The Olympics are starting up, but that doesn't mean the Romney vice-president battle is slowing down. After two months of speculation, name-floating, and broad public discussion about the candidates, it's becoming clear where the battle lines are drawn and where each candidates looks to draw some support (or lack of support). Here's a breakdown of the "veepstakes." (I gave in, even after promising never to use the term.)
Tea Party Conservatives: Approved
Overall: Rubio is one of the few candidates who helps bring together the establishment and tea party factions of the Republican Party. He gets the thumbs up from the likes of Jeb Bush and Karl Rove, while remaining the top tea party prospect. Polling shows he currently helps Romney slightly with Hispanics and within the state of Florida.
Tea Party Conservatives: Mixed Bag Overall: While I initially thought her name being floated was a ruse, I now believe she has agreed to be vetted and is on the short list. Prior to this election, she had repeatedly denied wanting to run for office, she has remained mostly silenced despite the minor uproar that she was a top choice. Add to this her recent campaign events (a rarity before this year) and a piece in the Financial Times yesterday where she states America needs to get over it's reluctance to lead, and that could very well be a message she has come to accept for herself. Polls have her helping Romney tremendously, much more than any other candidates. In some swing states she turns a 5 or 6-point deficit into ties or leads. While the conservative media, bloggers, and talk radio had a negative reaction to the idea (myself included), polls show she actually helped Romney grow his support among both conservatives and tea party members, in addition to big boosts with independents and Democrats. All of that is a lot to dismiss.
Tea Party Conservatives: Lukewarm Approval
Overall: These both are the "presumed frontrunners" because they are who everyone anticipates Romney will select. While they haven't been highly objectionable, they are clearly disappointments to the tea party and don't really rally much excitement from the GOP establishment. The establishment still like them over a "risky" choice, as they continue to fret over the non-existent Sarah Palin problem. Neither candidates seems to help Romney much in the polls, and Pawlenty actually cost Romney a point in one poll.
Tea Party Conservatives: Approved Overall: Many still worry about Jindal's stage presence and speech-giving skills, which seems to still be holding Jindal back at this point. Otherwise, he checks off all the right boxes. He is still considered a contender, but in the age of instant media and easy-demagoguery, his selection is looking less likely.
Marco Rubio
Establishment GOP: ApprovedTea Party Conservatives: Approved
Overall: Rubio is one of the few candidates who helps bring together the establishment and tea party factions of the Republican Party. He gets the thumbs up from the likes of Jeb Bush and Karl Rove, while remaining the top tea party prospect. Polling shows he currently helps Romney slightly with Hispanics and within the state of Florida.
Condoleezza Rice
Establishment GOP: ApprovedTea Party Conservatives: Mixed Bag Overall: While I initially thought her name being floated was a ruse, I now believe she has agreed to be vetted and is on the short list. Prior to this election, she had repeatedly denied wanting to run for office, she has remained mostly silenced despite the minor uproar that she was a top choice. Add to this her recent campaign events (a rarity before this year) and a piece in the Financial Times yesterday where she states America needs to get over it's reluctance to lead, and that could very well be a message she has come to accept for herself. Polls have her helping Romney tremendously, much more than any other candidates. In some swing states she turns a 5 or 6-point deficit into ties or leads. While the conservative media, bloggers, and talk radio had a negative reaction to the idea (myself included), polls show she actually helped Romney grow his support among both conservatives and tea party members, in addition to big boosts with independents and Democrats. All of that is a lot to dismiss.
Rob Portman, Tim Pawlenty
Establishment GOP: Lukewarm ApprovalTea Party Conservatives: Lukewarm Approval
Overall: These both are the "presumed frontrunners" because they are who everyone anticipates Romney will select. While they haven't been highly objectionable, they are clearly disappointments to the tea party and don't really rally much excitement from the GOP establishment. The establishment still like them over a "risky" choice, as they continue to fret over the non-existent Sarah Palin problem. Neither candidates seems to help Romney much in the polls, and Pawlenty actually cost Romney a point in one poll.
Bobby Jindal
Establishment GOP: ApprovedTea Party Conservatives: Approved Overall: Many still worry about Jindal's stage presence and speech-giving skills, which seems to still be holding Jindal back at this point. Otherwise, he checks off all the right boxes. He is still considered a contender, but in the age of instant media and easy-demagoguery, his selection is looking less likely.
Comments
I must say that Rubio will add the most to the campaign after he gets out
in the crowds and starts speaking to the people…This is one fine American
and will represent many good years in the political party for conservative
Americans……Romney / Rubio 2012, sounds good to me…
Condi is the best choice. She is intelligent, educated, thoughtful, experienced, and well-respected. I’d love to see the lefties attack an accomplished black woman!! Can you imagine? I think we need her and she would be the one to push Mitt over the top. Just another white male won’t cut it any more.