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Hangover Wednesday

It?s All Over But The Veepage, Baby

By: Repair_Man_Jack (Diary)  |  March 7th, 2012 at 01:00 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

Well, Super Tuesday didn’t quite pan out the way I hoped it would. Like most supporters of a guy who came in “Not First,” I could spend Hangover Wednesday trying to spin. I prefer not to bother. It’s better just to suck the lemon. Lemons are rich in Vitamin C.

I still stand by my endorsement issued a couple of weeks back. I would prefer that Senator Rick Santorum win the primaries and rise to the challenge of taking Barack Obama out like yesterday’s garbage. It would also be cool if somebody gave me a pony. (Not really, but I always tell my kid that when he wants me to buy him a Hot Wheels car at Kroger.) It feels good to go with my heart, but some days life just sucks and you have to engage with your brain instead.

Rick Santorum had his shot at Mitt Romney. He had Romney on the ropes in both Michigan and Ohio. Had Santorum landed the KO in either state, I’d be dogging out every Romneybot on this site. He can still punch him hard well into Early May. Contrary to some opinionators, I hope he keeps swinging the way Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns once did so that Mitt Romney has to grow by earning this nomination.

As I pointed out after Michigan, Mitt Romney has gotten better in response to Santorum’s challenge. He’s now had two opportunities to fold and run home to mommy. He’s still there. Maybe he can surprise in either Kansas or Alabama. If he did that, he’d become Marvin Hagler to Rick Santorum’s Hitman Hearns.

Right about now, Rick Santorum needs about 75% of the remaining delegates to be the nominee. Mitt needs a hair over 50%. The Ops Research guy sees how only one of these two men has a real shot here. Redstate Polling Guru, Neal Stevens concurs with that assessment. By his reckoning; Mitt Romney still has work to do while Rick Santorum has a pretty serious remodeling project. So this one is, as Dick Vitale would probably blog, all over but the Veepage, Baby!

So what about Romney’s VP? I say a VP would be inadequate. Romney needs a Veepinator. He needs Newt Gingrich on that wall. Romney wants to be above the fray, but the fray will try to drag him down.

That’s when you need a guy like Darth Cheney watching your six. As it was with Cheney debating the unethical lightness of being that was John Edwards a Gingrich/Biden VP debate would be -30 to -50 EVs for the Democrats.

Newt Gingrich has displayed a particularly useful ruthlessness. He also knows where most of the corpses are buried in DC. That even includes ones he didn’t personally spade under the sod. People will keep it in mind never to end up on his feke list. Leaders around the world would fear what would transpire if President Romney were taken out by assassin.

This all sounds terrible, but it isn’t. Mitt Romney leverages that to continue being all things to all people. He stays above the cynical DC scene and dispatches his own, personal Cardinal Richelieu to handle the wet work necessary to pursue any worthwhile political agenda. And finally, the thought of “Nuke” Gingrich calling on Chuck Todd or Andrea Mitchell at a Press Conference and then housing them as only “Nuke” Gingrich knows how sort of makes lemon-sucking Hangover Wednesday become just a shade more bearable after all…

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COMMENTS

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  • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

    later

    • http://tuleya.com Tuleya

      Allen West will be great in the future, but let him move up to Governor 1st after several terms in House.

      • http://www.examiner.com/x-1597-Charlotte-Law--Politics-Examiner Mike gamecock DeVine

        later…

  • Ender

    like myself would be open to mending fences with Newt and potentially getting him on the team. I’d be for Romney coming to Newt and sincerely apologizing for the carpet bombing.

    I doubt Newt would be the best VP candidate, but if that’s what it takes to unite the party, I can go with it.

    • usedtobelib

      the Dems and the Indies who’ll cross over to vote for Romney. Besids, Newt can’t be anyone’s number 2.

      • http://tuleya.com Tuleya

        He would have a huge job in undoing all the harm that has been done to this department. Newt does not necessarily have the SoCon cred he believes he does. That is one reason Santorum was able to leave him in the dust. The other is the negatives.

  • kowalski

    End comment

  • texastaxpayer

    Personally I miss Cheney. I can honestly say I slept like a baby with Cheney in DC.

    • Repair_Man_Jack

      What do you think keeps us safe in a hostile world?

    • naraht

      What really blows my mind is the fact that Cheney may have been responsible for getting at least the two republicans and maybe a few of the Democrats for Gay Marriage in Maryland.

  • jon11

    All this is true. Rick can’t win (thank god…I don’t relish a general election that’s a referendum on social issues when we’ve got another Jimmy Carter in the WH with 8.3 % unemployment) and newt, who I’d much prefer over Rick can’t win either.

    It’s just simple math at this point.

    Trouble is they can drag out the blood letting.

    I was one of these folks who believed a tough primary helped the eventual nominee and I still do, to a point.

    But I don’t know how much Romney can improve at this point. The voters he isn’t getting aren’t going to vote for him in the primary if he saved them from drowning.

    I live in Chattanooga. I had a 30 year state rep in my home last night. His wife said “I’m just not going to vote for mitt Romney. He’s in a cult.”

    Now before anyone here blows a gasket I’m not accusing anyone on redstate of being anti Mormon.

    But this women is openly so…and she ain’t no lone wolf in these parts either.

    How does Romney win people like her? How does he improve in that regard? Not possible.

    Fortunately Tennessee is going red in November regardless of who the nominee is so people like her don’t ultimately matter. They can turn out, not turn out, vote for, vote against, makes not one Whitt of difference big picture.

    But it matters in the primary.

    Every day this goes on is a day Obama gets a pass.

    • Repair_Man_Jack

      Romney needs the batting practice. He clearly doesn’t have his defecation in sequence yet.

  • http://www.nighttwister.com NightTwister

    I think he’d make a lot more sense as Chief of Staff.

    Romney’s VEEP needs two things:

    1. Solid socon cred that excites the base.
    2. Foreign policy and/or military experience (both would be best).

    I’m not sure off the top of my head who would fit that bill, but Romney is weakest in those areas, and for whatever reason people actually count that as a much greater positive than they ought to.

    • drothgery

      And none of the other top-tier candidates work for that due to age (and the issues that kept them from beating Romney, but mostly age).

  • hls87

    that could make a Romney nomination even less palatable. Newt is an odious, obnoxious, washed-up twit. He’s good at convincing stupid people that he’s smart. That’s his only talent. Romney wouldn’t pick Gingrich if he were the last eligible Republican in America.

    Mitt needs a serious Southern conservative with few if any ties to DC and street cred with social conservatives. His gaze (the eye of Sauron) is probably turning to Bob McDonnell and Bobby Jindal as the odds in favor of his nomination slowly approach 100%.. Jindal would be by far the better choice; I’m betting Mitt will ask McDonnell. McDonnell was an early Romney supporter and he isn’t likely to overshadow Romney as Jindal surely would. Besides, I wonder if Jindal is interested in going down with the Mittanic.

    • Repair_Man_Jack

      To run as Mitt’s Veep. If Gov. Perry doesn’t get significantly better by either 2016 or 2020, Jindal could have the nomination almost for the asking. As Mitt’s Veep, he assumes a lot of Mitt’s baggage.

      • hls87

        But, the Republican Party does have a long tradition of turning to the next in line. If Jindal wants to be President, losing in the number 2 slot could be his ticket to the front of the pack in 2016. I don’t fully understand why the GOP keeps returning to the losers of yesteryear like a dog returning to its vomit, but it does, and that’s something Bobby Jindal may have to consider.

  • Melody Warbington (rwm52)

    I think it’s Romney’s that won’t go there. He won’t feel compelled to reach out to conservatives or tea partiers since he’s ticked that we made him work for the nod. Romney is winning by default, and he’s been overshadowed by the combination of Not Romney’s, at least to some extent. He’s not about to appoint a VP like Newt who’s not a wallflower.

    • Repair_Man_Jack

      It also totally chaps my 4th POC that people pick Veeps solely on electability. Unlike BHO, I’d appreciate a President that understood that the Presidency was not just a resume bullet. It is also a job. It is a job that requires a unique and overwhelming set of skills that no one guy ever has in his toolbox. Gingrich, for all his manifold faults, has forgotten more stuff than most humans ever learn. He’d be invaluable if the President ever decided to , you know, Govern! </rant off. Sorry rwm52. I'm really in a snappy mood today. No offense intended.

      • Melody Warbington (rwm52)

        No offense taken. It is indeed a shame. And I’m likely to be in a bad mood for about a week until our primary is over. Meet you to discuss same place same time next week.

        I do agree with NightTwister’s comment that Newt would make a better Chief of Staff or even Press Secretary. Having said that, Romney needs to be the leader his supporters say he is and choose Newt or someone like Newt that would not only energize the ticket, but also be an ally in the war we’re facing against the libs. If he goes squishy or moderate, I’m afraid we’re done.

        • usedtobelib

          in ANY President’s administration. Newt is a person who, like Bill Clinton, HAS to be the center of attention.

          Seriously, do you think as press secretary Newt could help saying things that made himself the story? On any day? Talk about being able to out-Biden Biden.

  • Finrod

    John McCain didn’t have any enthusiasm on the Right for his campaign until he chose Palin. Unfortunately, I don’t see Romney being as politically smart as McCain; I expect him to pick Pawlenty or some other moderate type that’s just as unappealing to the base as he is.

    • pdawk

      and Palin was seen by the vast majority of independents as being completely unqualified for the office of the President. Palin excited the base, but by the time the election came around she terrified independents. The base does not decide national elections; moderates and independents in swing states decide national elections.

      • Finrod

        McCain/Palin led Obama/Biden from the time of the conventions until the economy melted down. You’ve obviously drunk the media kool-aid with regards to Palin.

  • pdawk

    The base will get out and vote against Obama in November. If someone who calls themselves a real conservative doesn’t vote against Obama they just enjoy being miserable.

    My pick would be Chris Christie. He is someone that will satisfy the majority of Republicans but will absolutely thrill independents. He would be fantastic on the stump and would be one hell of an attack dog against Obama.

    • Repair_Man_Jack

      The Force is strong in that one :)

      • pdawk

        Newt is brilliant, but for some reason he is also seen as grumpy and angry. He and Christie could be given the same script to read from attacking Obama. For some reason moderates would see Newt’s attack as grumpy and negative. When Christie does it, he is just a straight shooter who doesn’t take any crap. It makes a difference.

    • Kyle-MI

      It is not about pandering to the social conservatives. Christie as VP would be like spitting in their eyes. They are leery of Romney’s past positions already. We don’t need to create more reasons for them to be tempted to stay at home.

  • ThePoliticalHat

    He has small government conservative creds and we know he is a fighter. He is being wasted in California.

    • usedtobelib

      but Tom McClintock brings no verve, no energy to any campaign. Zzzzzzzzzzz. The sound of sleeping audience members.

  • ThePoliticalHat

    Romney will probably pick a Veep that will shore him up in states where he is weakest. He is weakest in the midwest, especially with “values voters” and in the south. Since the south is not a swing area while the midwest is, he will likely pick a “midwestern” governor in a state that Santorum won big. This clearly points to Pawlenty.

    • naraht

      Beige, I think I’ll paint the ceiling beige. If you want a midwestern governor who will shore him up with Conservatives, I think Wisconsin Governor Walker is a better choice.

  • In The Hook

    It won’t be anywhere else. But I can guarantee you will see more Christie deployed to the enemy territory (MSNBC) and I’m pretty sure Romney will press hard to mend fences with Rick and Newt to be deployed to fire up the base.

    For all the flaws, for all the gaffes, for all the flip-floppery…. Romney has run and basically won the nomination in an environment where half if not more of the base has been totally hostile to him from day one. Say what you want, but that’s pretty darn impressive.

    Tugging on the establishment ala Reagan and forcing them to come with you? Not difficult. Grabbing the base and forcing it to go where it doesn’t really want to go? That’s hard.

  • In The Hook

    n/t

  • Darin_H

    I think Mitt needs to fill in the “I”m completely out of touch with the common man” gap more so than either SoCon or MilCon gaps (even though he has those gaps).

    Christie has that Bruce Springsteen, blue collar, take no-sh** from anybody NJ common man appeal to him. NJ desperately needs his fixing, but the country needs him too.

    Rubio has the son of immigrants, pulled myself up by the bootstraps common man appeal to him. Plus he easily fills in the SoCon need. I’d be bummed about losing my rockstar Senator, but I look at the 2A Maryland case that was handed down the other day and we need more fixing of the judiciary – which means winning the presidency over any other federal office.

    • naraht

      Bruce is a capital L liberal. If that’s what you want in a VP….

      • Darin_H

        Read again.

  • usedtobelib

    Hispanic votes. He can help in FLA, he can help tremendously with conservatives and with energy and excitement, but those of you who don’t live in heavily populated Hispanic states, he will not deliver Mexican-American or Puerto-Rican votes. Mexicans DO NOT look to a Cuban-American as La Raza, part of the Family.

    • redcal

      …as many people assume. Mexican-americans and Cuban-Americans are about as tight as Mexican-Americans and (Castillian) Spanish-Americans are, which is to say, barely.

      Univision is THE media of choice for much of the Hispanic-american population, and they have essentially declared war on Rubio for his immigration stances (along with embarrassing him for his cocaine-dealing brother-in-law).

      I believe, like usedtobelib, that he would raise the probability of victory in 25-electoral-vote Florida, but be a wash elsewhere. Also, it’s easy to see him losing credibility himself for signing on with Mittens, given the reaction to Nikki Haley (for example) after her Mitt-dorsement.

    • Kyle-MI

      I agree that there isn’t as much cross appeal between Cuban-Americans and Hispanic-Americans. However, someone like Rubio would also blunt the meme that the GOP is racist. It could help with white swing voters who care about appearances as much as positions.

  • vastrightwingconspiracy

    Condi Rice as VP?

    • vastrightwingconspiracy

      …narrative that is sure to come.

      Plus, great foreign policy experience to bolster that void in Mitt’s candidacy.

  • septembergurl

    First of all, Romney is not going to put any of his rivals on the ticket with him — including Pawlenty.

    Secondly, I would look for Romney to pick a woman. And one who is very conservative, but not well known.

    My pick — Rep Cathy McMorris Rodgers, WA-5. She has solid conservative and leadership credentials, and a great life story. Before entering politics she worked in her family’s orchard and produce stand. She is the first member of her family to attend college. She was elected to the Washington House of Representatives at age 24. She is the first woman to be elected Minority Leader in the Washington House.

    Currently in her fourth term in Congress, she was elected Vice Chair of the Republican Conference. Thus she is the highest ranking Republican woman in the House, and fifth in leadership, behind Boehner, Cantor, McCarthy and Pence.She was a leader in the fight against Obamascare, on earmark reform, international bailouts and other issues. She is currently leading the House fight against reauthorizing the Export-Import bank. She has focused on environment, military and veterans’ issues, and woman’s issues.

    She is married to a retired Navy pilot. Their son, born in 2007, has Downs Syndrome, and she has established a Downs Syndrome Study Group in the house that focuses on this issue. She is co-chair of the House Woman’s Caucus.

    In short — Sarah Palin without the drama.

    On the off-chance that Obama screws the pooch(and that’s the only way Mittens will be elected, face it) she could be a terrific asset in the work to repeal Obamascare and reverse the growth of government that has to be the focus of the next republican administration. She would also help hold Mitt’s feet to the fire an dmake him deliver on his promises to conservatives re taxes, spending, SCOTUS nominees, etc.

    In the more likely event that Obama wins re-election, she would help to ensure that he does not get a mandate as he did in 2008, by winning some blue states — Washington, maybe Wisconsin, Oregon, Minnesota? as well as bringing in the women’s vote. And the Republican war on women goes away.Also, she’s obviously an excellent politician to win election and re-election as a conservative in a blue state — so she would help the down-ticket races by encouraging the base to turn out.

    • vastrightwingconspiracy

      …well done.

      Definitely food for thought.

  • Juggernaut

    aka the Al Gore strategy. He has not closed enough true red states to think he has a lock. Also, I’ve read the Santorum only needs 63% to win. Assuming Newt drops out then it safe to say Newt will pledge his support and delegates to Santorum not Romney……that would be too painful. Its not over yet but even though I like Newt, he does need to close up shop after this weeks campaigns. The Obamabots seem to fear Santorum as he reaches the common man and business minded voters who earnn less than $100k.

    Santorum won the red states, Obama will win most blue states. Romney will not close most blue states and he can’t close red states.

    http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/what-does-super-tuesday-mean-dick-morris-tv-lunch-alert/

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