Who do you think Romney is likely to choose from?
I think the list includes Lamar Alexander, Marco Rubio, Jim DeMint, Saxby Chambliss, Richard Burr, Jeff Sessions, John Cornyn, Lindsey Graham and Haley Barbour. John Thune would be perfect if he were from the South, but since he is not I think he is out of the equation (Same goes for Mitch Daniels since Romney almost surely needs a southerner). Rick Perry, Newt Gingrich and Rand Paul (Ron Paul's son) are long-shots.
These are the dozen that I think are most likely. What do you think?
I also believe that choosing DeMint would probably be most effective at appeasing disgruntled southerners, social conservatives and Tea Partiers alike. Plus, if Romney guaranteed DeMint the VP slot in return for an endorsement prior to the South Carolina primary, that would probably be sufficient to end the presidential race in South Carolina. Hard to see Romney's victory in New Hampshire followed by a DeMint endorsement in South Carolina not leading to a win in South Carolina and therefore the nomination shortly thereafter.
The Romney/DeMint ticket provides ideological harmony, geographical balance, and the ticket has a nice ring to it. The candidates look like a natural fit when they stand side-by-side. By all accounts, they are good friends who also have an exceptional professional relationship (DeMint endorsed Romney in 2008, and actually convinced Romney to run back in 2007). Furthermore, DeMint is more than capable of holding his own against Biden in a debate. For these reasons, I think Romney/DeMint is probably the best choice for victory in 2012.
A solid analysis. DeMint would definitely be a good running mate, however I see McDonnell as a better candidate. McDonnell has a somewhat fresher sense to him, and he brings an excellent conservative record as Governor of Virginia. Virginia will be a swing state, so McDonnell would help there. Finally, while Virginia is no South Carolina in terms of Southern states, it's South enough.
Despite the appeal of McDonnell, though, the VP nod will probably go to somebody else.
