Gov. John Kasich of Ohio. Former member of Congress and Chairman of the House Budget Committee. Claims credit for the surpluses — at least on paper — during the Clinton / Gingrich years. Achilles heel is that he was working for Lehman Brothers in Columbus when they collapsed in 2008. The ‘RATS will have a heyday with that.
Other ‘Pub governors who might fit the bill as either Pres or VP: Bob McDonnell (VA), Mike Pence (IN, incoming), Bobby Jindal (LA), Susana Martinez (NM), Nikki Haley (SC). And somewhere on the ticket, get Sen. Marco Rubio on board.
A big NO to: Chris Christie (NJ), Mitch Daniels (IN, outgoing).