You're on the right track, but think like a politician, and the game plan is clear.
Bachmann is a strong conservative, and well liked by the base. She's not going to be President, though. She doesn't have the right resume to win in the general. Arguably, she's less qualified than Obama. Not as far as ideals go, but in background. Obama's was Ivy League educated and Senator, and even he was an anomaly. Bachmann can fire up the base, but she can't close the deal with independents.
Romney's got the right resume. He was a governor. Business experience. Able to raise cash by the truckload. What he doesn't have is any measurable fan base. He was beaten by McCain, who ran a 'last man standing' operation. Now Romney's trying the same gambit. If he wins, he'll face the same problem. He'll need a strong conservative who can fire up the base.
In other words, Romney has no path to victory without a Bachmann-like VP, and Bachmann has no path to being President unless she's VP first. She needs a moderate governor who needs conservative street cred. Romney needs a major bone to throw to the conservative right who despises him.
These two need each other. That's why they haven't laid so much as a glove on each other on any debate so far.
So we agree to disagree.
They have no reason to “lay a glove on each other”. That’s why they haven’t.
They move in different orbs. Romney will either win or lose based on people’s votes that are not gettable votes for Michele, and vice versa.
The thought that each needs the other’s help to knock someone else down that they are in competition with, is in my unalterable view, nothing more than a mirage. It isn’t real, even if it looks real.
Michele lacks the political clout to help Romney even if she wanted to. Romney lacks the political clout to help Michele. Only a very, very strong, overpowering candidate has the clout to pick a huge risk for VP and get away with it. Romney isn’t. As popular as Michele is in some circles, she is not strong in being perceived as either a President or a Vice President.
Both of these people’s weakness was shown up when Rick Perry entered the race.
Now, Rick Perry blows away the competition. Romney suffers, Bachmann suffers, even Palin suffers if she gets in at this late date after Perry.
I believed in the truth of their weakness before Perry got in. The results of his entry only confirmed what I believed.
Neither one of them is in a position to play political games using one another and get anywhere with it. If they are toying with it, rather than realizing they stand or fall on their own, against frontrunner Perry, I would be very surprised.
But if toying, they will realize their folly soon enough.