quade 4 #1 April 5, 2012 With the GOP race pretty much over, it's time for us to play the game of who will be picked as Romney's running mate. As you recall four years ago, pretty much nobody would have even heard of Sarah Palin let alone picked her as a running mate to be just a heart beat away from the most powerful office in the history of mankind. So, who's the guy or gal Romney needs to: 1) Balance him out in terms of strengths and weaknesses. 2) Can be the bulldog and "misspeak" "accidentally" saying things the actual candidate can't that will charge up the base and can be pulled back via clarifications. And most importantly, 3) Could actually be a viable President should the worst occur. (I believe Palin only had two out of the three things mentioned which hurt McCain more than helped.)quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,452 #2 April 5, 2012 I believe Vinny called it for Sarah Palin mid-July 4 years ago That said, I really, really hope that the choice doesn't pander. All the statements that we need "a clear choice" and "the most conservative possible candidate" are BS; the number of voters is too great for extremism. And no, Obama really isn't extreme; but he is more liberal than Romney, and the government is spending too much money. I don't want him to get more liberal, and I don't want the Republicans to go backlash-conservative, either. Because by jerking a very large ship's rudder hard right and hard left all the time, most of what you do is waste a lot of fuel. Wendy P. There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #3 April 5, 2012 Don't know if you managed to see the recent HBO movie on Palin (Game Change). I tend to agree with their premise that she was a longshot bid in a campaign that was going to lose anyway. McCain had a much tougher situation than Romney does. He was basically the incumbent, so he couldn't run against Obama's record. Romney can. I think we got the classic situation where the northern moderate needs a Southern conservative to make him palatable to a large portion of the party voters. To me, Santorum has as many glaring negatives as Palin (batshit stupid), but otherwise he fits the bill. That could point to Newt who could be the Biden of his ticket - a well known guy who has no business running for President over and over again. But he's pretty much an asshole, so will that really create some enthusiasm for the ticket? And then you have the other guys like Huckabee that float around. I barely know a thing about Huckabee, despite his attempts to run - probably a great thing as there isn't a large negative sentiment around him. So he's my pick. But if you believe #2 is an important attribute, Santorum is the genius at misspeaking. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #4 April 5, 2012 Quote I believe Vinny called it for Sarah Palin mid-July 4 years ago Yeah, yeah, I said "pretty much nobody," not "absolutely nobody."quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #5 April 5, 2012 QuoteI really, really hope that the choice doesn't pander. Most all VP choices pander. That's their role. Question should be: to whom? If you want to pander to the conservative base (which is the standard playbook formula), then you balance off Romney with a conservative; say, a Rubio or a Ryan. But that's not the only pander-able group. If I was Romney's strategist, I'd urge him to pander to the crucial moderate swing votes, as well as to women. Mind you, the swing votes and many women have provided the narrow margin that has carried the past 3 presidential elections. Say, for example, Chris Christie or Christine Whitman, ironically the present and past NJ governors, respectively. Who cares if socially conservative Southerners and Mid-Westerners feel betrayed by it? Think they're going to "risk" (in their minds) re-electing Obama? Not on your life; so those votes can be taken for granted anyway. Plus, Chris Christie and Christine Whitman are each named after Jesus Christ. Christie, twice over. Whereas Barack Hussein Obama is named after, you know, that guy who bombed 9/11, or Saddam Hussein, or something. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #6 April 5, 2012 QuoteBut if you believe #2 is an important attribute, Santorum is the genius at misspeaking. Not actually misspeaking (which is why I put it in quotes), but rather intentionally saying things they can claim were misspoken. Look, no candidate for President can go on record as saying certain things, but the VP candidate gets the opportunity to be a little bit more of a loose cannon, so in their speeches they'll push the envelope to find where the ragged line of acceptance is. If they put their toe over it, they can (and do) claim they simply misspoke and pull it back a little. They also act as bulldog for the party and can go on the attack a little bit more heavily than the Presidential candidate himself. Again, if the toe goes over the line, he can walk it back. Also, lest anyone think I'm picking on Palin, look at Biden. Obama was (for a Presidential candidate anyway) young, seen as a radical by some and black, the VP needed to be the opposite of that, white, traditional politics and old. Biden fit the bill. Additionally, few would have been all that upset if Biden had to step into the Oval. So, that was plus one for the Democrats.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #7 April 5, 2012 Here is my wild-assed guess about Romney - pick someone who is somewhat difficult to attack. Women are not immune, so you have to find some other class identifier from which to draw. (1) Condoleeza Rice - the anti-Palin. Experienced, intelligent, black. I couldn't imagine a better ticket simply for the fun of watching Romney and Rice say things while Democrats try to figure out a way to attack them without it blowing up in their faces. Simply as a way to frustrate Democrats, this would be perfect. (2) A conservative Latina from the West. Susanna Martinez from New Mexico would also be ideal. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mirage62 0 #8 April 5, 2012 +1 I don't think Rice would but boy would I love to see her debate Biden............ Kevin Keenan is my hero, a double FUP, he does so much with so little Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #9 April 5, 2012 QuoteQuoteBut if you believe #2 is an important attribute, Santorum is the genius at misspeaking. Not actually misspeaking (which is why I put it in quotes), but rather intentionally saying things they can claim were misspoken. at this point, he's said so many crazy things that he's perfect for that mission. Problem is that I think picking him puts off the Democrats who are willing to jump over to a Romney White House. Rice strikes me as someone that would have been a better Palin, though she still had the baggage of the Iraqi War that was no longer a positive for the Bush regime. But honestly I don't think the race is so hopeless that Romney has to reach. He does have to get past the self damage he did while pandering to the GOP right. Those moderates can no longer trust him the way they might have 2 years ago. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonD1120 62 #10 April 5, 2012 Rand Paul It may already be a done deal.Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #11 April 6, 2012 QuoteRand Paul It may already be a done deal. they're going to bring in the guy they've been ignoring so well for the past year? I bet that sounds like a dream come true to you, but don't bet a nickel on it. He's like a 1000 Joe Liebermans - a toxic waste of poison and betrayal. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #12 April 6, 2012 QuoteQuoteRand Paul It may already be a done deal. they're going to bring in the guy they've been ignoring so well for the past year? I bet that sounds like a dream come true to you, but don't bet a nickel on it. He's like a 1000 Joe Liebermans - a toxic waste of poison and betrayal. Are you thinking of Rand or Ron? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #13 April 6, 2012 QuoteWith the GOP race pretty much over, it's time for us to play the game of who will be picked as Romney's running mate. Unfortunately, they'll almost certainly fuck that up too, on purpose of course. Those of us who think the republicans are on our side are sorely mistaken.Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #14 April 6, 2012 QuoteQuoteQuoteRand Paul It may already be a done deal. they're going to bring in the guy they've been ignoring so well for the past year? I bet that sounds like a dream come true to you, but don't bet a nickel on it. He's like a 1000 Joe Liebermans - a toxic waste of poison and betrayal. Are you thinking of Rand or Ron? oh, you're right. last year I had thought it was possible that the fiscal types in the GOP like Rand might emerge as new leadership blood. But that didn't pan out, so I don't see him having a big enough profile to get a VP invite. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonD1120 62 #15 April 6, 2012 Quote Are you thinking of Rand or Ron? Rand, the senator from Kentucky.Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,027 #17 April 6, 2012 www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/04/06/mitt-romney-s-top-five-vice-president-options-from-marco-rubio-to-paul-ryan.html... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #18 April 7, 2012 Haiey may, in fact, be a good choice (clearly she's trying to be), but I'm pretty sure this is the wrong metaphor to use. QuoteSouth Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said Thursday the leading Republican presidential candidate was carrying a "golden bullet" to connect with women voters. Source: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/05/haley-on-romneys-golden-bullet/quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #19 April 11, 2012 Bump, since Santorum's effective withdrawal makes this newly relevant. Bobby Jindal endorsed Romney this morning. It occurs to me he might not be a bad choice. Southern, fairly conservative, yet brown (not being cynical, just practical); plus he's bright and articulate. And his stellar academic credentials are the equal-or-better to Romney's and Obama's stellar academic credentials. So, he'd theoretically be appealable to crucial swing-voters in battleground states. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #20 April 11, 2012 QuoteBump, since Santorum's effective withdrawal makes this newly relevant. Bobby Jindal endorsed Romney this morning. It occurs to me he might not be a bad choice. Southern, fairly conservative, yet brown (not being cynical, just practical); plus he's bright and articulate. And his stellar academic credentials are the equal-or-better to Romney's and Obama's stellar academic credentials. So, he'd theoretically be appealable to crucial swing-voters in battleground states. Do you remember his deer in the headlights Republican response a few years back to Obama's State of the Union Address? Uhm, yeah . . . that's going to be a tough come back for Jindal. I haven't seen him recently, but unless he's taken some major speech lessons I don't see it.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #21 April 11, 2012 he doesn't have to be a great speaker...Biden doesn't really set a tall bar here. Nor did Chaney, Gore, or Quayle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Southern_Man 0 #22 April 11, 2012 Quote Do you remember his deer in the headlights Republican response a few years back to Obama's State of the Union Address? Uhm, yeah . . . that's going to be a tough come back for Jindal. I haven't seen him recently, but unless he's taken some major speech lessons I don't see it. People can come back from bad speeches. Clinton's nomination speech for Dukakis at the Democratic Convention was awful."What if there were no hypothetical questions?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maxmadmax 8 #23 April 12, 2012 It's too soon for another Bush however the Dems are terrified of Jeb. Married to a Hispanic and Jeb speaks decent Spanish. Don't go away mad....just go away! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #24 April 12, 2012 QuoteIt's too soon for another Bush however the Dems are terrified of Jeb. Married to a Hispanic and Jeb speaks decent Spanish. You think so, eh? OK, ponder the following parable: "Hi, I'm Dave Hitler, and I'm running for dogcatcher. Will you sign my nominating petition?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #25 April 12, 2012 QuoteIt's too soon for another Bush however the Dems are terrified of Jeb. Married to a Hispanic and Jeb speaks decent Spanish. Noting that his wife is a minority, rather than just saying she's a really nice woman or a responsible citizen, etc - You are implying that Dems are obsessed with cosmetic traits and associations rather than substantive issues. I'm just sayin' ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
