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Streetcar Line
Running Mate Revelation
Finally, the answer on whom Romney should choose.
It’s finally time, after multiple columns on the subject, to count down to the very best choice for Mitt Romney to make as his running mate. Before doing so, let’s just note that if this highly interesting piece from Sabato’s Crystal Ball continues to be accurate — and if focus groups show that a form of identity politics really would make a difference in attracting the key swing voters identified therein (meaning politically independent white women aged 30-49) — then it might really make sense for Romney to choose either New Hampshire’s Kelly Ayotte (breaking my two-year rule; but she really does seem to have steel in her spine) or Washington State’s Cathy McMorris Rodgers. But I’m not a big fan of identity politics of any kind.
Also, if other polls confirm the recent one showing a dead heat in Michigan, then Romney darn well ought to take a closer look at the pros and cons of selecting either Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp or former Gov. John Engler. Taking Michigan from the Democrats would give Romney a much greater number of paths to electoral victory.
But let’s set those possibilities aside. Without further ado, here are Hillyer’s Superior Six choices for vice president, with the best two choices last, in a class of their own:
6. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, FL — On the down side, it is sheer folly to think that Americans of Mexican or Puerto Rican or Guatemalan descent throughout the country will be particularly attracted to the Miami-Cuban American Rubio. It is not clear that Rubio even helps much in his home state; polls are mixed, with one poll showing he actually would hurt the ticket. Also, the reality is that Romney should win Florida anyway; if he can’t, then his campaign is in deep trouble. A much stronger Obama in 2008 won Florida by about 236,000 votes; but, as per Karl Rove, just since Jan. 2011, GOP registration there has risen by nearly 45,000 while Democratic registration has dropped by 79,000. So Romney should do well in the Sunshine State without Rubio.
Also, of course, Rubio still is awfully green: Less than two years in the Senate, even if bolstered by a stint as Speaker of the House in Florida, hasn’t provided him time for any real legislative accomplishments.
All that said, Rubio is a tremendous political talent. He appears to be a true conservative, and he really seems to understand, embody, and articulate the essential nature of the American creed of freedom. He would provide a jolt of excitement to the ticket, energize volunteers, and maybe inspire younger voters not just to abandon Barack Obama but to affirmatively turn out for Republicans. Those strengths of Rubio are nothing to sneeze at.
5. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, WI — Even before Paul Ryan morphed from impressive young congressman to conservative superstar, I was touting him back in 2008 among the four best choices for vice president. He would remain a superb choice. He can explain Republican budget and entitlement positions better than almost anybody out there, in terms almost anybody can understand; he knows how to attract blue-collar votes; and he might help Romney finally snatch Wisconsin for Republicans at the presidential level.
On the other hand, he does present the risk of turning the election into a referendum on “scary” Republican proposals rather than being a referendum on Obama’s four years of failure and radicalism. Plus, if my reading of voter psychology is correct, choosing Ryan might actually hurt the GOP ticket at the margins in Wisconsin. Why? Well, ordinarily this wouldn’t be the case; in fact, just the opposite would be true, as I sense that Ryan is quite popular in his home state. But Wisconsin’s politics are unique this year. I think the recent win for Scott Walker in the recall battle already has conservatives/Republicans energized, enthused, and mobilized for the fall. The superb ground game built by Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus probably will work just as well whether or not Ryan is on the ticket. On the other hand, I think the Wisconsin Left is tremendously dispirited, and probably not ready for another massive effort. But if Ryan were on the ticket, the Wisconsin Left would see it as a direct challenge, almost rubbing their faces in their loss, and thus might rouse itself again, far more so than if Romney went elsewhere for a Veep. It might be better to let sleeping yellow dogs lie.
4. U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, PA — On the downside, several recent reports indicate that the Romney team doesn’t think Pennsylvania is a very realistic target (although a new poll out Tuesday puts Romney within six points there). Plus, Toomey’s earlier leadership of the Club for Growth, supporting GOP challengers against moderate incumbents, might still engender raw feelings from establishmentarian activists and might make it easier for the media to hang its favorite label of “extremist” on him.
Those are not very significant drawbacks. On the highly significant upside, Toomey would energize conservative activists of almost all sub-groups; he has proved to be a very effective campaigner; and he has proposed a solidly conservative balanced budget without touching entitlements in any way that could be used as a scare tactic against the ticket.
If Romney chose Toomey, he could use him in the campaign in a unique way. Some 90 percent of Toomey’s mission could be to just campaign for two straight months as if it were another statewide Pennsylvania race. Without even spending a lot of resources for media buys, Toomey could crisscross his home state, campaigning in smallish hamlets that usually are not visited by presidential campaigns, driving up conservative turnout throughout the Keystone Commonwealth. (He might also do well to make brief cross-border excursions into eastern Ohio, and into West Virginia and northwestern Virginia and perhaps into New Jersey.)
Who knows: It might just work in stealing Pennsylvania for the GOP — and even if it didn’t, it would drive the Obama team to distraction; force the Obamites to expend far greater resources in Pennsylvania than otherwise necessary (thus possibly leaving other states more exposed without requiring anywhere near the same level of resource commitment from the Romney camp); and provide encouragement to Republican activists nationwide just by appearing to put Pennsylvania into play. Not bad; not bad at all.
NOTE: In recent weeks, I’ve written individual columns profiling the final three choices. See the links on their last names, below.
3. Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, PA — It is astonishing that Santorum isn’t somewhere near the top of every Veep list. As has been the case during his whole career, conventional wisdom badly underestimates his appeal. Never mind the millions of votes he won this winter. Never mind the numerous state primaries and caucuses he won despite being woefully underfunded and discounted. It’s crazy. Every single polling cross-tab I’ve seen has shown that while Mitt Romney does enjoy majority or plurality support among Evangelicals and blue-collar workers, the support is shallow and tepid — and those are the very constituencies to whom Santorum appeals the most. Romney desperately needs their energy. He also should understand that a lot of Santorum voters will feel ignored, marginalized, indeed insulted, if their candidate isn’t at least publicly listed among the final three choices even after effectively having been Romney’s runner-up.
It also should help that Santorum has been publicly vetted. There is nothing negative about Santorum that hasn’t already come out. People already have factored in his supposed deficiencies. There aren’t any jokers remaining in the deck. And even the people who don’t like him give him credit for being sincere and honorable — factors that severely mitigate the chance of many people voting against a ticket based merely on distaste for the bottom half of the ticket.
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.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (121) | Leave a comment
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Jack in Wi| 6.13.12 @ 6:31AM
Quin: With all due respect. This has got to be a list of stumble bums and losers. Toomey a green 2 year senator, who nobody knows? Sanctimonious Santorum? Jindal who is a horrible speaker and as ugly as sin? Rubio a latin version of pretty boy, dimwit Quale. Ryan who would possibly energize the base, but also be huge target with his Plan which makes Medicare and Social Security a big issue for the Democrats. The Republicans never do well when the Democrats can make that an issue. I have a picture of myself, my wife, and Quale at a fundraiser. I looked into those big blue eyes and saw the vacancy sign at the back of his head. Talk about a dumb blond.
JimP| 6.13.12 @ 7:27AM
OK, Jack. You are such a political genius and evaluator of electability, why didn't you tell us who should be the VP pick? I guess it's some kind of test for us dumkopffs, right?
Jindal is "ugly as sin" is a negative, yet you critcize Rubio and Quayle as pretty boys? Make up your mind, Jack.
I give you credit for one thing, Jack, your comments always make me laugh.
Doctor Right| 6.13.12 @ 7:44AM
Jack prefers lily-white, male anti-Semites.
Since there aren't many of those available, Jack will remain the picture of "disgruntled."
Occam's Tool| 6.13.12 @ 6:29PM
Jindal is solid, Kyl is very good. Toomey is interesting. It should come down to thiose three. I note Pawlenty is off the list.
tonypal| 6.13.12 @ 10:53AM
Jack would prefer the following lineup:
President - Ron Paul
VP - Ron Paul
Sec. of State - Ron Paul
Sec. of Def. - Ron Paul
Are you getting the picture? If there was a way to have Ron Paul fill all those positions, plus Speaker of the House, then Jack would be for it.
Let's face it. Jack's a joke. He's as vacant between the ears as those he criticizes.
Oldefarte| 6.13.12 @ 11:53AM
What about his children....PETER PAUL AND MARY??????????
Sam Vaughn| 6.13.12 @ 8:10AM
This analysis is coming from a Democrat in Wisconsin I assume? How's that working for you?
Oldefarte| 6.13.12 @ 4:45PM
It's 'working' absolutely GREAT for me and many others right now........Wisconsin rocks big time, especially Scott Walker. It;s going to be a long time before the huge smile comes off my face over that occurrance!!!!!
Quin Hillyer| 6.13.12 @ 10:37AM
Actually, Jindal is a very good speaker; just Google the coverage of his recent speech at CPAC Chicago (in addition to my report, linked above, of his speech in Mobile). He just isn't good with a Teleprompter -- yet.
Doctor Right| 6.13.12 @ 10:58AM
I agree.
Personally, I was bummed that Jindal did not run for the top-spot this year.
Oldefarte| 6.13.12 @ 4:20PM
Me too.... Jindal is simply THE BEST and absolutely THE BRIGHTEST!!!!!
Oldefarte| 6.13.12 @ 4:47PM
Hades, I'll even forgive his probable one flaw of BEING A POSSIBLY L.S.U. FAN!!!!!!!
Oldefarte| 6.13.12 @ 4:51PM
PS: I'll even forgive Quin for possibly being one as well [due to his friendships/connections to that state]!!!!
Quin Hillyer| 6.13.12 @ 6:55PM
Nope. I'm from a long line of Tulane grads! No love for Tigers from me!
Oldefarte| 6.14.12 @ 11:21AM
A plastic/cardboard BB-filled shaker was passed out at Tulane ballgames in the '70's [maybe] and during the LSU game [Tulane was losing 50 or 60 to 0 as usual], I observed a typically inebrieted LSU fan shaking one of these things with the BB's rattling inside, while proclaiming 'TIGERS.....SLIP 'EM THE GREEN WEENIE'.
The best one though was [after LSU's Cannon money counterfiting scandal], the Tulane people began saying that .....AT TULANE THEY TEACH YOU TO ''''EARN'''' MONEY, WHILE AT LSU, THEY TEACH YOU TO '''''''MAKE''''''' MONEY!!!!
Albertus Magnus| 6.13.12 @ 11:02AM
Dan Quayle is not a dimwit. You should know better than to believe the Media portrayal of him any more than the Media portrayal of Obama as a genius.
Oldefarte| 6.13.12 @ 4:41PM
Many of us would give our eyeteeth right now for a President Quayle!!!!!
Crassus| 6.13.12 @ 11:30AM
You could at least spell Quayle and blonde correctly without referring to them as dumb. Takes away from the point y0u're trying to make.
Occam's Tool| 6.13.12 @ 6:30PM
Crassus: Illiteracy is Jack's specialty.
Oldefarte| 6.13.12 @ 11:51AM
Excrement, let's just pick Father Ronney and proceed to lose in November....talk about following Forrest's words of wisdom!!!!!!!!
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 6.13.12 @ 6:54AM
Whonsaysnit has to be a politician?
TLP| 6.13.12 @ 9:02AM
Does anyone know where Quin Hillyer lives, or how he got his hands on Homer Simpson's Makeup Shotgun Invention?
John Kyle?
Really?
Some broad in New Hampshire, and another one in Washington State? What's that, like 6 Electoral Votes, COMBINED?
Pat Toomey? Rick Santorum?
LARRY SABATO? Would that be the same Larry Sabato who went after George Allen, Tooth and Nail, for the whole MACCACA charade, calling Ryan a RACIST, while scuffing of the Highjinks of "Mellon Head" Jim Webb, and his earlier days of Chasing down Blacks with his friends, in their Cars, and shooting them with their BB Guns?
That Larry Sabato?
Who gives a sh*t what that A-Hole has to say?
This list is even STUPIDER, than the last one you put out. And that's saying a lot.
The Republican Governors are right where they need to be, right now. Ditto Paul Ryan.
And, pray tell, where did you come up with your Demigraphic Analisys that CUBANS are no longer considered a member of the Species - Hispanic Erectus?
I don't know what they're paying you.
I'm just sure that it's too much.
Doctor Right| 6.13.12 @ 9:23AM
"Demigraphic Analisys"
That would be "demographic analysis."
Sorry, but bad spelling is a major pet-peeve.
TLP| 6.13.12 @ 10:46AM
We all can't right great comments! like you.
What was it?
"Jack prefers lily-white, male anti-Semites."
Since there aren't many of those available, Jack will remain the picture of "disgruntled".
Who needs Plato, when we've got such masterful narrative, right here, among us, if the personage of Doctor Dumb@ss? How does one compare the works of Shakespeare, Hemmingway, Twain, or anyone in the Pantheon of Literary Giants, to the incomperable wit, the wisdom, and the intensity of the words that I just quoted from Doctor Spell Check?
You can't!
He truly is: One of a Kind. (Thank God)
It would be funny, if he weren't so sad.
You can say what you want to, about Jackass, but at least he knows how to construct a coherent thought, in to words on a screen, in stark contrast to your Infantile Scribblings that only serve to offend the eyes of your Intellectual Superiors.
Which is, pretty much, everybody else on this site.
Moron.
TLP| 6.13.12 @ 10:49AM
And, I mistakenly wrote "Ryan" down, where I meant to write "Allen".
Usually, a dumb@ss like you, wets his pants, at a mistake like that.
Albertus Magnus| 6.13.12 @ 11:04AM
You also wrote "right" when you should have written "write." Just sayin'...
TLP| 6.13.12 @ 11:39AM
See?
That's what I'm talking about.
He's not as smart as ANYONE on this site.
Thank You, Mr. Magnus.
(Are you related to Magneto, by any chance?)
Doctor Right| 6.13.12 @ 11:47AM
He was talking about you, Einstein.
Doctor Right| 6.13.12 @ 11:06AM
Timmy, Timmy, Timmy...
People WILL judge you when you use poor grammar and bad spelling.
Sorry, but that's a fact. And maybe it's a good fact?
Because one of the most over-rated quotes in human history is the one that our grade school teachers tried to drum into us:
"You can't judge a book by it's cover."
Actually, you can.
And just like books, people tell us a lot - probably too much - about themselves in the way they present their personas to the world.
Bad spelling, bad grammar, incoherent rants that lack any sense of insight, poor use of punctuation, random capitalization, frequent use of foul language to make a point...
That's how the world "sees" you, Timmy...and believe me, it's NOT a pretty picture.
Now wipe the spittle off of your screen, and tell us all about your plan to save Western society...
...Go ahead! Rant!
(Oooh! This should be good!)
Occam's Tool| 6.13.12 @ 6:34PM
My beloved Doctor: "its cover." "It's" is "it is," not the possessive (Stunk and White, page 1.).
And Goodness knows my many, many, mistakes. Worse than both of you.
May G-d Bless and Keep You Both.
Good article, Quin.
Guys, I like you both. Both of you are very, very good guys.
Occam's Tool| 6.13.12 @ 6:48PM
Hell, that's Strunk and White. See how upset I am!
TLP| 6.14.12 @ 4:03PM
I told you he's a Dumb@ss.
Pecos Pete| 6.13.12 @ 7:15AM
I'm for Sen. Kyl.
OP4| 6.13.12 @ 7:26AM
I've always liked Jindal. He seems smart, moral, and conservative. Doesn't hurt that he would bring his own small demographic with him.
R Martin| 6.13.12 @ 7:28AM
As I considered the names on this list and those on your previous pieces, I haven’t felt strongly—pro or con—about any of the possible candidates.
However, your comments about Jindal’s political toughness did arouse my interest. The coming campaign is going to be hard, nasty and brutal. Republicans have not done particularly well in bare knuckle street fights, and that is what they are going to face in this election. If, indeed, Jindal is that kind of politician and if the Romney team can make effective use of those qualities, then Jindal deserves serious consideration.
rightasrain| 6.13.12 @ 7:36AM
Jindal isn't the best speaker but I'm glad to hear he's tough. Has the question of his eligibility been totally resolved?
Mimi | 6.13.12 @ 7:43AM
Quite a final list and anology...Quin...maybe you are on to something, especially with Kyl and Santorum...forget all the newbies, they'll get their chance and Ryan should round out the top three!!
TLP| 6.13.12 @ 9:05AM
No. He is not on to something.
ON something, would be more like it.
Doctor Right| 6.13.12 @ 11:09AM
Perhaps he should have consulted you before writing his column, today?
Maybe you should give him your cell number?
After all, you are a renowned writer and editor, right?
...snicker...
Doctor Right| 6.13.12 @ 8:01AM
T.L.P. hasn't shown up this morning, so I'm here to fill-in with an angry, long-winded, utterly uninsightful rant.
Here goes nothing (literally):
DON'T you GET IT?
We are up against a Marxist DESTROYER and his minions.
They will stop at NOTHING to win this election, and continue their plan of DESTROYING our GREAT REPUBLIC.
And make NO MISTAKE, that is their plan! And it is a "plan." It is purposeful. It is intended.
So when THE ONE, their MESSIAH says "the private sector is doing fine," HE MEANS IT! Because to him, bad IS fine.
That's because he HATES America, HATES our laws, our history, and OUR traditions.
He is a Marxist college professor with power and he MUST be stopped.
And that includes his STOOGE Joe Biden.
And that's why we MUST insist that Romney choose a VP who is unafraid to tell the truth, speak-out, and take the mud that the press will sling and sling it right back at them!
THIS is THE DEFINING election of our lifetime.
The socialist MUST be defeated. That's it. Game over.
We will win.
- Timmy (Clint)
TLP| 6.13.12 @ 8:37AM
I really am, all this dumb MFer has.
That was Exhibit A.
I rest my case.
He is truly, not a well person. One gets the feeling, reading his Mancrush Love Letters to me, that it's highly possible that he's standing on a Stool, wearing his Mom's old Wedding Dress, with a Rope, tied tightly around his neck, and his keyboard held firmly in his hands.
I pity him. And, I ask any Psychiatrists who might be on this site, to REACH OUT to this poor creature, help him, before he ruins his Mother's Dress.
Pathetic.
Doctor Right| 6.13.12 @ 9:21AM
Sorry, folks...
I forgot to include the requisite "disguised" curse word in my TLP-esque rant.
Next time, I'll make sure and use the words "MFer" and "s***".
I'll also refer to women as "broads" to reinforce the latent misogyny of someone who only sees naked women in 2-D.
And one more, thing. I'll, make sure, and use lots, of superfluous, unnecessary commas, to make it, look, like, I don't know how, to write.
TLP| 6.13.12 @ 10:51AM
Exhibit B.
Doctor Right| 6.13.12 @ 11:10AM
My monkey types!
David| 6.13.12 @ 6:25PM
So TLP, who are your top choices for VP? Don't tell me, Ron Paul - huh?
Occam's Tool| 6.13.12 @ 6:39PM
TLP despises Ron Paul, greatly. He is pro-Israel. He has never been a Paulbot. It's like calling ME a Paulbot. Jack in Wi. has many, many insults for me, but he is consistent in what he does, and he would agree that I am NOT a Ron Paul fan, as he is not a Zionist.
Guys, please stop ad hominem. I know, I know, coming from me :-). But, really, work on confining slams to argument. Both of you are intelligent guys, really, and neither of you are cowardly paulbots like Jack. Seriously, it hurts me to watch this, it really does.
Sam Vaughn| 6.13.12 @ 8:07AM
If the decision is between a "safe" choice and a bold choice I take bold. No race ever went to the timid.
Von Mises Jr| 6.13.12 @ 8:10AM
Jon Kyl is a great 70 year old man. If Romney served two terms, the Senator will be 78.
Santorum lost PA in his last Senate run in 2006 in an 18 point loss. Why would one think he would bring PA to Romney?
Rubio, Ryan, Toomey and Jindal are all younger rising stars and excellent choices with ability to step up in the case of tragedy and are formidable as heir apparent. Any of these brilliant men would be a hoot to watch debate Bozo "Bite Me."
JimP| 6.13.12 @ 8:16AM
Jindal is/would be my choice for VP. He can work on his public speechifying skill. Anyone who saw him at all during the Katrina disaster or during the BP oil spill saw a guy who is not just articulate, but direct, informed, sharp as a tack, energetic, dedicated and honest. He was a marvel to watch. If he isn't averse to using political muscle, that's even better IMO. My wife saw him several times and commented on how impressed she was with him. She didn't care that he was "ugly as sin" in some people's opinions.
Occam's Tool| 6.13.12 @ 6:40PM
I seem to recall Lincoln, when accused of being two faced, stated, "If I had two, would I be wearing this one?"
potkas7| 6.13.12 @ 8:26AM
There are two themes in contemporary politics that are pretty dim-witted. The first is the idea that the best person to fill a political job is someone who knows nothing about politics. Last time out we elected a President who knew nothing and I think you can make a prima facie case that he's been an unmitigated disaster.
The second idea is to take someone who is being very effective in his current job - let's say Jindal, Ryan or Walker - and slot them into the role of second banana where they'll have to carry out someone else's agenda instead of their own. Is that what we really want to do?
So, who would be a great pick for Vice President? Newt Gingrich. Why? Because he knows how to give a spellbinding speech. He's thought about the important issues and can help frame the agenda and create the accompanying PowerPoint pointy-talky presentations to get the people on board. Most important, he knows how Congress works and how to pull the levers and twist arms.
If Romney is going to succeed as President - and let's face it Romney is going to be the nominee - then he needs a second who can carry out his program and make it happen. And that takes an old bull with experience.
rightasrain| 6.13.12 @ 10:13AM
If Romney wants to commit political suicide by picking Gingrich (or Santorum) he might as well get it over with quicker by playing footsie with Larry Craig in a bathroom stall. Every negative word said by them about Romney during the primaries would be played over and over and over....
David| 6.13.12 @ 6:14PM
Well, couldn't we replay everything that Biden and Hillary and Bill said about the Boy not being ready in the 2008 campaign. And the Boy has proved them correct in their assessments of him - the Boy is in way over his head just as Biden and Hilly and Willy said he would be.
rightasrain| 6.13.12 @ 6:54PM
In a just world we could but the MSM doesn't treat us justly. We would be bombarded with Gingrich's and Santorum's statements and Obama would skate.
MacWell™| 6.13.12 @ 5:06PM
I totally agree. Newt speaks fluent Axelrod and can hold his own with anyone the left throws at him. Like it or not, Romney's our man so we need to support him in November.
Don't sit home!
Get up, get out and vote!
We need to remove all the people who believe that America NEEDS to be "fundamentally transformed".
Matthew Quigley| 6.13.12 @ 8:55AM
With the exception of Kyl, I have just one question: Are you high? I mean, seriously, Rubio and Jindal do NOT pass constitutional muster, Ryan would be best suited to replace Boner Boehner as Speaker, Sanctimonium couldn't win his own state for reelection and is fixated on social issues to the point where it becomes insane, and Toomey is a fine legislator in a branch where we NEED Conservatives...so why yank him from that arena? (I could make the same case about Kyl, but Jan Brewer would likely appoint another good Conservative to fill his place. The same can NOT be said for Pennsylvania)
So again: Dude, are you HIGH?
Al Adab| 6.13.12 @ 7:04PM
Matt Q:
Kyl is not running for re-election out in AZ where his likely successor if Cong. Jeff Flake. His nomination would not create a vacancy. He may not even be interested but certainly would have been the candidate for VP in '08 had the candidate been other than McCain which disqualified Kyl as both were from the same state.
Matthew Quigley| 6.14.12 @ 11:56AM
Thanks for the info, Al!
Derek Leaberry| 6.13.12 @ 9:17AM
I am sure I am in a minority amongst conservatives but I will not vote for a married woman who does not take her husband's surname. That goes for Liz Cheney as well. Not only does it show a feminist side but it shows a contempt for tradition.
Russel| 6.13.12 @ 9:29AM
Ah geez , this is known as a deadline column - just come up with something , anything . A waste of time . Why have we not heard a peep about what congress is doing ? . They happen to be there and working right now , more than likely passing more legislation which will mash our country even further . Cmon Quin , write something we can use .
Cincinnatius| 6.13.12 @ 9:53AM
It appears to me that very, very few people have read, much less, put any emphasis on the Constitution of the United States. How could the author suggest Rubio and Jindal as potential veeps when neither qualify under the terms of natural born citizen as mandated by the Constitution. Either would make excellent choices, IF, they were qualified under the Constitution but alas, they aren't. If we as conservatives are going to tout the principles espoused in the Constitution, we MUST abide by the requirements imposed by it. Natural Born presidents is a BIG one! Oh and by the way, Obama is not a natural born citizen either.
potkas7| 6.13.12 @ 11:20AM
I'm sorry but what are you talking about? Both were born on US soil, within the CONUS boundaries and so are US citizens by birth regardless of their parent's immigration status.
rightasrain| 6.13.12 @ 1:56PM
Natural born citizenship is generally accepted to mean more than mere citizenship. Although undefined in the Constitution, the treatises consulted by the Founding Fathers defined "natural born" as born in the particular country to parents who were both citizens of that country at the time of the birth. Hence all the brouhaha about Obama regardless of where he was born. His father was not a US citizen. And a question remains as to whether both Jindal's and Rubio's parents were US citizens at the time of their respective births.
JimP| 6.13.12 @ 2:13PM
But, what about this from Wiki: "A 2011 Congressional Research Service report stated
The weight of legal and historical authority indicates that the term “natural born” citizen would mean a person who is entitled to U.S. citizenship “by birth” or “at birth,” either by being born “in” the United States and under its jurisdiction, even those born to alien parents; by being born abroad to U.S. citizen-parents; or by being born in other situations meeting legal requirements for U.S. citizenship “at birth.” Such term, however, would not include a person who was not a U.S. citizen by birth or at birth, and who was thus born an “alien” required to go through the legal process of “naturalization” to become a U.S. citizen.[1]
JimP| 6.13.12 @ 2:16PM
Even if you are correct, Obama has established a legal precedent and Jindal is much more qualified than the 'Kenyan' in this regard. Recall the legal principle of Stare Decisis.
rightasrain| 6.13.12 @ 2:22PM
People can certainly disagree and there appears in many corners to be a strong desire to ignore the "natural born" requirement in the Constitution. But the definition that prevailed when the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution was that set forth in my prior post.
JimP| 6.13.12 @ 4:37PM
I'm not being argumentative here, but please cite the "treatises" and other sources to which you refer regarding the Founders view on "natural born citizen". I'd like to read them. Thanks.
rightasrain| 6.13.12 @ 4:58PM
The primary treatise is de Vattel's The Law Of Nations published in 1758 which many if not most of the Founding Fathers had read and which recently was proved definitively to have been checked out of a library by George Washington.
JimP| 6.13.12 @ 4:54PM
Mea maxima culpa, 'rightas..' & 'Cincinnatus'. I went ahead and did some preliminary research myself. It's clear that you guys are correct about the Founders definition of "natural born citizen". Shame on me for cracking wise and not researching this sooner. Thank you both for your posts.
Now, please pardon me while I take time out to remove my foot from my mouth and the egg from my face.
Best regards,
JimP
rightasrain| 6.13.12 @ 5:10PM
Glad you checked it out.
Quin Hillyer| 6.13.12 @ 6:58PM
I researched this thoroughly last year, and there is no question in my mind: Both Rubio and Jindal qualify.
Al Adab| 6.13.12 @ 7:01PM
Title 8, section 1401 of the U S Code is the state of the law. This was tried on McCain (born in Panama Canal Zone) and George Romney (Mexico) and Goldwater (AZ territory). No luck.
NeilBJ| 6.13.12 @ 7:12PM
Natural born citizenship as a requirement for the office of president is a constitutional mandate and can be changed only by a constitutional amendment.
Al Adab| 6.13.12 @ 7:27PM
...and the term is defined in the citation. We may not like it, but it is reality.
JimP| 6.13.12 @ 1:53PM
I'm with 'potkas7'. What ARE you talking about? Please cite your section of the U.S. Constitution that bars Jindal from meeting the citizenship requirements for POTUS. My Constitution says he is qualified and is a citizen. Being born and raised in LA isn't natural born? Parents being from Punjab isn't a disqualifier that I know of. Is it because he was conceived in India 6 months before his parents arrived in the U.S.? So it's like a formula? Six months in the womb overseas is more than 3 months in the womb here, therefore, disqualified? 'Splain it to us, please.
Occam's Tool| 6.13.12 @ 6:45PM
In all seriousness, a legal assault on Jindal's birthright citizenship status would fail. The Founding Fathers initially disliked political parties, as well.
If you are born here, and are a citizen from birth, you can run for POTUS. My daughter Rebekah, being a Mayan Indian who is super bright and loves to argue at age 9, might become the first Native American member of the HLS faculty and then Chief Justice of SCOTUS, but she can't run for President, and she knows this. (One must first visualize it, then one can achieve it.)
rightasrain| 6.13.12 @ 6:57PM
It's not an assault on birthright citizenship, it's a question of natural born status.
Al Adab| 6.13.12 @ 6:58PM
O/T:
Title 8, Sec. 1401 of the U S Code prevails in this debate. We may not all like the state of the law but there it is. Jindahl, Rubio and Obama qualify as did McCain, George Romney and Goldwater for that matter.
rightasrain| 6.14.12 @ 1:34PM
Title 8 does not prevail in this debate. The Constitution prevails. The founding Fathers knew what they meant by "natural born" citizen. It is not the equivalent of citizen at birth as per Title 8. All natural born citizens are citizens at birth but not all citizens at birth are natural born. The eligiblility to be president and VP is a higher standard. Admittedly, this has been muddied for years. And progressives certainly have an incentive to keep it muddied. But constitutionally, neither Rubio, Jindal nor Obama are eligible.
goon48 | 6.13.12 @ 10:06AM
Please no more RINO's the GOP needs a solid fiscal conservative that can help level out ROMNEY. I think that Rubio would be the best choice...
David| 6.13.12 @ 6:29PM
Rubio does not have a record at the federal level. Let him establish one before we embarrass ourselves when he turns out not to be the conservative we all THINK, not KNOW, that he is.
MikeBee| 6.13.12 @ 10:15AM
Quin,
I believe that Romney is weak in the deep South (except for Florida), and Republicans need the deep South to win presidential elections. You are from down there, and only mention Jindal as a possible Veep candidate. Forget all these guys from the North; Romney is already from the North. Who else can carry the deep South for Romney? Gingrich? Anyone else?
Al Adab| 6.13.12 @ 7:08PM
In '08 the electoral vote was 365 to 173. FL, Ohio, NC and VA have 75. Add Iowa and it's still short. Is there someone who can deliver the needed electoral votes? If there are other states in play with a national figure, there is our candidate.
JimP| 6.13.12 @ 1:43PM
He's too 'Jersey', even though I am ok with that. I don't think the majority of the country cares for the 'Jersey' personality stereotype. You know, "Jersey Shore". Chris is basically the quintessential stereotype Jersey personality. People hated Rudy, even though he was more conservative than Mitt, because he's from NYC, not per se because of his policy positions. Although few will admit it probably. It's like an Obama approval poll, they don't want to be seen as bigots.
Who Knows?| 6.13.12 @ 10:52AM
Romney should insist that Obama replace Joe Biden with
JEREMIAH WRIGHT.
We need truth in advertising!
We are knee deep is you know what.
All Quin’s detailed analysis of each of the people he considered, all the pros and cons, are fine and dandy. However, never forget that “mistaking the forest for the trees” saying.
In each state that is in play—throw out the deep blue and red ones---there exists a set of voters, who on the margin, will determine whether BHO or Mitt wins.
In my semipro political opinion, Romney needs to choose a young, articulate CONSERVATIVE, who will appeal to all the fence sitters.
It’s too funny to realize that the Obama team really believes that one of their biggest challenges is getting their message out. It’s a communications problem!
Actually, what those ever-present marginal voters need, most vitally, is to be edified. It’s not that Romney should “get his message out”, but that he must teach those people, who are still not totally brainwashed, how the world REALLY works.
Yes, there’s a whole lot of larnin’ by a whole lot of voters that has to happen.
Use the veep choice, Romney, to help you educate Americans!
KISS. With the emphasis on---stupid.
Riff Raff| 6.13.12 @ 11:08AM
I'd be happy with the girl in the picture. She's cute! (We must have our priorities right, after all!)
WillyP | 6.13.12 @ 7:27PM
That would be Sen Kelly Ayotte, from NH.
http://www.ayotte.senate.gov/
Crassus| 6.13.12 @ 11:38AM
Neither Jindal nor Rubio is anywhere near ready for prime time. Both would get eaten alive in a fall campaign by the Democratic and media smear machine. Paul Ryan and Scott Walker are both much tougher. I think Romney should choose one of them.
Peppermint Tea | 6.13.12 @ 11:43AM
Scott Walker, the next Calvin Coolidge, or
Rand Paul.
Please no ladies this year...it comes across as a desperate move. Yes, Mondale and McCain, I mean your sorry-a$$ campaigns.
StarTripper| 6.13.12 @ 2:26PM
I agree. Rand Paul would solidify the south and the conservative base. We might even pick up some Libertatian minded young people.
mjs_pa| 6.13.12 @ 11:51AM
If you want some one with experience, credibility, appeals to evangelicals/conservatives/Tea Party types, and can eviscerate liberal propaganda, AL Senator Jeff Sessions is your man.
No one can better alleviate conservative fears of romney moving further left if elected.
Sessions would be a strong voice for conservative principles and ideals within any administration on a full range of issues.
Being from the South, he offsets the obvious weakness romney has of being a MA progressive.
Sessions unlike Kyle, doesn't have the taint of John McCain and Lindsey Graham....especially on hot button issues such as amnesty.
JimP| 6.13.12 @ 2:07PM
Can you imagine how apoplectic Sessions would make the NE and Left Coast libs? It's a fun thought. Unfortunately I think Jeff is too down home (aka: Southern) for most folks tastes and would not be selected for that reason. I love the guy and wish we had more Southern politicians who believe and sound like him, but there are still lots of folks who are put off by strong Southern accents combined with strong conservative credentials. Consequently the smears from the left might stick a little too much. We need and want every vote this year, IMO, to make the election a 'wave'.
Casey Abell| 6.13.12 @ 12:04PM
Might miss my guess. But Romney is probably more likely to listen to me (or you) than to Hillyer on anything. Hillyer can't stand Romney, and if Romney knows Hillyer at all, the animosity is probably mutual.
That said, it will be Rubio. Even Hillyer seems to realize it. Kyl? Jindal? Yeah, right.
David| 6.13.12 @ 6:32PM
Rubio does not have a record at the federal level. Let him establish one before we embarrass ourselves when he turns out not to be the conservative we all THINK, not KNOW, that he is.
Oldefarte| 6.13.12 @ 12:25PM
Of all the suggested choices, Jindal and Ryan are the only credible one as he has the professional governmental management creds to get the job done post 2012. Someone previously editorialized that Romney is locked into the desire to pick a experienced business oriented politician who thinks similarly to himself, which I absolutely agree with. The economy is on the verge of collapsing, government is in serious need of a Scarsdale-type financial diet, and many government in general requires major overhauls. In addition to Jindal [whom the editorialist indicated parallels Romney's thought processes and is highly favorable to him], Trump, Daniels, Ryan, Walker, and others would only become capable according to Romney's business personae since they would have the desire and professional ability to accompolish these problems after delegation by President Romney. I don't think it's going to be BUSINESS AS USUAL if Romney is elected, and there is going to be much pain and suffering [or weeping and knashing of teeth] thereafter. Romney is/was a capitalistic financial manager-venture captialist, so IMHO he will begin to downsize and streamline government to the dismay of many [but same has to be done for the country's survival]. He will want/need a reliable business oriented partner in a VP who can be assigned the task of becoming the front-line task-master of this project. It's going to be GRAB YOUR SOCKS AND KISS YOUR ARS GOODBYE time for the lovers of governmental largesse!!!!!!!
cicero| 6.13.12 @ 12:29PM
Why waste all of the young conservative talent(?) on the first term V.P.? Kyl sounds right. At 70, he has made his mark in the Senate, and can hold down the duties of the V.P. After 4 years, he may want to go again, or step aside for another. In any event, the young conservatives will have been fighting the fight in their current positions. In the event of a catastophe occurring to the president, Kyl has the wisdon and strength, to sahy nothing of the experience, to hold the fort.
Dixon| 6.13.12 @ 12:50PM
Jindall would be an excellent choice. But of Quinn's list, Rubio is my choice.
Ryan is my Congressman and I respect and admire the guy immensely...but I have hopes he will become Speaker, replacing the timid, inarticulate, weepy Boehner.
One candidate not mentioned by Quinn would be Mitch Daniels....plainspoken, very bright, articulate and an excellent executive. He would logically and cordially slice and dice obamanation so many ways they would not know which wound to plug first....and old dumb Joe would be like catnip in Mitch's paws during the two debates.
Condi Rice is a possibility too...but only if cynical BO throws old dumb Joe under the bus and taps Hilary.
PolishKnight| 6.13.12 @ 1:18PM
I'd prefer it if Romney could avoid ties to the previous Bush administration as much as possible.
The Bushes did some good things (appointing Clarence Thomas to the SC, for example) but overall they helped to shepherd the Republican party into a moderate form of the Democrat party.
I don't like gender or race appointments to pander to particular electorates since that is what by definition the left does so anyone who thinks that way won't bother switching over from the left, will they? A good VP is someone who won't bring problems (gaffes or a target for the leftist media mill) but simultaneously will help bring the votes of a target district so the authors suggestion to target Florida, Wisconsin, or perhaps even Pennsylvania. The problem is that Pennsylvania is a crazy state with a bunch of Democrat FDR voters who don't know yet that the democrat party has thrown them under the bus. It's a state full of RINOs but also some solid conservatives. If he can get one of those, it would be a game changer because it might help get some of the rust belt states nearby also leaning Republican/conservative such as Ohio and even Jersey. (Yes, that sounds crazy, but I'm stretching here. It's possible.)
Derek Leaberry| 6.13.12 @ 2:39PM
Condi Rice is pro-choice on abortion, a big part of the fiascos in the Middle East, and supports civil marriage.
David| 6.13.12 @ 6:36PM
No to Condi. She is pro-abortion just like all the Bushes' women have been from Barbara on down.
Derek Leaberry| 6.13.12 @ 1:25PM
Romney wants the election to be a referendum on Obama. He will pick a colorless white man from a state he needs to win. So the VP pick will be either Governor Bob McDonnell of Virginia or Senator Rob Portman of Ohio. McDonnell helps more in Virginia than Portman helps in Ohio, Portman's views on free trade not being in line with the small undecided vote in Ohio. Portman also served the Bush Administration as US Trade Representative and Director of OMB. The Obama campaign would like to hit the failures of the Bush Administration and Portman's role within that administration like a pinata. In comparison, McDonnell would have to explain a 1988 master's thesis for Pat Robertson's Regency University that held feminism and working women as a negative force against the family. That's almost twenty-five years ago and McDonnell has turned his back on social conservatism.
E B | 6.13.12 @ 1:31PM
Great list! Thanks for keeping Rubio at the bottom of it where he belongs. I agree, Jindal would be an AWESOME choice which I thought even before reading your article, which told me even more reasons why he would be an excellent VP.
Controse| 6.13.12 @ 1:50PM
Mitt, moderate your sever conservatism. Reach across the aisle. Chose Gov. Sarah Palin. Once she starts attracting crowds twice yours you'll want to instead have her warm up your audience. The speech before the speech sort of thing. Your speeches will become shorter and easier to remember too. Once she has the audience standing and cheering, step on the stage, turn to her and tell your followers "What [pause] she [pause] said! Thanks to all for coming. Have a great day."
Immortal 600| 6.13.12 @ 2:52PM
The worst person on this list would be better than the buffoon who is currently Veep.
Oldefarte| 6.13.12 @ 4:37PM
You're being way too kind in calling him a 'buffoon'!!!!!!!!!
hook| 6.13.12 @ 5:41PM
Portman or Daniels would be better picks than all mentioned although I agree about Rubio. Romney doesn't need to take chances. The best pick mentioned is Kyl who is able, sensible, and qualified.
David| 6.13.12 @ 6:11PM
Well, TLP, who are your top choices?
TLP| 6.14.12 @ 4:06PM
Your Mother.
David| 6.13.12 @ 6:41PM
Quinn, I agree with your top 3 picks of Santorum, Kyl, and Jindal, but I would add a 4th and that is Bob McDonnell of VA. Have seen him a few times lately and he is impressive; and he has a conservative record to back him, unlike Rubio. Scott Walker is impressive, too, but we need him where he is.
Quin Hillyer| 6.13.12 @ 7:05PM
I mentioned McDonnell, Portman, and many others in my previous columns, which were linked above. McDonnell and Portman were my ninth and eighth choices, respectively.
PCPSmokerII| 6.13.12 @ 7:10PM
Don't bother writing a real column. Let's mentally masturbate about Romney's running mate until it happens. Then you can analyze that.
redwolf6911| 6.13.12 @ 9:24PM
Jindal is not a natural born citizen. Kyle maybe. You did mention Col. Allen West in Florida. True Patriot, articulate, Tea Party and brings Military experience that Romney will need. Veterans is a huge concern of his and rightfully so. I heard him speak recently and enjoyed every minute. He is my choice.
Appleby| 6.14.12 @ 7:19AM
No woman will run as Vice President because she will know going in that she will be relentlessly mocked, trashed, dumped on and ridiculed from Day One, as will her husband, children and relatives to the third and fourth degree. She will be jeered at for her choice in clothing, her abilities in the kitchen -- or for not spending more time in the kitchen -- and in the bedroom (not enough kids, too many kids, the wrong kind of kids). The visceral hatred Democrat Sisterhood has for Republican women will keep women out of the White House until the Democrats decide to run a Lesbian or Transgender "female" as VP.
bill glass| 6.14.12 @ 12:16PM
If he goes for Rubio or Jindal, I'm thinking about going for Gary Johnson, or staying home. The Constitution's important to me.
TLMCBP| 6.14.12 @ 2:17PM
What about Allen West?
Abu Nudnik| 6.14.12 @ 3:16PM
Jindal is my pick too but is he eligible? He can't become president because his mother was pregnant when she arrived in America. He's native-born, not natural-born. I believe that disqualifies him and Romney has stated he is going to pick the best president for his running mate, not some strategic pick. That leaves both Rubio and Jindal out, doesn't it?
I'm not so sure that Ryan's ability to get the hornets stirred is a bad thing. People got awful sick of the Occupy incoherence and emotional incontinence. Maybe making them look insane and out of touch is a good thing.
ChuckL| 6.14.12 @ 6:03PM
With the current fiasco about Obama's "Natural Born Citizen" status, it would be an excellent idea to not duplicate this with the Republican vice-presidential nominee. Both Bobby Jindal, whom I like, and Marco Rubio were born before their parents became citizens of the U. S. Neither of them is eligible. Don't nominate either of them.
FeFe| 6.15.12 @ 6:50AM
Our party's rising stars. A stable. How would The Factory man Louis B. Mayer put it? "More stars than there are in heaven."
So you need a script to appeal to Reagan Democrat males and Republican mothers. Date night. A B-reel weepie?
Twenty on that list out of Utah, and sure enough, an insult to omit Santorum. At least no Jon Huntsman, the man who engineered Obama's same-sex marriage evolution. (Only the best and the brightest behind the bionic Romney machine curtain! heh Not so wise to parade Mr. SHeDAISY before the Democrat media complex to wink at hipsters that with Romney you get the bonus of poking the Christian, Southern, Wal-Mart, "What's the Matter with Kansas?" bear. D'oh! Guess you got to own those evangelicals now, GOP-E. Smooth, Mr. Axlerod.)
You get my undivided attention speaking of virility, "Reagan was a movement conservative, a leader of the movement. You would call him rigid...and rigidity is a virtue." I lean in close with talk of principles, "An ideology means a coherent set of ideas and policies, and Reagan had them and he pursued them." You take my hand, "'We had lost our way.'" We look into each others eyes, "a return to Reaganism." A lip's distance apart, "I'm not sure that Rick Santorum with his huge emphasis on social issues was a Reaganite." Bazinga! A willful mischaracterization of Santorum's campaign. The conservative base sucks hind teat, again. Loyalty? Santorum was only the extremist foil for our man Mitt, you say? Buyer's remorse, I ask?
RCV| 6.17.12 @ 3:05PM
Romney's VP choice will depend on the state of the polls come choice time. If its very close then, or Obama's ahead, he will go bold: Christie or Rubio. If he has built up a lead, he'll go safe: Portman.
GenEarly| 6.17.12 @ 8:58PM
Marco Rubio just put together a Senate RINO vote with the Democrats to confirm a leftist ambassador to El Salvador over the majority of Republicans in the Senate who had previously blocked her confirmation. Rubio is No Conservative.