Ok. Assuming, and I know it is assuming a lot, but assuming that Gov. Rick Perry gets the GOP presidential nod, who should be be his veep?
There are some strong candidates out there who bring various things to the table. I will list some potentials before I tell you who I think should be the guy.
Gov. John Kasich of Ohio. Gov. Kasich has done a great job in Ohio and Ohio is crucial to any potential victory for Perry. Kasich has to be a strong contender.
Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia. Hasn’t been Governor too long but he is also in a crucial state for Perry. I think he is a longer shot, but still someone Perry must consider.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The former Gov. of Minnesota and former (as of last week) presidential contender. I would have considered him a strong Veep potential, but his performance in the Presidential race was weak at best and he still owes Michelle Bachmann and apology for getting blood on her skirt when she beat him up. I don’t think he brings much to the table. Longshot.
Rep. Michelle Bachmann. Nope. Tea-party fave and a woman, but too much baggage. No chance.
Gov. Rick Scott of Florida. Has many of the same attributes as McDonnell and he is in a crucial swing state. Strong economic record but only in office since 2011. He has potential, but not yet I think.
Sen. Marco Rubio. Marco Rubio is the man and my pick for Veep. He is a tea-party favorite, he is Cuban (gives people something history making to vote for, it seems they like to do that.), he is good-looking, and excellent speaker, and he is from Florida. Whoa! baby, would the choice of Rubio drive the liberals, particularly in the MSM, crazy!! If Perry chooses Rubio, all the stories for the next week would be about whether Obama should dump Biden for Bill Richardson and wouldn’t that be too much fun?
Perry-Rubio 2012. You heard it here first.
August 19, 2011 at 2:24 pm
Congressman Joe Walsh of Illinois. A conservative firebrand and solid pro-life, one of the most vocal of the 2010 freshman class.
August 19, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Isn't there something dodgy about Rubio's Catholicism?
August 19, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Yes, and I always said that Rubio should be VP of any Republican candidate.
August 19, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Gardasil Rick? – you've got to be kidding! This guy is so slick he makes Willie look like Mother Teresa.
August 19, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Is there a good strong conservative with the last name, White? Cause "Perry-White" would make an awesome bumper sticker!
August 19, 2011 at 3:02 pm
That would be one SUPER ticket!
August 19, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Rubio is indeed a very gifted and effective politician. But he has been in the Senate for less than one year. It is too early for him to do something like that. And he himself has categorically ruled it out (for 2012).
August 19, 2011 at 3:51 pm
I think another governor who has served at least one term would be better experience wise. I cannot think of any right now. I would like two who are not DC insiders and better yet loathe the inside the beltway mentality.
August 19, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Perry will probably be backed by the tea party, so I don't think they will pick a strong tea party backed veep. They will want someone that will appeal to the independents to round out the ticket. Pawlenty would actually do the job. Not sure how Christie is viewed by the tea party…
August 19, 2011 at 4:24 pm
How about picking a middle income american as a veep- that way we would have at least one middle income attorney or business owner representing hard-working blue collar americans.
August 19, 2011 at 5:04 pm
@Paul – T-Paw isn't a go-getter. Christie is in favor of a lot of non-tea party stuff like elements of gun control legislation.
We need Rubio in the Senate for now.
Besides, I think Perry would need someone with military experience which brings me to…
Allen West.
August 19, 2011 at 5:06 pm
Bachmann-Cain 2012…you heard it here first.
August 19, 2011 at 5:25 pm
It'll be either McDonnell or Rubio. I prefer McDonnell. He is a devout Catholic and solidly pro-life conservative with executive experience.
But Rubio would be good, too.
I doubt it will be Kasich, but he would be a very good choice, especially with his experience as both a governor and as the Budget Committee chairman when he was in the House of Representatives. If I'm not mistaken he's the only Budget chairman with a balanced budget in the last 50 years or so.
August 19, 2011 at 5:47 pm
Rubio. He has more experience at both the state and federal level than our current president had. He will also help to win Florida which is very important. He will also help to draw the Hispanic vote.
August 19, 2011 at 6:31 pm
Huntsman. He actually is competent, but isn't a ridiculous, goofy Tea Partier.
August 19, 2011 at 6:54 pm
Yeah, that'll happen.
August 19, 2011 at 7:06 pm
Huntsman? Yeah, right. I actually toyed with supporting that guy when he first expressed interest in running (especially after Brownback's '08 campaign chair endorsed him).
But it's stuff like his tweet yesterday about evolution and global alarming, in which he felt the need to ingratiate himself to the sort of people who would never vote for him, that expose Huntsman as just the latest media-promoted-moderate-RINO-flavor-of-the-month, and consigns him to the role of insufferable never-was-and-never-will-be also-ran.
August 19, 2011 at 8:00 pm
ALLEN WEST!!! YESSS!
August 19, 2011 at 9:12 pm
Anon:
Why would Perry need someone with Military experience? Isn't he the only declared candidate WITH any military experience?
August 19, 2011 at 9:19 pm
Bobby Jindal.
I really can't see him as POTUS, but VEEP for sure. He's smart, organized, efficient, and right on the issues.
He's got health care knowledge, and he is very familiar with oil issues, as well as trade (New Orleans is a huge port).
Do I have to mention the Indian-American status? (Guess I just did.)
I personally also like that he's a faithful Catholic.
Really, I don't see anybody better.