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Rob Portman
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Tim Pawlenty
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Paul Ryan
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Chris Christie
I don’t know…
The smart money is still on Portman (including Chris Christie’s money; we previously reported that the Govenror of New Jersey believes the Ohio Senator is a likely choice). The Buckeye State is a must-win from Romney. Wisconsin (Ryan) and Minnesota (Pawlenty) are likely not. I wish New Jersey was on the GOP’s electoral wish-list! But it’s definitely not. However, geography is rarely an end-all criterion for modern vice presidental selections. Just ask Dick Cheney; I don’t think Dubya was losing sleep over the Election 2000 margins in Wyoming. And no one would’ve called Palin or Biden “logical” or “obvious” VP candidates heading into 2008. It’s often a surprise pick, folks. Anything is possible. Or almost anything.
I really get the impression (and I’m sure many of you do, too) that very POWERFUL Republican donors and new media forces are persistently lobbying the Romney campaign for a “bolder” choice than Senator Portman. Governor Christie would certainly fit the bill. So would Rep. Ryan, whose courageous budget philosophy would draw a clear ideological line in the sand this November.
Thoughts?
what awful choices for conservatives.