We'll Soon Know if Romney Is McCain's Vice President, but It's Not Portman
He has always been on the so-called "shortlist," but Mitt Romney's chances seem to have brightened in the past week as the economy continues to hold the top issue slot on the campaign trail. Key McCain allies report that Romney's background as an economically driven governor and his popularity among the moderate GOP base are helping him keep pace with others on the shortlist.
"I could be wrong, but I bet he picks Romney," said a McCain finance adviser and major fundraiser. "He energizes the base. Romney was clearly the No. 2 pick and would excite a lot of traditional Republicans who think McCain is too much of a maverick," the adviser E-mailed. "These voters will also get behind the ticket because, win or lose, they will see it as a setup for Romney in 2012; most Republicans have barely heard about most of the other names that have been bandied about. They all know Romney. Second, Romney is the most Reaganesque of the bunch, and the party is searching for any way it can find to get back to the winning days of the Reagan approach. He's a former governor, like Reagan, who has ruled over a population more liberal than he is and he did it well. Third, McCain needs an economic conservative to burnish his credentials on restoring health back to the economy. Romney fits there. Fourth, Romney is already vetted. He communicates and campaigns well, will do what he's told tirelessly. He has been campaigning forcefully for McCain. Fifth, he looks and acts like he could be president, and that's 95 percent of the job of a credible VP candidate. And sixth, and most importantly, McCain needs to nail Colorado (Mormons) and Michigan (home state) for sure as they are in the top four critical swing states. Romney fits both bills."
Meanwhile, another GOP economic brain, Rob Portman, the former Ohio congressman and Bush budget and trade czar, says he's not in contention. He E-mails me: "I do not believe it is me and I am happy being home. I am also happy to be doing surrogate appearances for the campaign and will keep doing them when asked."
Tags: Mitt Romney | John McCain | Rob Portman
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Reader Comments
Palin is a real winner (for the Democrats)
McCain is flailin' and failin' with Sarah Palin.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Wow. She says she was in the Wasilla Alaska PTA, and her husband rides a SNOWMOBILE. Impressive. THE CHINESE WILL RESPECT THAT.
She become governor of Alaska due to a fluke, the incumbent Republican was corrupt and despised, and CAME IN 4TH IN HIS OWN PRIMARY. Murkowski, that's the guy who APPOINTED HIS OWN DAUGHTER AS US SENATOR when he was governor. Another great Republican.
What the Hell, she will learn on the job, like Bush did. Bush, ha! $4 trillion added to the debt, an attack on the US allowed to happen, a war based on lies, refusal to build better levees in New Orleans, tho warned in 2001, resulting in thousands of deaths. Bush doubled illegal immigration AFTER 9/11, tho all 19 hijackers were here illegally. But Bush is a Texan, and a Republican, and that's all that matters, RIGHT? Could Palin really be any worse than Bush, if the 72-year-old McCain's health problems and disabilities catch up to him?
One thing I will say about Republicans: they are slow learners. And they have LOW standards.
Good luck in November!
Romney (FINALLY!)
Each and every election I find myself asking, "Are these the best people we can find?". This time, with Mitt Romney, I finally see someone with the experience and intelligence to be an effective and strong leader. Finally someone willing to share his talents in public service.
As for the religous bigotry, all the mormans I have known have been hard working, family valued, community minded, and service oriented. Is this a bad thing?
Mitt
Romney is not the perfect pick. He's a huge flip-flopper, a mormon and looks phoney. Sarah Palin would be theperfect choice...the evangelicals love her, the fiscal conservatives love her...and SHE'S A WOMAN!!! If McCain is smart enough to pick her he'll probably win in November.
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