(Untitled)

[grrillaesthete]

So, alchemi is likely the only person on here to reply, AND I am not usually into political discussions, but this question was asked over at TQC this morning, and I'm interested: Who do you think Romney will pick as his running mate?

My answer in the comments.

Comments

[grrillaesthete]

My reply verbatim from TQC:

"Bobby Jindal all the way. He's young, very popular in his home state, and has a background in health and human services as well as being a social conservative. Unlike Rubio, I don't think he has the same teaparty ties, but still has the advantage of being a minority (both ethnically and religiously; he's Catholic)."

[mahasin]

See I don't think Bobby Jindal would be a bad choice but I'm thinking the tea party would have a fit if Mittens picked a brown person.

[ljvscmr]

I don't think anyone takes Jindal seriously after his stilted State Of The Union response speech (that was his attempted rite-of-passage) made everyone think of Kenneth The Page:

[mahasin]

I've heard rumors of Condolezza Rice and I'm like "Bish please Condi knows better than to be associated with that foolishness".

[grrillaesthete]

Yeah, I think both Condi and Colin are out. Neither of them want to be stuck on another sinking ship.

[alchemi]

I have had trouble thinking of someone who makes sense. I think he would want an anti-Palin (someone whose credentials are impeccable) particularly in the foreign policy arena. Condi Rice would make the most sense despite being damaged by working under Bush. I'm not sure she would do it, though.

I also think Jon Huntsman would be a great selection that would make a lot of sense, but there is no way that Romney would pick him (because of all the Mormon stories it would bring out - even though I think Romney is already going to lose the bigoted anti-Mormon vote so there is no actual harm in making the selection).

In the end, I think it will be Rob Portman and it will be an apparently "safe" but slightly disastrous pick.

[grrillaesthete]

Oooh, that's a good choice. People on the comm are leaning slightly towards Bob McDonnell, but a Senator would provide some decent clout.

My Jindal thought is as much instinct as anything. It was the first idea in my head, but he was also floated and passed over in '08.

[alchemi]

I think he was really hurt by his widely mocked response to the State of the Union. It underlined that he would be easily attacked and undermined and that his personality was not ready for prime time.

I hear McDonnell a lot, but he's too conservative (I think Romney is trying to move to the center).

Rubio has spent a career being on the shortlist but would also make some sense, but my instinct says that some foreign policy experience would be critical (in part because Romney doesn't have any). (I know the Portman buzz, though, is that Romney wants to talk economics and the budget and Portman, despite doing it for GWB, is at least articulate on those issues).

[leighblack]

No matter what Tim Pawlenty says, he wants to be picked. But no one knows who he is. And thank goodness, because he's a moron.

I agree that Condi's too smart. And I agree with your Bobby Jindal vote. They don't have a whole lot of other good choices. Hopefully they'll learn from the Sarah Palin mess and actually check him out first.

[grrillaesthete]

Oh god, no one would pick Pawlenty. Isn't he mildly insane? I mean beyond what is considered normal for the GOP? He's no Scott Walker, but few have that distinction.

There's really not a good field of candidates, and that's why the GOP is screwed at least in the short term. I'm not sure what keeps people coming back in the long term.

[leighblack]

Yes, he is insane. That's why he thinks (and he's the only one who thinks) he was a viable candidate for President.

They can't choose any of the last people that were still in the running for the Presidential nomination, and that's usually where they want to start looking. People who have their name out there already. I mean, when Santorum is the best looking one in the bunch, you have a serious problem.

[mahasin]

My only other female thought was Olympia Snowe but I think she retired so she wouldn't have to see Mittens run for President as an actual candidate.

[grrillaesthete]

I was legitimately sad when she retired. One of the sole voices of reason in the GOP.

[mahasin]

Same, but I had a feeling if she were to run again it would be as a Dem, and I'd fully support that.

I really just can't understand any woman being a member of a party that has voted down equal wages AND health care.

[grrillaesthete]

I thought she might do that, and I bet she'd get re-elected.

I don't understand why the poor/uneducated/gay/brown/women population identifies with the current Republican party.