Barack Obama,  Evan Bayh,  Joe Biden,  John McCain,  Mitt Romney,  President 2008

Mitt Romney Watch: Top of the McCain VP List?

June 30, 2008 /

Senator John McCain and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney tops John McCain’s list for Vice Presidential candidates? So, it seems.

Surprising many Republican insiders, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is at the top of the vice presidential prospect list for John McCain. But lack of personal chemistry could derail the pick.

“Romney as favorite” is the hot buzz in Republican circles, and top party advisers said the case is compelling.

Campaign insiders say McCain plans to name his running mate very shortly after Barack Obama does, as part of what one campaign planner called a “bounce-mitigation strategy.”

The Democratic convention is in late August, a week ahead of the Republican convention. That means McCain can size up the opposing ticket before locking in his own.

Flap made the argument for Romney a number of weeks ago.

In the meantime, Barack Obama has opted out of public campaign financing and Team McCain finds itself vastly underfunded.

McCain sources tell Politico that they believe Romney could raise $50 million in 60 days. One close Romney adviser said it could even be $60 million.

McCain’s choice will come down to the three M’s:

  • Mitt
  • Money (business, economics and fundraising)
  • Michigan

Flap predicts McCain goes with Romney. Of course, this will not be my favorite choice (which is Sarah Palin, the Governor of Alaska) but in a match-up against Obama and Biden/Bayh it is a winning combination.

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Why John McCain Picks Mitt Romney as Vice President

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31 Comments

  • Ted

    June 30, 2008 at 11:55 am

    Why in the world would McCain pick Romney — good guy (I actually wanted him as Pres candidate over McCain) but probably a net neutral at best now on the McCain ticket — when McCain could pick Palin? Assuming McCain’s goal is both to win the election and have at his side a more than able and compatible running mate, he should be aware that the Democrats’ greatest fear is Palin (not Romney).

    (And note that beyond Fox, the MSM’s greatest fear as well is Palin — so the MSM, carrying the water for Obama, will at first try and avoid mention of her to the extent they can, until her inevitability can no longer be avoided.)

    Moreover, what about the millions and millions of dollars worth of media coverage covering the remarkable and human interest oriented Palin story — essentially free of charge to McCain (her story out-Obamas Obama).

  • Dennis

    June 30, 2008 at 12:25 pm

    Romney is a loathsome charlatan who would turn off both independens and moderate republicans like myself. In addition, his name on the ballot would be a real negative in the south because of his religion.

    I will stay home id Mr. Multiple Choice Romney is on the ticket. However, it doesn’t really matter who McCain picks as his running mate since it is Obama’s race to lose.

  • Flap

    June 30, 2008 at 12:28 pm

    @ Dennis,

    I hear you and think Palin is a much better candidate.

    But, do you think by selecting Romney that Team McCain will sublimely change the campaign to one about race, i.e. Mormon white guy vs the Black Democrat machine?

  • Dennis

    June 30, 2008 at 12:39 pm

    With Romney on the ticket, Obama has a chance of carrying North and South Carolina. I don’t know if Mike Allen at Politico has any inside information on McCain’s VP pick. The only good news from his piece is that McCain and certain key advisors neither trust nor like Romney ( gee, I wonder why ).

    I detest Romney and continue to find it amazing how anyone can buy his B.S. Keep in mind, if MCain is foolish enough to put him on the ticket, the ads the democrats run on Romney’s flip-flopps over the years will make the ads republicans ran in 2004 on Kerry’s flip-flopps look like child’s play.

  • Flap

    June 30, 2008 at 1:36 pm

    @Dennis

    Yes, the flip-flop ads about Romney will make your head spin. But, the economy is so bad and the GOP brand is so poisoned it might not make any difference who McCain chooses.

    Obama’s race to lose for sure.

  • Ted

    June 30, 2008 at 2:26 pm

    The tip-off that Politico is just a “promote Romney” piece is that it mentions EVERY NAME as the next tier candidates EXCEPT SARAH PALIN!!! (since Romney camp knows Palin is the ONLY ONE who comes out on top of Romney)

  • Ted

    June 30, 2008 at 7:37 pm

    All the media buzz which will surround Palin — essentially free to McCain — will be worth millions and millions of dollars of PR (more money than Romney could provide anyway).

    It appears that it’s all down to Palin or Romney, and team Romney fears Palin now has the best shot, so Romney camp is mounting a blogosphere-wide assault via Politico.

    The tip-off that Politico is just a “promote Romney” piece is that it mentions EVERY NAME in the next two tiers of Veep prospects EXCEPT SARAH PALIN!!! — even names far more unlikely than Palin (since Romney camp knows Palin is the ONLY ONE who tops — I’ll say tops by far — Romney as McCain’s best pick).

    Bottom line, Romney and Politico fear Palin most — as do the Dems and the MSM. (By the way, the Dems and MSM do not fear Romney the most — which says a lot.)

    AOL, prime on-line pro-Obama/pro-Dem player, is now carrying the Politico piece promoting Romney buzz.

    Clearly AOL wants McCain and the GOP to lose the general elction — hence they gladly promote Romney (no mention of Palin).

    Also, CNN had Romney — kind of out of the blue — attacking Obama. Again, CNN, wanting McCain and the GOP to lose, gladly promotes Romney (to attempt to avert the Palin threat).

  • Jim Peterson

    July 1, 2008 at 12:29 am

    Agreed. AOL wants McCain to lose so they promote Romney.

    I would put Sanford of SC ahead of Palin…but a libertarian VP is McCain’s only chance of getting my vote and the votes of the 15% of Republicans who wanted Ron Paul.

    McCain would only last one term and Palin could be president in 2012.

  • Jim Peterson

    July 1, 2008 at 12:38 am

    Ron Paul’s biggest success would have been to convince McCain not to choose a social conservative (and especially religious person) to be his successor and the future of the Republican Party.

  • Aaron

    July 27, 2008 at 9:23 pm

    I am astonished reading some of this stuff! Palin for Vice Pres, come freakin on. I mean people are you that dum. The bag of tricks the media would eventually pull, with a pretty soft skinned looking Governor, who’s not known by anyone, standind next to the old skinned cancer McCain. Some of you people blow my mind on how dumb you are. I’m sorry but it’s so shocking I can’t help but try to get you to reflect upon it. Secretly I can gaurantee McCain has not really considered her on any serious level, other than for the sake of the process and to throw the media and people off. My prediction is certaian! Obama will not be next President, his rise has been great and his fall will be even greater. McCain will pick Romney, probably before the Olympics, to remind people of Romneys resume. Romney is better positioned than any candidate I’ve ever known for vice Pres. 2nd in Iowa, a toss up. 2nd in New Hampshire, where McCain won. He won over more republicans in Florida than McCain, who’s allready got the endorsement of a popular Governor. He killed McCain in Minnesota, even after an early endorsement from Pawlently, who the anti mormons are trying to make a case for, when eveidently he’s not that popular in his own state. He killed McCain in Nevada and Colorado, other battleground states. Most of all he got a good win in state that has a bad economy and an unpopular Dem. Gov. and unpopular black Mayor of Detroit, not to say his dad is well beloved there, which is no surprise having seen videos of him. With Romney McCain wins the Presidency, without him he does not.

  • Flap

    July 27, 2008 at 9:42 pm

    Flip flopper Romney as Vice President will guarantee an Obama win. Romney is through in the GOP. Back to business for him.

  • Aaron

    July 27, 2008 at 9:44 pm

    May I just note on Romney! The fact expectations hace been lowered for him, unlike Obama, who will rise and then fall. Mitt has been taken way down before his miraculous rise. This guy was born into this and I believe destined. Thank God the oldest republican nominee ever had a ressurection, to knock Romney and Huckabee”the fakest politician ever” out of the race. I believe it was better for Romney to lose. This guy has the greatest luck on his side, if you know what I mean. It’s more like a qaurterback sneak, to get someone who’s religion is an issue, with some eveangelical bigots. Now wether McCains health downfalls before the November election or after, I’m not sure. I know if Romney was the nominee a very contagious spirit of anti mormon mentallity, would have bubbled across the country. There won’t be to much time for that, to get strong enough with way things are going and the attention more and more on Obama and how foolish he is and over confident. Also any attention targeted towards Romneys religion will backfire, with endless focus on rev. Wright recorded comments. Romney has the greatest luck of anyone I’ve ever seen, it’s as though invivsible powers are preparing the way for him. I’m reminded of Benjamin Franklin saying something like” if a sparrow can’t fall to the ground without God noticing, then how can a nation facing astonishing odds, rise without his aide” , also James Madison stated several times, that he could see divine design in things, maybe someday people will see that with Romney and wonder what God is trying to tell us.

  • Aaron

    July 27, 2008 at 10:08 pm

    Flap, you got to get your mind right my friend. Romney changed on what he thought the governments role should be on abortion. A mormon can’t just ride into Massachussetes and say I want to change the law. So he said I will support the law as it is. I personally believe that was the right stance at the time. He was never personally pro-choice, but he effectively was as far as what goverments role should be. He changed as he did’nt need that postion anymore. He was’nt running in Mass. anymore. I don’t see anything wrong with. I know however the left wing media pounded him with this, as well as the anti mormons and anyone else who was dum enough to fall for the medias and others exagerations and lies. They said he flipped on gay marriage, that was basically a lie. Now tell me were he even comes close to Rudy Gulliani, or McCain, or Obama in flip flopping,even Huckabee was flipping during the race, on his immigration stances, for political gain, may I also say he ran the most unamerican bigoted and dishonest campain of which I am aware, ecspecially on the mormon point. So get over your hate, Romney will be the VP and President of this country, I absoleutely gaurantee this to you. You need to examine your own charcter because it’s obvious something is wrong. Frankly in a day when politicians have no character or integrity, I would think you would be in love with Romney. He’s got it all. You need to stop being so misguided and get over this hatred you have for one of the most impressive and yes human politictions ever. Just wait and see. I have never seen anyone so presidential in such a natural way. Yes he’s not the best walking around with a microphone in his hand, but he is in formal presidential settings, that are’nt to repetitive.

  • Aaron

    July 27, 2008 at 10:15 pm

    Why do think he won’t choose Romney? Is it your denial or hate and hope that it’s anybody but Romney. I got news for you, McCains wife has come to adore Ann Romney and this hate McCain has for Romney is exagerated by the media. I’ll just say I’m from Arizona and know people that know the McCains directly. McCain likes Romney personally more than people think. Just look at all the pictures of them. Theres something about Romneys presence that lights up McCain. Pawlently is to week and to young, for McCain. I gaurantee Romney is the guy.

  • Aaron

    July 27, 2008 at 11:50 pm

    Flap get over it, McCain will pick Romney and frankley it’s worth it to loose a few votes. This race is not about natioal polls. McCain is likely to loose Cali anyway. It is about battleground states and therein Romney is the man to push him over the top. My friend if you only knew how off you are, even if 3 out 10 anti mormons decide they would rather contribute to destroying the country and let Obama become Pres. “in there stunning cowardness” in these most critical times, with surprises down the road, he would still win states like Arkansas and North Carolina. Just wait, people will be determened to stop Barrack Obama, it has’nt even begain. This election is simply about a few states and a few states only. McCain is not dum and I get even more pleasure out of Romneys eventual rise, knowing there are some very strong “usually bigoted” feelings and odds against him. I encourage you and everybody else to keep on keepin on, it will eventually play into Romneys and his Churchs favor and allready is. He truly is the underdog and persecuted man. I would think you would stand on principle rather hate one the best politicians we have at this time in our history. Also these same evengelical bigots are down that same ally that turned on McCain a war hero. I predict this Romney hate will come back to bite these corners as indeed weekened the loyalty McCain might of had on greater scale with some these people. Prediction! They don’t need your vote, there going after Mainly Michigan, but also Ohio, New Hampshire, Pennsylvannia, Colorado, Nevada, Florida. But make no mistake, whoever wins Michigan as will win the election. You have it all wrong and I’m not sure why, but I am suspect as to why. It’s impossible to hate such a decent, good, steady”unusually steady” family man ect ect ect. It makes no sense and alot of the stuff you’ve written on Romney I would probably never agree with. Romney in the end will recieve an unusual amount of credit for Obama being put down. This election is like no other and so is the Vice Pres pick, for so many reasons, McCains age being first and foremost. Again they don’t need your vote and McCain is Maverick and knows this. I actually encourage you not to vote for them. This is going to be so great, to see Romney Who speaks freench, talking with the first pro american Pres. of France in a long time and the french people who will fall in love with him, he is the man to repair our standing in the world. The British Government is fond of the mormons there and he is ironically good freiends with Benjamin Nettenahoo or however you spell it, who still is a powerhouse in the Israeli Gov. Somehow they crossed paths in Romneys buisness. He is everything this country needs. Something different, an outsider, a true reformer, as he proved he could in buisness by making tuff decisions. Anyways I know everything about Romney and he is strait up the man. I’m confident in a few years you to will be marveling. He was made for this stuff and can’t wait to see him in action as Pres, with all thats about to down. I’ts in his blood. The groundwork is being laid for him far beyond coincedence. Again just wait and watch. The anti mormons are, mainly from the south are going fail. You simply cannot stop someone as brilliant and powerfull as whose earth and children we are. God is raising Romney up. I garantee and the anti mormons are actually playing the perfect part. No religion in the world faces the odds the Mormon Church faces, as has allways been the case and thats the way supposed to be. My beliefs are more than sincere. I am a recent convert to Mormon Church, having disected and prayed about it , since I was 18. I was a Catholic from New Jersey. I’m absoleutely telling you these things are’nt coincedence. Hopefully your not to close minded. Anyways will just wait. If by some chance McCain did’nt pick Romney, I predict his health fails and Romney is crowned nominee, Israel attacks Iran, Obama declines at the last moment and Romney is in. The point is, however he gets in, he is the center of this election. I’m 99.9 percent sure McCain picks him, to keep things as quiet as possible and as much attention on Obama, whose fall will be great. Again, ironically the Olympics are coming up and I think Romney will be announce soon, destined to be the man to bring this world together.

  • Mary

    July 30, 2008 at 11:43 am

    Romney is far away my choice for McCain’s VP, and is the leading choice among conservatives nationwide. That includes Christian conservatives, nevermind the whining and anti-Mormon canard planted by Huckabee and the drive-by media. Economics, business, foreign relations experience with the Olympics and capital ventures, presidential personality and skills, debating skill, even ‘the look’, he’s got it all. Only Romney would make me feel good about voting for McCain, and we need him badly in this economic and international environment facing us today. MCCAIN/ROMNEY 2008–that’s my ticket!

  • Allen

    August 28, 2008 at 8:30 pm

    Hillary and Bill Clinton’s speech at the Convention were tremendous! And all while Hillary spoke on Tues. you kept thinking, “why is she not the candidate.” Then when Bill Clinton spoke yesterday on Wednesday it made you think even more, “why is Hillary not the candidate?” Then we would have had two Brilliant people back in the White House. But Obama picked this Biden guy and unfortunately it is not enough…he will still probably loose. It is all over the news, everyone is saying, “The Clinton’s did what they had to, now no one can blame the Clinton’s if Obama looses.” They are also saying they would love it if Obama truly liked the Clinton’s and consulted them when making important decisions in the White House but everyone said, “Obama will not do that and there is still bad blood more on Obama’s part then on the Clinton’s part.” I’m afraid that might be true. And McCain has been sounding more and more like a Democrat-Independent which he is…And if McCain picks Romney for the economy, McCain will most Definitely Clinch the Nomination…oh boy I do like Barack but with his Inexperience and Naïve ways everyone is still saying that he just will not win. And w/ McCain and Romney there is a ticket. McCain w/foreign and veteran affairs and Romney with the Economy makes a True Ticket. But w/Obama and Biden there is No Real Ticket. B/c w/Biden comes his foreign affairs, but Is Biden an Economist?? No No he is Not. And w/Barack’s inexperience with Everything Even the Economy, This Is Not A Good Ticket b/c There is No Economist in this matter. But w/McCain’s veteran-foreign affairs and Romney’s Economy That Is An Actual Full Well Rounded Ticket. But Not With Obama and Biden…no way…Let the Best Man Win.
    McCain/Romney 2008!
    Hillary 2012!

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