What does Mitt need in a running mate?

[TorontoBoyWest]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-09/is-romney-gutsy-enough-to-pick-chris-christie-.html

Even Romney’s allies know he lacks the chemical building blocks of likability. The Republican speaker of the House, John Boehner, was asked recently by a voter in West Virginia the following lamenting question: “Can you make me love Mitt Romney?” Boehner answered, in a plain-spoken manner, “The American people probably aren’t going to fall in love with Mitt Romney.”

Interesting read. For me, I think Mitt comes across as completely unlikable and does not have that President "it factor". Does that mean he needs someone like Christie?

Or would taking someone who seems to be such a polar opposite doom his campaign?

Having said that, would it be worse to have someone of similar appearance on the ticket? Two Mitt's might be too much for the American public to take.

The second is that the most talked-about candidates, while in possession of impressive resumes, are almost comically bland. The first rule when picking a vice-presidential running mate is, of course, don’t pick Sarah Palin, or anyone who might remind the voting public of Sarah Palin. The people on Romney’s short list -- which includes Ohio Senator Rob Portman, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan -- do not resemble Palin in any way. Romney is safe with any of these candidates.

Will he fill arenas with them? Are any of these candidates particularly skilled at speaking to disaffected blue-collar workers, to Reagan Democrats, without condescension? Pawlenty has a blue-collar background, but he didn’t connect with the white working class, or with anyone else, in his abbreviated run for president. Let me put it another way. Do any of these candidates match Christie’s preternatural ability to explain Republican deficit-reduction ideas without coming off as bloodless budget-cutters?

 

[RoryN]

Mitt's in a no-win situation re: a running mate. They'll either overshadow him, or be so underwhelming that the ticket as a whole will look even more unappetizing.

 

[TexasWife25]

I agree he needs to avoid a Palin like running mate at all costs. Christie is likeable, and does come across as sorta, the guy next door type. I would worry that Christie while a bold choice, would also be a poor one, as Mitt, I think, really needs someone who is seen as a severe conservative, to balance his ticket.

 

[koalabear]

He'll pick Al Sharpton to broaden his base.

 

[Very_Bad_Man]

Palin is available.

 

[TexasWife25]

I heard a nasty rumor he was vetting Michele Bachmann.

 

[Very_Bad_Man]

I heard a nasty rumor he was vetting Michele Bachmann.

If true, welcome to four more years of Obama.

 

[VaticanAssassin]

I would like to see Rice..... But she has said no thanks

 

[TorontoBoyWest]

I agree he needs to avoid a Palin like running mate at all costs. Christie is likeable, and does come across as sorta, the guy next door type. I would worry that Christie while a bold choice, would also be a poor one, as Mitt, I think, really needs someone who is seen as a severe conservative, to balance his ticket.

He needs someone who can connect to the voter base the way he seemingly can't.

 

[TexasWife25]

If true, welcome to four more years of Obama.

If he does pick her, like McCain he deserves to lose. It would, to me, be a sign that he is pussy whipped by the tea party and doesnt have the balls to run our country.

I would like to see Rice..... But she has said no thanks

Unfortunately I think a lot of the people I would like to see on the ticket, have said "Yeah, no"

He needs someone who can connect to the voter base the way he seemingly can't.

I agree, he needs someone who isnt a ,silver spoon big business wallstreet, type.

 

[VaticanAssassin]

Rice and Biden in a debate would be hysterical......

 

[TexasWife25]

Rice and Biden in a debate would be hysterical......

I think Christie would make Biden seem mature and level headed.

 

[RoryN]

"Condescending Rice" wouldn't have helped him.

 

[Very_Bad_Man]

If you are referring to Condoleezza Rice I think she is a very smart women who did a good job under trying circumstance working for an idiot. She makes to much loot in the private sector to accept I think.

 

[VaticanAssassin]

"Condescending Rice" wouldn't have helped him.

^^^^^^^^^^ RACIST!!!!!

 

[RoryN]

If you are referring to Condoleezza Rice I think she is a very smart women who did a good job under trying circumstance working for an idiot. She makes to much loot in the private sector to accept I think.

"Women"? "To"?

Christ...

 

[Wok]

He will probably play it safe and go with Portman.

 

[TorontoBoyWest]

He will probably play it safe and go with Portman.

Which could very well doom him. The lack of connection to the broader voter base is too big a hill for him to climb imo.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The smart money expects R-Money to lose. So he'll end up with a loser pretty much as exciting as himself, another Dan Quayle.

 

[KingOrfeo]

I agree he needs to avoid a Palin like running mate at all costs.

Depends on how you mean "Palin like." He needs to avoid a visibly stupid running mate at all costs; but a Tea-Party-acceptable running mate might help him get votes that otherwise will not be cast at all on eday.

 

[Wok]

Which could very well doom him. The lack of connection to the broader voter base is too big a hill for him to climb imo.

He is playing the very careful populist rhetoric while at the same time giving the occasional wink and nod to an already sulking fringe. That lack of fire in the belly and excitement alone can sink him. Hence the anything-but-Obama banner.

 

[TexasWife25]

I think he could win, however I think his only chance of that is if the next 6 months is a continuation of a sluggish recovery, coupled with running a great campaign that keeps Obama on the defensive.

So far, the economy is working in his favor, but Im not sure he has a good team on the campaign front.

However, I will say unless the economy takes off like a rocket as soon as he hits office, I dont think he has a shot in hell of winning a 2nd term.

 

[Wok]

Depends on how you mean "Palin like." He needs to avoid a visibly stupid running mate at all costs; but a Tea-Party-acceptable running mate might help him get votes that otherwise will not be cast at all on eday.

Yes, but which one? As others have suggested, Rice would be a good candidate, but she is a classic neoconservative more comfortable in a think tank than a Tea Party rally.

 

[TorontoBoyWest]

I think he could win, however I think his only chance of that is if the next 6 months is a continuation of a sluggish recovery, coupled with running a great campaign that keeps Obama on the defensive.

So far, the economy is working in his favor, but Im not sure he has a good team on the campaign front.

However, I will say unless the economy takes off like a rocket as soon as he hits office, I dont think he has a shot in hell of winning a 2nd term.

If the economy is working in his favor and most polls suggest that they are neck and neck right now....

Is the economy really working in his favor?

If no POTUS has been re-elected with jobless rates over 7% shouldnt he be way out in front right now?

 

[TexasWife25]

If the economy is working in his favor and most polls suggest that they are neck and neck right now....

Is the economy really working in his favor?

If no POTUS has been re-elected with jobless rates over 7% shouldnt he be way out in front right now?

No one really likes Romney. No one liked him the last time he made a bid for POTUS. Ive not heard one republican who is genuinely excited about the possibility of a Romney presidency.

Hes basically playing catch up. The fact that he is polling as high as he is, is a direct indicator of the sluggish economy, imo. If we were bringing in 150k or more in jobs every month I think Obama would have at least a 10 point lead on Romney.