the base likes him, and Hispanics seem to like him.
But what you say is true, and its part of the calculation I think. Two scenarios - Hillary wins and Jeb runs in 2012, or Jeb runs in 2016 coming in "cold" from the sidelines. In both cases, the "another Bush?" mantra is going to be a negative for him. But if he runs in 2016 having been VP for 8 years, the comfort level will be higher.
That's very true. If he had any other last name, I think Rudy would probably consider him.
PhiKapMom has some interesting thoughts about a possible VP; I haven't thought that far down the line yet. But this time next year, I'll be thinking about it though!
I think Huckabee will be Rudy's VP choice if he gets nominated in order to court southern voters and religious conservatives.