberalism in the north and around the universities, this state has some of the most conservative counties in the nation and we are ready for November.
irish19| 5.31.12 @ 11:30AM
Want to excite the core conservatives? How about John Bolton (and his mustache)?
Occam's Tool| 5.31.12 @ 2:15PM
Romney and "Titanium Balls" Bolton? Oh, man---what a great team. Plus, Bolton endorsed EARLY. VERY EARLY.
Jack in Wi| 5.31.12 @ 2:48PM
Hi Occam: Guess who is back? A Romney Bolton ticket would not get 30% of the vote. Your comment about Scott Walker is correct. He would energize the prolife base of the party, but only if he wins convincingly on Tues. Scott and Rand Paul are the 2 most popular people with the conservative base. Romney needs to move to left for peace to get the independents and young. He neees to move the right with people like Scott and Rand Paul to get out the prolife base. He needs most of all to get rid of the neoconservative hacks like Bolton he has hanging around his campaign. He would be bettter off bringing on real foreign policy experts like Brent Skowcroft, Norm Schwartzkoph, and Jim Baker From G H W Bush's staff. They were all against the disaster in Iraq and givng Israel cart blanche. Of course they are too old now, but would be great to use as wise men.
Oldefarte| 5.31.12 @ 3:01PM
Well in that case, let's just all vote for Obama and problem solved according to the following:
'......Breitbart.com......Which brings us to Obama’s comments about Boehner and McConnell. Nobody questions their support of Israel because … well … they support Israel. Obama doesn’t, and has made that eminently clear via his administration’s repeated leaks of critical Israeli defense information, his disrespect for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his advocacy of the pre-1967 borders, and his emphasis on Israeli concessions.As to the argument that Obama’s “best friends were Jewish,” that’s no comfort. The question is what his Jewish friends thought of Judaism and Israel – and whether they shaped his perspectives more than, say, Jeremiah Wright or Rashid Khalidi or Roger Boesche or Frank Marshall Davis or Samantha Powers or Zbigniew Brzezinski or George Soros, or any of the other plethora of anti-Israel folks with whom he associates.And was Obama really accused of being a puppet for the Israel lobby? If he was, it’s hard to see the evidence for that. In fact, earlier in his career, he was widely seen as an advocate for anti-Israel viewpoints on the Middle East.Rabbi Obama ought to brush up on his own record before claiming his mantle as a second Moses......'
irish19| 5.31.12 @ 5:57PM
I think now I understand. Ol' Jackboot hates Israel and the Jews. Ergo, he is pulling for a (R) ticket that will guarantee another term for The Won.
Quartermaster| 5.31.12 @ 6:56PM
Both you and OF are being foolish. You may not like his personnel list, but throwing mud accomplished little other than marking you as insubstantial.
And, he's right about Bolton. Bolton is a Neocon, something we need no more of.
Oldefarte| 6.1.12 @ 1:51PM
"insubstantial"? Is there such a word? And I was NOT throwing mud at this listing, but simply being sarcastic/dismissive of the anti-semitism, okay? Finally, Bolton is a "neocon"? Why is he branded as such......because he appears favorable to Israel as opposed to the BURKA crowd???????????????
Doctor Right| 5.31.12 @ 4:12PM
Ummm...aren't Skowcroft, Baker, and GHW Bush "neocons"???
Looks like Jack has moderated his rhetoric now that the forum is being monitored...
Jack in Wi| 5.31.12 @ 5:17PM
Those guys were never Neocons. They are old line diplomats and soldiers. They were and are patriotic Americans who did not put a foreign power before America. The Neocons are mostly chickenhawks, who have been wrong about almost everthing forever, and most of them put you know which country first.. The old timers like Skowcroft were openly against the stupidity of going intot Iraq. He has always been for a more open and friendly policy toward the Arabs.
Quartermaster| 5.31.12 @ 6:59PM
A lot of us old Cold Warriors thought going into Iraq was a serious error. Idiots like the Little Frummer tried to read us out of the party and all we did was laugh at that little moron. As Neocons have become ascendant, the GOP has become less substantial. W was little more than a moderate liberal, which means instead of going over the cliff at 150 mph, we were going to go over 85.
That's exactly what we are getting with Mittens as well. Unless, Phil Klein's prescription works, and I doubt it will. Mittens has as much contempt for flyover country as the rest of the libtards.
Oldefarte| 6.1.12 @ 1:57PM
Yes, we should all be as you advise ["...He has always been for a more open and friendly policy toward the Arabs...."], ESPECIALLY AFTER THEY WERE SO NICE TO THOSE 3000 WITHIN THE TWIN TOWERS ON 9/11/01, RIGHT???????
RCV| 6.3.12 @ 2:23PM
Romney runs a controlled and disciplined campaign. The last thing he would consider is run-off-the-mouth Bolton for a running mate. He's not interested in Palin-redux.
c. j. acworth| 5.31.12 @ 8:53AM
As a resident of NH I also say let Kelly Ayotte stay where she is. If Romney loses, she will be dismissed as "another Sarah Palin". If Romney wins, she will be tainted by her association with him when his inevitably RINO administration fails to make any real difference. Better to have her run in the Top Slot in '16 if Mittins loses, or primary him out if he wins.
Cobalt| 5.31.12 @ 11:07AM
Kay Bailey Hutchison; not that she would accept the nomination. If she had run on the ticket with John McCain, we might be talking about reelecting President McCain right now.
Dai Alanye | 5.31.12 @ 12:40PM
Sorry about this, but -- Ridiculous! KBH was unable to carry Texas against a known doofus.
RAM| 5.31.12 @ 10:24AM
We were told that Daniels' wife forbade him from running for President. Do we really think she'd let him run for VP?
Oldefarte| 5.31.12 @ 11:55AM
Even though he's a non-mentioned longshot at best, I'd love to see Haley Barbour picked as the VP nominee. He would bring to the table an attack-dog personae for debates, a true southern conservative philosophy, the practical experience of longterm governatorial administration and the executive experience of his RNC leadership, and the fiscal attitude of governmental reducation of expenses as crucial to our future. Whoever is selected, IMHO a successful business background of limited scope will be a determining factor, since I think that if elected Romney will begin the process of downsizing seriously [along with a R-congress] the federal government. I think that any pure politician of length will not becoming Romney's VP choice, but we'll see!!!!
One Mediator 1 Tim. 2:5. | 5.31.12 @ 12:24PM
I've always admired Haley Barbour, as my posts here over the years (under my old handle, Margie) have shown.
He's one of the good guys in my book. He's one that if I hear his voice on t.v. (which we don't have anymore, but when we did), or radio, I STOP everything to listen to him.
We would be thrilled to have him as V.P. We were hoping he'd run for President, but as he stated, he was embracing his commitment, a ten year commitment, to being the Gov. of MS.
We really DO have some good guys on our side, despite what the nay-sayers are always crying.
Oldefarte| 5.31.12 @ 1:11PM
Marg, I failed to menation that I was born/raised in the same small southern town as he was. He comes from a generational family of Matlock-type lawyers, and is a good Christian to boot. He backed off running for POTUS because of its exposure of his family to the dirtiness of same, and he'd probably reject a VP slot as well. He probably just wants to retire from his governorship and settle down to become a good-ole-boy in a southern town, while maybe doing a little lawyering part-time. Nothing wrong with that. He sure would be a good addition to a Romney ticket though. Have a good one!!!! OF
One Mediator 1 Tim. 2:5. | 5.31.12 @ 1:13PM
I think he's pretty awesome. I follow him on Twitter. :^)..
God bless.
RCV| 6.2.12 @ 12:51PM
The reality is that Barbour killed any short-term political prospects with his foolish last-minute pardons for cold-blooded killers. It would become too much of a distraction for Romney to even risk. Barbour is a non-starter this year.
rjh| 5.31.12 @ 12:46PM
It would be disastrous for Romney to choose a (or should I say another) northeast RINO/Progressive light i.e. Christie.
Ronsch| 5.31.12 @ 12:56PM
Mr. Hillyer,
The problem with so many on your list is their relative value (as others have noted) right where they are. Even though a Senator can go back to his seat if his party loses the POTUS election, to lose any of the individuals on the list leaves the seat wide open for a Demonrat to run (and possibly win) it.
RJ| 5.31.12 @ 1:05PM
Other than Portman, I don't think anyone else mentioned in the article will be finalists. However, Romney is a CEO; he will have a systematic review process and will base his decision with much more information (on both the candidates and likely public reaction) than the media or the rest of us have. Nonetheless, the way things are going in Wisconsin, I bet Scott Walker is under consideration. He is a Governor who has pushed through needed reforms, which are about to be endorsed by the voters. And with all the attacks that the liberals have thrown at him over the last year, he clearly has been vetted.
Occam's Tool| 5.31.12 @ 2:17PM
Scott Walker would be an excellent choice. But I think Bolton would be better, as he is a superb debater with a genius class mind.
Alan| 5.31.12 @ 2:38PM
I'll Second The Choice On Bolton, Strongly Pro Isreal, Understands The Strategic Situations On Most Fronts. Walker Will Be A Presidential Candidate Down The Line Some, No Doubt.
Ooops, did I spell every word with a Capital letter by mistake? LOL!!!!!
Jack in Wi| 5.31.12 @ 2:36PM
Well that was quite a process using this new software. I think Chris Christie would be a disaster. The only guys that would help Romney with his base are my governor Scott Walker and only then is he wins his recall election convincingly. The other one is Rand Paul. They are the only ones to energize the pro-life conservative people that Romney needs to get out. If Romney keeps pushing war and a know nothing foreign policy, the term so aptly coined by the writer Doug Bandow of this site, he will never be elected. He has to move toward peace to get the young and independents and he has to move to guys like Scott an Rand to get out the base vote. Can he pull it off? Perhaps, but I doubt it.
Drunken Sailor| 5.31.12 @ 2:51PM
Sigh, the peace and quite was nice while it lasted.
Jack in Wi| 5.31.12 @ 3:04PM
Don't worry old drunk. I am not hanging around for long. I am headed to Europe for a month soon. I may hang around and kibbutz once and awhile because they have quite a nice forum here. But frankly it is summer, and I have a lot of family, charity, other hobby and business intrests which need more attention.
Oldefarte| 5.31.12 @ 3:22PM
Europe....don't have to worry about any pro-Israel countries there, huh? If not there, Egypt might prove a likable destination for your tourism perhaps [careful though as those delightful Muslims just abducted several US citizens for ramsom] and you won't have to tolerate those dreadful Israelies!!!!
Doctor Right| 5.31.12 @ 4:14PM
Another Bund meeting in East Silesia, Jack?
Is it that time of year already?
Drunken Sailor| 5.31.12 @ 5:03PM
A trip to Europe huh? What a coincidence, just when the Rockefeller/Rothschilde strategic partnership is announced. Don't forget to tour the Death camps and try not to laugh, it disturbs the other visitors.
Occam's Tool| 5.31.12 @ 6:09PM
"kibbitz" you f'in moron.
Please go to a Mosque in France, oh please, oh please, oh please.
By the way, Jack, breaking news you won't want to miss!
BREAKING NEWS: RON ("PRO-LIFE") PAUL VOTES TO MURDER BABIES-----
from Weasel Zippers (a much better site):
"The House on Thursday rejected a Republican bill that would impose fines and prison terms on doctors who perform abortions for the sole purpose of controlling the gender of the child, a practice known as sex-selective abortion.
The Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA), H.R. 3541, was defeated in a 246-168 vote. While that’s a clear majority of the House, Republicans called up the bill under a suspension of House rules, which limits debate and requires a two-thirds majority vote to pass. In this case, it would have required more support from Democrats.
Twenty Democrats voted for the bill, while seven Republicans opposed it. The bill would have needed 30 more yeas to pass.
Suspension votes are normally used for noncontroversial bills, but the GOP-backed measure was clearly controversial. Republicans have occasionally put controversial bills on the suspension calendar in order to highlight that Democrats oppose certain policies.
Republicans voting against the bill were Reps. Justin Amash (Mich.), Charlie Bass (N.H.), Mary Bono Mack (Calif.), Robert Dold (Ill.), Richard Hanna (N.Y.), Nan Hayworth (N.Y.), and Ron Paul (Texas)."
VOTING TO KILL BABIES!
Occam's Tool| 5.31.12 @ 6:13PM
I rarely do multiple posts, but this one is MONUMENTAL. No doubt there will be the "the constitution doesn't give the feds the right to rule on abortion bushwah, but this is truly evil and stupid. Abortion to choose the sex of the child is a real problem in China, for example. It is a horrific idea.
Unless you are dealing with someone like Clint, of course. He's a fourth sex, the self-fertilizing hermaphrodite, and therefore, fair game. It would be a mercy killing. Mercy for us, that is. :-)
Quartermaster| 5.31.12 @ 7:04PM
Occam, you are being a raving fool! Can you tell us what else was in the bill that libtards attached to make a poison pill? I see nothing in your posts that says anything about it. A no vote may have been reasonable, but you can have n0thing other than your PDS.
I'm no Paul supporter, but I really hate seeing someone put on airs of intelligence then act like a raving moron.
Appleby| 6.1.12 @ 7:25AM
It's a real problem in Canada too, actually, but nobody down below realizes that abortion is not only taxpayer funded, but legal until the baby is completely out of its mother's body and breathing on its own. Tourists from China and India come here for sex-selction abortions that are illegal in their own countries; there are organizations who advertise these services around the world.
Nobody down there knows what the people of Canada are up to in any real sense. They think all Canadians do is play hockey.
RCV| 6.2.12 @ 12:53PM
Maybe Jack is going to work on a Kibbutz for the summer, Occam?
Oldefarte| 5.31.12 @ 3:05PM
True! Apparently TAS' vetting process is lacking!!!!
Alan| 5.31.12 @ 4:53PM
Relax, Oldefarte, the vetting process isn't over. From what I was told the leash for a very small select few is very short. Accounts can now be suspended with one click and IP addresses can be blocked, that was the reason for the updated features.
Occam's Tool| 5.31.12 @ 6:16PM
Well, I hope they like me, 'cause I like Quin, and Aaron, and Ross, and Jeff, and Christopher, and W. (snif)
Jack in Wi| 5.31.12 @ 6:24PM
Occam: With all your calls for mass murder and genocide you should be the first to get the boot. I like it where people have a lot of leeway to express themselves. So far the new regime here hasn't stiffled anyone who is sane.
Quartermaster| 5.31.12 @ 7:05PM
Given what is posted above, Mr. Tool should be on the short list for suspension.
One Mediator 1 Tim. 2:5. | 5.31.12 @ 7:41PM
If he is, then AMSPEC is not worthy.
Occam should start his own site, then. Let the Paul-bots have this one.
Oldefarte| 5.31.12 @ 3:04PM
"Pushing war"????? You really do need to read things other than Father Ron's newsletters!!!!
DesertFlower| 5.31.12 @ 3:41PM
IMO it is a no-brainer: Bobby Jindal.
Doctor Right| 5.31.12 @ 4:16PM
Jindal would help Romney more with New Jersey than Christie...
There's more Indians than Conservatives.
JayDick| 5.31.12 @ 4:51PM
Jindal is a good man, but he would put the electorate to sleep. We need someone with some pissaz. Rubio is probably the best all around.
Brooksifier | 5.31.12 @ 5:53PM
Perhaps Romney will be elected in November, but please don't expect us to dance the loop de loop in contemplating another four or eight years of GOP nothingburger.
Mike Rogers | 5.31.12 @ 5:56PM
I have commented elsewhere that Kelly Ayotte has bee a very positive surpise as a Senator.
Her prior record in NH was good, but the establishment jumped on board with here senate run so early that some of us steered clear.
Strong character, not pushed around by the beltway crowd, and a great voting record - not a bad basis for a veep that will need to deal firmly with the senate.
Quartermaster| 5.31.12 @ 7:07PM
If someone is good in Congress, we need to leave them there. It is actually more important to take Congress than the White House. Assuming the GOP leadership find their spines.
Occam's Tool| 5.31.12 @ 6:06PM
BREAKING NEWS: RON ("PRO-LIFE") PAUL VOTES TO MURDER BABIES-----
from Weasel Zippers (a much better site):
"The House on Thursday rejected a Republican bill that would impose fines and prison terms on doctors who perform abortions for the sole purpose of controlling the gender of the child, a practice known as sex-selective abortion.
The Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA), H.R. 3541, was defeated in a 246-168 vote. While that’s a clear majority of the House, Republicans called up the bill under a suspension of House rules, which limits debate and requires a two-thirds majority vote to pass. In this case, it would have required more support from Democrats.
Twenty Democrats voted for the bill, while seven Republicans opposed it. The bill would have needed 30 more yeas to pass.
Suspension votes are normally used for noncontroversial bills, but the GOP-backed measure was clearly controversial. Republicans have occasionally put controversial bills on the suspension calendar in order to highlight that Democrats oppose certain policies.
Republicans voting against the bill were Reps. Justin Amash (Mich.), Charlie Bass (N.H.), Mary Bono Mack (Calif.), Robert Dold (Ill.), Richard Hanna (N.Y.), Nan Hayworth (N.Y.), and Ron Paul (Texas)."
Jack in Wi| 5.31.12 @ 6:39PM
Murder is a state crime. Ron Paul has called for the complete overthrow of Roe vs Wade by using the Constitutions provision in Article 3 Section 2 to take away the juridiction of the Federal Courts on the matter of abortion. It should be returned to the jurisdiction of the states where it belongs. It could be passed by a simple majority of Congress and the signature of the President. This whole thing was the usual grandstanding by the party elders in an election year. The Republicans have had 32 years to do what Ron Paul put forward when the late great Jesse Helms put it out first. For the Republicans everything is more important then overthrowing Roe vs Wade. Well Roe was put on the books with the votes of 5 Republican justices. Reagan and Rockefeller signed the first liberal abortion laws in this country. Reagan supposedly repented. All I saw from him were a few gestures, and Sandra Day O'Connor, and Anthony Kennedy on the court. Goldwater was the first presidential candidate and one of the first candidates in America who was for legal abortion. I worked for and voted for him. Shame on me. He deserved to lose.
4mike| 5.31.12 @ 11:11PM
Well didn't even think about Gen Pace. He would be a great selection especially for national defense. He would also be the first Marine to be VP and who knows after that. If only we had him around longer instead of Adm Mullen.
irish19| 6.1.12 @ 10:54AM
Interesting choice.
Abu Nudnik| 6.1.12 @ 10:44AM
It's a tough choice. It's a worry to think of any senator vacating his post in the Senate. Winning the Senate is important, though not as important as the presidency.
The reason why the two year rule is good is that otherwise choices may look like gimmicks. On the other hand, Obama was and is a gimmick and he won.
I'd prefer a govern0r veep if possible. On the other hand, since the VP presides over the Senate (hear that, Mr. Biden?), maybe a lawmaker isn't such a bad idea.
Oldefarte| 6.1.12 @ 2:58PM
Alan West IMHO should be at the top of the list of VP candidates. I simply like this man for who he is, what he's done and how he thinks. Sure he like all others has holes in his resume, but this guy is a LEADER and SPEAKS THE TRUTH [no BS]:
'.....West, who was elected in 2010, said that the actual unemployment rate of the nation is closer to 14.5 percent when you consider the under employed and those people who have dropped off the unemployment rolls.“President Obama is pretty much in a corner,” declared West, who is a member of the House Tea Party Caucus. “It’s a very much desperate situation for him because as three years and six months into this recovery . . . we know that this is the worst economic recovery that we have seen in the United States of America’s history.”
An Army veteran, who served for more than 20 years in the military, West said that President Obama’s policies have been an “abject failure” for the country.“These policies are not helping the private sector to grow and create job opportunities that are necessary to turn this economic situation around,” he charged.“And I think that what President Obama is doing in trying to attack Gov. Romney is not what the American people are looking for. They’re looking for solutions. They’re looking for leadership. They’re looking for a statesman,” West added..........'
Oldefarte| 6.1.12 @ 3:22PM
Well Jeb Bush should be crossed off everyone's VP listing after the following, if not before:
'......Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, in a break with his party, said he could support tax increases to help reduce the federal government’s budget deficit.The brother of former President George W. Bush told a congressional panel in Washington today that he could back a theoretical deficit-reduction package that would include $1 in tax increases for every $10 in spending cuts.“If you could bring to me a majority of people to say that we’re going to have $10 in spending cuts for $1 of revenue enhancement -- put me in coach,” Bush told the House Budget Committee. “This will prove I’m not running for anything,” he said, prompting laughter from lawmakers and the audience......'
nrobyar| 6.2.12 @ 10:11PM
If Romney is the great businessman he says he is he will most certainly choose Mike Huckabee as his running mate. Huckabee was ahead of Romney in the polls, has a HUGE following, is loved by the base, is likeable by everyone, can pull in the independents and is ready to be president on day one. He is already vetted, the absolute best orator out there...period. He makes people actually WANT to get out and vote...something I can't say for Romney.