If Mitt Romney is the nominee, who should his running mate be?

[WalterMitty]

the only good thing about a romney administration is that kerry healey would get a job somewhere.

[Joe Republic]

No I was not aware. But you learn something new every day ...

Actually, Nym90 was right to clarify my poorly worded response earlier; I shouldn't have used the word "cannot".

According to the Twelfth Amendment, it isn't illegal for both members of a ticket to be from the same state.  However, it does mean that the electors from that state cannot vote for that particular ticket.  So, had Bush and Cheney both remained residents of Texas in 2000, their 32 electors from that state would have been forced to vote for somebody else.

Similarly, if Romney and Healey were to both stay in Massachusetts, their electors would have to vote for somebody else should their ticket win the state.  But of course, MA isn't likely to vote for that ticket anyway, so the point is moot.

[Lincoln Republican]

How about Senator Lamar Alexander (TN) or Senator Kit Bond (MO)?

[Mr. Morden]

Both Alexander and Bond are getting kind of old, but not necessarily too old to be VP.  Alexander would be an interesting choice, but wouldn't that complicate the TN Senate race next year?  Is there someone who could fill in for him as the GOP nominee in that race and win?

[Robespierre's Jaw]

I'm really not sure. Considering Romney was a Governor from New England, I would expect Romney to select a southern Senator to be his running mate. Probably someone like Lamar Alexander or even former Oklahoma Senator Don Nickles, which could be a bit controversial.

[Mr. Morden]

What about Connie Mack?

[Verily]

Anyone want to address my point re: Hutchison and abortion?  Am I correct in my understanding that she's pro-choice with restrictions?  And if so, might this create a problem with the conservative base of the party if she's on a ticket with someone whose on pro-life bona fides have come into question?

Hutchison has generally been low-key on abortion, and my impression is that she's personally pro-abortion but does not actively legislate in a pro-abortion manner. (I think she's said that she'd rather the issue be decided at the state level.) Thus, the anti-abortion crowd have always ignored the fact, and I think all but the most wild-eyed would accept it.

[Mr. Morden]

I'm really not sure. Considering Romney was a Governor from New England, I would expect Romney to select a southern Senator to be his running mate. Probably someone like Lamar Alexander or even former Oklahoma Senator Don Nickles, which could be a bit controversial.

Nickles is Catholic, isn't he?  Would Romney, as a Mormon, fell compelled to "play it safe", and pick a Protestant running mate?  Or would that not be an issue?  Obviously, in an ideal world, it would be a complete non-issue.  But this isn't an ideal world.