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 9:28 pm
Nicholas,
Jindal would be awesome as HHS Secretary, undoing all of Sebelius' mischief. We shouldn't waste his talents as VP, especially if, as you say, you can't see him as POTUS.
August 19, 2011 at 10:15 pm
Chris-2-4 said…
Why would Perry need someone with Military experience? Isn't he the only declared candidate WITH any military experience?
Actually, that invisible guy who almost won the Iowa straw poll has military experience – what's his name? Anybody remember?
August 19, 2011 at 10:24 pm
I want to give another plug to my governor here in VA. Its an important state which Obama won and then went overwhelmingly republican in 2010. He'shas a good bipartisan record, is pro life, has given us two years of budget surpluses, has helped decrease the unemployment rate (third lowest east of the mississippi), and has made virginia the number one state to do business.
And he's Catholic.
August 19, 2011 at 10:30 pm
As someone from Ohio, I vote NO on Kasich.
August 19, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Rick will pick his own beautiful reflection in the mirror and make it his VP.
But seriously? Slick Rick will pick Rudy Giuliani, who will be virtually unstoppable. So, y'all better line up for another plate of whoop-ass Texas Bubba controlled by another nefarious puppetmaster.
What's with you all hating on the Tea Party? Why? Because CNN told you so?
August 19, 2011 at 10:56 pm
Jay,
I agree that Jindal would be a good HHS Sec.
About the "can't see him as POTUS" line: I wasn't clear. What I meant is that I can't see him winning the presidency (should he decide to run, which I doubt). He lacks the pizzazz to generate enthusiasm.
I didn't mean to say that he wouldn't be a good President. I think he'd be as good as any current "formally announced" candidate.
August 20, 2011 at 1:42 am
SANTORUM – WEST. That's my prayer. Let's not start assuming Slick Rick Perry is going to win the nomination. Let's PRAY he doesn't! Like another commenter said, "Gardisil Rick" is not the man for the job.
Let's get behind Rick Santorum!
August 20, 2011 at 4:36 am
It takes "moxie" for a person to refer to "Gardasil Rick" while also being a Rick Spectorum supporter.
Apparently, Perry can't be forgiven for the Gardasil executive order, even though he has admitted he was wrong, but Spectorum can be forgiven for an even bigger betrayal of the pro-life cause when he joined with the GOP establishment to ensure the re-election of pro-abort (and eventual turncoat) Arlen Specter by torpedoing a pro-life challenger in the GOP primary.
Seriously. The Gardasil EO, which never went into effect because it was overturned by the Texas Legislature, pales in comparison to Spectorum's betrayal of the pro-life cause. At least Perry's screw up was because he was trying to fight cancer; the excuse for Spectorum's screw up wat that he was doing the GOP's bidding. Pathetic.
August 20, 2011 at 4:47 am
And, for the record, I'm no Perry fan. I've referred to him on numerous occasions as a rank opportunist and a snake-oil salesman. I've said that the politician he most reminds me of is Slick Willie. But I'll support him if it means keeping that fraud Mitt Romney from getting the nomination. And I'll support him if it means he'll take the fight to Obama, buck the establishment hacks like Rove, and not play nicey-nice with all that "civility" BS.
But the notion that Rick Spectorum gets a free pass for what he did to Pat Toomey while Rick Perry is derided as "Gardasil Rick" is just too much.
August 20, 2011 at 5:05 am
Backing Arlen Spector was a bad decision that Santorum will admit was a huge mistake. Not excusing it, just saying I know for a fact he has acknowledged his error and regrets it. No one can question his commitment to Life. The man lives it every single day in a tangible way. He has fought battles for Life that most of us can't imagine.
What bothers me about the Gardisil order was that, just like the nuts in California, parents are kept out of the decision. No way do I want a President who thinks it might be okay to take away my parental rights when it comes to my daughters' health and sexuality. Besides which Gardisil was and remains a politically-motivated vaccine that is demonstrably dangerous and offers very, very little actual protection against anything. It was just one more way to make our kids "safe" while we push them into sexual activity. I'm glad his order never went into effect.
I'll choose Santorum every day of the week over Perry. Twice on Sunday. He's made of all the right stuff.
August 20, 2011 at 5:32 am
Was he made of the right stuff and living his pro-life convictions in a tangible way when he recently advocated so-called "enhanced interrogation techniques" and claimed that torture victim John McCain didn't know what he was talking about when it came to the use of such techniques?
Sorry. Rick was once my favorite national politician, but has managed to disappoint me in just way too many ways. Used to love him, now can't stand him.
August 20, 2011 at 3:33 pm
Ummm, the Gardasil thing included an opt out. So I don't see how it's taking away anyone's parental rights when you can legally refuse to let your child get the shot. And I really don't see how inoculating someone against a disease pushes them into being sexually active. Guess what, in most states Hepatitis (which is primarily transmitted via sex) vaccines are required for school entry. And yet you don't hear anyone shouting that those vaccines are pushing our kids into having sex. As for it being "demonstrably dangerous" the rate of reaction (both minor and serious) is well within the normal range for ANY vaccine. A flu shot can have adverse reactions. So can a measles shot or a chicken pox shot. Tylenol can have an adverse reaction. No drug or vaccine is 100% immune from a potential reaction. And to date, reactions to the Gardasil shot are extremely rare.
August 20, 2011 at 11:58 pm
First, never start a comment with "Ummmm". It shows you to be the NPR-listenning-liberal fool that you are. Very pompous and insincere.
Second, Perry, Bachmann, Romney, and Palin are not the only choices. They are simply the only ones with pretty faces who get press. Revolt against the MSM and look at what people truly believe.
Third, Go Santorum, Cain and McCotter, not necessarily in that order. Good candidates all!!!
August 21, 2011 at 12:01 am
P.S. The Vice President presides over the senate and helps push legislation through. A senator, rather than a governor would be a better choice. Or a congressman. Santorum and McCotter!!!!
August 23, 2011 at 3:45 am
Ranting (!) Catholic Mom–I agree 100% with the comment of the poster above you, and I am not a liberal fool. I notice you did a lot of name-calling there and not any acknowledging of the points he raised.
The Gardasil thing continues to be blown way out of proportion by people who don't know the basic facts of the episode.
August 23, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Re: "Let's get behind Rick Santorum!"
Santorum Supported pro-abortion Arlen Spector in his campaign – And I have not forgotten that.
I do not want a candidate that waffles or compormises on such a deeply impportant issue!
Rick Santorum says Arlen Specter is an important member of the Bush team:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3HOb0NEJ1E