With just over three months to go to the Republican convention, what sort of vice presidential nominee is Mitt Romney looking for? Well, a Republican official ‘familiar with the campaign’s thinking’ tells Politico that what they want is an ‘incredibly boring white guy’.
You see, the Romney campaign is determined not to repeat the mistakes of the 2008 McCain campaign — including his choice of Sarah Palin as his candidate for the vice presidency. So they’re looking for a much safer — and more conventional — pick who won’t do any damage to Romney’s chances.
This approach would rule out Florida Senator Marco Rubio (not boring or white enough), who has been the bookies’ favourite for most of the past year, although his odds did lengthen a few weeks ago when he said ‘I don’t want to be the Vice President right now, or maybe ever.’
It would also seemingly eliminate Congressman Paul Ryan (not boring enough), Governors Nikki Haley and Susana Martinez (not white or male enough) and even the preferred candidiate of Republican voters, according to a recent poll, Condoleezza Rice (not boring, white or male enough).
Luckily for Romney, the Republicans do have plenty of boring white guys to choose from. There’s Ohio Senator — and former head of George W. Bush’s Office of Management and Budget — Rob Portman, now the favourite on Intrade. Or former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, who mounted his own short-lived campaign for this year’s Republican presidential nomination. There’s a pair of sitting Governors who fit the bill too: Mitt Daniels of Indiana, Bob McDonnell of Virginia. White, male New Jersey Governor Chris Christie may just be a bit too interesting, and according to Politico he ‘is said by insiders to want it the most and also to annoy some aides with his aggressiveness’.
So, prepare to be incredibly bored when Romney finally unveils his pick ahead of the Republican convention in August.
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