VP Selection Thread

[jreed3]

The selection for VP is going to be crucial for this years election so I thought it would be interesting to get an ongoing thread about the possible candidates and their strengths/weaknesses. There are also of possibilities I dont know anything about such as Rob Portman, Suzanna Martinez, etc.

Can we get a discussion going on the candidates and anyone with insight educate those of us who dont know anything other than those main candidates?

[savedatcamp]

Marco Rubio. Florida conservative...He is my pick.
He's also handsome as can be but that is not important. Or is it?

[Robinbobbin]

My guess is Condeleza Rice or Marco Rubio, probably Condeleza Rice. Her name on the ticket gives immediate credibility to the Romney administration's foreign policy capabilities and will make it FAR more difficult for the Obama administration to pit African American voters against Romney strictly for racial reasons. Likewise, a Rubio VP ticket will make it far more difficult for Obama to pit the hispanic vote against Romney. The only thing either will not eliminate is the class-warfare going on.

The one thing I know for sure - if a white male is put on the ticket as VP, no matter how strong his credentials, it will hand Obama a win in November.

[Mtown]

My guess is Condeleza Rice or Marco Rubio, probably Condeleza Rice. Her name on the ticket gives immediate credibility to the Romney administration's foreign policy capabilities and will make it FAR more difficult for the Obama administration to pit African American voters against Romney strictly for racial reasons. Likewise, a Rubio VP ticket will make it far more difficult for Obama to pit the hispanic vote against Romney. The only thing either will not eliminate is the class-warfare going on.

The one thing I know for sure - if a white male is put on the ticket as VP, no matter how strong his credentials, it will hand Obama a win in November.

I don't think she will help with the "race issue" of voters because she will and is labeled an uncle tom and already been horribly bashed by the media. I would like to see her in as VP but don't think it will help Romney's cause. It might actually hurt as I believe Sarah Palin hurt McCain, not that she was bad, but that the media took what they could and ran with it.

[jreed3]

I think Condi would be an amazing pick and would lend a lot more credibility to a Romney admin foreign policy wise. Although I wonder if this woudl harken people back to the Bush years which so many people were desperately trying to escape when voting for Obama. One would think she would give a little boost on the minority/women side of the vote.

[Cloud Watcher]

Rubio's parents weren't citizens when he was born. Therefore he wouldn't fit the original intended meaning of the Constitutional requirement of "natural born citizen".

[IbelieveinJesus]

My dream pick would be Rubio... but I am open to other suggestions.

I see Portman being bandied about, he seems like a strong Conservative... not much wow factor there for me though...

-Ted

[raml]

Condi Rice is to liberal for an already liberal candidate Romney so if he wants the conservatives to vote for him he needs to go with a fairly conservative vice president. Rubio may not qualify due to his not being born here to US citizens they became citizens after he was born although he would be my first pick if he qualified. I don't know Portman he may be ok. Christie is to liberal he is another Romney we don't need 2 of them in office. I like Bobby Jindal the gov of La he is a real conservative and liked by many. I really am interested to see who he picks and if he is smart and tries to unify the republicans behind him by making sure the VP is someone the conservatives can get behind. I sure hope he is.

[Gideon300]

I think Condi would be an amazing pick and would lend a lot more credibility to a Romney admin foreign policy wise. Although I wonder if this woudl harken people back to the Bush years which so many people were desperately trying to escape when voting for Obama. One would think she would give a little boost on the minority/women side of the vote.

I disagree with Rice being a good pick. In my opinion she wrong in her dealings with Israel. Plus, as someone else correctly pointed out, her race means nothing because of past media treatment.

I second Marco Rubio, he is a strong conservative, and he will help carry Florida. I wouldn't mind seeing Allen West. He would be a major asset as VP with years of military experience behind him. Plus, he would also help carry Florida, but I don't see him being picked.

[Gideon300]

Condi Rice is to liberal for an already liberal candidate Romney so if he wants the conservatives to vote for him he needs to go with a fairly conservative vice president. Rubio may not qualify due to his not being born here to US citizens they became citizens after he was born although he would be my first pick if he qualified. I don't know Portman he may be ok. Christie is to liberal he is another Romney we don't need 2 of them in office. I like Bobby Jindal the gov of La he is a real conservative and liked by many. I really am interested to see who he picks and if he is smart and tries to unify the republicans behind him by making sure the VP is someone the conservatives can get behind. I sure hope he is.

This would normally be true regarding his citizenship, and rightfully so, but Obama set the precedence on this issue for modern times and this will, now, not be an issue.

I like Jindal, but LA is a sure thing for Republicans in the general election, so he doesn't bring a lot to the table in that aspect.

I don't think Christie has a chance, for the reasons you stated. Two North East "moderate" Republicans will cause damage in Southern states when it comes to voting.

I see Nikki Haley having a better shot at VP than Christie.

[IbelieveinJesus]

I see Nikki Haley having a better shot at VP than Christie.

Is there anyone on the board from SC? Curious about their thoughts on Gov Haley.

-Ted

[Little Bug]

I certainly hope you're correct on the Rubio issue, Gideon, because HE IS MY PICK!!! I absolutely love the guy--he brings tears to my eyes, but then, I start thinking about what our Lord stated regarding end-times delusions and all. I truly keep praying for discernment (and have been doing so for many years now). As much as I like some of the women out there (Nikki Haley sp.? for sure), I just don't see a woman on the ticket--I could be wrong, but I don't see voters ready for a woman yet. Another candidate whom I feel would be really, really good is Paul Ryan (congressman from WISC who keeps plugging out how to fix the budget and all). But I really feel that the VP pick will be most important and key to this election (along with Romney hammering away at Bama's failed policies).Okay.... to be continued...

This would normally be true regarding his citizenship, and rightfully so, but Obama set the precedence on this issue for modern times and this will, now, not be an issue.

I like Jindal, but LA is a sure thing for Republicans in the general election, so he doesn't bring a lot to the table in that aspect.

I don't think Christie has a chance, for the reasons you stated. Two North East "moderate" Republicans will cause damage in Southern states when it comes to voting.

I see Nikki Haley having a better shot at VP than Christie.

[clemson]

Is there anyone on the board from SC? Curious about their thoughts on Gov Haley.

-Ted

I am. She is an excellent governor! She said she will complete her governor term so she won't accept. The only knock on her is that she endorsed Romney.

[jreed3]

Im beginning to come around to Romney but that may be my udder disgust with our current administration talking. Ill have to do a bit of research on Condi and her liberal leanings.

I hope everyone continues to join in...Im already learning.

That said, Rubio is the guy Im pulling for. Not only because of this election but that would set him up very nicely for a run in 8 years should things fall that way.

[barryinaustralia]

Alan West would be my first choice.

[Little Bug]

Alan West would be my first choice.

I've got Alan pegged for SECRETARY OF DEFENSE! Excellent choice, however, Barry. I LOVE Alan West.... so much so that I'm on his e-mail list (even though they're coming via Florida with oodles of Townhall invites and I'm some 3,000 miles north in Minnisoooota!!!).

[HikerLady]

I love Rubio too. But whoever Romney picks, I just hope he/she will help him get elected Because the specter of another 4 years of Obama is terrifying to me

[moosejive]

Rubio may not qualify due to his not being born here to US citizens they became citizens after he was born although he would be my first pick if he qualified. I like Bobby Jindal the gov of La he is a real conservative and liked by many. I really am interested to see who he picks and if he is smart and tries to unify the republicans behind him by making sure the VP is someone the conservatives can get behind. I sure hope he is.

I don't really know too much about some of the people mentioned,I will have to do some reading I guess.

However, Rubio not qualifying because his parents weren't citizens is a non-issue. I thought the person himself had to be a citizen, not the parents. I maybe wrong on that, but when I hear about "anchor" babies (ones that are born in the U.S. to non-U.S. citizens) they are all born as U.S. citizens. I had a friend who worked as a labor & delivery nurse in El PAso, TX and she said it wasn't uncommon to have Mexican (? probably illegal immigrants) show up @ the hospital ready to deliver. They couldn't be transferred because of how far along they were & the baby was born in the U.S. and therefore a citizen.

It will be an interesting and tiring time leading up to the election night!

[Gideon300]

I don't really know too much about some of the people mentioned,I will have to do some reading I guess.

However, Rubio not qualifying because his parents weren't citizens is a non-issue. I thought the person himself had to be a citizen, not the parents.

Our founders wrote about this issue, and according to them Rubio would not be eligible to be President. But, like I stated earlier, neither would Obama, and the fact that our judicial system allowed him to take the oath and sit in the Oval Office has now set the precedence for this issue. This is sad because our system was not designed to run off of precedence, it was meant to view law solely on the constitutionality of it.

[MidnightCry]

If Rubio was not eligible to serve as Pres, why wouldn't he be stating that as one of the reasons he would not accept the VP nomination -- he wouldn't legally be ABLE to? And why would he be continually questioned about accepting it?