Republicans. To keep the party united the best it can, you get a conservative candidate, you get a moderate VP...that keeps most on board. You go Moderate/Moderate, you lose some base, you go Conservative/Conservative, you lose Moderates. All Republicans are going to be needed for 2012...there’s not much room for error.
Millions of us TEA Party Republicans, along with Independents didn’t go to the polls in November 2010 to vote for moderates. Republicans benefitted from the TEA Party and they will be fortunate to benefit again, provided the ticket is conservative.
We need to finish election 2010’s work in 2012 and that means electing Tea Party acceptable conservatives.
Can you name a popular moderate Republican who would *unite* the party, appease losing side, as you call it, and bring votes to the ticket?
Personally, were Sarah Palin to win the nomination, (on this very day) I would hope that she would choose Representative West; rock solid conservative who would wipe the floor with Biden in the VP debate(s)!