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Romney’s Best Bet is Rubio–Not Portman–for the Veepstakes

By: Tennessean (Diary)  |  May 29th, 2012 at 10:54 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

Pajamas Media is reporting that Mitt Romney will choose Sen. Rob Portman as his veep, according to GOP insiders. A Portman pick would likely trigger (at best) an unenthusiastic conservative response, or (at worst) a conservative backlash to the Romney candidacy. Portman simply would not bring enough conservative credentials to the GOP ticket. Here’s why:

To his credit, Portman earns favorable ratings from Club for Growth, American Conservative Union and Eagle Forum, yet Marco Rubio soundly beats Portman’s scores from all three of these conservative organizations. Further, Rubio earns praise as a “Senate standout” from the ACU; Portman, on the other hand, fails to achieve “Senate Conservative” status with the ACU in 2011. 

Interestingly, National Journal ranked Rubio the 13th most conservative Senator in 2011, while Portman ranked a distant 35th, edged out by Mississippi’s Roger Wicker. While the National Journal rankings presented some puzzling findings (Rand Paul ranked 32nd; Mitch McConnell ranked 11th), overall the NJ results are pretty reasonable. For instance, Sens Murkowski and Snowe ranked 44th and 46th respectively, while Tom Coburn earned the #1 spot.

The Veep choice is always critical, because it tells Americans a lot about the thought process of a Presidential candidate, and it is really the first consequential decision a President makes. When George W. Bush selected Dick Cheney as his running mate, conservatives perceived that Bush possessed a great deal of confidence in his electoral chances and that he placed a high premium on loyalty and experience. The Cheney selection was a brilliant choice in many respects. Cheney had congressional experience (10 years as the “Gentleman from Wyoming”), cabinet level experience (Defense Secretary) and business and managerial experience (CEO of Halliburton and President Ford’s Chief of Staff). With Cheney, Bush chose an able leader who could articulate conservatism eloquently, and by having no presidential ambitions of his own, eliminated the likelihood of bloody turf wars between the President’s staff and VP’s staff.

Sen. John McCain generally ran a poor Presidential campaign (e.g. deciding to suspend his campaign to deal with the TARP talks among several other missteps), but he made a good decision in choosing Gov. Sarah Palin as his veep nominee. The Palin pick was truly a game changer, breathing new life into McCain’s candidacy by galvanizing conservatives. Palin possessed all of the conservative street cred that McCain did not. McCain essentially tipped his hat to the conservative base by choosing Palin. However, the McCain campaign, plagued with indecisive, immature and insecure moderates resorted to micromanaging and muzzling the Alaska Governor, and this unfortunate development created a dysfunctional campaign environment with disastrous results.

Portman backers for the veepstakes argue he will secure Ohio for Romney. On the contrary, Romney will be poised to win both Ohio and Florida only  if he chooses a solid conservative  nominee and frames the election as a referendum on Obama. In short, Romney’s not going to win by playing defense. He must go on the attack and keep the focus on Obama’s failed presidency.

Both Ohio and Florida have tightened voter ID laws since 2008 which will reduce fraud and strengthen the integrity of the ballot box. Further, both are trending GOP. After taking a chance on Obama in 2008, Ohioans and Floridians delivered decisive wins statewide for the GOP. Look for these states to wander back into the GOP fold in November. More difficult battles for Romney likely lie in Wisconsin, Colorado and Pennsylvania.

A Rubio pick offers Mitt Romney significant advantages over a Portman selection. While Portman is an older, country-club, establishment Republican made in the image of Mitt Romney, Rubio is youthful, energetic, possesses solid conservative tea-party credentials, and he is fluent in articulating conservatism. Could Romney pick a better standard bearer for his campaign theme  ”Believe in America” than Rubio? His life story is deeply moving and would be a fitting, humanizing centerpiece to the Romney narrative. While Florida is more likely to swing back to the red state column than Ohio, a Romney/Portman ticket does not guarantee Ohio moves into the win column for Romney. However, Romney/Rubio guarantees conservative enthusiasm, which is essential to Romney’s GOTV effort needed to win the Presidency. Romney could do a lot worse than Portman for veep, but he could do a lot better by selecting Marco Rubio.

 

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COMMENTS

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  • http://lukos.com Ed54

    Portman is low risk, low reward; so was Cheney.

    Bush picked Cheney because he was confident of his chances, so he followed the “do no harm” rule.

    McCain picked Palin because he knew he was in trouble and he had to do something to breathe life into his campaign or he was going to get beat anyways. McCain is also a bit of a risk seeker personally, so the idea of a “maverick” choice appealed to him at a gut level.

    I would prefer Rubio, but I suspect Romney will feel comfortable enough with his prospects that he goes with the low risk choice. If the economy stays weak, all Romney really has to do to win is avoid beating himself.

    • Tennessean

      n/t

      • benko

        ..

        • Dave_A

          He’s just completing his first term as a federal elected official.

          Maybe after a few more terms in Congress, and some time in the Senate…

          But being VP is one step away from being President – either by succession or as the presumed candidate for 8 years later…

          And that person, unless they have been a long-sitting Governor of a state, should have significant national political experience before being that close to being the leader of the free world…

          We know he can lead (saw that in Iraq), but we don’t know how well he can campaign and ‘play the politics game’ which is critical to becoming or staying President.

          And like it or not, that’s something to consider with a VP…

        • PowerToThePeople

          West scores low on nearly every conservative scorecard out there right? He was more talk than he actual conservative action.

          That is a good enough reason as to why not.

    • mikeymike143

      he is a true patriot and a great american. :)

      • http://lukos.com Ed54

        Cheney was “low reward” in that he wasn’t going to change many votes in the election. That is completely unrelated from potential job performance. FWIW, I think Cheney was one of the best VP’s of the modern era, and certainly one of the most significant.

  • http://www.political-woman.com politicalwoman

    IF Romney is to be believed when he said one of his major criteria in choosing a VP is that he be ready to step into the job should something happen to the President, then in my not so humble opinion, that omits Rubio. As articulate as his rhetoric may be, he doesn’t have the experience, and would also be seen as pandering by Mitt to try to secure the Hispanic vote.q

    Romney, so far, has been a better Presidential candidate than he was in the primaries. There is no guarantee that selecting Portman would help Romney win Ohio, and Portman, while appearing safe, also registers a “who?” from most of the electorate, although that would not disqualify him.

    I think the VP job is still being vetted with names we haven’t considered that may be in the running. Remember, no one considered Cheney to be Bush’s choice. Therefore, consider Alan Simpson from Wyoming, who was co-author of Simpson-Bowles and former Senator. That would also send a message that Romney is serious about deficit and structural reform, as well as working bi-
    partisan. Mike Huckabee, likeable, affable, conservative, but a long shot nonetheless.

    Wouldn’t it be a hoot if Romney chose Palin. I’d be looking forward to that 2nd Katie Couric interview.

    • commonsenseobserver

      Phil Gramm might be a better bet.

    • acat

      it means Team Romney gets to manage the unveiling, and that the veep candidate has time to memorize their lines before the convention.

      As for Simpson .. no. He’s socially far too left.

      Mew

    • Dave_A

      This election is going to be about business & economics, and since the Dems have already shot their wad on Bain Capital, Romney has the edge on that subject…

      Remember how everyone (incl myself) complained about Romney being a 1-dimensional candidate, who had nothing to go on if economics wasn’t the issue of the day. Well, everything’s playing into that 1 dimension… It’s going to be about economics…

      That leaves him free to pick ‘the next GOP candidate’ as VP.

      It should be someone who would make a perfect President if only they had just a little more experience…

      • commonsenseobserver

        We saw that article about Stuxnet… Obama’s probably going to claim credit for a lot of things on the foreign affairs front.

        This is why a VP should have some experience on that front as well, and maybe in the area of trade, but still having a reputation as a tax-cutting, fiscally-responsible, reformist economic conservative.

        • Flagstaff

          while denigrating Romney’s knowledge of anything outside of what he reads in emails from Sarah Palin. (Seattle Times, 5/27/12, and I freely paraphrased)

          Stuxnet is actually a black eye for Obama–professional security agents are highly critical of the various leaks of classified information from the Obama White House, and Stuxnet is just the latest, but it may be the worst. After all, it was basically a Bush WH program, kept alive and expanded (perhaps) by Obama, then leaked by Obama in an attempt to gain some political points.

          That kind of behavior should be rewarded with a loss of political points.

          All Romney has to do is keep his eye on that ball–nobody outside of the WH can know enough to do anything more than comment generally on specific foreign issues, but Romney can comment on the counterproductive leaks of strategic secrets that have emanated under Obama’s watch.

          • Flagstaff
          • Dave_A

            The fact that Obama’s administration has the worst OPSEC of any in recent memory – and that unlike W Bush (where the leaks were from political opponents trying to sandbag him) the leaking seems to be intentional & self-promotional…

            Is something Romney should mention heavily if Obama tries to pivot to foreign policy…

            Also the equivocation over shooting the life-boat pirates, and so on…

        • acat

          reached similar conclusions … some time ago.

          I’d argue it’s better to not release the actual abilities … but it wasn’t hard to guess…. I mean, seriously… Stuxnet used what, three Microsoft zero-day exploits plus it targeted a Siemens piece of controller hardware that’s customized to the install site?

          Who does that?

          Mew

    • rightlane1111

      Committee assignments

      Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
      Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet
      Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard
      Subcommittee on Science and Space
      Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security
      Committee on Foreign Relations
      Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps and Narcotics Affairs (Ranking Member)
      Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs
      Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs
      Subcommittee on International Development and Foreign Assistance, Economic Affairs, and International Environmental Protection
      Select Committee on Intelligence
      Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

      Besides that…if you put Alan Simpson in there…you have the same scenario as with Cheney. The reason that Obama has any leads in any races also comes from being in “incumbent”.

      • commonsenseobserver

        He fails the test of not infuriating the base, let alone inspiring them.

        • acat

          He’s a bad pick, he turns off the same voters Romney needs to connect with to win….

          Mew

          • commonsenseobserver

            Fred Thompson.

          • acat

            Thompson would be a .. very interesting choice, actually.

            One big problem .. he’s no spring chicken. He won’t run in 2020.

            Mew

          • conservativerock5

            Of course, he would still be too old.

            As for Simpson, he is already 80.

            But for some reason, I do like the idea of a retired Senator.

            I also thought of any interesting possibility: Dan Quayle. Now that would be a real shocker, wouldn’t it?

          • commonsenseobserver

            The only problem- he has a reputation for putting his foot in his mouth. “I lived in this century’s history”, for example.

          • conservativerock5

            3 of the last 4 Presidents in this country will be the same age if Romney wins. All 3 are 65 years old.

          • acat

            Funny, that.

            Mew

          • commonsenseobserver

            Fred For Veep?
            Q (from 55358): Honestly, any chance of you accepting the Vice Presidential spot on the upcoming Republican ticket to balance moderate Romney? You have been pretty silent until e mails the last three day, keep em coming.
            A: Thanks for asking, pal but NOPE. Have to admit, since I?m poor, homely and have a conservative background, I would provide pretty good balance.

  • Flagstaff

    but the ones I read were uniformly well thought out, touching on the various advantages and drawbacks of possible Veeps. Depending on how you read it, there are many good candidates, or only one obvious one, but there is no general agreement on who the “one” is.

    None of them are perfect, and I suppose that’s always a given, because if there were a “perfect” candidate, he’d be running for President. They all have some kind of deficit; among the best ones the argument is simply about which of their few drawbacks is least/most of a hindrance for the ticket. Again, depending on your perspective, your favorite will be different from somebody else’s.

    I came out for Rubio a long time ago, but Pajamas Media does a good job of justifying Portman. It depends on what you think is most important. Demint is right up there, too, IMO. All three have different pluses and minuses.

    This is one of the best combinations of diary-and-comments I’ve seen in a while.

  • commonsenseobserver

    Basically, it will test the intensity of approval for/disapproval towards the different candidates mentioned. I tried not to mention many officials who were elected in 2010, with some exceptions.

    • commonsenseobserver

      https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHdfNFN6bU9CaXRhVjdGYVF5cThWb1E6MQ

      • sulmak

        when it allows multiple checkboxes to be checked, and some of the questions seem highly geared toward being able to designate multiple people.

        If you meant to allow multiple responses, you should eliminate the “one” in “Which one of the following candidates”.

        • commonsenseobserver

          A phrasing error. :P

          • commonsenseobserver

            But please to not vote again without notifying me so that I can delete your previous response.

          • sulmak

            as I was confused. Will now.

      • Flagstaff

        How do you plan to report the results? Will we see a new Post from you?

        • commonsenseobserver

          I’ll probably close the poll after the Wisconsin recall election ends.

          • commonsenseobserver

            After messing up one of the tables, I have decided to remove the question about “indifference”.

      • rightlane1111

        n/t

  • rightlane1111

    I like Portman…but no real name recognition AND from another Northern state. I am with Acat…SE USA.

    Just a side note of Jindal…while the MSM was all abuzz about women’s rights AGAIN…Jindal all but privatized the educational system into vouchers!!!

  • commonsenseobserver

    Out of a small sample of 18 Redstaters,

    Marco Rubio: 39% Approve, 0% Disapprove: +39%
    Rob Portman: 6% Approve, 17% Disapprove: -9%
    Jim DeMint: 39% Approve, 11% Disapprove: +28%
    John Thune: 11% Approve, 11% Disapprove: +0
    Jon Kyl: 6% Approve, 17% Disapprove: -9%
    Tom Coburn: 28% Approve, 6% Diapprove: +22%
    Paul Ryan: 39% Approve, 0% Disapprove: +39%
    Cathy McMorris Rodgers: 11% Approve, 6% Disapprove: +5%
    Allen West: 22% Approve, 17% Disapprove: +5%
    Bobby Jindal: 33% Approve, 11% Disapprove: +22%
    Mitch Daniels: 6% Approve, 11% Disapprove: -5%
    Chris Christie: 17% Approve, 17% Disapprove: +0%
    Mary Fallin: 6% Approve, 11% Disapprove: -5%
    John Kasich: 0% Approve, 11% Disapprove: -11%
    Fred Thompson: 22% Approve, 11% Disapprove: +11%
    Alan Simpson: 0% Approve, 22% Disapprove: -22%
    John Ashcroft: 6% Approve, 22% Disapprove: -16%
    Jon Huntsman: 17% Approve, 17% Disapprove: +0%
    John Engler: 11% Approve, 6% Disapprove: +5%
    Tim Pawlenty: 22% Approve, 17% Disapprove: +5%
    Jeb Bush: 11% Approve, 22% Disapprove: -11%
    John Boehner: 0% Approve, 33% Disapprove: -33%
    Mitch McConnell: 0% Approve, 33% Disapprove: -33%
    Condoleezza Rice: 11% Approve, 11% Disapprove: +0%
    Rand Paul: 11% Approve, 22% Disapprove: -11%

    Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio are tied for first place, followed by Jim DeMint and then Bobby Jindal. The most unpopular are the Speaker of the House and the Senate Minority Leader, followed by former Senator Alan Simpson.

    14 candidates have a net score of 0 points or more. 11 candidates have a net negative score.

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  • mikeymike143

    lets look at this logically.

    1. you already have a moderate at the top of the ticket.

    2. the indiana senate race showed what a motivated tea party movement can do. the moderate RINO lugar was a heavy favorite and got crushed by mourdock. the romney campaign definately wants to harness our energy and enthusiasm for their guy.

    3. two moderates just wont fly with the conservative/tea party base. romney’s people are smart enough to know if they pick someone who is unacceptable to the tea party movement like christie, daniels, or portman they are going to have problems generating enthusiasm for the ticket. so you wont see an establishment moderate picked for the VP slot, no matter how many articles they get a friendly writer to plant.

    i am hoping for a jim demint VP choice to balance the ticket because he is a southerner who unites both social conservatives and fiscal conservatives. he is the best choice.

    but rubio is a solid pick too. he guarantees you florida, strong tea party support, plus helps with the hispanic vote. i dont believe portman is being seriously considered and i do know that rubio is.

  • commonsenseobserver

    Apparently, the deficit fell under Portman.

    I think DeMint, Pawlenty, Thompson, Thune, Akin, Fallin, or Jindal would be the best picks, but they all have their own flaws.

    Working class appeal is a very important part of the equation, as is foreign policy experience, which would help the legislators.

  • Remington_Steele

    institutionalized patient, but I would love to see Paul Ryan picked. I know it may turn off some independents, but Ryan dominates in media debates and would decimate Biden. We need him in Congress to get the job done, but I like the Romney/Ryan chemistry and the economic Batman and Robin story.

    I really like Rubio, but I’m concerned that he comes across as “too young” to take over the reins of the Presidency. And Portman is a napping quilt waiting to happen.

  • renny

    and a Rubio nomination would take some of the “race card” sting out of inevitable assaults the left will make for the rest of the campaign.

    I do not know if he would secure FL for Romney, but I am going to guess Rubio would have at least as much chance or better than Portman, who is likely unknown to most voters, except a few in OH.

    And Rubio offers the possibility of Hispanic/Latino appeal that the GOP could really use; whereas, Portman is just another Rep. white guy.

  • ohioken

    although Portman is a great guy, he did benefit from running against the Democrats perenial worst candidate, Lee Fisher in 2010. Portman only helps a little in the Cincinnati area, he’s unkown elsewhere in the state. Rubio represents the future of the Republican party (if there’s any to be had, sadly).

  • http://boldcolor.blogspot.com/ Paula

    When he ran for the Senate in 2010 he struggled with name recognition. No one knew who he was then and even now, if you ask the average “man on the street” who Rob Portman is, you’ll get a blank stare.

    In addition, out of the VP names being circulated, with the possible exception of Mitch Daniels, he’s the only candidate with less personal charisma than Romney himself.

    Possible campaign slogan:
    You can’t go wrong with vanilla! It’s still the #1 ice cream flavor!

  • dragan

    I see DeMint getting the entire conservative base excited. IMO even more than Rubio. In addition, Jim has the critical requisite experience that Rubio lacks.

  • dragan

    I see DeMint getting the entire conservative base excited. IMO even more than Rubio. In addition, Jim has the critical requisite experience that Rubio lacks.

  • Tennessean

    He would bring instant credibility w/ conservatives, would offer good counsel to Romney, and he could assume the Presidency . However, if I had to choose, I’d go with Rubio. I think he is more personable than both Romney & Demint and helps Romney more than Demint would.

    Ohioken and renny make great points regarding Portman’s low profile. Rubio has a great name recognition advantage over Portman. A Portman pick will immediate trigger a “who is that?” from most Republicans. That’s not a good thing.

  • RealQuiet

    Portman is solid, experienced, excellent debater and very well polished. However, the pick would be bland and wouldn’t generate any excitement. There are too many pluses, enthusiasm, and excitement that Rubio brings to the table. If Portman was a popular governor in Ohio, maybe I could see the sense of the pick. Just by seeing these articles of showing concern to Rubio by lib journalists tells me that Rubio is the best pick by far.

  • trimulchio

    secure Florida and fires up the Tea Party. He would be a better choice. I like Jindal for “could serve as President NOW.”

  • trimulchio

    with the national GOP leadership over O’Donnell in DE and Angle in NV. O’Donnell did better than most think. Every debate, she improved her standing and the Apparatchik the Dems ran lost support.

    However, Mike Castle would have won.

  • garfieldjl

    A VP is more than simply someone picked to help you carry a state, a Vice President has to be able to take over the job of President in the advent of something happening to the President, that’s the reason why we have a Vice President in addition to a President.

    If something had happened to Bush, we all know Dick Cheney was qualified to assume the role as President.

    Romney needs to take that into account when making a VP selection.

    A Vice President also needs to have the ability to fill in the gaps concerning knowledge that the President doesn’t have. Bush had Cheney be his VP because Cheney had foreign policy experience that George W. Bush lacked.

    That means Jindal, Rubio, Pawlenty, Christie, etc. would not be good VP picks.

    Romney would be better off having Gingrich (due to his experience with foreign policy, how congress should actually work (and not the disfunctional mess we have currently)), another possibility would be Allen West, Condi Rice would be a good pick as well.

    Not sure what Demint’s experience is so I can’t make a comment one way or the other concerning him.

    Yeah Rubio could probably ensure Florida goes to Romney, but the VP selection should take more into account than simply carrying a state.

  • ceili_dancer

    .

  • barleycorn

    It a myth that the president must be “qualified” in a special sense for the job. It takes no rare brilliance or intellect.

    The only non-statutory qualifications needed are average or better intellect, an intense love for America, a devotion to the founding principles of this nation, freedom, liberty, justice, opportunity, enterprise, a willingness to listen, and a basic understanding of our governmental system and history as a nation.

    If they are also a great thinker that is just a cherry atop the whipped cream.

    The list of what a president shouldn’t be is more critical than the list of what he should be.

  • APA Guy

    He has the economy/business cred from his House Speaker days…and he damn sure knows how to roll congress when needed.

    Plus…Newt…Biden..debate…(smiles :) )

  • mikeymike143

    yeah, jim demint is my first choice but i would certainly be happy with rubio. marco is a genuine conservative and would make a great VP.

    portman is a moderate who served in the bush administration. no thank you.

  • cactusjack

    I don’t know how far up the VP list DeMint is with Romney’s team (you would have to be privy to the secret notes of his staffer Beth Myers, aka the “Mitt Whisperer”, but it does have some credence to the extent that somewhere in Mitt’s heart must be a soft spot for DeMint – from the 2008 campaign – when DeMint endorsed Romney over McCain just as McCain was locking itup.

  • checkmate2012

    Plus I believe he will be Prez one day but taking a back bench VP job will not help our cause now and could hurt him in the long run, He’s awesome but just saying what’s good now isn’t the best strategy in the long run.

  • http://impudent.edublogs.org/ kyle8

    unless you are absolutely certain his seat will remain in the GOP. We are too close to winning back control.

  • checkmate2012

    And have posted the same sentiment. Too risky since nothing a replacement is not a sure bet.

  • Dave_A

    That Senator comes from a red state with a sitting GOP governor.

    Replacement senators are appointed by the sitting governor in most states, and then stand a special election at some point in the future…. The selected VP doesn’t formally leave the Senate until inauguration day….

    So picking DeMint would ensure a GOP replacement, appointed by Gov Haley…

    Or picking Rubio would get us whoever Gov Scott wants to appoint…

  • checkmate2012

    you said, it’s not the same rules in every state. Plus states turn colors as we have seen. What once was red VA & NC went blue, etc.

    I still find it fascinating that whenever a state is in a bad way, they almost always elect a Rep. governor to clean it up (MI)…minus CA.

  • barleycorn

    I doubt he’ll be the choice.

  • barleycorn

    I think Romney will go for a safe and reinforcing choice.

    Unlike McCain he doesn’t need to shake things up. Obama’s record and the economy are doing that already.

    Romney will make a choice that strengthens him with moderates while not infuriating the right.

  • rightlane1111

    nt

  • commonsenseobserver

    The problem with DeMint is that he may actually make it difficult for Romney to defend himself from accusations of being the most conservative nominee since Goldwater (!!!).

    Someone with credibility in all wings of the party, say Jindal, Thompson, or Coburn, would help.

  • commonsenseobserver

    I think Romney should strengthen himself with the right and working class without infuriating moderates.

  • barleycorn

    I realized that I didn’t express myself well enough to say what I meant. (sigh)

    “Safe” is a relative term depending on what neighborhood you are in. In this case by “safe” I mean someone who is reasonably safe from being Palined. Someone with a strong back ground and well enough known to inoculate them from total caricature (not that the left won’t try anyway).

    I think the political environment is such that instead of a making a choice that gives him a chance to win by TKO , Romney will make a choice that gives him a chance to clobber Obama and win by a clean knockout.

  • barleycorn

    But if you look at how Romney has approached this campaign ( and how the current environment is shaping up) I don’t think he will suddenly change his tactics.

  • commonsenseobserver

    I still think that he needs to reinforce his right and united the party. I still think Jindal is the best choice, though I worry about his lack of foreign polict experience.

  • acat

    Slash and burn, baby. Slash and burn.

    Mew

  • rightlane1111

    I think that Rubio would be excellent because of his manner of communication and his connection with Conservatives, the TPM and a bridge to the Latinos.

    If Biden does not get the boot in favor of Hildabeast in ’12…you can be sure that she will be running in ’16. This will give wooden Willard a chance to soften up. Rubio is an up and coming star of the GOP and a wall to stop the Dems from getting the Executive Branch EVER again…God help us all if they do.

    Yeah…Newt would make Biden look stupid…but I think he has that inclination already …ON STEROIDS! Newt would make Obama look bad in a debate…but that is not to be. I know you would like to see it…but there are people that will judge Gingrich on past “sins” and won’t vote for the ticket. Gingrich has one good card to play…he does know how to work Congress…and God knows…they need to be worked.

  • APA Guy

    …both experienced in D.C politics…all ready to step in should the need arise.

    If the goal is someone who can take the reigns should the unthinkable happen, he’s our VP. He also has the virtue of being a conservative Southerner…which will help Romney’s cred mightily both there and across the plains. Plus, he and Newt fought endlessly during the primaries just as Reagan and Bush did. There’s something to be said for Romney if he chooses the man who fired heavily at him.

    Oh, and did I mention that he would be debating Biden? Given that VP debates rarely mean much in presidential elections, I think people would actually tune in for that butt-whoopin :)

  • lineholder

    I do believe that Gingrich is capable of it…very much so capable. Plus, I’m also one of those who would take the attitude of “plan for the worst, hope for the best” on O-care…and Gingrich is one of the few people I can think of who would be shrewd enough to turn that law “on its head”.

    But I’ll tell you someone else who has really sparked a rather a high level of genuine interest for me of late…Bobby Jindal. Have you heard about what’s going on in LA where schools are concerned?

    http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/01/us-education-vouchers-idUSL1E8H10AG20120601

    Jindal has the background knowledge on the Constitution. He’s worked within the health care system. He’s started displaying that he won’t hesitate one bit to fight for the people of LA.

    He has very real strengths to offer, I think.

  • APA Guy

    The public couldn’t have cared less about Clinton’s sins because they were enjoying the spoils of his grand economy. The public doesn’t care what Newt did 20 years ago…and it’s not exactly news anymore.

    This voting public will vote for who it believes can right the economic ship…and sins or not, Newt has a proven track record in that area.

  • acat

    There aren’t “Latinos”. There are Mexican-Americans, Cuban-Americans, Guatemalan-Americans, Colombian-Americans, Argentinian-Americans, and so on… but they do not appear to be a “bloc”. There isn’t a common “Latino” culture .. Mexican culture may be more similar to Guatemalan than Greek, but .. not the same.

    Nor, really, is there a common language. Sure, Spanish, but .. back when I was running a support team, we hired a young Cuban-American to handle phone support for our “Latino” customers. He couldn’t understand half of them without saying “please slow down”…

    In short, if you really want to make this about Rubio, it can be done – he is a great speaker, it’s clear Gov. Scott will send us another GOP senator .. but why not wait for 2020 when Gov. Rubio decides to run?

    Mew

  • acat

    I think he’d be a great pick, but .. I worry that we’d lose LA longer term.

    Mew

  • acat

    Florida’s governor is a republican.

    There’s good reasons to argue against Rubio, this isn’t one of them.

    Mew

  • PowerToThePeople

    but Jindal has been called a right wing conservative and surprising to many, Louisiana tends to lean strongly right. I like Jindal and was impressed when I met him, but I do not see him being loved, liked maybe, by those on our side that tend to sway moderate to left.

    Now that is not me saying he would not be a good choice as I have been saying for awhile now that Romney must choose someone who negates the idea that he is a moderate and gives conservatives the same jump start Palin gave. Conservatives have to believe that should Romney become unable to serve that his replacement would not be further left or even the same type of moderate whether or not that belief about Romney pans out.

  • APA Guy

    Sarah Palin had potential. In my opinion, her brand has been so damaged that she will never hold elected office again.

    Now, Rubio is far more capable than Palin…and he has at least some experience in the senate. But I don’t think he is ready for what will follow in the months ahead. We need someone who has fought this war before and is ready to not only handle it, but thrive within it.

    Say it with me…Newt…Newt…Newt…

    :)

  • rightlane1111

    not to mention we both have black and white cats….or I assume so by the pix.

    I understand what you are saying concerning different cultures within the “Spanish speaking” community. I am using the word Latino because our Federal Government has lumped them all into this category. Fill out any paperwork and they will ask what race you are…Latino is the only one that Rubio fits. Or maybe it is Hispanic. I think you will agree with me on that. I don’t like all this division stuff. I fill out Caucasian not Irish American.

    Anyway…by being categorized as Latino by the government…the Latinos…not us…view him as one of theirs whether he is from Cuba or not. Can you see my point? We need some votes from that voting block…because we need to beat Obama.

    However, that is not why I like Rubio…it has nothing to do with his heritage…although he is an example of the American Dream. When Reagan got in…we had 8 years of him, four more from Daddy Bush (who I DO NOT LIKE) and had Ross Perot not got in the race…I think we would have had 16 years of Republican Executive Power.

    Now…let’s look at Newt. Say Romney is as great as great can be…there’s 8 years…but how old will Newt be at the end of 8? Further, if his age was a concern…we would have to run someone against him…or he’d be in his mid 80′s at the end of his term. I want to keep this WH…No more Dimocrats.

    Now, let’s look at Rubio. He was raised in two states…Florida and Nevada. FL is a swing state…and I keep hearing about Nevada. He is a Catholic…he’ll be for First Amendment rights…but he also attended the Church of Latter Day Saints…Coincidence? He is a very focused…and I cannot emphasize that meaning enough…FOCUSED individual. He is Conservative, He is a big star of the TPM, he is in his early 40′s, he is charismatic and he is accomplished: He received his BA from the University of FL…however, Kitty…he also attended schools in the West (remember…you like the woman from NM). He received is JD from the University of Miami cum laude. He interned with Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen while attending college.

    Rubio was elected to the FL House of Representatives in 2000 and won ALL re-election bids. In 2006 He became Speaker of the House for the State of Florida. He championed overhaul of FL tax laws, pushed for reduction in size of government and also reduction in property taxes. He has published one book, 100 Innovative Ideas for Florida.

    THE BIGGIE…He beat Charlie Crist. That man (Crist) which I have knowledge of is not above board IMO. In fact…we all remember Charlie hugging Obama when he came to visit FL.

    Rubio is a member of the Congressional Hispanic Conference and his wife is Columbian. He is an excellent…and I cannot emphasize the word enough…excellent communicator…wherein Romney comes up short in that area…meaning he is a nerd. Should Romney win both elections…that would put Rubio ready for the presidency at age 52-53.

    Kitty…He’s a star…and no…I don’t think they can trash him like they did Palin.

  • acat

    Florida’s governor is a republican. No reason to believe Rubio becoming veep turns it Dem. (but it might turn it stupid .. see also Charlie Crist)

    That said, I agree – let Sen. Rubio serve his term or two, then become Gov. Rubio.

    The only pro-Rubio argument with legs is “makes Florida a GOP lock” … but the closer that gets to happening without Rubio, the shorter its’ legs get, eh?

    Mew

  • commonsenseobserver

    The problem is the special election.

  • commonsenseobserver

    I think we can trust his Lt. Gov, who was a staunch ally of Gov. Foster.

  • acat

    It’s a thought.

    Paul Ryan has the problem of being too young, and a bit wonkish, but … J. Danforth Quayle didn’t *lose* the election for Bush the elder, eh?

    Mew

  • acat

    I’m still expecting a Rep or former Rep from south of Louisville and east of Houston, and with impeccable social conservative credentials….

    Mew

  • acat

    Are you predicting that they’re going away?

    Mew

  • commonsenseobserver

    And he’s much more well-known that Quayle was.

  • commonsenseobserver

    To neutralise the Tea Party brand.

  • checkmate2012

    I know his term isn’t up unitl 2016 but I don’t if Rick Scott can just appoint for the remainder of Rubio’s term if he was to become VP or if they have to hold a special election, which gives no guarantee.

    Agree that with Gov. Rubio and then on to Pres. Rubio!!

  • acat

    and had impeccable social-conservative cred. I only brought Quayle up because he’s another young mid-west type.

    Question – what are Paul Ryan’s views on social issues?

    Mew

  • acat

    a Tea Party candidate in Florida in either a special election or the next general election*, then .. you see that seat vulnerable?

    Look, I don’t *trust* Romney, but I think he’s smart enough to know that the election of a replacement for his veep is a must-win….

    Mew

    * I think Florida does appointment-until-next-general-election.. not sure, though.

  • commonsenseobserver

    100% by NRLC. Not sure about marriage.

  • ffc99

    put one of the most unpopular national figures on the ticket…

  • acat

    on any of the others, then yeah. He’s a contender.

    I think he’s too northern … but it would make Obama and his backers pour even more money into Wisconsin… and that’s money not available in other contests.

    Mew

  • commonsenseobserver

    Midwest, Southeast, Southwest. The weakest link’s in the Southwest, followed by the Midwest. We have no bench to speak of in the Southwest, so the Midwest is the natural home region for the veep pick.

  • checkmate2012

    unlike death and taxes :)

    I want Rubio to stay in the Senate where he can do more good than a figure-head VP, gain more experience to become prez one day.

  • commonsenseobserver

    In communicating our message on schools, families, and jobs to moderates. The only problem is how he would fare on TV, seeing his disastrous SOTU response.

  • commonsenseobserver

    But I don’t buy in that native son nonsense.

  • barleycorn

    What part of:

    “a devotion to the founding principles of this nation, freedom, liberty, justice, opportunity, enterprise, a willingness to listen, and a basic understanding of our governmental system and history as a nation.”

    did you not understand?

  • acat

    Matters if some of the Wisconsinians buy in.

    :-)

    Mew

  • commonsenseobserver

    But he has disappointed on Davis-Bacon, and his budget is toxic without balancing the budget quickly enough, and would lead to questions about why Romney doesn’t embrace the 25% top rate (which would be suicide- shifts attention back to “fairness”).

    But I’d support him wholeheartedly if chosen.

  • APA Guy

    Silly me…

    And FYI, “likeability” is getting Obama nowhere really, really fast. When the lives and livelihood of Americans is at stake, it’s amazing how popularity contests begin to mean SQUAT.

  • ffc99

    think he’d be a good choice? I thought you were kidding. He’s certainly a game changing type choice, and by game changing I mean the kind of choice who could save Obama’s rear in what is clearly a terrible political environment.

    As to your belief that Newt is the person best able to assume the office should the unthinkable happen…I can think of dozens of R’s who would do a better job than him (and none of those dozens come with the disastrous political baggage that Newt does).

  • PowerToThePeople

    a ton who would not share a “save us from Global Warming” bench with Pelosi and who would not make his “moral” convictions by which way the wind was swaying.

    Newt needs to disappear, never to be heard from politically again. He is an embarrassment to himself.

  • APA Guy

    …however incorrect it may be :)

  • Dave_A

    The first time, when they recalled Gray Davis and put in Arnie….

  • acat

    How well did that work out for ‘em again?

    Mew

  • Dave_A

    And the fact that they just blew him off & had the dem-controlled legislature run the state like a parliament is why…..

  • rightlane1111

    “anyone can perform acceptably as president”

  • acat

    Yeah. Not convinced there’s hope for the Golden State….

    Mew

  • acat

    and yes, that’s (a slightly younger) me.

    Look, I would be perfectly happy with Rubio. I like the guy, I think nominating him would clarify the law on “native born”, unify Florida, and give Romney a tremendous speaker. I’m not convinced he’s the best choice, but .. he’s a very, very good one.

    The pro-Rubio arguments boil down to three.

    1) He brings the “Hispanic/Latino” vote. Not .. necessarily.

    Know how you can listen to a person and pick out a southern or a bean-town or a chi-town accent? Latino-Americans can pick out a Cuban accent. That doesn’t mean they *won’t* vote for Romney/Rubio .. but it is not the “big draw” that this argument claims. Besides, Romney already speaks Espanol.

    2) He has charisma and Tea Party cred.

    I’ll lump your “very focused” in here as well .. the guy is amazing. So what? Does that mean he’s going to be amazing in a job that requires him to think “WWRD” (What Would Romney Do) before opening his mouth? Palin was also amazing, but made a lousy second banana…. I just don’t see this as a very sturdy reason.

    3) He moves Florida into the “won” column.

    This is the only one I think has “legs”, that is, is a True reason to nominate Rubio. The problem is, Floridians seem to be hustling into the “won” column without Rubio being on board…. so this becomes less and less compelling.

    I am NOT saying Rubio shouldn’t be veep, nor that Rubio shouldn’t be POTUS one day. I just don’t see why he needs to hang around in Romney’s shadow.. why he can’t finish his senate term and run for Governor of Florida first, eh?

    Mew

  • Stricia

    Tell us, oh wise one, who you would have as V.P. and don’t give us that nonsense about east of the MS and south of Louisville business. No need to hide behind your fraidy cat fig leaf like that.

  • Melody Warbington (rwm52)

    finish his term & then run for Governor as well. My ideal scenario would be to have Newt as VP in a Cheney-type role (no ambition left to be POTUS). Then in 4 or 8 years, Rubio has the experience and credibility to run for POTUS.

  • ffc99

    incorrect about? I’d be fascinated to know. Pretty much anyone who’s spent any time around Newt (I’m assuming you haven’t) realizes he would struggle in an executive role. And it’s without question that he’s wildly unpopular and that unpopularity would serve as a drag on the ticket. Fortunately you’re not advising the Romney campaign and this is all a hypothetical. The Romney campaign is certainly not even considering him for the role.

  • Stricia

    No text.

  • APA Guy

    1. Newt has what every VP should have…toughness and a willingness to drop the hammer on congress. I don’t know if you have noticed these past few years, but congress has more or less failed its duty to pass responsible legislation…particularly budgets. Newt has no alliances to nurture, no cronies to satisfy. He would be a useful ally of President Romney when push came to shove down the road.

    2. Gingrich was the most powerful person in congress when it passed a balanced budget during the 90s. He was also part of a spearheaded effort to cut capital gains taxes. His record on economic legislative matters is pristine…and I don’t know if you noticed or not, but the economy is the prevailing issue of this presidential election.

    And oh by the way, he did this battling the powerful Clinton machine. Not many people took that on, let alone successfully, during the 90s. Newt DID.

    3. For decades no one has cared about VP debates. Newt v. Biden would virtually assure people would tune in…and when they do, he’ll DESTROY the idiot Biden.

    4. Global warning is about 135th on the list of important campaign issues…it’s a non-starter…I don’t care if Newt was sitting in Pelosi’s lap or vice versa. NO…ONE…FREAKIN…CARES.

    5. Romney is just starting to solidify his conservative cred. Nothing says cred like choosing a Southern conservative who will both solidify the South and speak to people across the plains.

    6. If I’m sure of ANYTHING, it’s that you do not speak for the Romney campaign. This is apropos your assertion that they are not even considering him for VP. You don’t know what they are or are nor considering, so stop pretending to be in the know about ANYTHING.

    Hope that list clarifies for you…

  • APA Guy

    Just thought you’d like to know.

  • ffc99

    I was most hoping you’d address, and that is his terrible unfavorable numbers. I’m not surprised by that though, there’s really no good way to do so.

    And no, one need not be in the room to know that Newt isn’t on Romney’s VP radar. One only need have a basic understanding of electoral politics. Something which you’ve shown you lack in plumping Newt for the job.

  • commonsenseobserver

    And who can restrain him. It’s best if they can become true friends. I don’t think Newt is that kind of politician, even though I admire and respect him.

  • Melody Warbington (rwm52)

    by folks I talked with while working a local GOP event, and the folks who brought him up as a possible VP were those stopping by our booth (not us). Everyone who mentioned him thought he’d be a great choice.

    Newt’s baggage has been discussed ad nauseum. He admitted his mistakes which is more than I can say for most politicians, and he accomplished more for the GOP in the last few years than any other living elected official, and is second only to Reagan otherwise.

  • acat

    She’s really living down to her stated mission of being the site pest.

    At least Tbone is funny…. Vicious and scatological, but funny…

    Mew

  • acat

    Most of the polling about unfavorability was looking at Gingrich as the top dog… I’ve said repeatedly that he needs someone to hold his leash.

    Most of the reasons Gingrich is unfavorable have to do with (duh) his messy personal life .. and those reasons apply much more in the GOP primary, when the “values voters” make up just under 50% of the vote, not in the general when they’re under 25%.

    So .. yes, Gingrich would piss off some folks. He’s also run a successful national campaign and passed a balanced budget and kneecapped Bill Clinton and …

    I don’t think he’s the best choice for veep. I’d much rather see him at HHS; he’s one of a very short list who can keep the entire creeping mission of that department in mind – and axe it!

    Mew

  • ffc99

    From an electoral perspective, does Newt bring any positives to the table? Does he have the potential to swing a competitive state? Nope. Is he an olive branch to SoCon’s who view Mitt suspiciously? Nope. Does he bring expertise in a policy area that might be perceived as a weakness for Mitt (like say foreign policy)? Nope.

    What he does bring is a bunch of baggage. Multiple marriages/divorces/affairs. He’s got fav/unfav numbers that are treading close to John Edwards territory. He has an abrasive personality that only appeals to a small number of Republicans.

    The smart people advising Mitt Romney know all these things and that’s why Newt isn’t being given serious consideration for the job.

  • ffc99

    that the biggest reason for Newt’s popularity numbers is his abrasive personality. Republicans loved his tough guy with moderator schtick in the debates, but that wouldn’t play well at all in the general. Hell, we didn’t know about the affair with Calista when he left Congress in the 90′s and even then he had atrocious fav/unfav numbers. He’s just a terribly unlikeable guy. He’d be an awful veep choice.

  • acat

    Warm-and-fuzzy isn’t a requirement in a veep. How many of those negatives just evaporated?

    Values-voters, the ones who might care that Gingrich couldn’t keep it zipped up, make up 24% of the general election vote .. but Mitt’s a straight arrow…. and prior to the departure from D.C., Gingrich’s voting record is impressively social-conservative.

    Further, Gingrich would handle being a red-meat-thrower kind of veep with relish…. and a side of someone’s liver.

    Again, he’s not a great fit. I’d phrase it that veep is the best fit for Gingrich, but Gingrich is not the best fit for veep.

    Mew

  • ffc99

    Selecting an unpopular abrasive a** for the ticket would hurt Mitt with independents. Now I’m one who doesn’t think veep selections matter terribly often, but selecting such an unpopular and polarizing figure has the potential to hurt Romney’s electoral chances, full stop.

  • Stricia

    I believe I know who you want as VP and why you are hesitant to speak the truth.

  • porkandcheese

    Before I saw Romney move to the right, I thought Rubio would be wasted in the veepstakes, because he has a bright future no matter whose wagon he hitches to. I know Republicans will have to keep a close eye on Romney if he takes office.

    But an establishment pick would be redundant. Maybe the veep is supposed to be that way, but anyone associated with Bush spells trouble for Romney. That especially means Danilels. Having a rockstar Hispanic candidate on the ticket is a gesture that would resonate with a huge voting block. Sure, it’s the top of the ticket that counts, but Rubio is very popular among Hispanics, even Democrats.

    I like Jindal, too, because he is an authority on the two biggest issues in this election — energy and healthcare. Not so crazy about Gingrich and his baggage.

  • civil truth

    I don’t see your name in red.

  • acat

    why I should bother with your nonsense?

    Look, why don’t you make both of us happy and try being a pest over at Ace of Spades?

    Mew

  • PowerToThePeople

    paying for her meds. And I am not talking about Advil, I am talking about the kind that leaves her in a stupor drooling. That or she needs some adult time with a real person real soon. Something is missing in her world.

  • checkmate2012

    on Mar 7, when she pretended to be acat and posted as A_CA, I can’t figure but it’s their site to decide.

    Lately, I’ve been one of her favorite targets of drive-by hate comments but here is more evidence of her tactics:

    “westcoast, you might be interested in this, our dear stricia-lapert has been busy”.
    demsaresatanic Tuesday, May 8th at 6:19PM EDT (link)
    After she made the avagreen sockpuppet post,

    http://www.redstate.com/erick/2012/03/16/against-partial-repeal/#comment-177276

    she opened up an account in my name and began posting disparaging remarks about RS posters on other sites, look at

    http://www.redstate.com/gamecock/2012/05/06/le-sueur-peas-wal-mart-briefs-free-trade-betrayals-and-a-middle-class-coming-apart/#comment-13337

    and follow the disqus/dems link. The old reference to avagreen is there,

    ?on Uh oh: Rasmussen: Wisconsin Voters Support Walker Recall last month
    It looks like my idiot-friend avagreen wasted her time working on all those signature verifications!?

    She also goes after EE and others. That pathetic loon must have spent hours and hours on this.

  • PowerToThePeople

    a bit of time for them to catch up to the nuisance. Her time is limited and then we will have to deal with one of her other accounts. I find it amusing myself as I have dealt with many a person off their meds many a time. It gets hard for them living alone, unloved, unwanted, in the local Salvation Army, hearing the voices, and seeing the CIA who is coming to get them, so they take it out anonymously on internet strangers.

    But if I did not love the less fortunate, my wife and I would not volunteer so much at the shelters and soup kitchens.

  • checkmate2012

    than me I suppose. But I refuse to be berated and called names by someone who knows nothing about me so I have stood up to her hateful posts about me and refuse to be intimidated. I ignore her unless it’s directed squarely at me….5,4,3,2,1.

  • PowerToThePeople

    but losers like her love the attention, and since they are hidden in internet land and know little can be done to them, they feel big and love to piss you off. She is a small person with no life, let he dwell in it. But when she gets personal, get creative in your response as she is too stupid to understand and will fall for it every time.

  • acat

    Gov. Rubio would make a formidable POTUS candidate.

    Mew

  • acat

    Gingrich is so unpopular with independents – most of whom vaguely remember him as the guy Clinton beat down – that he’d destroy Romney’s chances.

    I’ve agreed with you that Gingrich is a poor choice, but offered you some statistics showing why your concerns may be .. exaggerated.

    You insist that you’re right, reply with no additional facts or statistics, and refer to Gingrich as an a**.

    It’s remarkably clear now.

    You personally loathe Gingrich, but don’t know how to construct an argument that shows why anyone else should agree with you.

    Mew

  • ffc99

    just realize how he’s perceived outside of the bubble that is Redstate. Judging by how often you post here, I think you’d be well served by getting away a bit more to see how the rest of the world thinks.

  • acat

    but instead are criticizing me. I see.

    I get that Gingrich isn’t an optimal choice.

    Just how much of that “outside the bubble” perception that you’re on about is created by media lies?

    Mew

  • Stricia

    How interesting that you chose the 13th hour (literally) to stop posting last night. As soon as I asked you a question you didn’t feel comfortable answering – you close down shop after being onboard for 13 hours straight! By the way, you only had 43 posts yesterday. That gives you only 1 post every 18 minutes. Very different than the 13 hours Friday with 64 posts (1 post every 12 minutes).

    Now for the V.P.
    You wrote “For veep, I?ll stand by my previous prediction. Romney will pick someone with solid pro-life and fiscal cred, who is or has been a senator, representative, governor, or lt. governor, and who is from south of Louisville and east of Houston.”

    Quibble this – What city is 100 miles south of Louisville AND 200 miles east of Houston? Bowling Green, KY. Who has his base in Bowling Green? Rand Paul.

    The reason you refuse to courageously support Rand Paul is because you know the virulent reaction you will receive here from certain regular posters and possible a mod or two. Of course, now that I have made this public prediction — you will backtrack, bob-n-weave, and write anything but the truth. Typical. But your record of writing that other possible candidates in that geographical corridor (e.g., Gingrich, Rubio, or Thompson) would not be suitable for various reasons is voluminous. Don’t look now – all of your fur is standing up.

  • Stricia

    more than 200 miles. You see, acat, real people can admit mistakes. Cats cannot.

  • gekster

    And here I thought I was a/an (insert word of choice). ;)

  • acat

    I’ve repeatedly said that Rand’s not proven his apple is far enough from Ron’s tree.

    Rand is pro-life, but I’ve not heard him touted as able to bring out pro-lifers… Rand is Tea Party, but .. again, not sure he can bring ‘em to the voting booth. That’s the key, Stricia – Romney needs votes.

    One other little problem – Rand Paul has been a Senator for .. how long now? Not very … Jumping straight to the veep position – in Romney’s shadow, no less – would muzzle him for a minimum of the campaign, and winning with that muzzle may be worse than losing. (see above – Ron Paul is infatuated with microphones and cameras .. Rand seems to have a similar love for his own voice…)

    The one reason Rand Paul makes sense is it allows Romney and Ron Paul to cut a deal, and to not have any disruptions or unplanned fireworks at the convention. Romney needs it to run on rails .. Ron Paul has nothing left to lose…. I don’t think Ron has enough support to contest or disrupt the convention, so … no deal.

    As for you, Stricia … it’s nice to see you have no idea how little time it takes me to write one of these things. Mavis Beacon is my hero.

    Mew

  • Stricia

    Irregardless of Rand — you continue to stall. Maybe you can go to the commonsense poll and vote “present.” If animals were allowed – you would fit right in with the Illinois legislature.

    Stall, stall, stall.
    Waiting …
    Fabulous, fake fingernails clicking on the tabletop….

  • commonsenseobserver

    Oops :P . I’ll have to add that now.

  • acat

    No self-respecting cat or human should be compared to the general assembly.

    Also, the word you meant to use is clearly “regardless”, “having no regard of, without regard to” .. instead you took the Bush-era comedy gold path of making up your own “irregardless”…

    Just .. kind of sad.

    Hope you didn’t pay to much for those nails.

    Mew

  • gekster

    if someone has to have sculptured nails, they are trying to draw attention from something else, along with wasting money on something not needed.

    (just a thought)

  • acat

    in certain circles…. Stricia’s decision, Stricia’s reasons, don’t care.

    I have heard horror stories about salons ripping people off, though .. so I do care that she didn’t get scammed.

    Mew

  • jazzycmk

    I know it wasn’t well received and perception is everything.

    The sing-songey “Americans can solve anything” refrain was a bit corny. However, SOTU responses are always difficult. You go from the POTUS addressing the full Congress and getting thundersous applause (at least from half the audience) to a one-man speech. I thought the venue they chose for Jindal was a mistake. For the tone of his speech, he should have been seated behind a desk, not in front of a podium because that just made the contrast from the POTUS speech a bit more jarring.

    And ever since then, you rarely hear Jindal being discussed for a national ticket, even though, by most accounts he has done a fine job in LA.

    Also, no one here seems to be playing up Paul Ryan much. For an election about the economy, there’s no one better versed. Dems would likely bring up his age and experience, but I’d be willing to have that battle (stock answer : My experience? You mean like the Presidents’ in 2008?). Danger with Ryan is that he knows the numbers so well and is so wonkish that people’s eye might glaze over after he speaks for more than 30 seconds. He’s got to boil the message down, but I think he could do it.

  • rightlane1111

    What an excellent internship. Furthermore…and I know that Kitty will agree…even if he wants Rubio as the governor…RUBIO IS CONSERVATIVE. That is a biggie. Rubio is also very much involved with the Senate Intelligence Committee…and foreign affairs.

    I don’t think Rubio will be a figure-head as you say. I hope that Romney is “humble” enough (ha…ha) to put him front line and center for a more inclusive role…thus enhancing the vote in 2016 wherein…Hildabeast enters with Bill leading the parade.