Romney/Barbour 2012?

[Lincoln Republican]

Would Mitt Romney and Haley Barbour be a formidable Republican ticket in 2012?

Please discuss.

[Psychic Octopus]

Picking Barbour, a former lobbyist, would be ill-advised for Romney or any presidential candidate. I would say that a younger, more telegenic, intelligent Republican would be a better pick. Barbour isn't the message the GOP wants to send as a Vice President. I would say that Bobby Jindal, or some other young, charismatic Republican governor would be a far better pick.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

No, it wouldn't. Romney and Barbour are both lead balloons as far as potential GOP presidential candidates go.

[California8429]

Together they'd bring in a lot of money and network. It wouldn't be too energizing, but they'd be well funded and organized

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

One thing Bush did, by having an older and more experienced VP (a tradition followed by Obama), is that they remove the "successor" tag from them, and create party instability.

I think Romney needs a young-ish, VP with solid conservative credentials... ,maybe from the West or South to counter possible weaknesses for Romney.

[Lincoln Republican]

One thing Bush did, by having an older and more experienced VP (a tradition followed by Obama), is that they remove the "successor" tag from them, and create party instability.

I think Romney needs a young-ish, VP with solid conservative credentials... ,maybe from the West or South to counter possible weaknesses for Romney.

Yes, I agree with you that this is the path Romney should follow if he is the nominee.  I'm thinking Senator John Thune from South Dakota would be an excellent running mate for him. 

[dmmidmi]

Other than being "not Obama," exactly what special appeal would a Romney/Barbour ticket have to undecided voters?

[Inmate Trump]

Obama: 344
Romney: 194

[Sprouts Farmers Market ✘]

That map looks pretty accurate. North Carolina would probably go Obama if I made a map.

[Brittain33]

How is Romney going to credibly campaign against health care repeal in the Republican primaries when he signed a mandate as governor of Massachusetts?

Note the word "credibly." I imagine there are ways he can try, but I don't see what he can say that will convince Republican voters he is one of them.

[paul718]

No, it wouldn't. Romney and Barbour are both lead balloons as far as potential GOP presidential candidates go.

CNN/Opinion Research has Romney leading Obama by 5 today.

[Guderian]

How is Romney going to credibly campaign against health care repeal in the Republican primaries when he signed a mandate as governor of Massachusetts?

Note the word "credibly." I imagine there are ways he can try, but I don't see what he can say that will convince Republican voters he is one of them.

My guess - he will say there should be no federal health care but if states want it, they can have it.

[Brittain33]

How is Romney going to credibly campaign against health care repeal in the Republican primaries when he signed a mandate as governor of Massachusetts?

Note the word "credibly." I imagine there are ways he can try, but I don't see what he can say that will convince Republican voters he is one of them.

My guess - he will say there should be no federal health care but if states want it, they can have it.

That's his best strategy. Thanks.

[Obnoxiously Slutty Girly Girl]

No, it wouldn't. Romney and Barbour are both lead balloons as far as potential GOP presidential candidates go.

CNN/Opinion Research has Romney leading Obama by 5 today.

Romney is basically the "Generic R" right now. If he were to win the nomination and people got to know the real Mitt Romney, the fall in support would be quite spectacular.

[Inmate Trump]

Romney will never be elected president.  I'd hope the Republicans would be smart enough not to nominate him.

[Whacker77]

I think Obama fans are misguided if they believe the 2008 map will apply in 2012.  It will look far more like 2004.  That doesn't mean Ohio and Florida go Republican, but I think Virginia, North Carolina, and Indiana do.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Even the most ardent fans know 2008 was an electoral anomaly, but it still depends on who he's running against.

[pbrower2a]

I see him winning Colorado and Nevada as well as anything that either Al Gore or John Kerry ever won.

[Lincoln Republican]

2012

Barack Obama/Joe Biden                   269
Mitt Romney/John Thune                   269

The House elects Romney President.   

[Mr. Morden]

2012

Barack Obama/Joe Biden                   269
Mitt Romney/John Thune                   269

The House elects Romney President.   

That's with 2008 EV #s.  After 2010 reapportionment, the GOP states will gain a few EVs, and the above map would translate to a Romney win, without it being thrown to the House.

[Lincoln Republican]

2012

Barack Obama/Joe Biden                   269
Mitt Romney/John Thune                   269

The House elects Romney President.   

That's with 2008 EV #s.  After 2010 reapportionment, the GOP states will gain a few EVs, and the above map would translate to a Romney win, without it being thrown to the House.

Thanks.  I realized the 2008 map is outdated for 2012, but I did not know the state by state numbers.

[milhouse24]

woohoo, romney's the Rudy G of 2008.  Seriously if Romney is the GOP nominee, the GOP has other problems with the base to worry about.  they'll need every christian conservative vote and romney won't inspire them.  It would more likely be Barbour/Romney.  But I do think the GOP will win both Ohio and Florida in 2012, and that means they'll win the White House, so this GOP primary in 2012 will be a really exciting dogfight.  Everyone is going to jump in - Newt, Palin, maybe Rick Perry, Brownback, etc etc.  Just as long as the GOP doesn't nominate an oldy like Bob Dole, its a slam-dunk.

[Guderian]

woohoo, romney's the Rudy G of 2008.  Seriously if Romney is the GOP nominee, the GOP has other problems with the base to worry about.  they'll need every christian conservative vote and romney won't inspire them. 

While I personally find it hilarious that many Southern Baptists think their church legitimate and LDS is a cult, in the hypothetical Obama v Romney general, they are coming out to vote against Obama, not to vote for Romney.

[Inmate Trump]

While I personally find it hilarious that many Southern Baptists think their church legitimate and LDS is a cult, in the hypothetical Obama v Romney general, they are coming out to vote against Obama, not to vote for Romney.

I doubt it.  I think a lot of Christians who are against the president would simply sit this one out.  They wouldn't vote for Romney, and they won't vote for Obama.  Their only options are to either go with a third party candidate, or to not vote at all, and I think many will choose the latter.

I'm a Christian, non denominational, and if this is the match up I'll be voting for Obama (based on political reasons, not religious ones).  I have no problem voting for a Mormon, just as I have no problem voting for an African American, Hispanic, etc.  Romney is a nut on the same level as Palin, he only hides it a little better.

[milhouse24]

woohoo, romney's the Rudy G of 2008.  Seriously if Romney is the GOP nominee, the GOP has other problems with the base to worry about.  they'll need every christian conservative vote and romney won't inspire them. 

While I personally find it hilarious that many Southern Baptists think their church legitimate and LDS is a cult, in the hypothetical Obama v Romney general, they are coming out to vote against Obama, not to vote for Romney.

I think mormonism is too much of a risk for Christian conservatives.  Romney will be better as VP (similar to Dick Cheney who had strong Industrial connections).  I doubt Romney will win Iowa, SC, or any southern or midwest primary or general election state.