Some turn attention to potential Romney running mate!
Arrogant political hacks think globalist corporatist candidate will win nomination despite lack of delegate majority.
WASHINGTON (PNN) - April 3, 2012 - Some supporters are beginning to focus on possible running mates for Mitt Romney, should he secure the GOP presidential nomination.
Could it be Senator Marco Rubio, a Hispanic conservative from the swing state of Florida? Maybe it will be Chris Christie, the bombastic governor from New Jersey - unafraid to speak his mind? Or could it be a total dark horse candidate, such as Gov. Susana Martinez from New Mexico, another conservative Hispanic from a swing state?
According to Larry Sabato, the director for the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, Romney has two ways to go with his decision.
“He can pick someone who is safe and follows the Hippocratic oath’s mandate, ‘First, do no harm,’” said Sabato. “This person would be seen as competent but wouldn’t necessarily have any impact on the Electoral College or appealing to specific demographic groups where Romney is weak; or Romney can pick someone designed to deliver a state, region, or demographic group.”
With that certain demographic group primarily focusing on Hispanics, Seton Motley, president of political think tank Less Government, sees that spot going to Rubio.
“This is all a game of checking off something you don’t have,” said Motley. “Rubio is Hispanic and from the swing state of Florida. The list almost begins and ends with Rubio.”
Rubio - who has thrown his support behind Romney - has been a favorite among conservatives in his short time in the Senate, but that lack of experience could hurt his chances of getting on the ticket.
“If this individual is relatively inexperienced or has not been fully vetted, there can always be unexpected problems that turn into a major distraction for the presidential nominee,” Sabato said.
Even if Rubio is picked, there are no guarantees he could deliver the state to Romney.
"Rubio might be able to deliver Florida, but only if Romney was already running just a few points behind Obama,” said Sabato, adding that rivals Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul have virtually no shot at joining the ticket with Romney.
Rubio has previously stated he is not looking for the vice presidential nomination.
Conservatives have fallen over party favorite Chris Christie, who was called on many times to jump into the presidential fray. Christie decided not to, instead throwing his support behind corporatist and globalist candidate Romney.
There has been much talk about Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal getting the nod, which would make him the first Indian-American to be vice presidential candidate. But others to keep an eye on are Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez.
Romney also needs to make sure that the VP candidate he chooses doesn’t become a distraction, the same way Sarah Palin was to Senator John McCain in 2008.
But in the end, Romney’s campaign won’t hinge on who he picks as his running mate.
“The state of the economy will make or break Romney’s campaign,” Sabato said.