Who's the worst person Mitt Romney could pick to be his running mate?
By CNN's Jack Cafferty:
It's possible that Mitt Romney could do worse than Sarah Palin.
In a piece on the Daily Beast, Michelle Cottle writes that picking a "dull white guy" for vice president could damage Romney big-time.
She definitely has a point. After the debacle that Palin was for John McCain in 2008, camp Romney has vowed to pick the anti-Palin. Cottle describes this as someone who is "safe, steady, hyperqualified and without a roguish bone in his - yes, definitely his - body.”
It's why folks such as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley seem to have lost favor in the veepstakes while others, such as U.S. Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio and former Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota seem more likely to get the nod.
But as time ticks down on Romney's choice, some Republicans are getting nervous about what will happen if Romney goes with a safe pick - a buttoned-down, cautious, boring white guy … sort of like himself.
Some conservatives are now calling on Romney to "go bold," urging him to pick U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, Rubio or Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.
By selecting a vanilla-flavored vice president, Romney risks confirming the worries of many in the Republican Party that he lacks enthusiasm and vision.
Cottle writes that after all this time worrying about another Palin, a greater danger to the GOP might be a VP who is "so dull that no one even cares what he says to Katie Couric."
But Romney just might be headed in that direction. Two of these less-than-thrilling VP contenders, Portman and Pawlenty, will hit the campaign trail for him in key battleground states this week. Yawn ...
Here's my question to you: Who's the worst person Mitt Romney could pick to be his running mate?
Tune in to "The Situation Room" at 5 p.m. ET to see if Jack reads your answer on the air.
And we'd love to know where you're writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
Is it more important for a president to be able to handle the economy or to be likable?
By CNN's Jack Cafferty:
With the election just three months away and the economy struggling, a new poll suggests Americans overwhelmingly trust Mitt Romney to get the economy back on track.
The USA Today/Gallup poll shows by more than 2-to-1 - 63% to 29% - Americans say Romney's business background would help him to make good decisions about the economy.
The Obama campaign better take note. This poll suggests the president's strategy of relentless attacks on Romney's record at Bain Capital and his business background could backfire - big time.
With unemployment above 8% for 41 months, Americans might not care about what Romney did 10 years ago. What they care about is someone fixing the economy today. In fact, a lot of voters probably find Romney's business background to be a plus.
Meanwhile, the president has his own strengths over his GOP rival. This same poll shows by a margin of 2-to-1 that voters say Obama is more likable than Romney. By wide margins, voters say the president understands their problems better and that he's more honest and trustworthy than Romney.
Which sets up an interesting dilemma come Election Day:
Will Americans vote for the candidate who they believe can fix the economy - the nation's top issue - or the one they like more?
Here’s my question to you: Is it more important for a president to be able to handle the economy or to be likable?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 4pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
How much would Condoleezza Rice as v.p. help the Romney campaign?
By CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Mitt Romney might have a shot at a game changer that actually works in his favor.
Speculation has been rampant for the last several days that former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice might be on Romney's short list for vice president.
Unlike Sarah Palin, who all but destroyed John McCain's chances, Rice might be just what the doctor ordered for Romney.
She's smart, has foreign policy credentials that are unquestioned and would certainly make the race a lot more interesting than it is now.
Romney is getting his nose bloodied by President Obama's incessant pounding on Bain Capital and his tax returns. Unable to seize the initiative and make the race about the economy, which by any measure should make Obama unelectable, Romney needs a spark.
Rice would immediately tap into African-Americans and women, two areas where Obama holds substantial leads.
Whether she would agree to be on the ticket remains a question. She has said she is not interested. But if your country comes calling ...
Anyway, barring putting Chris Christie on the ticket, you gotta love the idea of Rice. She would erase the memory of Palin and immediately energize the race.
With the start of the Summer Olympics fast approaching, Obama and Romney are going to be hard-pressed to get media coverage.
Rice would help in that department, too.
Here’s my question to you: How much would Condoleezza Rice as v.p. help the Romney campaign?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 4pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
Do you have a problem with Mitt Romney's money?
By CNN's Jack Cafferty:
One in five voters has a problem with Mitt Romney's money.
According to a new Gallup Poll, 20% of those surveyed say Romney's net worth of over $200 million makes them less likely to vote for him for president.
Most Americans - 75% - say Romney's wealth makes no difference.
While only 4% say his money makes them more likely to vote for him.
Democrats and independents make up most of those who say they're less likely to support romney because of his riches.
Most of these Democrats probably won't be casting a ballot for Romney anyway but when it comes to independents, we all know how important they are - especially in swing states.
Voter income plays a role in all this. Nearly 30% of those making under $24,000 say they're less likely to support Romney because he is rich.
Romney's money has become a campaign strategy for President Obama and the Democrats. Call it class warfare.
They've been highlighting Romney's wealth, how he made many of those millions working for the venture capital firm Bain Capital, and how he's yet to release all of his tax returns for the last decade.
President Obama, who is also a multi-millionaire, wants to convince Americans that Romney can't relate to poor and middle class Americans - and that his policies as president would mostly help the wealthy.
Of course this is America and it's no crime to be rich. There's also an argument to be made that as the economy keeps sputtering along, a businessman in the White House wouldn't be the worst thing for this country.
At this point it's unclear if poverty and high unemployment will prevent Americans from voting for a rich guy. A very rich guy.
Here’s my question to you: Do you have a problem with Mitt Romney's money?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 5pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
Whom do you trust more to turn around the economy: President Obama or Mitt Romney?
By CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Mitt Romney is coming under fire from some conservatives when it comes to the economy.
Bill Kristol of the Weekly Standard says that Romney won't be able to win in November if voters don't think he has a clear plan to fix the economy.
Radio host Laura Ingraham also took a swipe at Romney - wondering why he's taking vacation when "we have a country to save."
The Wall Street Journal, now owned by Rupert Murdoch, says Romney needs to get more specific about how he would do a better job than Obama:
"The Romney campaign thinks it can play it safe and coast to the White House by saying the economy stinks and it's Mr. Obama's fault."
In fairness to Mr. Romney some of this griping is coming from conservative quarters that weren't thrilled with him in the first place.
Romney has a plan for jobs and economic growth laid out on his website.
And the likely Republican nominee has talked about how he would do things like lower tax rates, lift the barriers to the Keystone Pipeline, curb some regulatory policies that he says have driven up energy costs and repeal Obamacare.
Meanwhile what about President Obama? With another grim jobs report for June, unemployment is stuck at over 8% and job growth is weak.
If unemployment stays where it is - or goes higher - before November, it might be tough for the president to convince millions of unemployed Americans that he can feel their economic pain. Plus the national debt and annual deficits are out of control on his watch.
A recent CNN/ORC poll shows Americans just about split down the middle when it comes to who would better handle the economy.
Here’s my question to you: Whom do you trust more to turn around the economy: President Obama or Mitt Romney?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 5pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
How much does Mitt Romney's v.p. pick matter?
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?
Why is Obama-Romney sooo boring?
By CNN's Jack Cafferty:
If the 2008 presidential race was an election on steroids, the 2012 presidential race might be on Quaaludes.
Let's face it: The Obama-Romney face-off is shaping up to be a real snooze.
To be fair, it's hard to compete with the excitement of 2008: the fight to the death between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, the historic nature of Obama's matchup with John McCain and the added wild card that was Sarah Palin.
This time around we had Mitt Romney battling a series of candidates who were hard to take seriously such as Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann and Rick Santorum. And now Romney seems poised to pick a vanilla vice president.
As for Obama, much of the hope and change has drained out of him after 3 1/2 years. Joe Biden's about the only interesting thing going for the Democratic ticket.
Critics slam both Obama and Romney for being elitists, aloof and out of touch with ordinary Americans. That's because they are.
Obama often comes off as an Ivy League professor and Romney as a rich businessman. All this makes it increasingly difficult for the public to gin up much enthusiasm for this contest.
Roger Simon has a hilarious piece in Politico about this boring race. He asks: Where's the fun?
"Where is the sheer heart-pounding, loin-stirring, thrill-going-up-the-leg tingle that is the hallmark of a U.S. presidential race?"
Simon points out that U.S. politics has always been entertaining - going back to George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
He suggests some off-the-wall tickets that could bring excitement back to this race.
Like Hillary Clinton/Bill Clinton, Barack Obama/Michelle Obama and last but not least - John Edwards/Roger Clemens.
Simon writes the latter are both survivors who know how to win and how to game the system. The potential slogan: "You think we're liars? Takes one to know one."
Here’s my question to you: Why is Obama-Romney sooo boring?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Is John Kerry a good fill-in for Mitt Romney?
By CNN's Jack Cafferty:
John Kerry will play Mitt Romney in debate preparations for the president.
And it's just perfect: one elite, rich, emotionless Massachusetts politician filling in for another.
The Boston Globe first reported that Senator Kerry has been tapped to mimic the presumptive GOP nominee in debate practice.
That means Kerry will do everything from anticipating Romney's answers and his attacks to copying his speaking style and his posture.
Of course Kerry has lots of experience in presidential debates since he faced off against George W. Bush three times in the 2004 campaign. Most people agreed Kerry won those debates even though Bush went on to win the election.
President Obama's senior campaign strategist David Axelrod says Kerry is an expert debater who has mastered a wide range of issues including Romney's Massachusetts.
Kerry has observed Romney's role in Massachusetts politics going back to 1994, so he should be in a good place to point out Romney's weaknesses while governor, especially his economic record.
Axelrod calls Kerry "the obvious choice." Which may be true in more ways than one.
As the Globe notes, critics blast both Kerry and Romney for being aloof and for flip-flopping on major issues.
Plus, they're both rich. Really, really rich. Romney has an estimated net worth of $250 million while Kerry's is at around $193 million.
Meanwhile John Kerry could wind up playing a larger role in a second Obama term if the president manages to win re-election. There's growing speculation that Kerry could take over as Secretary of State if Hillary Clinton leaves as planned.
As for who will play Obama in Romney's debate practice - no word yet.
Here’s my question to you: Is John Kerry a good fill-in for Mitt Romney?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Why is Mitt Romney refusing to answer questions on Obama's new immigration policy?
By CNN's Jack Cafferty:
When opportunity knocks, it's a good idea to answer the door, especially if you want to be elected the next president.
Last week, President Obama announced that illegal aliens under the age of 30 who have been here since before they were 16 would no longer be deported and would be eligible to apply for work permits if they meet certain requirements.
In doing so, the president handed Mitt Romney a golden chance to score some points with the beleaguered middle class.
With millions of American citizens out of work and unemployment at more than 8%, it was a gift to Romney. But instead of pointing out these things and suggesting that the few jobs being produced should go to American citizens, Romney was silent. Instead of saying immigration is a huge problem that needs to be dealt with, but not at the expense of giving American jobs to illegal immigrants, Romney was silent.
Instead of pointing out that Obama was violating immigration laws and instead is making his own laws when it comes to illegal immigrants, Romney was silent.
In fact, he was given a second chance Sunday by Bob Schieffer on CBS's "Face the Nation," where he was asked five times about this issue. But the best he could do was refuse to answer, dodging the question in the best political tradition.
If Romney wants to be the next president, he should start speaking out for the rule of law and on behalf of American citizens, especially when the choice is as clear as Obama made this.
Here's my question to you: Why is Mitt Romney refusing to answer questions on Pres. Obama's new immigration policy?
Tune in to "The Situation Room" at 5 p.m. ET to see if Jack reads your answer on the air.
And we'd love to know where you're writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
Why does Mitt Romney continue to put up with Donald Trump?
By CNN's Jack Cafferty:
(CNN) - What is wrong with Mitt Romney?
Here he finally makes it to the nomination after a bruising primary fight against all sorts of whacky, right-wing elements in the Republican Party: Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich - you name it.
Four years after losing the race for the nomination, he finally secures the requisite number of delegates for his party's nomination for president of the United States. Sweet.
But what's one of the first things he does? He appears at a fund-raiser in Las Vegas with Donald Trump. Donald Trump. He of the curious hair and even curiouser ideas about the nation's priorities.
Donald Trump, who is still insisting Barack Obama's birth certificate is a phony. In a loud, annoying voice, he goes around claiming Obama is not qualified to be president because he wasn't born in this country.
No one is listening, Mr. Trump. Except Mitt Romney. If Romney wants to drive voters away, all he has to do is continue to indulge Trump’s lunatic ravings about the president's birth certificate.
There are real, serious problems in this country. The legitimacy of Obama's birth certificate isn't one of them. And for Romney to align himself with this gasbag with the funny hair is tantamount to wanting to destroy his candidacy before it even gets off the ground.
Except for contributing money, there is no way Trump helps Romney become the next president. And if Romney can't see that, well, I'd say the lad has some serious problems.
Here’s my question to you:Why does Mitt Romney continue to put up with Donald Trump?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 4pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
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