[fieldmarshaldj]

Picking a VP to carry their state is a bit overrated, and hasn’t really helped GOP candidates at all. Going back to 1960, Lodge didn’t win MA for Nixon, nor Bill Miller in NY for Goldwater in ‘64, sitting Gov. Agnew failed to carry MD in ‘68 for Nixon. Reagan would’ve carried TX in 1980 with or without GHW Bush. Ditto GHW Bush in 1988 with Quayle’s IN. Kemp didn’t help Dole with NY in 1996 one iota.

Lastly, excluding Palin in 2008 (since AK going GOP was never in doubt, as with Cheney relocating back from TX to WY for 2000 & 2004), the last test was for Paul Ryan in 2012, and he also failed to help Willard capture WI. I think Walker would have a similar problem if he were chosen by Trump. Folks vote for Presidential candidates, not for VP (except for Palin in ‘08, of course). If Trump wins WI, it will be because of himself, not Gov. Walker.

[conservative98]

Good post.

[LS]

That is what I thought, but it’s a common misconception that the veep balances the ticket, I think the mot successful was LBJ who absolutely delivered TX.

[Galactic Overlord-In-Chief]

Lastly, excluding Palin in 2008 (since AK going GOP was never in doubt...

I recall that there was a time when Obama was seriously looking at contesting Alaska. This was before McCain picked Palin to be his VP. I remember there was chatter that Obama was polling close in northern GOP states like Alaska and North Dakota. When McCain picked Palin to be his running mate, she pretty much goosed up McCain's numbers to the point Obama didn't bother with Alaska any more. Without Palin, Alaska might have ended up closer.

Interestingly, without Palin on the ticket in 2012, Romney's percentage in AK was 55%, four percent lower than McCain's 59%.

Agnew failed to carry MD in ‘68 for Nixon.

Maryland turned out to be pretty close that year. Nixon only lost it by 2 points. George Wallace might have cost Nixon that state.