The GOP's Obama - Bob McDonnell?

[Lunar]

Another drawback - you'd expect someone with economic historical expertise to do a lot better than someone with legal historical expertise.

During the 90's I'd agree with you more, but now that crime & law are not really important in national politics I'm going to have to say that he'll be a lot less prominent.  He might make a wonderful VP in a swing state, and he's very likely to score a cabinet appointment, but to be president he'll need a lot more national connections, fundraising prowess, etc.

I don't see him as the nominee.  Not even a dark-horse nominee.

[Lunar]

Another problem: with the recession, it's going to be very difficult for most governors to do better than their predecessors.  Many governors are going to have to be cutting services and/or raising revenues and/or increasing state debt.

Anyway, it'll be hard for him to be enough a rising star to overcome the GOP establishment.  I see him as a legitimate VP contender, but winning Iowa or New Hampshire against Palin/Romney?

[Lunar]

Maybe he'll emerge as compromise candidate? Like, if  Romney, Palin, and Huckabee all split there delegates, the party bosses will pick him as the standard bearer? 1920-esque?

Why wouldn't one of them just agree to be VP in exchange for their delegates?

[Lunar]

Maybe he'll emerge as compromise candidate? Like, if  Romney, Palin, and Huckabee all split there delegates, the party bosses will pick him as the standard bearer? 1920-esque?

Why wouldn't one of them just agree to be VP in exchange for their delegates?

all three hate each other.

You think McCain and Palin got along?  VPs don't have to like their president.  Mitt certainly wouldn't mind any sort of compromise that would result in him being in power and I doubt Palin would either.