-
Putting Heritage in DeMint Condition
May 10, 2013 | 57 comments
-
Military Might, Out of the Wilderness
May 8, 2013 | 115 comments
-
Not Wanting to Write About Nothing Good
April 30, 2013 | 126 comments
-
Perez Abomination Grows
April 23, 2013 | 81 comments
-
Tea Partiers for Freedom
April 16, 2013 | 12 comments
Streetcar Line
Veep, Veep: The Update
Cherchez la femme.
Conventional wisdom now has Mitt Romney’s vice presidential “short list” down to four names: Bobby Jindal, Paul Ryan, Rob Portman, and Tim Pawlenty. While none of them would turn off conservatives, only the first two would have any chance of actually exiting conservatives and motivating an all-out effort by grassroots activists, without which a Republican presidential candidate is highly unlikely to win.
In that light, let’s assess the state of the field, and some further arguments on why certain choices would be far better than others.
First, Portman. Frankly, if he were from any state other than the fiercely contested Ohio, he would barely be on the list. The Obama team desperately wants again to run against the memory of the Bush presidency/presidencies — and Portman is the only elected official in the country who is so largely the creation not just of one but of both Bush presidencies. That, plus his status as Ivy-League son of Ivy-League father (to join Romney’s as governor-wanting-to-be-president son of a governor who wanted to be president), both of them wealthy, is hardly a good lure for the cultural-affinity blue-collar or hard-scrabble rural voters who can be prone to wish poxes on both houses and refuse to vote at all. Unless Romney’s camp has internal polling showing a very significant boost for Romney in Ohio due to a Portman selection, its decision-makers would be well advised to stay away.
Speaking of Bushies, the latest buzz, largely driven by Bill Kristol both in print and (literally as I was typing the first paragraph of this column) on Fox News, is that Condoleezza Rice has a bigger chance than is commonly imagined. Well, Rice is a very impressive lady, who makes a great speech, is immensely likeable, and is culturally conservative in some very important ways. But she is associated not just hip-to-hip with the younger Bush, but with his most unpopular legacy of all, namely his wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Worse, she just didn’t do a good job under Bush: As National Security Advisor, she notoriously failed to successfully referee disputes between the departments of Defense and State; and as Secretary of State, she often went squishy. Finally, Romney has repeatedly promised to name a pro-lifer, but she describes herself as “mildly pro-choice.”
Next up is the strange focus on Pawlenty. The Romney team is said to think Pawlenty’s blue-collar background and some of his interactions with crowds will give him credibility and attractiveness to the slice of the electorate Pawlenty himself dubbed “Sam’s Club Republicans.” But where is the evidence? On TV, he comes across as a well-coifed, white-bread pol who says nothing memorable and little that is passionate. In Minnesota, he won two terms as governor, but both times with under 50 percent of the vote. Plus, unlike Portman, he showed that his (supposed) home-state popularity is utterly non-transferable: He campaigned hard during the primary season for Romney only to see Romney badly spanked in caucuses in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, even though Romney had won Minnesota four years earlier. There’s a reason he bombed so badly in his own race for president: He’s boring. If Romney were up significantly in the polls, boring-but-safe might be a good choice. But Romney is in a real battle. Pawlenty won’t do much to help.
Much more worthy of consideration is Arizona’s U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl, who also earned a mention from National Review’s Ramesh Ponnuru. Kyl speaks more impressively — with better intonation and cadence, better specificity, and better focus — than Pawlenty. He has a longer record as a conservative; better strengths where Romney is less experienced (defense/foreign policy, law-and-justice); and, importantly, does not create the heir-apparent problem of depressing a conservative movement that wants one of its own in either 2016 or 2020 and who might chafe at the prospect of a lengthy Romney-Pawlenty regency.
Plus, politically he makes more sense than one would ordinarily think. This is a guy whose roots are in Iowa and in the inland West; he knows how to walk the right lines on Western issues. It may be surprising, but it’s still true, that Romney can win a tie vote in the Electoral College, and eventually the presidency, merely by sweeping the south, plains, and inland West (without New Mexico), plus Alaska, without a single Rust-Belt state except for the traditionally more conservative Indiana. In other words, Romney could basically assign Kyl the job of heading up an Iowa-Colorado-Nevada effort while Romney focused his efforts on the Rust Belt and New Hampshire (and Virginia, if he’s still worried about it). Kyl won’t hurt anywhere, but he really could help nail down swing voters in the West and thus provide the ticket a key firewall. (In fact, if he could help Romney nab New Mexico as well, the firewall would create an Electoral majority, not just a tie.)
Moving on, let’s consider Ryan and Jindal. The arguments for both are that both would enthuse conservative activists, and both can explain Republican proposals on hot-button issues (health care, entitlements) in ways that most voters can understand without being scared off. Both have the chance also to appeal to younger voters, and neither is likely to turn off professional women/soccer moms who often swing fairly dramatically back and forth between parties. Both are proven vote-getters; and Jindal adds superb crisis management to the mix while Ryan, like his mentor Jack Kemp, knows how to reach into non-professional ranks (union workers included) and speak the language of “opportunity” in a way people can understand. Ryan also presumably could help deliver Wisconsin to a GOP presidential candidate for the first time since 1984. (Careful polling and focus-grouping would be needed to confirm this supposition.)
The biggest drawback for both is something that in ordinary circumstances would be a benefit, not a detriment — namely, that they are policy wonks with a proclivity towards policy specificity. As long as the specificity is matched by effective political sales pitches, most campaigns would thrill at such abilities. The question here is whether it fits in with the sort of campaign — safe, rather vague on details, unadventurous, coldly calculated not to provide any hard “targets” for opponents to slam — that the Romneyites seem determined to run.
If this is the sort of thing that scares off the campaign honchos, well, shame on them. It will mean they are playing small-ball, in an election that calls for boldness. On the other hand, the last thing a campaign needs is to have its strategy mismatched with its main protagonists’ styles.
Such considerations, much as conservatives may disagree with them, also probably help explain why nobody seems to think the Romneyites are even considering primary-season runner-up Rick Santorum. Yet they really, really are wrongheaded if they haven’t at least run extensive polls on how the Pennsylvanian would affect the ticket. Look, this campaign should be all about winning. If Santorum can help the ticket, it shouldn’t matter one bit whether some Romneyites bear grudges from a rough-house primary season.
Finally, speaking of long shots, there is one who continues to move up among veteran political observers. Despite her newness to the national scene, New Hampshire’s Kelly Ayotte might be a perfect target to sucker the Democrats. Why? Because the automatic temptation on the left will be to attack Ayotte in very much the same way they attacked Palin, with a fury and passion that are over the top. But Ayotte is far more prepared for such an assault than was Palin, who despite all her virtues was woefully unready for the scathing onslaught she received. Ayotte already knows federal issues very well; she also has the toughness of a former prosecutor, the executive experience of serving as her state’s attorney general for five years, and the respect from many of the same talking heads who bedeviled Palin and helped set the template for coverage of her. If the left tries smearing Ayotte the same way they smeared Palin, the result is likely to be a backlash just as heavy from professional women swing voters and others in the middle as it was among conservative activists for Palin. In short, the attacks will backfire.
Ayotte also offers the advantage of hailing from not one but two key swing states, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania. She will have been vetted longer and more deeply than Palin was, with far more time available to plan the “roll-out” introducing her to the American public and following up with a longer-term strategy of capitalizing on her assets.
And as was put very well by the blogger Brad Porter at The Crossed Pond, “Ayotte has it all. And, most importantly, she brings it all to the table without significant detriments or lapses to her politicality. She can speak to kitchen table economic issues, without the baggage of CEO-ness. She can talk to new audiences without being radically different from them. She can add to Romney’s message in other areas without undercutting him. She can look qualified without being old hat. She can speak to the middle class family experience, and offers no real purchase for arguments about being out of touch or of a totally alien economic caste in the same way they’ll bury Romney alive with it. She can, in other words, add to the campaign, with no significant subtracting.”
So, I’ll be willing to bet that the list is down to these eight: Jindal, Ryan, Portman, Pawlenty, Santorum, Kyl, Rice, and Ayotte. If I were running the campaign, I’d pick Jindal or Kyl (for reasons explained here), with Ryan offering almost as good an option. (This is, of course, assuming that detailed, multiple polls and focus groups don’t indicate that one particular candidate offers tremendous, game-changing benefits. In that case, the data should rule as long as the private vetting doesn’t find jokers in the deck.) In the end, I don’t think Kyl, Santorum, Rice, or Pawlenty will prove attractive enough to the Romney team — and I’m betting (figuratively) that Romney ultimately will find himself agonizing between either Portman (indicating Ohio’s importance), Jindal, or Ryan, on one hand, and Ayotte on the other. Yes, Ayotte will continue moving up, and will make it to the very final cut. And if she’s chosen, she is likely to prove herself a champ.
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 (113) | Leave a comment
More Articles by Quin Hillyer
More Articles From Streetcar Line
http://spectator.org/archives/2012/07/10/veep-veep-the-update
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
ADVERTISEMENT
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 7.10.12 @ 7:30AM
During the primaries we heard about how Mitt was not fit and how Newt/Pawlenty/Santorum/Ad Nauseum were better candidates.
Now, Mitt Romney, the man who still gets little respect, but who still took it all without the help of the Republican establishment is supposed to be looking out for advice from the same inner sanctums who dissed him.
I think Mitt Romney is very smart and so far has run what is perceived as a lukewarm campaign.
Well, let's go back to the last campaign with the inspirational John McCain, the Maverick, the firebrand, who actually went rogue before Palin thought of cashing in on the word.
Yes, his campaign was weak. He didn't want to be perceived as attacking Barack Obama, presumably because Obama was a young black man who deserved a fair chance. Well, he got his chance thanks to the last retard (Sorry Sarah) who was adored and adulated by the Republican mainstream.
Now, we come to the selection of Vice-President. I'm sure Romney will make a good choice.
One name I was surprised not to see on your list is Governor Christie. Yes, he's part lib. But he has the ability to overcome liberalism with well reasoned argument.
Whoever is selected, I'm sure the two will do a much better job than McCain/Palin, an obvious disaster.
TLP| 7.10.12 @ 8:17AM
He's Too FAT.
Period.
They would eat him alive (no pun intended) on the Late Night Shows, and everyplace else.
Period.
And, if it wasn't for Palin?
McCain would have been 10 times the loss, that it was. And, in my opinion, it was McCain's puke "handlers" who did all the damage. (because that's what the Establishment Type Puke Handlers always do)
And what did we LEARN from 2008?
Did we learn to tell the Liberal News Media to GFThemsleves, when they ask for a one on one HIT JOB Interview?
And, do we tell MSNBC, and that HOMO at CNN, to take a Hike, when they propose to hold the Debates?
Yes.
Yes we do.
Did I mention that Christie's TOO FAT?
Because, seriously, he looks like a PIG.
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 7.10.12 @ 8:20AM
You sound like a liberal.
That's probably why all the anger in you because you haven't gotten in touch with your inner liberal.
Judging someone by their looks is oh so liberal.
TLP| 7.10.12 @ 10:02AM
No.
Not coming to grips with how the Entire Liberal Apparattus will portray Fat Boy, if he's the nominee, is oh so, Stupid.
And the fact that my Ass Sniffer, has saddled up along side of you, only makes you look like more of an ass.
Doctor Right| 7.10.12 @ 10:49AM
"They're ALL against you! ALL of them! But you won't let it bother you because YOU'RE SPECIAL! Right?"
Boar Hunter| 7.10.12 @ 11:48AM
Bill Hussein O'Stalin, you take the prize today!
LOL, You referred to TLP as a liberal?
Let me offer you my advise concerning your interaction with him.
An insult, like humor, must have some basis in truth.
Since you are a Romney supporter, I would, by way of example, question your sexual preferences.
The funny thing about TLP is that he is very angry and frustrated because he feels he has to vote for that worthless piece of crap the Republican establishment foisted on us exactly because of oxygen thieving liberals like you.
In their effort to mirror a voting base comprised of ill informed, appeasement centered, metro-sexual liberals who hug themselves and pee down their legs at the prospect of hurting the prissy moderates, the Republican establishment gave us Romney. Hip Hip Hurray!
People despise Romney because he is a worthless candidate, chosen by worthless, cowardly men.
As long as we have idiots like you, who are willing to eat excrement sandwiches, that's what the Republican establishment will keep serving.
At least TLP has trouble getting the taste out of his mouth, I think you have come to like it.
TLP| 7.10.12 @ 4:46PM
My new Best Friend.
Doctor Right| 7.10.12 @ 9:24AM
This is why you're not a serious person with any real insight on whatever topic is being discussed.
He's "fat"?
That's why he's not a good VP candidate?
There's lots of reasons to be wary of Christie, but "fat" is not one of them.
You're a clown.
Maxwell| 7.10.12 @ 9:32AM
For all of those that are in love with Chris Christie I ask you to read Transportation Trust Funding Bill S-2020 or Google it. Chris Christie is robbing Peter to pay Paul and not putting the bonding to a vote which he is required to do.
In the bill it is described as "amended by section 18 of P.L.1992, c.23, and repealed by section 56 of P.L.2010, c.22 and now imposed pursuant to 1[R.S.54:39-103] section 3 of P.L.2010, c.22 (C.54:39-103)1.”
I will not even start on Christie and his anti gun stance.
TLP| 7.10.12 @ 10:08AM
Don't waste your breath.
These stupid bastards, apparently, have short memories of what the Ccksckr Media is capable of.
They would make HIS WEIGHT the #1 Issue in the Campaign.
Look what they did to Palin's Baby.
Are you Fcking kidding me?
They'd be marketing Beach Balls with his Fat Face on them, and any hope of getting a Solid Message out, would be LOST.
Like these two Idiot's Minds.
Doctor Right| 7.10.12 @ 10:45AM
Total clown.
Gary B| 7.10.12 @ 11:13AM
If he's a clown, he's a correct clown.
Boar Hunter| 7.10.12 @ 11:56AM
You are becoming bitter and obsessed, you should re-assess yourself.
I don't like or agree with TLP's approach or behavior, but I try not to diminish myself because of it.
Rude and uncouth he may be, the manners and sense of etiquette usually reserved for farm animals I will grant you, but TLP is still on our side.
Think "right tool for the job" even though he may be a tool, remember how many times you delighted in TLP kicking Clint, LOL.
Doctor Right| 7.10.12 @ 12:11PM
Reassess yourself; I think you have e mistaken for someone else.
First of all, "TLP" (or Clint) is not on my side.
I don't align myself with obnoxious bores who bring nothing to the table. That he may end-up voting for the same person I vote for is mere coincidence.
Secondly, lots of people are not all smiles and giggles about Romney, but the fact of the matter is that Romney IS the GOP's nominee.
Period.
Get over the hurt feelings, and focus your energy on the objective: Defeating Obama.
And make no mistake about it...Obama CAN be defeated by Romney.
(FYI, I don't recall ever "delighting" in a TLP vs. Clint duel, so I have no clue what you're referring to. In fact, I think "TLP" IS "Clint"...and if you don't think someone could pull that off, think again)
Boar Hunter| 7.10.12 @ 12:39PM
I stand corrected...concerning your views of TLP.
As far as the TLP and Clint thing, I was projecting and trying to have you see some common ground.
My apologies. Fight on.
TLP| 7.10.12 @ 4:50PM
So much for my new best friend.
TLP| 7.10.12 @ 5:47PM
And, for the record.
I don't appreciate Fish Face DELETING stuff on this post.
I don't care that "It's his Post".
If he wants to be such a Puss Ass, maybe he he should post on Vanity Fair, or one of the other Tight Ass Venues.
I served my Country, unlike him, and GODDAMN IT, I've EARNED the right to be heard, no matter how crude I may seem to his Punkass Sensibilities.
I'm a Man, and I express myself like a Man.
I shit bigger'n you, on my worst day.
If Men Talking makes you Queasy?
Maybe you should be doing something else.
Like, covering the Ballet.
You're a Disgrace.
Occam's Tool| 7.11.12 @ 1:17PM
Tim: you know I'm voting for Romney, and why. You know I respect your service, and you.But, remember when you talked about not responding to Clint and Jack, and why?
You have something to say. Dr. R does, too. But guys, c'mon. We have a common enemy here. How does bashing each other over the head help?
Purp| 7.11.12 @ 11:53AM
I sure don't like Christie, since he's a rude, loud, angry man. But I have to agree with these people - you need some meds. Some professional help. Go now - quick.
Crassus| 7.10.12 @ 4:14PM
The media would nickname a Romney/Christie ticket "The Snob and the Slob." Something to think about.
TLP| 7.10.12 @ 4:51PM
Thank You, Crassius.
You get it.
Unlike Dr. Nose Up My Ass.
Fast and Curious| 7.10.12 @ 8:19AM
I see that Rice, Pawlenty, and Portman were mentioned in this group of finalists. I find that a bit scary. If Romney is seriously considering any of these, he has a serious judgement problem. He should at LEAST pick someone who is exciting or very conservative. Many of our choices satisfy both criteria. I can't even stand listening to Pawlenty and Rice. The author is right- Pawlenty would NOT appeal to blue collar voters. He had his moment to man-up in the debates and withered.
Smithy| 7.10.12 @ 8:44AM
Why is it that I cannot generate any enthusiasm for Mitt Romney. I've tried.
As much as I hate to say it, we've lost the election already. Looks to me like we're going to have Obama for another disastrous term of more financial ruin.
Romney? Think about it. Where's the appeal?
R Martin| 7.10.12 @ 9:20AM
You haven't tried hard enough; there's plenty of appeal. Because Romney is not Obama, you should be practically ebullient. Romney has actually demonstrated his ability to solve problems and achieve success, he is honest, he is not a racist, he likes America and he would restore a sense of pride in the country. He would also work to create the economic conditions which would get America working again.
You think about it, Smithy, there's lots of appeal.
TLP| 7.10.12 @ 10:21AM
You've gotta be kidding.
He doesn't have any appeal?
He wasn't born to an Atheist/Communist Mother.
He wasn't born to a Muslim/Marxist Father.
He wasn't adopted, and raised, by a Muslim Step Father, in the Muslim Schools and Mosques of Indonesia.
He didn't kneel on a Prayer Rug, facing MECCA, and Pray to a God of Blood, Murder, Slavery, Butchery, and Subjugation, 5 times a day.
He didn't sit in a Black Racist's "Church" for 20 Years, listening to a White Hating, Jew Hating, America Hating, Farrakhan loving! Minister.
He didn't let this Racist Minister perform his Wedding, or Baptize his Kids.
He hasn't been friends with Unrepentent Domestic Terrorists, for 20 Years. He didn't make speeches at PLO Terrorist Recruiter - Khalid Rashidi's - going away party.
He never said that " The Muslim Call to Prayer is the most Beautiful sound in the world".
And, he never ATE his dog.
He just put him on the roof.
I don't know where YOU come from.
But, where I come from?
That's appeal.
In fact, it's a coupla peals.
Al Adab| 7.10.12 @ 11:14AM
Dog tastes like veal. Trust me on this.
Doctor Right| 7.10.12 @ 12:24PM
...I will.
Occam's Tool| 7.10.12 @ 2:11PM
By the way, when Romney saved that family's lives in the near drowning situation, he also saved the dog...the one creature whose future I have concern about who is currently in the White House is Bo. He's gone the moment they leave. (As a guy with 4 cats, Ginger, Pepper (the ladies), Rocky, and Cassius (the boys), and 1 dog (The Bamanator), I gotta feel for Bo. Badly named by his owners, rarely walked by his owners except for photo ops, it's gotta be a dog's life there.
TLP| 7.10.12 @ 4:53PM
Where ya been O.T.?
Occam's Tool| 7.11.12 @ 1:28PM
Tim: Love ya, man. Sincerely do. The little ones and I went on a trip to North Dakota. I learned that you should not try to see the Peace Garden when it is 90 out with 100% humidity and you have hypertension and are fat; I learned that 5 Guys really DOES make good burgers and fries (Grand Forks and Fargo), I learned my son LOVES Japanese Steakhouses and impressed my wife (who was driving) with my ability to drink sprayed saki from a ketchup bottle, I learned Bismarck, ND is really boring, I went to a Barnes and Noble and learned that there really is only ONE tourist guide to North Dakota in the whole world that is more current than 2005 (Off the Beaten Path---my wife is thinking of writing another one), I learned that Fargo has an honest gold dealer (Northern Plains Coins---I have no financial interest in the business, but the guy told me NOT to slab my coins that I purchased from the Treasury, costing him about $500, but saving me oodles of cash---(701) 297-0321), I learned the Plains Art Museum is very nice and that Luis Jiminez was a sculptor of genius, and I spent time with my wife and the World's Two Cutest Children, and bought them hundreds of dollars worth of books at the bookstore. I also did 25 hours of Continuing Medical Education, which is a year's worth, in that week. I am required to do 75 hours every 3 years; I do 125-150 PER YEAR. I like learning about saving lives.
And I missed you guys very much, including you, Tim. G-d Bless.
Occam's Tool| 7.11.12 @ 1:36PM
The saki impressed the wife because the last time I had drunk any alcohol to a significant degree was one shot of "Acquavit," which is an absolutely vile liquor the Danes drink. My wife got it down without choking; I was unable to do so, whereupon the Gay Hairdresser friend of my worthless sister who was our host told my wife that she drank like a man and I drank like a woman (I restrained myself from beating his face to a well deserved pulp).
I find drinking fairly worthless, and have done it maybe 4 times since I became 21? One time my friend was trying to get me drunk after I was accepted to medical school (I had 3 vodka/Hawaiian punch combos and told him to stick it), one time was the Acquavit shot, one time was a sip of champaigne on New Year's Eve, 1999 (I had a 103 fever the next day; so much for partying like it's...) and this made the fourth time. I'm on call 8 days out of every 14, on average, and I am a rural doc who is ultimate backup except when I am on vacation---I have no desire to accept a call not sober.
buckeyeman| 7.12.12 @ 10:33AM
"...only ONE tourist guide to North Dakota..."
I didn't know that there was EVEN one tourist guide to North Dakota. (or even one tourist)
Gary B| 7.10.12 @ 12:58PM
Me, too.
Drunken Sailor| 7.10.12 @ 3:42PM
Really? I would think their diet would affect the taste. I know horse reminds me more of grass fed beef than corn fed.
TLP| 7.10.12 @ 5:14PM
I'm thinking they must taste like Chicken.
All of the Stupid Stuff that Stupid people eat, is always said to taste like Chicken.
One wonders why they just don't eat a Chicken.
Gary B| 7.10.12 @ 11:19AM
Compare the character of these two. Which one cares about American values and has the experience to fix the economy and which one was raised hating everything about America and doubled down by marrying another America-hater?
I'm excited about Romney because of who he is. Perhaps his campaign is merely standing back and allowing Obama to continue making a world-class jackass of himself. Cost to the Romney campaign? Zero.
MK48| 7.10.12 @ 11:11AM
Smithy..........another cut and run traitor......join the queen of canada at the jane fonda retirement home.
Purp| 7.11.12 @ 12:09PM
You're right Smithy ... he's bland, run of the mill, doesn't inspire anyone and trips over his message all time.
With Swiss bank accounts (used to hide cash from the government), Cayman Islands stash and Bermuda front companies, with Romneycare hung around his neck - he is the worst Republican to run against Obama.
You can spend 2 Billion on this pig to put lipstick, rouge and perfume all over him - but at the end of the day, he's still a vulture capitalist pig.
buckeyeman| 7.12.12 @ 10:36AM
If Romney had a Swiss bank account in order to hide his cash, then why did he publicly declare his Swiss bank account? I know liberals are logically challenged but really, Perp, this don't makee no sensee.
JimP| 7.10.12 @ 11:41AM
It would be great fun watching Christie deal with the pompous pundits who fester inside the beltway, as well as the hacks and bureaucrats of DC. They would all get an attack of the vapors because of Chris. That's why I think Romney would never pick him. Christie would have everyone mad at him just for being a Jersey guy and telling chumps where to get off. Too bad, IMO.
Mimi | 7.10.12 @ 7:31AM
Quin....When taking into consideration one of Romney's top reasons for a V.P.pick it, it was their ability to take over the POTUS role.
Of the last 4 you mentioned...Ayotte. Jindal, Ryan and Portman......I'd say Paul Ryan...He is young but has it all ! Kyle could also fill that bill or Santorum!
Doctor Right| 7.10.12 @ 7:32AM
My personal preference would be for Bobby Jindal, whom I wanted to run for the top-spot.
He's brilliant (a REAL scholar, not imagined, like Obama), fearless, and a genuine, passionate Conservative.
And let's not overlook his ability to sway the growing demographic of Indian-Americans, who are a natural fit for the Republicans' pro-family, pro-growth policies.
My state of New Jersey has a huge population of Indians. Whole parts of sizable Edison Township have been renamed "Little Bombay," and a large Hindu Temple (always crowded) was recently built in Bridgewater.
Romney would be well-served by Jindal's smarts and his instincts. Jindal could also put states like New Jersey back "in play" forcing the Dems to spend time and dollars in assumed"safe zones."
...But my money is on Portman and Ohio...
Al Adab| 7.10.12 @ 11:11AM
Here we are distracted by the "veep-stakes" and while Rome burns in the form of this crisis of self-government, Romney fiddles in London. Great presidential personna, great decision making ability.
All that said, the choice is likely to be someone from a state the GOP needs to carry in Nov. but is just as liklely to be as non-controversial as possible which is the typical republican style. After all, the establishmentarian GOP blames McCains defeat not on his wobblyness, but on his running mate. Too controversial by far she. The never make a mistake style also prevents dramatic action which is exactly the prescription needed this year. Without excitment in the election the status quo will prevail.
Warrior| 7.10.12 @ 1:31PM
That's why Portman always seems to be at the top of the list. Speaking of Palin. From the people I talk with (real and imaginary), not one had any issue with Palin as VP. McCain was always the problem with the 2008 ticket. The only knock on Palin was her inexperience with handling the cackling horde of jackyls once know as journalists.
Al Adab| 7.10.12 @ 3:08PM
Indeed so Warrior. The choice of Palin electrified the campaign and the the Oh too cautious handlers and managers kept her under wraps for about three weeks while the possibility of victory slipped away. They did not allow her to show her best stuff.
Now we must ask will the same cautious approach to campaigning control the Romney camp? I fear it will and once again the GOP will snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
RCV| 7.10.12 @ 5:18PM
Oh, Al Adab, please don't blame Palin's drag on the GOP ticket on anyone but her. She did indeed electrify the base, but she also repelled uncommitted independent moderates away from the ticket in droves. McCain made that gamble knowingly, and lost. It's as simple as that.
Occam's Tool| 7.11.12 @ 1:38PM
Al: if he's smart, he will announce it JUST before the Convention---let the Dems scramble. I know it ain't gonna be Ron Paul, so I really don't care.
TLP| 7.10.12 @ 8:03AM
I started out wanting to rub your List in to your Rocky Horror Show looking face, but you might actually have ONE decent pick, here.
Kelly Ayotte.
The old saying goes that: Us guys tend to think with our Little Heads, more than our Big Heads, all too often. (Personally, I think that notion is an Urban Legend. Like the G-Spot, and the Female Orgasm. Right, guys?)
Well, the reverse can be said about you broads.
You think with your MOUTHS.
You keep saying you want a WOMAN in the White House. Yet, it seems that every time there's a woman put on a ticket? That ticket loses.
Where was the Vagina Vote in 2008?
Where were all the Biatches when Michelle Bachmann was running? Or, when all of the good Republican Women were running in California, Nevada, and elsewhere?
Normally, I would say that she doesn't bring any Electoral Votes to the table. But, with Obama's Economic War on Women in full swing, and Kitchen Table Issues squarely in the Forefront for every Family?
This could be a good pick.
It's just that: Can we REALLY, count on these Broads to use their heads, instead of their Estrogen, for once?
When, excactly, is the Election?
And does it fall on a day that correlates with the Menstrual Cycle?
And, would their Period make them MORE inclined to Vote Right?
Or, Less?
Fast and Curious| 7.10.12 @ 8:25AM
I don't think a woman VP choice would help with the woman vote. Maybe I'm wrong, but too many women resent other women who are better looking, happier, or more successful than they are.
TLP| 7.10.12 @ 10:55AM
That's exactly what I'm talking about.
Who can figure these Broads out, on ANYTHING!?
Purp| 7.11.12 @ 12:11PM
Sexist pig.
buckeyeman| 7.12.12 @ 10:49AM
Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski to Walter Sobchak: No, you're not wrong Walter, you're just an asshole."
So are you saying that TLP is just a sexist pig, or that he's wrong?
Doctor Right| 7.10.12 @ 10:47AM
In addition to clown, add "serious anger towards women" to the list...
Whatsa' matter Clint...Errr...I mean "TLP"?
Did your online subscription to skanks.com expire?
TLP| 7.10.12 @ 5:01PM
We don't "Snipe at each other".
He Snipes at me, and then I'm forced to Mop the Floor with his sorry ass.
Or, are you Blind?
Doctor Right| 7.10.12 @ 12:18PM
You like them "traditional" (subservient), don't ya'?
That's what guys do who can't meet women in the USA...go trolling for meek brides in Thailand or the Philippines.
CJW| 7.10.12 @ 1:29PM
Doc
I may be the only one here has been to Beaver, Pa., county seat of Beaver County,Pa., birth county of Tony Dorsett, Joe Namath, Mike Ditka, Henry Mancini, Ty Law.
Doctor Right| 7.10.12 @ 3:04PM
...and I'm sure it's a fine town, too!
TLP| 7.10.12 @ 5:18PM
Yeah. All I have is that picture of your Mother in the shower, that you sent in.
I showed it to my Smoking Hot Asian Wife, and she laughed, and laughed, and laughed.
I told her it was from a never been Laid, never been Kissed, Loser, with the Herpes Sore on his lip.
You.
Now, run along and get your eye back in the bathroom keyhole.
Maxwell| 7.10.12 @ 11:45AM
TLP, just did a quick read of Kelly's bio. Pro-life and pro-gun, I like. Now if she said she was for 50 state CCW & used my law firm of Baer, Brown, Wilson, & Springfield and an inter net picture of her using her AR15 for target practice.....I'd have to say, Sarah, you have competition!
On a serious note about Chris Christie, you said the Democrats would have his face on a beach ball, I'm afraid you are right.
Reggie Love| 7.10.12 @ 8:58AM
Kyl is overrated. Does anyone remember he was a co-sponsor of the 2007 Bush/McCain/Kennedy amnesty? Or his vote to confirm Eric Holder?
Romney will pick a boring establishment guy like Kyl,Thune,Pawlenty or Portman. No way does he pick a Jindal or Ryan.
R Martin| 7.10.12 @ 9:02AM
“…without the baggage of CEO-ness.”
While Mr. Hillyer writes a thoughtful piece here, the above phrase seems not to fit. Have we forgotten what the letters mean? Chief Executive Officer. That’s the person who sets the strategy, makes the key decisions and selects others who are competent and worthy to assist him. An effective president must be a good chief executive officer. We are currently witnessing the dangers of a president with no executive abilities whatsoever.
If being a CEO constitutes baggage it is because the leftist media has pushed that line, and it is a failure for Mr. Hillyer to buy into it. All the problems those of us who comment in this space address are largely because there are too few CEOs in government and too many politicians.
Derek Leaberry| 7.10.12 @ 9:36AM
If Romney picks Portman, it will be a sign that the official Republican Party is not serious about cutting government. Portman spent two years as George W. Bush's budget director and spent and spent as Bush wished. Portman was a faithful and devoted servant to the profligate big government Dubya. Portman was also Bush's trade representative in his first term. Many of what is left of the swing vote in states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Iowa are not particularly enamored with absolute libertarian free trade policies.
Of course, Romney is no conservative and has no desire to cut the government. But as a member of the business elite, he worships at the altar of absolute free trade and cares not a whit for blue-collar working men. So Portman is a perfect fit for Romney even if Portman will not help one iota in winning the industrial Midwest and specifically Ohio.
Romney will probably fall into the presidency due to the obvious failings of the current resident of the White House. And he will be a disaster for conservatism and elect Hillary Clinton, Andrew Cuomo or Martin O'Malley in 2016. Woe the dying country.
Oldefarte| 7.10.12 @ 10:34AM
Jindal is the only choice, since he has the state government managerial experience to work on the serious downsizing of the source of the defecit/debt [and to work with the congress in effecting same]. This has to be Romney's job #1 starting in January and Jindal is the person to turn the job over to and expect serious results from, since he's done it before. Besides, he's young, extremely intelligent and energetic as hades. Who cares about speaking style etc, since we already have that in spades and look what it has gotten for this country [from MR TELEPROMPTER IN CHIEF]!!!!!!!!
JayDick| 7.10.12 @ 3:55PM
Based only on substance, Jindal would be a fine choice. But the VPs first job is to help win the election. I haven't seen anything in Jindal that shows his ability to do that.
Oldefarte| 7.10.12 @ 4:04PM
No, wrong! McCain used Palin four years ago for that, AND HE LOST! Romney will use the VP choice wisely, as a CEO of a corporation would in selecting a candidate in order to improve the company. Romney will select his VP not for election winning purposes but for accompolishing the upcoming task purposes. Therefore he should probably select either Jindal or similar choice. Have a good day!!!!!
Who Knows?| 7.10.12 @ 10:39AM
Arthur Brooks had an eye-popping piece in the WSJ yesterday. (IMHO anyone who fails to read this paper’s editorial pages is woefully uninformed.)
Something like 25% of Americans even know who their two senators are!
So, while it’s great fun to be one of the one or two percent, like the comment makers on this blog, as well as people like Quin, well---whoopee doo.
At least the latter is making a living digging deeply into vice president trivia---warm spit!---but maybe those of us who “get off” on reading such “wise” pundits should spend more time growing tomatoes.
Me?
This year, I’m up to 18 plants in my limited space, and they’re all going gangbusters.
25%.
It’s hopeless.
Occam's Tool| 7.11.12 @ 1:41PM
I know mine---Klobuchar the Bland Liberal, and the Emmett Kelly Wannabee, Al Frankenstein.
KennesawJack| 7.10.12 @ 11:31AM
I, for one, will be VERY disappointed if it is Portman or Rice. Both eminently capable but nominating anyone with ties to the Bushes is the height of folly. Handing a cudgel to the Obamarx camp that they will beat us to death with is utter foolishness.
CJW| 7.10.12 @ 1:30PM
KJack
Is is your county the one that requires you to own a gun?
loulou| 7.10.12 @ 12:00PM
If Romney is stupid/weak/clueless enough to pick Timid Timmy Pawlenty, it's all over for the USA.
CJW| 7.10.12 @ 12:05PM
What happened to Rubio?
PJ| 7.10.12 @ 12:29PM
Obama signed an executive order that legalizes illegals who are 30 yrs old or less & came to this country when they were young. Obama stole the idea from Rubio who was basing his" political fortune" on it. I guess Romney seems to think that Rubio would now not add anything to his campaign.
JayDick| 7.10.12 @ 3:56PM
If that's true, he's dead wrong. Rubio is dynamite on the stump and articulate in interviews. He would be a big help in the VP's first task: helping to win the election.
Oldefarte| 7.10.12 @ 4:09PM
True, but Rubio is green from political inexperience and needs seasoning. Jindal would be a better choice. Rubio's main asset now would be his Hispanic ability to deliver Florida possibly, and that is no sound reason to select him as VP. He's never run a state as governor, and needs more political experience. He should however be selected within Romney's cabinet elsewhere!!!!
Al Adab| 7.10.12 @ 5:43PM
It is academic. Even if Rubio would deliver FL to the GOP can Romney gain the other electoral votes he needs? It is unlikely. Rubio should remain in the Senate where he will be needed to oppose the Obama regime.
CJW| 7.10.12 @ 6:27PM
Al Adab
You need to be more optimistic.
Romney will win in a landslide with a Rep Congress.
But if O is re-elected, which can happen only if so called conservatives stay home and pout, then Rubio's opposition in the Senate will be limited to pretty speeches on Hannity.
I know you are not the type, like others here, to give up and let Obama win and ruin the country.
Al Adab| 7.10.12 @ 7:35PM
Thanks W:
Some days get very long and the unexciting nominee pains me. I appreciate your energy boost. "Never, Never, Never, Never Quit"
Crassus| 7.10.12 @ 4:26PM
He signed to appear on the next Kardashian reality series.
Reggie Love| 7.10.12 @ 12:53PM
Some other choices I know he won't pick but should
Ron Johnson. Defeated Russ Feingold in 2010. Has a very good voting record,100% ACU. From a swing state.
Pat Toomey. Another great conservative. PA is even harder for Repubs than Wisconsin,but I think he would help. Plus has a great record.
Jim Jordan,congressman Ohio. The former national champion wrestler from Ohiom is as solid as it gets.
RCV| 7.10.12 @ 5:24PM
Romney isn't going to his right for the VP. You guys will hold your noses and vote for him no matter whom he picks. He will stay moderate for the broader crowd he's pitching to.
Al Adab| 7.10.12 @ 5:39PM
RCV:
Very many Conservatives will not hold their noses again and vote for Romney. They are tired of being led to defeat by the GOP accomodationist/moderate camp. As you note it is the nose holding factor which prompts the GOP to take Conservatives for granted. I believe the GOP has played that card one too many times, Obama notwithstanding.
Oldefarte| 7.11.12 @ 11:04AM
AA: They had better do as you say they will not, if they know whats good for them [as evidence, I'd suggest Peter Ferrera's article here today]. this country will die id Obama is re-elected, and if these hard-wired and stubborn conservatives stay home, the fault will lie partially with them for same!!!!!
CJW| 7.10.12 @ 6:47PM
We do not need to hold our nose to vote for Romney. He will be an excellent president, much better than Obama.
Holding your nose to vote was invented by the Dems. Remember George Meany, union leader, said he would hold his nose to vote for McGovern. How else could decent Dems vote for a draft dodging, moral degenerate like Clinton? Or an anti-semite, anti American like Obama, as shown by his 20 year relationship with Rev Wright and the terrorrist Bill Ayers.
PJ| 7.10.12 @ 12:54PM
My take on the possible VPs:
Pawlenty & Portman: too boring white bread for me & Portman has a negative association w/George.
Jindal: I like him alot. If he, a reasonable conservative, can generally get his way w/in the corrupt, Democratic LA political world then he's OK by me.
Ryan: too much of a gentleman but would add reasoned intellect to Romney's campaign.
Ayotte: Her CV looks good. Her major drawback is she is from the NE. Romney has to diversify & look west.
What about Christie? He may be overweight but he has a mouth that could silence anyone. Could add some color to a boring Romney campaign.
What about the governor from NM, Susana Martinez? Is she not seasoned enough? Could increase Romney's Hispanic vote share.
Condi Rice, Santorum: definitely not.
Kyl: like him, but too old. Might be negatively viewed as another Cheney.
JayDick| 7.10.12 @ 3:59PM
Good analysis. I would quibble a little on Jindal. All you say is true, but he doesn't seem that impressive on the stump. The VPs first job is to help win the election and I don't think Jindal would be the best in that department.
Oldefarte| 7.10.12 @ 4:12PM
No wrong again! A VP is to deliver managerially, as did Cheney for Bush, and especially in dealing with congress in the upcoming needed downsizing of this overblown government!!!!!!!
RCV| 7.10.12 @ 5:22PM
Which doesn't help Jindal much, given his total lack of experience with Congress.
PJ| 7.10.12 @ 6:11PM
Seems to me you & Oldefarte are placing your bets on Ryan.
Oldefarte| 7.10.12 @ 7:57PM
So you don't consider the state of Louisiana legislature [that Jindal deals with daily as governor] a "Congress" then, right? Isn't "Congress" the LEGISLATIVE branch of the US government, just as is a state legislature??????
PJ| 7.10.12 @ 10:30PM
Nope. Different game. Local politics are different from the national level. I would never let my local state rep go to bat with the big boys. That said Jindal has a fine moral compass & may actually do well on the national level. -- He publically questioned Obama's motives when the BP fiasco was happening & took charge when the Feds looked inept.
Oldefarte| 7.11.12 @ 11:08AM
Most of the US congressmen [of any value] were former state/local representatives, so it's not a "different game" but instead just a more intense one. As Tip O'Neill once said, ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL!!!!!
JayDick| 7.11.12 @ 12:53PM
He can't do that if they don't win the election. I disagree that the VP is not important for election purposes. The head of the ticket (Romney) is obviously more important, but a dynamite campaigner like Rubio or Ryan would be a big asset in the campaign.
Granted, Jindal would be excellent in office, but so would Ryan. Rubio? Maybe, we don't know. Of course, who could be worse than Biden? But, like I said, it doesn't matter if they don't win in November.
MikeBee| 7.10.12 @ 3:13PM
Quin,
Northern Romney will not win without a VIP candidate from the deep South. You only mention Jindal. Any other good candidates from the deep South?
I don't think that adding another Northerner to the ticket, even if a conservative, will enable Romney to win. He needs the SOUTHERN VOTE.
JayDick| 7.10.12 @ 4:01PM
Haley Barbour is probably available, but I can't see him as a VP candidate even though you can't get more "southern" than he is.
Oldefarte| 7.10.12 @ 4:17PM
Being as "southern" as he is from being born/raised in the same Mississippi town, someone like Bill Crystal's hideous remark concerning Barbour [ie HEE-HAW] was insulting and completely stupid! If Barbour wasn't interested in running for POTUS over its effects upon his family, he certainly would not be interested in the VP slot of second-bananaism. Besides, he's made enough money and probably seen enough of politics at his age anyway.
Oldefarte| 7.10.12 @ 4:21PM
PS: I meant to say that "I" am from the same small Mississippi town as Barbour!!!!
JimP| 7.10.12 @ 5:22PM
Bill Crystal is a New Yorker I believe. Having lived there myself, and being a Southerner, I can attest to the bigotry New Yorkers have toward Southerners. Once it became fashionable among NYers-and other Northerners too- to accept Black folks into the mainstream of American life- at least officially-, then white Southerners took the place of Black Americans on the list of people New Yorkers can be bigoted against, demonize and mock openly and with approval from other white NYers. Of course NY is famous for its continued real life bigotry toward Black people, but I am referring to the NY 'Swells'. People like Bill Crystal.
Oldefarte| 7.10.12 @ 7:51PM
Yep it was extremely hypocritical of Crystal to use the words of T-PAW AND HE-HAW [meaning Pawlenty and Barbour], since southern evangelicals have been ultra supportive of Israel and Jewish causes politically, and for him to sneeringly wisecrack thus was dispicable IMHO. When Jews/Israel are now being stabbed in the back by this administration for the last three years, Crystal had better re-think who his friends and supporters are if he's smart. Eighty percent of Jews supported Obama in 2008, and no doubt are now having legitimate second thoughts about him. Crystal and crew need to see the truth and stop undermining their friends!!!!
RCV| 7.10.12 @ 5:21PM
I'm afraid Haley's pardons of cold-blooded murderers has removed him from consideration this round.
Oldefarte| 7.10.12 @ 7:53PM
Well Holder's pardoning of "cold-blooded" thugs didn't seem to harm him politically, now did it???????
David| 7.10.12 @ 4:32PM
Who can connect with blue collar workers (including union types, conservative dems, and conservative Catholics?
Haley Barbour, Bobby Jindal, and Rick Santorum. Maybe Bob McDonnell, too.
No to Condi.
No to Christie (and not because he is fat, but because he will use the same irritated tone with conservatives).
No to Rubio (first let him establish a record at the federal level ). Further, he said while he supports AZ's law, "it should not be a model for the rest of the country, AND he would not want to see it passed in FL". Why the f_ck not Sen Rubio???!!!
Al Adab| 7.10.12 @ 5:34PM
Because David, the AZ law as slightly misworded (see Judge {not Janet} Napolitano on this. Had the law been written with small changes it would be more enforceable. As it is AZ seems to be prepared to go ahead, but proper language would have prevented the problem in the first case.
...and Drummer (below) Jindal was born in the US. He qualifies. Check out the U S code, sorry I don't have the section at my fingertips today, for that (whether we like it or not and many do not) is nonetheless the state of the law. RCV is correct here.
Drummer| 7.10.12 @ 5:09PM
Jindal DOES NOT qualify and the press will not give him a pass like they have Obummer! He is not a natural-born citizen,
RCV| 7.10.12 @ 5:20PM
Puleez...that canard is dead, except for a small remnant of TAS readers, which is a small remnant to start with!
David| 7.10.12 @ 6:02PM
Al Adab, the AZ legislators who drafted the AZ law took great pains to mirror the federal law so that it would pass muster.
If you are making an excuse for why Rubio would not want to see the AZ law as a model for the rest of the country, then he should not want it in AZ either - correct?
Al Adab| 7.10.12 @ 7:45PM
David:
Glad I checked back this late in the evening. The AZ law does mirror the federal statute. Nonetheless, there are slight language differences which make it less than the best. Again, I defer to Judge Napolitano in this.
As to Rubio I believe he was posturing in making his comments about the AZ law. There was at the time a large public outcry against it. That he was wrong in attempting to ride that horse is a given and likely reflects a lack of experience on the national state. I do not attempt to make excuses for his comment and frankly do not believe he should leave the Senate to pursue the VP as I do not believe that Romney, even should Rubio deliver the FL electoral vote, will find the 270 necessary. Rubio will be needed in the Senate to oppose Obama Rex. Have a great evening.
Reggie Love| 7.10.12 @ 7:04PM
Barbour would be a terrible choice. Soft on illegals,and like Mike Huckabee,has pardon issues. My guess is Romney will pick either Pawlenty,Portman or Thune. Or he might try to reinvigorate the base and pick Lamar Alexander!
Interested Conservative| 7.11.12 @ 12:14AM
I'm already looking forward to the national lecture tour the MSM is set to conduct on the history of the LDS. A Jindal pick (which is hugely preferred) would only add to the fun since it would be the excuse to explore the origins of Buddhism and Hinduism. That, and the horrors of foreign campaign contributions and influences.
It would be exponential mockery, and that's not even considering the VPOTUS's comments.
Eduardo| 7.11.12 @ 10:24AM
Ayotte is "mommy cute" but not so hot that some women voters would resent her. But she is also easy on the eyes. Beyond appearance, she seems quite intellegent and stakes out conservative positions fairly well, although I have yet to hear her speak or give a speech. She seems to hit the sweet spot, so maybe she has a chance....God knows she would add a little zest to the bland Romney campaign. But don't get me wrong, compared to the what we've got as prez right now, bland is just fine.
Obadiah Plainman| 7.11.12 @ 12:44PM
As a conservative, I'm about as excited about Romney as I am about watching paint dry. I eschew oversimplification or hyperbole, but I strongly believe that the election will be won based on who his VP selection is. He needs to choose someone to galvanize the conservative base, to steel up his own spine and, as I believe Mr.. Hillyer noted some time back, to establish a *future* potential POTUS candidate with true conservative credentials.
I'd love to see Kyl as a VP...and I would *LOVE* to see him shred Crazy Uncle Joe in a VP debate.
David| 7.11.12 @ 1:05PM
Al Adab, just so you know, Rubio made those comments after the Sup Ct ruled on the AZ law.
Interested Conservative, Jindal is a Catholic. They will rake him over the coals because he once participated in an exorcism.
AhiaBoy| 7.11.12 @ 1:21PM
Rubio or West.
West or Rubio.
Either/or.
However it would be great fun watching Col. West debate the Gaffer. I'm picturing 15 minutes of the Colonel's in-your-face facts and ol' Joe would lose it and attempt to punch him.
Jackphat| 7.11.12 @ 7:03PM
Portman is Senator because he was the only Republican running at the time. Had we Tea Party members had a better choice he wouldn't be there. He's no Conservative. Rhino enriched under Bush he leaves much to be desired. Check him out, he's in favor of the Sea Treaty. Nope, no liking this one at all.