Romney Needs Some Pizzazz in VP Pick

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright August 11, 2012
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           Swirling around GOP presidential nominee former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is whether or not he should go for something bold or safe for his VP pick.  With the economy picking up steam, Romney’s options are running out only three months before the presidential election.  When you look at most aggregate polling, especially the Electoral College math, Romney finds himself behind the 8-ball, having to make up ground with a popular incumbent, despite characterizing the economy as a disaster.  For the autoworkers back to work in the Upper Midwest, they know who bailed out Detroit.  Prevailing wisdom holds that the VP pick is of minor importance yet, when you consider the 2012 election, it takes on even greater importance.  Romney finds himself in the same boat as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) when he rolled the dice and picked former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in 2008.

            Most political experts consider McCain’s pick of a firebrand conservative as one of the worst political blunders in U.S. history.  McCain faced stiff headwinds after former President George W. Bush left the economy in shambles, enjoying an approval rating under 30%.  Regardless of McCain’s VP blunder, he probably would have lost the 2008 race anyway.  It’s tempting to speculate whether McCain’s nearly 10% drubbing on Election Day would have been less with a different VP.  Romney’s situation isn’t that much different.  He can try to spin the economy as a disaster but voters read the same Labor Department reports indicating that the economy has begun adding serious numbers of jobs.  Polls also show that most voters don’t hold Obama responsible for all the country’s economic woes.  Whether the election’s close or not, the Electoral math doesn’t add up for Romney.

            On Romney’s so-called short-list are former Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fl.), New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.)  Other possible high profile candidates, like former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, have taken themselves off the list.  Both Portman and Pawlenty are considered safe plays for conservatives, already turned off to Romney because of his “moderate” views or his Mormon faith.  Conservatives keep pushing for Ryan because of his fiscal conservatism, seeking, like Romney, to scale back the federal establishment.  Ryan’s positions as House Budget Committee Chairman have roiled Democrats and moderate Republicans alike.  His fiscal discipline causes many recipients of government largess to cringe, especially welfare recipients.

            If Romney picks Portman or Pawlenty, it could add more blandness to an already white bread ticket.  Both Portman and Pawlenty add conservative credentials but do little to rein-in crossover Democrats or independents.  Even the idea that Portman brings Romney Ohio is dicey.  Both despise Obama for his “socialist” ways, especially railing against his recently Supreme Court-vetted health care reform.  Romney’s gotten no traction promising to end Obamacare should he become president.  Since the Supreme Court approved Obamacare June 28, polls indicate more Americans are warming up to the idea.  Romney’s vulnerable politically for passing similar legislation while governor of Massachusetts   All Republicans opposing Obamacare are vulnerable for backing former President George W. Bush Medicare Part D expansion, costing the Treasury about $50 billion a year.

            Given the Electoral math and current predictions by Intrade, Betfair, and Predictwise all show Portman with roughly twice a much chance to get picked as Romney’s veep as Pawlenty.  Romney’s VP brain-trust can’t play it safe this time around.  While picking Rubio might bring a few more Latinos to the ticket, most will still vote Democratic.  Rubio, the 41-year-old junior Florida senator, lacks the experience to be president and would cost Mitt far more votes than he would gain.  Picking Rubio would send a loud signal to independents that Romney lacks the judgment to be president.  Giving some pizzazz to the ticket, Romney would be far better off picking 49-year-old New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.  Christie has already proven himself a media magnet, creating the kind of buzz needed for the ticket.  He’s known as a brazen straight shooter with good wit and sharp sense of humor.

            Leaning toward the safe pick gives Romney no added octane heading into November.  Without self-destructing like McCain in 2008, Romney needs the best of both worlds, picking someone qualified to be president yet giving the extra tiger-in-the tank heading to Election Day.  Next to Vice President Joe Biden, Christie looks charismatic and appealing.  More than state or regional issues, Romney needs to add some excitement to a bland ticket, someone with whom he shares good chemistry.  Rubio adds youth but also adds inexperience, something unappealing to independent voters.  Christie gives Romney everything he needs in a VP:  Buzz, electricity and media appeal.  Since endorsing Romney Oct. 11, 2011+ there’s been a virtual blackout on Christie’s chances of becoming Mitt’s VP.  Now that it’s down to crunch time, Romney has no better pick than Christie.

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com.and author of Dodging the Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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