By CNN's Jack Cafferty:
While Mitt Romney intensifies his search for a running mate, it remains to be seen how much his #2 pick will even matter.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio kept mum on NBC's "Meet the Press" yesterday about whether Romney will choose him.
Rubio previously said he's not interested in being vice president; but now he says he's not talking about it anymore.
Romney has said Rubio is definitely in the mix of possibilities, pushing back against a report last week that Rubio wasn't being vetted.
Meanwhile another report suggests the Romney campaign is also vetting Wisconsin Congressman and Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan.
Some Republican kingmakers told The Hill newspaper who they think Romney should pick.
Several of them mention Rubio as their top choice. Other names include: Republican Senators Rob Portman and Rand Paul, Congressman Ryan, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez.
Not on that list: Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, who over the weekend said he thinks he can best help Romney as a "volunteer and surrogate speaker."
There's also New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who would bring a little Tabasco Sauce to an otherwise pretty bland omelet.
Candidates usually name their running mate right around the Convention; but some believe Romney might jump early and name his number two before the Republican National Convention in Tampa in late August.
It's a way to rev up the base, generate more buzz, increase media attention and bring in fundraising dollars earlier in the campaign.
VP candidates sometimes help win their home state but others say the most important quality is to "do no harm." See Sarah Palin in 2008.
Here’s my question to you: How much does Mitt Romney's v.p. pick matter?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Anthony in Arizona:
Romney's v.p. doesn't matter unless the pick is a disaster. In fact, Romney doesn't matter much himself. People are either voting for or against Obama. I don't know anyone actually voting for Romney.
John in Connecticut:
The V.P pick is very important, I consider it the first presidential decision the candidate makes. That was the problem with McCain last time, he wanted a 'game changer' instead of a qualified person who could fill the office if needed.
Larry in Kansas:
Jack, Mitt Romney does not have reality in his DNA. He constantly refuses to tell the American people what he really thinks. He needs a game-changer. Arrogant, outspoken, say-what-you-mean Chris Christie. He connects to the middle class. Christie would ignite the ticket like the 4th of July.
Cee in Louisiana:
It matters a lot… shades of Sarah Palin. I hope Romney chooses our Governor Jindal. He is never here anyway; he demotes any members of the legislature who questions his lame-brained policies. Does anyone in the media ever do some in-depth vetting of these people anymore? To hear the national media tell it, Jindal is a rock star. Well he is not… please take Bobby Jindal.
Paul in Ontario:
I don't think Romney's v.p. choice matters much at all, seeing that a recent poll gave Obama a double digit lead over Romney. He'd have to pick someone wildly popular. Too bad Justin Bieber is Canadian.
Ted:
Do you think Joe Biden got 95% of the black vote 3 and a half years ago?
His pick matters a lot. Pressure is on to pick someone smarter than Jumpin' Joe. If Romney cannot do that then he should drop out and we should name Obama as King For Life.
Mitt's got a real quandary: whoever he picks can't outshine him. Taking that into consideration, I don't think his VP choice will make any difference whatsoever. They must be scouring funeral parlors for a running mate.
I have trouble seeing a significant number voting for Romney because of his VP choice but I do see a risk of losing a significant number of votes for a poor choice. Sarah Palin would be a good example of a poor choice.
It will matter zero for me. Being a resident of Arizona and seeing the rediculous policies and inane ramblings of Republicans, I will never vote for them again. The man himself and his Republican coleagues across the US are a national embaressment and half of them should be arrested for treason. Pledge allegiance to your country, not Grover Norquist traitors.
The V.P, pick must mean a lot -- even if it's just a good laugh. Sarah Palin has
been good entertainment since 2008. Jack, you told how you would love
a Christie-Biden debate!
Whomever is chosen will have to decide on being a V.P. or keeping his present job & making a difference.
David, Las vegas
Rubio is the GOP's token Hispanic–just as Palin is their token woman and Herman Cain is their token black guy.
None, he isn't going to win Jack.
Jack: It doesn't matter–Mitten would be better off "picking his nose!"
If elected, it might just save his life. Look at Nixon and Agnew, Reagan and G. H. Bush, Bush and Quayle, and finally Bush and Cheney. Which one of those Presidents got shot because the Veep was not nuts.
We'd all like to think it matters a lot, Jack. But, truth be known, the office is pretty ceremonial other than that one heartbeat away thing. Palin was a drag to McCain and Byden (who has had his share of Palin-esque, hockey mom, BFD moments) didn't seem to matter one bit one way or the other to Obama. Maybe we just vote for the presdient to be president in the presidential electiions.– go figure.
Its crucial because it appears voters are split equally between Obama and Romney. Most pols give Obama a slight edge, and I think a lot of that edge comes from having Joe Biden as Vice President. Biden's persona could be bigger than the President's right now. I would rather see a news clip of Biden speaking right now than any other politician. Joe Biden has raised the hyperbole bar. Biden could scream to a crowd the Sun is really Blue and everyone would cheer. So how is Romney going to match Obama's thunder, which is Joe Biden? Romney needs to pick someone that is not just another slick pretty boy like Palenty or Rubio. John Boehner has personality but lacks gravitas, despite having what is arguably the most powerful position in Government. Christie has personality and some respect, but the fact that he is the Governor of New Jersey hurts him the most. All the other VP candidates, mentioned over and over again, are lightweights and will severely weaken Romneys bid. Most people dismiss Lindsey Graham either because he is single or because he is a centrist. They would be all over Lindsey trying to prove, that because he is single he is therefore gay. Its a ridiculous conclusion, but thats the way life here is. I try to be a glass is half full type of person, so in regards to Lindsey being single, I think how grand it would be if a Royal wedding was in the future for this man. Maybe they are trying to arrange one now, because Romney really needs Lindsey Graham bad. Doug, Pepperell, MA.
It matters to the Bilderberg group. They want Rubio so it will be Rubio.
I'm sure it matters to someone, Jack, but for me, it doesn't make a bit of difference because I have a number of items with Mitt himself that I'm troubled with (all the money parked off shore, not knowing where exactly he stands on issue, his lack of understanding how most of America lives and struggle etc). I can't vote for him – period.
Mitt Romney's VP pick matter very little unless he can come up with a Joe Biden type nominee and the Republican party doesn't have a single potential candidate that they can present that can relate and identify with blue collar middle class folks the way Vice President Joe Biden does.
It matter a whole lot, Jack! The presidential hopeful's got to pick strategically if he wants to make a decent run for the oval office. What I mean is his choice isn't going to be a one in a million choice, but rather a one in a seven billion choice. When it comes to choosing the vice president, Romney has got to make his choice count.
It may matter in the campaigning, but probably not in the governing thereafter, As a speechmaker, debater, and interviewee, the VP candidate draws a lot of news coverage during the campaign and has to be at least competent and not be a negative drag on the campaign; credible as a possible President, but not outshining the actual presidential candidate. Who would help Governor Romney the most? Not Senator Marco Rubio, because he is too new. Not Condoleezza Rice because she doesn't want it. Maybe Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin.
It hardly maters Jack. Romney does not stand a snowballs chance of being elected anyway. Even his own party won't get behind him and if they won't you certainly can not expect anyone else to.
It matters based on ones motive. When it comes to vice presidential picks, comparing Romney to Obama is like comparing apples to oranges. In Romney's case, it's all about who will help him win a critical state regardless of any philosophical differences. In Obama's case, it was all about getting someone who had the same values as he did.
Obama didn't pick Biden because he had to win Delaware to carry the election. It was because he saw an elder statesman, well versed in foreign affairs, not yet "bought out" by big money (they said Biden was probably the "poorest" senator out of the 100) and just an all-around good and descent human being. Look at the facts; except for Obama and Biden, it's been many a year since we've had a president and vice president who genuinely liked each other.
For the most part a presidential candidates choice for vice president is not that important. Most of the time the choice is a political move to shore up party support in a particular area of the country. As with George W. Bush it served a dual role, one John Cheney was from Wyoming and it shored up party support in the West, two it showed that the party nominated ticket had a brain. John Cheney was a crotchety old man that had served as Senator of Wyoming that couldn't get elected as President. George W. Bush was a likeable buffoon that had been Governor of Texas which is pretty much a ceremonial post and has very little power to speak of. The only achievement he is remembered for is that he signed 152 death warrent while in office.
Choosing Chris Christie will end any dialog about health issues. Choosing Rubio will be a nothing more than a feeble attempt to get the Latin vote. I expect George Hamilton, opps I meant Romney, to choose someone from a different swing state. Someone from Ohio, Missouri..?
Does Mitt's VP pick matter...at least as much as McCain's did in 2008.
Romneys vp pick doesn't mean anything The media will continue to put on anti romney talking heads who will whine about romney and whoever he picks for vp. 12 million illegals will decide the next election while 20 million unemployed legal americans sit back and watch their jobs and country go down the drain singing we shall overcome.
It will matter to the more moderate republicans if he makes a Palin type choice and it will matter to the extreme Tea Party if he chooses someone who they perceive as too moderate. It will be a tricky move to pick someone who will placate the Tea party and also be acceptable to the independent voters he will need to win.
It's critical Jack. Romney needs to select a female of mixed heritage, (preferably Latino and Negroid) with a law degree, who has worked in business, held political office, is married to a union organizer with a last name of Swartz and is the mother of three children - one of whom is gay. I think that about covers it.
Gary in Scottsdale, Arizona
I don't his V. P. choice matters much at all, seeing that a recent CNN poll gave Obama a double digit lead over Romney. He'd have to pick someone wildly popular. Too bad Justin Bieber's Canadian.
Not a lick, Jack...not a lick...the reason being is no matter whom he picks he will snatch defeat from the claws of victory because America will reject his elitist, privileged phony self. There is nothing real about him other than he is rich and opportunistic.
Compared to the unmitigated imbecile windbag now in office as our VP, Romney could pick his cleaning lady as a running mate and it would be an upgrade.
My apologies to cleaning women everywhere.
Doesn't really matter whom Mr. Romney will pick as his VP because Mitt Romney himself is the big turnoff for the
American voters.
Much more so that Obama's pick of Biden, that's for sure. While Obama was relying on his personal charisma, his VP pick could be a political choice to make a stronger ticket. Romney suffers from a charisma deficit and has the baggage of being a wealthy Republican, so his VP pick really needs to make up for his deficits to convince the fence sitters that his ticket is better for America than what President Obama has done or plans to do.
Jack: It matters, because a President can become ill and die, have a heart attack or stroke, and be unable to forfill the duties of president; therefore, the Vice Presidential choice is very important. The Vice President must be qualified to hold the office, which is spelled out in the US Constitution. Again, the choice for Vice President is very important.
Didn't think it would matter last time. Boy, were we wrong. Unless it's Chris Christie, afraid there will be no Palin to keep us entertained. It will only matter if it IS Sarah again.
Carol
I don't think his V. P. choice matters much seeing that a recent CNN poll gives Obama a double digit lead over Romney. He'd have to pick someone wildly popular. Too bad Justin Bieber's Canadian.
Quite a bit. If he picks a serious, qualified, respected contender, it's a plus. If he picks a ding-a-ling like Palin, Perry, Bachmann, Cain, etc etc etc, then he's doomed. I'D like to see him pick Hillary Clinton – now THAT would be some sport!!!
Since he has no real chance of winning, it doesn't really matter at all. Better question would be: Will anyone in their right mind run on the ticket with him.
it doesn't matter to me Jack. I won't vote for a man that likes to fire people and who doesn't care about the poor. Remember, he's a CEO or from those of us that worked in manufacturing, Chief Execution Officer.
Hi Jack, when George H.W. Bush picked Dan Quayle his main concern was to balance the age of the two white males on his ticket. That game changed when John McCain picked Sarah Palin thus highlighting the importance of the first major decision of the candidate. Thanks to McCain, Mitt Romney’s pick will be scrutinized for qualifications by the wants of women, minorities and his older white base. Good luck Mitt!
Jack, you might want to ask John McCain.
It tells a lot about a candidates decision making ability and desire to win at any cost, see Sarah Palin 2008. Mitt has proven to be all about MItt, so I guessing anyone more dynamic than Mitt won't make the cut, so he'll probably go with Rob "Snooze-fest" Portman, let the napping begin.
It says a signal. If he picks Rand Paul, it will be because he had to in order to avoid convention fights over delegate consicence rights and putting too much libertarian dogma into the the platform. If he picks Perry it will be because he is doing so badly with Latino voters that it will be the only way he can not lose Texas. By August, he may be that desparate. Picking a Cuban, by the way, may or may not help him with Mexican Americans. It is like picking Palin to appeal to women – it shows tone deafness. Romney is behind by 76 electoral votes. If the election were held today, he would lose. Unless the economy tanks, there is nothing he can really do to make that ground up. He can't talk people into thinking it is bad, while no amount of rhetoric can talk Obama out of an economy that has gotten worse.
Wow ! As if the never ending primary race wasn't enough to prove there are no longer any rational Republicans the list you just rattled off clinches it. Since the GOP appears to be on a mission to undermine the economy and detroy American society as we've known it the combination of Romney and Ryan looks like the obvious choice. But that's not to say any of the others are pikers when it comes to wreaking havoc. That humming noise you hear is the Founding Fathers spinning in their graves.
Make that it sends a signal.
I can't express how little it matters in the scope of things. Romney, and whoever he can con into making an fool of themselves, knows that Norquist and McConnell have the Republican Party by the short hairs, and it is them who make the decisions and hold the country hostage. Romney himself is inconsequential.
If he picks a good person and does well in the campaign, win or lose, his V.P. pick will be as historically relevant as the "Second Man to Walk on the Moon"
BUT if he picks poorly (AKA Sarah Palin) his V.P. pick will be akin to the co-pilot of the Hindenburg......memorable....but, it won't be pretty.
it not a factor he is a rich man that want ever understand who the real people are.
Not a hell of a lot Jack. Unfortunately, many folks made up their mind to turn against President Obama the minute he got elected. They never bothered to sift through the Tea Party rhetoric and other nonsense being spewed out from the inner circles of the Republican Party. It could be Christie, Rubio, Daniels, or Bilbo the Clown. It's all a bunch of staged nonsense meant to distract us from the real issues, for which the Republicans have nothing to offer us either, and I, frankly, am tired of it.
Jack,
Mitt Romney does not have REALITY in his DNA. He constantly refuses to tell the American people what he really thinks. He needs a game changer. Arrogant, outspoken, say what you mean, Chris Christie. He connects to the middle class. REALITY is in his DNA. Christie would ignite the ticket like the 4th of July.
Larry from Kansas
If all else fails he might be able to Palin. He needs all the help he can get.
It matters a lot........shades of Sarah Palin.............I would hope he would choose our Governor Jindal, he is never here anyway, he demotes any members of the Legislature who questions his lame brained policies...Does anyone in the media ever do some in depth vetting of these people anymore? To hear the national media tell it.....he is a rock star.........well he is not...............PLZ take Bobby Jindal........
Whosoever is chosen will not have any impact on Obama's chance of winning the election. We are not going to see a repeat of what happened to Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy. Obama has done exceptionally well to be treated in similar manner.
Mr. Cafferty:
Please ! How much does Mitt Romney matter to our future...another museum ?
After the Sarah Palin saga that we were all forced to endure four years ago, I am astounded you could ask this question, Jack. But, since you did ask....it matters a Helluva lot!
Not a lot. It may cause the routine media blip but I expect Obama to win over all comers.
It could matter a great deal if the running mate could carry states in his region. I believe that is why LBJ was picked to run as VP for JFK. On the other hand it could hurt Romney's chances if he/she made a blunder in the VP debates. You'll recall Ross Periot took a hit when his VP candidate started off his first debate speech by wondering out loud what the heck he was doing there!
Personally I could care less who he picks, I'm not voting for they guy anyway.
As for the larger picture; he needs to pick someone who is anti women's health, denies man made causes of global warming, displays no compassion for those less fortunate, 100 % for big business and the rich, displays the right amount of greed and is consumed with establishing power over others at any cost to the US....or Romney is going to loose a good chunk of the wackos that now make up the Republican party.
"Well, I suppose it has to matter a little, but I don't think Romney should do the picking; and only sit-in on a final decision. Surely they've done enough travelling around the country, and so many video's taken; they must have
idea's who's accepted with the crowd, and all the verbal chat. I still believe in the masses!"
Through the course of this campaign, Governor Romney has studiously avoided making decisions and taking stands. VP is one decision he'll be unable to avoid. He should hold onto the thought that whomever he chooses, he can not screw up worse than did John McCain.
Do no harm! Romney has already done harm running on the Republican ticket. Even if he picks the virgin of Guadalope as a running mate, he dosen't have a chance. I can already see the roadside shrines for a failed attempt at the oval office.
It matters a lot. He needs someone who will be honest and forthcoming with the American poeple. While Willard Romney hedges every question leaving the questioner totally in the dark with no idea what he believes, maybe a second in command could make for a more open minded administration. We would like to know what Mitt's plans for us will be before the day he moves into the WhiteHouse and surprises us.
the V.P. slot with Romney is gonna be the political kiss of death. so only a fool would be a running mate.Christie doesn't want it.Rubio Should wait 12 more years till there are more Latino's then whites.I know .Let's let Ron Paul's kid do it. He'll do anything!
Jack, Mitt Romney's v.p. pick is a big deal because a Vice President is a heartbeat away from becoming President of the United States. Romney needs to choose someone that the American people like and who they think can be president in the event that Romney can't. Sometimes the American people won't vote for a Presidential candidate because of the choice for V.P. Indeed, with this race for the White House so close, who Romney names as his v.p. can either make or break his chances of winning the White House.
Hope he can find a very good "FLIP FLOPPER" to match himself.
B. Jindal will be Romney's Veep. Besides, we are voting for the President, not his veep. McCain would not have made it, in "08" it would not matter who he would have picked. He voted with "dubya" 95% of the time, and the voters wanted some type of change.
IT matters enough that the person has to be able to be president..Biden was good choice PRE 1989, Its obvious the intellectual challenge Obama noted about his v.p. was hog wash Post Brain ANuerism..ROmney has to choos someone who know proper trade policy ,,which is difficult since republicans seem to know mostly unsustainable regurgitated indsutrial revolutionary policies that seee out water , food , oceans threatened while country is saturated with 20 th century mass produced vehicles from asia that never will get above 31m.p.g. city before we destroy Arctic with not even semblance of OIl SPIll response containment equipment
Better yet, its not just Romneys pick. Does it really matter who the VP nominee would be? Who was McCains? remember? Do you think Biden would run in 16? its Hilary. When Mitt loses the VP nominee will disappear into the sunset with Mitt. It takes a strong presedential nominee to bring someone as strong to spend 8 years being groomed.
There is noone here worth grooming, except Ms. Mitts horse.
Doesn't matter to me, since I vote Democrat. I can only hope he'll pick Jeb Bush so that Obama will win the election in a landslide.
Hi Jack,
Governor Mitt Romney needs to be careful and select someone who won't steal his thunder like Governor Palin did to Senator McCain in 2008. That would eliminate Marco Rubio from the list, if Mitt Romney were to select Senator Rubio, all the attention would be on Rubio instead of Mitt Romney, and that could cost Romney the White House. If I were in Beth Myers position, I would look for someone who has establised credentials inside the beltway. Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) would be a wise choice, together, both men have foreign policy and domestic policy experience that would be needed to fit what Mitt Romney and Beth Myers are looking for in a running mate.
After 2008? The GOP has nominated a candidate that doesn't really resonate with their base, like in '08, so all eyes will be on this decision.
It does matter a lot, if Romney chooses Chris Christie, he'd definitely get a boost, but if he chooses Pawlenty, he may not get as big of a positive response.
VP selection matters some but not a lot. Mitt Romney, a good man who has had to become something he is not in order to get the Tea Party-controlled Republican nomination, appears to be or has been on every side of every issue. Any VP candidate selected will be forced to do the same thing so it matters little who he is. Gordon Norquist is king – truly sad.
It doesn't matter a whole lot. The pick will change the vote at the most 1% in either direction. It might help convince those on the fence but won't flip anyone. I don't think the pick will matter that much but that's the way we cover elections. We make a big deal out of one things as though there is a silver bullet. We make a big deal out of one state, one voting group, one VP pick, as if one thing is going to make or break the election. As Biden shows a VP doesn't add anything election wise or governing wise.
The NYT pointed to Christie's skeletons, so he is out, Cain or Perry would add humor and we can all marvel that anyone really believes the Emperor of Japan and Sun Goddess scandal, Bachmann would be a Palin repeat,Huntsman is a good guy for China policy, don't know if he knows anything about the rest of the world, Pawlenty's anti woman policies would stifle him, Rubio is not universally loved in Florida, despite comments that he is, and probably would not bring the state or the hispanic vote- because few hispanics would vote for Romney, Paul Ryan is too divisive and has a plan that would run up our deficit faster than G W Buch did, and make 99% of us miserable in the process. Who else is there??
John Boehner or Erick Cantor would be a sure thing.
Let me ask jow many Situation Room viewers can name our current VP? Yet, this time around the Republican VP candidate will be very important because it will be such a high profile election.
How much does Mitt Romney's v.p. pick matter?
They should ask themselves whatever happened to Joe Lieberman. He was on a losing ticket twice. He blamed the Democrats for the loss and turned their back on them and to pay him back for his sore loser mentality the Democrats turned their backs on him and he lost the primary that would have normally been a cake walk for him.
It really doesn't matter who he choses. While he will get votes he won't win the election.
Americans don't support BULLIES
Jenna
Roseville CA
It would have to be someone who had a sence of humour. I wish Mark Twain or Will Rogers were available.
Is there a Harry Truman out there? Truman knew didedly about
Rossevelt's adminsitration, yet managed to give us decades of foreign policy that worked? Plus, save the free world. Only requirement is VP selection knows how to balance our check book.\
bobl Ocala
The VP is a tie-breaker, meaningful only to those who can't decide between Obama and Romney on Election Day.
Susan R.
Denver
Romney's VP pick matters a lot as long as he/she understands if Romney doesn't win the Republicans already have their pick for the top of the ticket in 2016 and that name is not on the list.
His pick will only matter if the person is a royal screw-up (see: Sarah Palin). Whoever he picks will have to be a pretty good liar and pretty much a sociapth though to keep up with Romney.
Mitt's pick shouldn't matter at all as I still believe that he will be the "Rominee to Nowhere"
Romney's VP doesn't matter unless the pick is a disaster. In fact, Romney doesn't matter much himself. People are either voting for or against Obama. I don't know anyone actually voting for Romney.
Since he was picked for not being insane, I don't think his VP will matter. If he chooses another moderate, he will be seen as unappealing by rabid right wingers. If he chooses another Sarah Palin, it will drive away moderates and Independents. It illustrates exactly what is wrong with the American political scene, especially on the right.
Romney needs a African american,because he will not get any of the votes. So if he gets Herman Cain, he can at least get 999..
Jack, it doesn't matter at all. We're going to elect another "Republicrat" in november anyway.
It doesn't
It didn't used to matter to me who the potential VP would be – until Palin was selected in 2008. I used to trust the candidate's opinion and judgement – until 2008. Now, God forbid the president dies in office, the 2nd choice is vital. 2008 really brought home to me the importance of succession.
The V.P pick is very important, I consider it the first presidential decision the candidate makes. That was the problem with McCain last time, he wanted a 'game changer' instead of a qualified person who could fill the office if needed.
Rubio would be great to step into the Presidents shoes. Can't you just see him staring down that Geo-political threat from Russia, Putin, with his baby face? Please....I'lll take Biden anyday!!!
Governor Romney's V.P. pick is critical, because unless he picks Hillary as his running mate,
It doesn't necessarily matter, Joe Biden didn't really do anything to help Obama's campaign in '08. The only thing that could happen is he could pick someone who hurts his nomination (Someone like Sarah Palin).
It really doesn't matter and won't make much of difference since he is losing his ground and won't win. However, to name one on the ticket with him, this VP candidate must be:
1. Somewhat smart but not more intellectual than Rommey since Rommey won't like his running mate talks better sense than he does – so this is difficult.
2. Somewhat stupid but can act smart...this would be easy but won't help him much on the race.
3. Somewhat good looking but not overshadowing Rommey's picture. This is even harder.
4. Somewhat knowledgeable about politic but not much more than Rommey especailly international affairs. This is impossible because anyone on the surface knows better about the internaitonal affairs then Rommey.
Well, my conculsion is that Rommy should pick Sarah Palin; Sarah is boarded to death since no one has paid any attention to her...and more importantly, she fits in every categories above.
Good luck Rommey.
It doesn't matter because whomever he picks would have to kill a few birds with one stone depends upon what he needs...to shore up a voter block(women, Latinos, Blacks,, mainstream Christians)...flip an entire state electorally(One that's predominantly blue even like New York...a pick like Guiliani) in his favor. Who ever it is has to deliver either specific voter block for him across the board or just an electoral mathematical miracle!
Right now Mitt's VP seems important. The problem is that this person can't outshine Romney. So it just might be the Bland leading the Bland!
Lynn,
Carlsbad CA
jack
you might want to ask . who wants to be his VP? he hasn't had a position on anything in seven yaers of running for president. and he isn't exactly a shoe in in november. it could be his campaign is having trouble finding a volunteer.
Gov. Romney's pick will only matter if he screws it up. I've heard a lot of talk about the problem with Gov. Palin was that she outshined Sen. McCain. This is silly. The problem with Gov. Palin was that she was widely considered unqualified and was in no position to take over the country. Vice Presidential picks matter much less than the media treats them. As long as Gov. Romney doesn't repeat the mistake of Sen. McCain, his pick will matter very little.
Jack,
You have John Nance Garner turning over in his grave. Since when does a " A bucket of warm spit" enhance the candidacy of any Presidential aspirant ?
Governor Romney's V.P. pick is critical, because unless he picks Hillary as his running mate, he has little or no chance in the general election once the facts show that he is a conscientious objector, religious extremist, ou-of-touch-uber-rich, say-what-you-wan- to-hear political hack who wants to take us back to the future where no man wants to tread.
Romeny is not going to win so it's a mute point.
I believe Rubio would be have been chosen already to try to gain ethnic votes, but that would make it harder to paint President Obama as a foriegner, so he will never be chosen. Romney's choice matters plenty.
ALL that matters is the economy and jobs, Jack. If those improve, Topo Gigio wouldn't help Romney with Latinos anymore than Marco Rubio. (Maybe Topo Rubio?) Romney's only hope to ace President Obama is to choose a Democrat.
Does Romney’s V.P. pick matter?
Not really. In the end, he’ll be burdened with a Dimwit, a Nitwit, or a Mitwit if the various and sundry Republican primaries were any indication of the material at hand.
It won't matter who Romney picks since he needs to find someone who isn't further to the right than he is and there isn't anyone in the GOP who can be that way. With all the pandering to the religious right, the social conservative right, and the military right, no one who is progressive can call themselves republican or can survive in a party without tolerance or compassion.
His choice of v.p. says a lot about his own character and decision making ability. Like everything else Romney has said, or hasn't said, I'm not expecting to be blown away, regardless of his choice. McCain made a very bad choice which went a long way toward losing the election. That's probably the only thing Romney's worried about; picking someone who won't blow the election for him.
Since religious affiliation and church attendance are in decline in America, we should not be surprised by the 44% response. As for Romney VP pick, I am more concerned about his REAL agenda and platform. All the smiles, anecdotes and grins mean NOTHING...to me!
Romneys vp pick is very important because he still can;t relate. . Mitts VP pick has to be someone that can relate to the "average" American, not sombody that can give him dressage strategies. I have yet to hear him speak about the middle class crisis or college interest rates. Mitt has a problem with the middle calls, not a specific race or gender and If Mitt want to winin November he needs to call the New Jersey doughboy before it is too late.
Mitt Romney's vp pick matters not one iota to a vast majority of Americans, but most especially, it matters not to the Hispanic community! Mitt Romney has no chance of becoming president!
Picking Marco Rubio will be Romney's albatross, because Rubio is no Hispanic! Real Hispanics don't look favorably upon, nor have much respect fake ones especially those like brown noser Rubio! Marco Rubio is kissing some serious anglo butt!
Not only has Romney has made his anti-Hispanic stance quite clear, when he states that Arizona's immigration law is a, "model for the nation", but he has also embraced the failed Bush policies, and the anti- middle class and anti-poor Ryan budget! Romney's economic plans are nothing more than the Bush economic policies on steroids! We are well aware of what happened under Bush! We're still feeling the after effects of those misguided polices that favored the wealthy and allowed corporations, banks and Wall Street to run amok unecumbered by regulations!
Sorry Jack, but those policies are anti-American!
I don't think it matters one bit who Mitt Romney's pick to be his running mate.
Does not matter to me,as i am not going to vote for him,he and the republicans all represent the failed policies of nit wit george bush,not to say i have no faith in the democrats either,since neither of them can get anything done for the country,that why i call them democant's and republicant's,to them their party comes first,to me that is treason,I will vote for me,as i know i can do better then either obama or romney,and i have no party loyalties,so i can tell both parties to stick it where the sun does not shine
The only VP candidate that might make a difference is Chris Christie. First, Christie will do no harm. Second, he will bring a blowtorch to the ho-hum, plain vanilla campaign Romney is stumbling and faking his way through. And third, it will set up 2016 or 2022 for a real race that might actually mean something with a candidate that has the guts to say what he means (and I don’t mean Biden). Of course, I’m assuming Romney wins, which he won’t without Christie.
With Mitt Romney's proprensity to never take a position, he'll probably not get around to deciding.
It matters a lot. In 2008, I debated voting for McCain because I wasn't thrilled with Obama...and then McCain chose the looney half-term governor Sarah Palin as his VP candidate. She quickly illustrated her ignorance (which she was proud of), and that sealed my decision re who to vote for. Obama won hands down. The thought of such an ignoramus being a 70-something's (weak) heartbeat away from the presidency scared the bejeezers out of me.
So, if Romney has any brains, he won't pull a McCain, but that remains to be seen.