Politics from All Sides

Well, now, it’s all set: Mitt Romney will be the nominee.  Sadly for the Ron Paul folks, the good doctor has failed to get the right amount of delegates.  He will not be eligible for a convention ballot.

So now… the million-dollar question— who will Mitt chose for the VP slot?

A lot of names have been thrown around, lately.  Let’s recap:

Marco Rubio is, understandably, everyone’s top choice.  He’s likeable, he’s solid, he’s honest, he’s charming— he’s everything conservatives have been praying on their knees for since Ronald Reagan’s second term expired.  I’m with Sean Hannity: unless something tragic happens with him… Rubio will be president, one day.

That being said, now’s not the time for him to be in the White House, top or bottom of the ticket.  Right now, we need his leadership in Congress, where he can do more to further the cause than he could as VP.  Further, he needs to show us all what a firm grasp of things he has, before he can move up.

Needless to say, he agrees with that— which is why he’s repeatedly said that it will not be him.

Paul Ryan is the choice of Bill Kristol.   He’s an ideas man— articulate, bold… he can stand up to the Left, and tear them apart, with ideas.  They may smear those ideas all they want— but he holds firm.  In short, he’s a leader.

Again, that’s something we desperately need in Congress.  And again— putting him in a VP slot would hurt him in implementing his ideas.

Chris Christie is a conservative superhero— pull-no-punches, in-your-face, just-the-facts-ma’am… he tells it like it is, and does not apologize for it.  Needless to say, to see His Awesomeness playing second fiddle would be anathema— it’s just not him.  He’s a leader— not an assistant.

Another superhero is Allen West.  Like Christie, he’s bold and fresh.  Still… he’s been in the House for less than one term.  Just like Rubio— don’t yank him out before it’s his time.

Condoleezza Rice’s name has been thrown around a lot, lately.  Her approval ratings are high, she’s experienced, she has a lot of class, and she has guts, calling out evil in the world when she sees it.

Still, let’s be honest— she’s been all but forgotten, really, since Obama took office.  I mean… sure, it’d be awesome to have an African-American woman on the ticket (a whole myriad of “firsts,” there) but… what would she bring?  As great as she is, she’s not the most Conservative person out there.  I could easily see her in Mitt’s cabinet, but… as VP?  Well… I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Susana Martinez is another name thrown around, due to GOP concerns that they need to get the Hispanic vote.  Rubio might do that, but… he’s Cuban, not Mexican.  Cubans tend to go Republican, anyway.  Now, Governor Martinez, on the other hand…

Well, two problems.  Number one: thinking a Hispanic will get you the Hispanic vote, in and of itself, is like thinking a woman will get you the women’s vote.  Sarah Palin, as awesome as she is, didn’t do that for McCain.  The GOP should not take that kind of thing for granted.

Number two: Like Governor Palin, Martinez hasn’t had much time in the national spotlight.  It’s doubtful she has the experience with the national press to face up to them, even if she has Palin’s toughness.

Rob Portman is basically a “last pick” guy.  He doesn’t have much “box office” appeal— he’s a reliable fellow, a solid Conservative from what we can make out… in a word, he’s safe.  Few people see him doing much to energize things.  Still… if he’s what’s left, sure— what the heck?

A guy I’m looking at is Rand Paul.  I know— like West and Rubio, he hasn’t been around that long.  But with the militants in his father’s camp ranting about how “We won’t chose the lesser of two evils!”… we may have to make an exception, in Rand’s case.  Besides— Rand has all the good qualities of his father, and none of the bad ones.  I easily see him as president, one day.  I do still have the same caveats I do about Rubio, don’t get me wrong… but politically, this may be the necessary option.

Whoever Governor Romney picks… I am eagerly looking forward to it.  Stay tuned.