Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) said today that the level of interest in whether he will be the No. 2 on Mitt Romney’s ticket “is directly correlated to how close you are to Washington, DC.”
“The rest of the country is in the middle of the summer and probably thinking about other things,” Pawlenty told Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC.
Pawlenty was asked about “perspectives and skills” not shared with Romney, in the former Massachusetts governor’s words, he could bring to a ticket.
“In any team, whether it’s president and vice president, you want to have different ingredients, different dynamics. And one of those dynamics is making sure you have a skill set that complements each other in some ways,” he said. “There’s other considerations, too. Obviously geography and — and philosophy and abilities and skills and backgrounds.”
“And one ingredient might be, as I think Governor Romney alluded to this morning, having somebody who might bring something to the table that supplements, you know, one of his either strengths or weaknesses,” he added.
Pawlenty said he was “committed” to Romney regardless, “not because I think I, you know, was looking to be vice president.”
“I said many times, I think I can best serve him in other ways. But anybody would be honored to be asked,” he said.
Pawlenty is right with one exception.
I don’t live anywhere near Washington D.C., but I’m a political junkie.
Right now the primaries are over and the real battle between the nominees hasn’t started. All us junkies have to occupy ourselves with is Romney’s VP choice. True, there have been speculations about whether Biden will be Obama’s VP candidate again, but to dump a VP for a second term hasn’t been done since FDR. No matter how much Ike hated Tricky Dick, he stayed VP. No matter how much Dan Quayle dragged down Bush the Elder, Bush kept him. Not to have kept him would been seen as a sign of weakness.
Pawlenty is right about the general population. If you aren’t a political junkie you probably won’t start thinking about the election until the conventions.
I still think Romney should pick Bobby Jindal for Vice President. I doubt it will happen, but I think Jindal would be a fantastic pick. He is very, very, conservative, extremely honest, and is probably the best governor Louisiana ever had. He is still very popular in his second term in office AND he brought order and integrity back to one of the most corrupt states in the union. He is also very smart and would be fantastic in debates. He would destroy Joe Biden in a debate. He is also a loyal team player, so Romney wouldn’t have to always look over his shoulder wondering if he was going to be upstaged by Jindal. This country would luck out if Jindal was picked AND his nomination would help with minorities as well. I really do hope Romney picks him to shake things up. Pawlenty or Portman would just be bland and dull. I’m sure they’re fine people, but Romney has to show that he can think beyond dull and go for some really exciting new blood for a V.P. pick.
NO! No! NO! Tim is not the guy. Romney needs a “bull-dog”, much as Dick Cheney was to GW. Pawlenty is too much “the nice guy”, just like Romney. This race is a do-or-die election. This is no time to “play it safe”. Obama is playing for keeps. All he needs is another 4 years to completely destroy the country our Founders gave us. This is no time to play it “safe”. Had the Founders played it “safe”, there would be no America.
I like Pawlenty, but he would only be the right guy if he is willing to do what Sununu is doing now. If not, then he is just another milqutoast Mitt.
But it’s a virtual lock to be him, Portman or someone like that.
Mitt’s two rules will be: a) don’t get the msm riled up, and b) don’t pick anyone that the Tea Partiers will like.
So that eliminates women, minorities, and people who can make the MSM look bad. After all, the MSM reserves all demographic ground-breaking for their marxist masters. They HAD to destroy Palin; otherwise, her appeal would have destroyed the democrat party. Likewise, if Romney were to pick Rubio, they would do the same thing.
That whittles it down pretty quick to Mitch Daniel types. Even Christie and Scott Walker can’t make the cut because the msm isn’t about to argue with somebody who can beat them at their own game.
It will definitely be somebody who will quickly disappear on the backwaters of the campaign trail.
Mustn’t put the ruling class’ spot at the feeding trough at risk, you know.
PROOF: Mitt Romney Is As Liberal As OBAMA!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1fThdWagJ4&feature=player_detailpage
Pawlenty? Pawlease!
Alan West anyone? G. Gordon spoke fondly of him yesterday. And he could no doubt torch Joe Biden in any VP debate, he is a staunch supporter of Israel, and he knows where the commies in Congress are.
Pawlenty is dull and gray enough to make Romney look animated and exciting by contrast. Problem: That isn’t what the country needs. It certainly isn’t what Romney needs.
One tip-off is that John Hinderaker remains firmly in the tank for Pawlenty. If, like me, you see Hinderaker as a reliable contrary indicator, a textbook example of a self-important lawyer whose reach regularly exceeds his grasp, well, you’ll find the information helpful.
The fart that would not leave? Works for me.