By Kevin Rogers
Staff Writer
With the nomination all but wrapped up, presumptive Republican candidate Mitt Romney (Mass.) has to carefully consider the next step in his campaign to the White House: the selection of a running mate.
In 2008, then-Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) tried to balance his lack of experience in foreign policy by selecting Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) Though Biden was hardly a factor in Obama’s election, the strategic consideration was clear.
In contrast, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) sought to excite a lukewarm Republican base by the unexpected choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. After an initial burst of popularity, the undisciplined Palin fizzled. Though the tedium of his campaign and the weakness of McCain himself didn’t help, it’s clear the Palin gamble didn’t pay off.
Romney finds himself in a situation similar to McCain’s. He’s not the most exciting candidate, nor is he the most stalwart conservative. However, against a president hovering below 50 percent approval, a strong running mate could make the difference in 2012.
The key for Romney is to select a running mate who can help excite the Republican base while not alienating the moderate voters necessary to unseat the president. Luckily for Romney, he has a strong list of candidates to draw from, mainly those who many in the GOP wanted to run for president.
According to a recent CNN poll, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is at the top of the pack for potential running mates, followed by former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan.
Some of the candidates should be disqualified immediately.
Santorum’s harsh attacks on Romney during the primary season effectively eliminate him. The potential for Obama campaign ads featuring the clip of Santorum calling Romney “The worst Republican in the country to put up against Barack Obama” is cringe-worthy. He might also be too divisive to lend anything of value to the ticket apart from mobilizing social conservatives and Pennsylvania voters.
Christie would certainly bring energy to the ticket, but he might be too exciting a figure to put next to Romney. Though he has a great mix of appeal to conservatives and moderates, Christie’s bravado would steal Romney’s spotlight. While it’d be thrilling to see Christie on the campaign trail, his brash Jersey nature would quickly upstage Romney’s nice-guy-next-door gimmick.
Of the remaining potential running mates, all three would help Romney’s chances at election. However, one would provide the strongest ticket possible.
Rice is accomplished in foreign policy, an area Romney has little experience in. However, she might draw out too many critics from the Bush administration, especially given the administration’s unpopular foreign policy. Given Obama’s penchant for blaming the Bush administration for his own policy shortcomings, adding Rice to the Romney ticket might be a distraction.
Rubio would be an exciting pick appealing to Tea Party conservatives and potentially providing a boost in Florida, a key swing state. That said, it’s hard to see what policy skill he brings to the ticket, and his lack of experience might be a turnoff for voters.
Ryan, on the other hand, brings a lot to the table. He’s young at 42, but he’s experienced in economic issues. As House budget chairman, he’s displayed a willingness to make tough choices to present a vision for a fiscally solvent federal government. Establishment Republicans tried to draft him to run for president, but he has still has strong support from the conservative wing of the party.
Ryan lacks the bombast of Christie, the regional benefits of Rubio and the foreign policy skill of Rice. What Ryan brings is a quiet-yet-intense style of speaking, strong policy credentials and an idealism and dedication to solutions that represents the best the Republican Party has to offer.
Ryan would have been the ideal Republican nominee for president. If Romney selects Ryan as his running mate, he’ll present the nation with the strongest Republican ticket available.
rogerskd10@bonaventure.edu
