If Romney is the Republican Nominee

[Scam of God]

Governor Gary Johnson, though I'd hope Johnson wouldn't accept it.

[21st Century Independent]

I like Cantor for his stand against the Healthcare bill in its current form...

Just about every current GOP member of the House and Senate has that "qualification". So what?

Congressional Representatives do not win Presidential nominations. Senators, Governors, and 4-and-5-star generals do. Even as VP nominees they are poor choices. Neither Geraldine Ferraro nor Jack Kemp could swing New York State for their parties.  Both were well-respected in their own states at the time.

As for General Petraeus, highly-successful generals help incumbents get re=elected before they are themselves elected. Think 2016 for Petraeus.

So here's the usual succession to the Presidency:

State Attorney General/Secretary of State (state)/mayor of a large city/State senator > Governor or US Senator > President

Member of the House of Representatives> Senator > President   

Highly-successful General > President

Agreed, but Cantor stands out among most of the Repubs. Remember, it's all about the marketing. I understand Cantor not being high enough in political office to be a VP, but at the same time, I would throw away the rule book ever since Obama was elected. He broke alot of qualifiying rules.

[GLPman]

The fact that three people actually selected Palin is beyond comical.

[milhouse24]

I like Cantor for his stand against the Healthcare bill in its current form...

Just about every current GOP member of the House and Senate has that "qualification". So what?

Congressional Representatives do not win Presidential nominations. Senators, Governors, and 4-and-5-star generals do. Even as VP nominees they are poor choices. Neither Geraldine Ferraro nor Jack Kemp could swing New York State for their parties.  Both were well-respected in their own states at the time.

As for General Petraeus, highly-successful generals help incumbents get re=elected before they are themselves elected. Think 2016 for Petraeus.

So here's the usual succession to the Presidency:

State Attorney General/Secretary of State (state)/mayor of a large city/State senator > Governor or US Senator > President

Member of the House of Representatives> Senator > President   

Highly-successful General > President

Agreed, but Cantor stands out among most of the Repubs. Remember, it's all about the marketing. I understand Cantor not being high enough in political office to be a VP, but at the same time, I would throw away the rule book ever since Obama was elected. He broke alot of qualifiying rules.

Something tells me that a Mormon and Jewish ticket would not be popular among GOP voters.

[HappyWarrior]

McDonnell or Daniels.

[21st Century Independent]

I like Cantor for his stand against the Healthcare bill in its current form...

Just about every current GOP member of the House and Senate has that "qualification". So what?

Congressional Representatives do not win Presidential nominations. Senators, Governors, and 4-and-5-star generals do. Even as VP nominees they are poor choices. Neither Geraldine Ferraro nor Jack Kemp could swing New York State for their parties.  Both were well-respected in their own states at the time.

As for General Petraeus, highly-successful generals help incumbents get re=elected before they are themselves elected. Think 2016 for Petraeus.

So here's the usual succession to the Presidency:

State Attorney General/Secretary of State (state)/mayor of a large city/State senator > Governor or US Senator > President

Member of the House of Representatives> Senator > President   

Highly-successful General > President

Agreed, but Cantor stands out among most of the Repubs. Remember, it's all about the marketing. I understand Cantor not being high enough in political office to be a VP, but at the same time, I would throw away the rule book ever since Obama was elected. He broke alot of qualifiying rules.

Something tells me that a Mormon and Jewish ticket would not be popular among GOP voters.

You know it's going to come down to a point where, as the Repubs and Tea Partiers see it, that Obama is a socialist in sheep's clothing and the only way to defeat him is with non-traditional Repub candidates. It's their choice. I can see them bending, not breaking. Bending.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

As a conservative Republican, I'm not reluctant to vote for a Mormon or a Jewish candidate (and in fact, I like Cantor). I don't like Romney, however.

[Mr.Phips]

McDonnell.  He would deliver Virginia for Romney, which he needs. 

[Dan the Roman]

McDonnell.  He would deliver Virginia for Romney, which he needs. 

We'll see. Despite his win this year, McDonnell is quite a hardline Conservative, and probably one of the most militantly anti-gay politicians in  the US. Though his AG is now taking the lead on that.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/05/AR2010030501582.html?wprss=rss_metro/special/7

[21st Century Independent]

I would also add Paul Ryan who is starting to shine bright.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

As a conservative Republican, I'm not reluctant to vote for a Mormon or a Jewish candidate (and in fact, I like Cantor). I don't like Romney, however.

these days Mormons  are getting a whole lot more harassment from the left than from the right. and Cantor is very popular among conservatives.

[redcommander]

Does anyone know if I can modify the poll to add the requests for Paul Ryan and Jeb Bush? I don't see a modify option specifically for it.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Does anyone know if I can modify the poll to add the requests for Paul Ryan and Jeb Bush? I don't see a modify option specifically for it.

No, a poll cannot be modified once it is posted.

[redcommander]

Oh ok well I guess just post if you want Bush or Ryan then. I didn't count them the first time because of fatigue Americans have with the Bushes still and Ryan seeming like he would be one of the top people for a House leadership position if the Republicans regain control this Fall. Still he is a possibility.

[Stranger in a strange land]

Jindal. A popular southern evangelical governor with legislative experience and executive experience.

He also has the charisma of a post and the public speaking ability of a high school student. Also, he's Catholic, not Evangelical.

[21st Century Independent]

Jindal. A popular southern evangelical governor with legislative experience and executive experience.

He also has the charisma of a post and the public speaking ability of a high school student. Also, he's Catholic, not Evangelical.

LOL

[pbrower2a]

He will need someone to shore up the South, lest he be in the same position as John McCain in August/September 2008: leaving too many possible targets for an Obama effort.

It would be possible for Romney to win the Presidency with every state that Dubya won in both 2000  and  2004 except Colorado and Nevada (but he can't lose both).  John Thune would not do that, as he is no Southerner.

To lose any one of Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, or Florida, all of which would be competitive in a 50-50 race, would ensure a defeat of Romney.

Keep in mind that a Southerner is not a required as long as its a southern-esque candidate. Following the Palin pick, McCAin's numbers shot up in NC, as well as the Dakotas, MT, and Alaska.

Sarah Palin gave the greatest speech that she will ever give (unless she recited the Gettysburg Address or the Finest Hour speech). After that she made some gigantic blunders if rhetoric, especially her inapt contrast of the "Real America" (rural, conservative, faith-based, anti-intellectual) America to all else.  Spikes in support mean nothing if the subsequent behavior of the candidate destroys the "spike" -- as happened in North Carolina in 2008.

Obviously any such VP nominee must have staying power -- which means credibility.   As for the Dakotas and Alaska -- not one of those states has voted for the Democratic nominee for President since 1964. Republican moderates are rare in the South, and southern Republicans are likely to show either combativeness, racism, or ties to special interests linked almost entirely to the South, any of which would only intensify the tendency of Northerners and urbanites (including suburbanites) to go away from the GOP. 

Should Romney pick a VP nominee who depends upon racial polarization in his state to get elected (Barbour), a combative character (Chambliss), or someone tied heavily to a special interest (oil, cotton) not much beloved Up North, then such a candidate could lose one of the more northerly of swing states (Ohio) that he still must win.

   

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Jindal. A popular southern evangelical governor with legislative experience and executive experience.

He also has the charisma of a post and the public speaking ability of a high school student. Also, he's Catholic, not Evangelical.

He's actually an excellent speaker in debates, but not in giving speeches.

[milhouse24]

Now that I think about it, Petraeus would be a good choice for Romney, esp if there is another terrorist attack or mid-east war.  He has to win independent voter who are usually pro-economy and pro-military competence. 

But Thune could be a good choice if he stakes a claim on foreign affairs.