Romney tops McCain veep list

**min0 lee** · 06-30-2008, 07:15 PM

Romney tops McCain veep list - Mike Allen - Politico.com

In a surprise to many Republican insiders, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is at the top of the vice presidential prospect list for John McCain. But lack of personal chemistry could derail the pick.

“Romney as favorite” is the hot buzz in Republican circles, and top party advisers said the case is compelling.

Campaign insiders say McCain plans to name his running mate very shortly after Barack Obama does, as part of what one campaign planner called a “bounce-mitigation strategy.”

The Democratic convention is in late August, a week ahead of the Republican convention. That means McCain can size up the opposing ticket before locking in his own.
McCain campaign staffers declined to comment, saying McCain has made it clear they are not to discuss the matter.

One of the chief reasons the Massachusetts governor is looking so attractive is his ability to raise huge amounts of money quickly through his former business partners and from fellow members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Mormons.

McCain sources tell Politico that they believe Romney could raise $50 million in 60 days. One close Romney adviser said it could even be $60 million.

Romney’s other advantages, according to people involved in McCain’s screening process:

— He is queaky-clean and fully vetted by the national media.

— He has presidential looks and bearing and immediately would be a strong campaigner who could be trusted to stay on message.

— His family’s Michigan roots would help in a swing state that went Democratic in 2004.

But there’s one big problem: Despite the buddy-picture choreography of a McCain-Romney campaign swing, McCain remains less than enamored with Romney.
And it’s not just the candidate. Some of McCain’s closest confidants evince little enthusiasm for Romney, feelings that are owed in part to lingering bad blood from the GOP primary, a genuine skepticism that such a conventional pick could bolster the ticket in a grim year for the GOP and concerns about whether his Mormon faith could imperil McCain in Southern states that Obama hopes to put into play.

McCain sources also say he’ll pick his vice presidential candidate based more on ability to govern than ability to help in the election.

So two other names are in the top tier:

— Rob Portman, a former congressman from Ohio, member of House leadership, U.S. trade ambassador and White House budget director.

— Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), who would delight conservatives and is at the top of the list of the party’s prospects for the presidential race in 2012 or 2016. He was described to Politico by a McCain confidant as a possible “compromise” if the senator can’t stomach picking Romney.

Then there’s a second tier of candidates who are less likely, but possible: former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, who dropped out of the top tier because of recent revelations about his lobbying; Florida Gov. Charlie Crist; Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty; and Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), who is one of McCain’s most energetic and successful fundraisers.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is frequently included in veep news stories but was not mentioned by McCain insiders. Their view is that his youth would accentuate, not mitigate, the age issue.

Especially if McCain is far behind later this summer, he could do something truly unorthodox such as pick his strong supporter Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.), who was the Democrats’ vice presidential candidate back in 2000.

Party leaders don’t expect that. But McCain remains, after all, a maverick.

Jonathan Martin contributed to this story.

**bio-chem** · 06-30-2008, 07:28 PM

ive been thinking so much of obama vs mccain that i forgot all about the VP thing. im not sure i like the idea of romney as vp. i think overall he would help the republican ticket, but he would hurt his own image.

**Big Smoothy** · 06-30-2008, 08:25 PM

Interesting Min0,

If Romney was a wasp, I think he very well may have been the nominee.

Still, a large percentage of Evangelical Christians, and other Christian denominations claim they won't vote for a Mormon President. But VP? I guess we'll have to wait to see some polling.

**ALBOB** · 06-30-2008, 08:30 PM

Romney is one of the best possible choices. He's seen as more conservative than McCain so he'll bring in those votes. He's been able to win over at least one liberal state by getting elected and being a very popular governor so he'll potentially bring in those votes.

Vary rarely does the choice of veep swing an election, but I could see this one having a huge bearing on the outcome. Personalities don't matter, winning the election does. The cases of Presidents and Vice Presidents who hated each other's guts are many.

Hopefully this is a sign that McCain will lean toward the conservative during his presidency.

**brogers** · 06-30-2008, 08:35 PM

I had been hearing that Pawlenty was the likely pick, but Romney would probably help out with the conservatives like myself who don't like McCain. I really don't know much about Pawlenty at all.

**busyLivin** · 06-30-2008, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by ALBOB

Romney is one of the best possible choices. He's seen as more conservative than McCain so he'll bring in those votes. He's been able to win over at least one liberal state by getting elected and being a very popular governor so he'll potentially bring in those votes.

Vary rarely does the choice of veep swing an election, but I could see this one having a huge bearing on the outcome. Personalities don't matter, winning the election does. The cases of Presidents and Vice Presidents who hated each other's guts are many.

Hopefully this is a sign that McCain will lean toward the conservative during his presidency.

Perfectly said. I voted for Romney in the primary & really hope to see him on the ticket. Romney also bring Michigan into play.

**bio-chem** · 06-30-2008, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by busyLivin

Perfectly said. I voted for Romney in the primary & really hope to see him on the ticket. Romney also bring Michigan into play.

guys romney may not be the best. evangelicals think mormons are of the devil. they will run from him like no other. that means the republicans give up the entire south to the overwhelming number of blacks who are going to turn out to vote for obama

**Splash Log** · 06-30-2008, 09:49 PM

Lieberman should be his pick, I dont like the idea but I think it gives the lesser of the two evils the best chance to win.

**lnvanry** · 06-30-2008, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by bio-chem

guys romney may not be the best. evangelicals think mormons are of the devil. they will run from him like no other. that means the republicans give up the entire south to the overwhelming number of blacks who are going to turn out to vote for obama

spot on!

and I think its going to be Pawlenty as well...at least I hope

**min0 lee** · 06-30-2008, 10:26 PM

Colin Powell!
He can steal Obama's votes and heck, he's not really black on the inside.

**lnvanry** · 06-30-2008, 10:35 PM

yeah, I'm pretty sure the Whites took him on the Dave Chapelle's Racial Draft back in 2005

**min0 lee** · 06-30-2008, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by lnvanry

yeah, I'm pretty sure the Whites took him on the Dave Chapelle's Racial Draft back in 2005

That was actaully on my mind when I posted this.

That skit was funny.

**busyLivin** · 07-01-2008, 05:21 AM

Originally Posted by Splash Log

Lieberman should be his pick, I dont like the idea but I think it gives the lesser of the two evils the best chance to win.

That's the only way I don't vote for McCain. Lieberman may be right on the war, but he's liberal on everything else. No thank you.

**Splash Log** · 07-01-2008, 05:59 AM

I agree with you, I am just talking about winning not what I believe.

**busyLivin** · 07-01-2008, 06:46 AM

Originally Posted by Splash Log

I agree with you, I am just talking about winning not what I believe.

I can't see how Lieberman is a win. Democrats think he's a traitor, and conservatives know he's a liberal. Might help him with independants I guess.

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