Politico: Romney Tops McCain VP List
Filed under: 2008 elections, Lead Story — Michael van der Galien, Editor-in-Chief on June 30, 2008 @ 9:00 pm CEST
According to the Politico, Mitt Romney tops McCain’s Veep list. A good choice indeed.
This post is a follow-up to my earlier post about Romney supporters and donors flocking to John McCain. In it I suggest that of all the Republican former candidates, Romney would be the best choice for McCain’s running mate. McCain himself and his advisers seem to agree; according to the Politico, Mitt Romney - former Governor of Massachusetts - tops McCain’s veep list at this point in time.
Surprising many Republican insiders, Mitt Romney is at the top of the vice-presidential prospect list for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). 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 Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) 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 Republicans convention. That means McCain can size up the opposing ticket before locking in his own.
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.
In other words, it’s all about the money.
Or is it? Sure, Romney would be able to raise a whole lot of money - something McCain desperately needs - but there’s more to it than that. Romney is also much younger than McCain (important), he has governing experience (something McCain lacks), and his expertise is… the economy. McCain’s main weakness - aside from him being too maverick for the base and too old - is the economy. The man doesn’t know anything about this subject, and he freely admitted he doesn’t in the past. This while the economy is turning into the major issue this year.
McCain’s strength, on the other, is foreign policy and national security. Romney’s weaker on that, but that doesn’t matter; if McCain’s isn’t good enough in this regard, no one is.
Additionally, it has to be pointed out that Romney is a safe choice. The man has been thoroughly vetted by the media and by political opponents. They all tried to find something on him, but they couldn’t. The worst ‘revelation’ was that he once put his dog in a cage on the roof of his car when the family went on vacation. That’s just sad.
Also; Romney is strong in Michigan. He’s from that state - his father was its governor. Michigan will be a key battle state this year. With Romney on the ticket, McCain may very well be able to win, or at least make this state highly competitive.
All in all, quite a strong case.
But there’s one major problem; McCain isn’t very fond of Mitt Romney. And that’s putting it mildly. Unlike Romney, McCain seems to take politics quite personal, and truly seems to despise some of his political opponents, even when they’re from the same party. Where Romney would never get personal, McCain does.
That could be a problem; McCain holds grudges and seems to be quite emotional.
So, the two others on top of the veep list, according to the Politico:
—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.”
But, those will only be asked if… “the senator can’t stomach picking Romney.” If common sense prevails, Romney may very well be the GOP’s VP.
1 mike
June 30, 2008 @ 10:59 pm CESTHuckabee is the only choice for vp
http://www.theveep.com
2 Val
June 30, 2008 @ 11:14 pm CESTHuckleberry needs to take his circus act elsewhere. I grew tired of watching that clown during the Primaries. I find it highly insulting that these articles are suggesting that Romney is only the top VP pick because of his money. I highly doubt McCain would choose Romney for his fundraising ability. As an evangelical, I would vote for McCain hands down if Romney ran….and would likely consider a hefty donation to his cause if Romney was on the ticket.
3 Ted
June 30, 2008 @ 11:38 pm CESTThe tip-off that Politico is just a “promote Romney” piece is that it mentions EVERY NAME in the next two tiers of Veep prospects EXCEPT SARAH PALIN!!! — even names far more unlikely than Palin (since Romney camp knows Palin is the ONLY ONE who tops — I’ll say tops by far — Romney as McCain’s best pick). Bottom line, Romney and Politico fear Palin most — as do the Dems and the MSM. (By the way, the Dems and MSM do not fear Romney the most — which says a lot.)
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June 30, 2008 @ 11:57 pm CESTDean: I feared Romney more than McCain(CNN)— Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said Thursday he feared his party’s nominee facing Mitt Romney in the general election more than any other candidate. “Frankly, Mitt Romney was the candidate I feared the most in the general because he’s got plenty of money, he’s wealthy,” Dean told reporters at a committee briefing. “He’s very articulate and he willing to say practically anything, and Republican voters want discipline.” When asked if he’d fear a McCain-Romney ticket, Dean said the former Massachussetts governor was the best candidate the Republicans were probably “ever going to get.”___________________________________________________While I thoroughly disagree that Romney would say anything (ex. not campaigning on his pro-life stance in MA, and stating that he would not attempt to change the existing laws, is not "saying anything"….) It is however ignoring issues, instead of dishonestly lying to the voters. Unfortunately this is a necessity for Republicans running for office in my home state of Massachusetts, which is ultimately 10,555 Sq. Miles surrounded by reality. Romney was elected here for his management experience, his ability to turnaround a misguided organization/government, and his economic expertise.Mitt Romney is a nitemare candidate for the Democrat party. He has no skeletons in the closet. He has impeccable credentials, and he is unmatched by any other national political figure in his understanding of the economy. He can be the ultimate attack dog for McCain, and would probably make the case for electing John McCain, better than the candidate could do for himself….
5 Michael Merritt
July 1, 2008 @ 3:47 am CESTCan someone who’s been following McCain-Romney relations tell me if they’ve actually repaired their relationship enough for McCain to even seriously consider him as VP? I know Romney’s campaigned with him a bit, but are they chummy enough yet? They were at daggers’ point during the primaries.
Or is it more like the relationship Clinton and Obama have right now where, while not necessarily BFFs, they know the best way to win is to be seen together, and possibly, work in the WH together?
6 Ted
July 1, 2008 @ 4:20 am CESTAll the media buzz which will surround Palin — essentially free to McCain — will be worth millions and millions of dollars of PR (more money than Romney could provide anyway).
It appears that it’s all down to Palin or Romney, and team Romney fears Palin now has the best shot, so Romney camp is mounting a blogosphere-wide assault via Politico.
The tip-off that Politico is just a “promote Romney” piece is that it mentions EVERY NAME in the next two tiers of Veep prospects EXCEPT SARAH PALIN!!! — even names far more unlikely than Palin (since Romney camp knows Palin is the ONLY ONE who tops — I’ll say tops by far — Romney as McCain’s best pick).
Bottom line, Romney and Politico fear Palin most — as do the Dems and the MSM. (By the way, the Dems and MSM do not fear Romney the most — which says a lot.)
AOL, prime on-line pro-Obama/pro-Dem player, is now carrying the Politico piece promoting Romney buzz.
Clearly AOL wants McCain and the GOP to lose the general elction — hence they gladly promote Romney (no mention of Palin).
Also, CNN had Romney — kind of out of the blue — attacking Obama. Again, CNN, wanting McCain and the GOP to lose, gladly promotes Romney (to attempt to avert the Palin threat).
7 wj
July 1, 2008 @ 8:27 pm CESTAssuming that McCain’s priority is to win the general election, rather than the Republican parimaries, Romney has more negatives than positives. As the candidate from the smaller party, McCain needs to win independents and Democrats to take the prize. Not drive them away.
If Romney hadn’t spent the last year reversing all of his previous positions and pandering so enthusiastically to the theocon right, it might be another story. As it is, McCain would be far better off finding someone else to shore up his admitted weakness on the economic front. Surely in the whole of the Republican Party he can find someone.
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July 3, 2008 @ 3:00 am CEST[…] Politico: Romney Tops McCain VP List - Poli GazetteAccording to the Politico , Mitt Romney tops McCain’s Veep list. A good choice indeed. This post is a follow-up to my earlier post about Romney supporters and donors flocking to John McCain. In it I suggest that of all the Republican former […]