Romney's running mate? It could be Christie or Santorum

The Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | January 9, 2011 | Thomas FItzgerald

[Clintonfatigued]

Christie is leaving the door open. "If Gov. Romney comes to me and wants to have a talk about that, we'll have a full conversation about that and then Mary Pat and I will make that decision about what we want to do with our future," Christie said in a Fox News interview before Christmas. "But my view is, I think if you fast-forward the tape to a year from now, I think it's going to be President-elect Romney and some other VP-elect - and Chris Christie, the governor of New Jersey."

Christie repeatedly has said he would not be a good second fiddle. "Do I look like somebody's vice president?" he said at one point.

Another name very much in the mix: Florida's junior senator, Marco Rubio, a charismatic Cuban American with nine years in the state legislature on his resumé, including a term as speaker of the Florida House, and strong support from tea party activists. Presumably Rubio, 40, could help carry Florida, which will be as pivotal as ever, and also appeal to Latino voters, the nation's fastest-growing minority group, which has been drifting to the Democrats in a big way in recent years.

But here's a Pennsylvania angle on the veepstakes: Some handicappers even think Rick Santorum might be a good No. 2.

The former Pennsylvania senator has right-wing street credibility and is strong among evangelical Christians and other social-issues conservatives - important parts of the GOP coalition. As the grandson of an immigrant coal miner, Santorum also is a Northeasterner with a working-class sensibility (Did you hear him from Iowa on Tuesday night, describing his grandfather's hands?). Pennsylvania is a swing state, and, until his landslide loss to Bob Casey in 2006, Santorum had demonstrated strong appeal to economically stressed but culturally conservative whites

[varina davis]

I doubt (hope I’m right) that Rubio would align with Romney. If he wins and chooses Christie or Santorum, then the Tea Party and real American conservatives lose big time.

I don’t think Romney will play in the South and I don’t think Santorum will either — or in Peoria.

[Ted Grant]

I saw a video Christie campaigning this morning, responding to a heckler. He looks awful. Actually appears to have gained weight.

If he joins the ticket in august, I’d think he needs to lose 200 lbs.

Is there a safe way to lose 200 lbs in 7-8 months?

[andy58-in-nh]

That's my bottom line, too.

I can't stand Romney. But Obama is not merely an insufferable jerk who doesn't stand for anything. He is a clear and present danger to the Republic. Good Lord, what a choice....

I'm voting tomorrow for Santorum. In the general election.... if we are given the choice between a RINO and a Marxist, I will not blame or castigate anyone who sits it out. "None of the Above" is a legitimate decision. But for me, I'll go with the guy who isn't trying to destroy the country.

[fight_truth_decay]

you're in case of correction police

[Clintonfatigued]

“Heard that Virginia Governor Bob MC Donnell is top of
Romney list”

He would be a logical choice. But the main point of this thread is that conservatives need to rally around one conservative alternative now. There is still time to stop Romney, but it’s running short.

[Will88]

Nominee should pick someone with great potential as a future presidential candidate: McConnell of Virginia, Marco Rubio, Allen West, and others with potential for the future.

No more unknowns or older candidates unlikely to be future presidential candidates.

[Diogenesis]

Probe: Mitt missed chance to keep Tavares jailed - Could have nixed killer’s early exit

Friday, December 28, 2007 - Boston Herald
"Former Gov. Mitt Romney’s administration failed to act on disciplinary recommendations
that would have kept ex-con killer Daniel Tavares locked up another year -
and behind bars at the time he was accused of killing a newlywed couple in Washington state."

"Despite Tavares’ long history of violence, the Romney-led Department of Correction
took no action on recommendations that he be stripped of “good time” because
of assaults on prison guards in 2003 and 2005, said sources familiar with a state probe into the case."

Once again as Romney let conservatism slide (never had it anyway)
Romney made certain that they died.

---

"Governor Mitt Romney, who touts his conservative credentials to out-of-state Republicans,
has passed over GOP lawyers for three-quarters of the 36 judicial vacancies he has faced,
instead tapping registered Democrats or independents -- including two gay lawyers who
have supported expanded same-sex rights, a Globe review of the nominations has found.
Of the 36 people Romney named to be judges or clerk magistrates, 23 are either registered Democrats
or unenrolled voters who have made multiple contributions to Democratic politicians
or who voted in Democratic primaries, state and local records show.
In all, he has nominated nine registered Republicans, 13 unenrolled voters,
and 14 registered Democrats."
- Boston Globe 7/25/2005

---

Romney Rewards one of the State's Leading Anti-Marriage Attorneys by Making him a Judge
Romney told the U.S. Senate on June 22, 2004, that the "real threat to the States is not the
constitutional amendment process, in which the states participate,
but activist judges who disregard the law and redefine marriage . . ."
Romney sounds tough but yet he had no qualms advancing the legal career of one
of the leading anti-marriage attorneys. He nominated Stephen Abany to a District Court.
Abany has been a key player in the Massachusetts Lesbian and Gay Bar Association which,
in its own words, is "dedicated to ensuring that the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision
on marriage equality is upheld, and that any anti-gay amendment or legislation is defeated."
- U.S. Senate testimony by Gov. Mitt Romney, 6/22/2004 P>

---

"Romney announces he won't fill judicial vacancies before term ends
Despite his rhetoric about judicial activism, Romney announced that
he won't fill all the remaining vacancies during his term - but instead
leave them for his liberal Democrat successor!
Governor Mitt Romney pledged yesterday not to make a flurry of lame-duck
judicial appointments in the final days of his administration . . . David Yas,
editor of Lawyers Weekly, said Romney is "bucking tradition" by resisting the urge to
fill all remaining judgeships. "It is a tradition for governors to use that power to appoint judges
aggressively in the waning moments of their administration," Yas said.
He added that Romney has been criticized for failing to make judicial appointments.
"The legal community has consistently criticized him for not filling open seats quickly enough
and being a little too painstaking in the process and being dismissive of the input of the
Judicial Nominating Commission," Yas said.
- Boston Globe 11/2/2006

[GOPsterinMA]

Dear God...none of them, please!!! Losers all.

I still maintain the GOP POTUS candidate is going to be drafted.

[fight_truth_decay]

The unenrolled voters of NH going for Huntsman? Like when Rush was pushing for Hillary in that scheme.

Am hearing Huntsman will beat out Santorum in NH? Voters do not like when a candidate leaves a state. Romney-Paul-Huntsman

[moose-matson]

Two North East guys on one ticket? Not likely.

[GOPsterinMA]

McDonnell should be a POTUS candidate.

[lawnguy]

Haley Barbour as an option?

[moose-matson]

Then you may as well cast your vote for Obama. And don’t complain about it for the next four years either!

__________________________________________

P>Four years? Try forty --- at least.

[Clintonfatigued]

I think it’s unlikely now.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2830842/posts

[andy58-in-nh]

Huntsman is going to get a lot of votes from unenrolled voters (”Independents”) and crossover Democrats; not so much from registered Republicans, I think. But in Huntsman’s defense, he has spent a great deal of time here, holding countless town meetings in a state where politics is still conducted at the retail level.

[lawnguy]

Well, I must say, Christie did look bad in that video this morning..Obesity could be a liability..

[itsahoot]

That should be a clincher for the fense setters. Barf! Barf!

[Pappy Smear]

Two North East guys on one ticket? Not likely.

You are correct. There is no way Romney would put Christie or Santorum in the 2 hole. He has to throw the rest of the country a bone so they will hold their nose and vote for him.

I think it is a mortal lock that Perry will be his running mate. Perry is from the south, a socon, and won't outshine him.

Look, why did Perry, after coming in 5th in Iowa, say he was going home to think about continuing, and then get back in? Nobody makes a statement like that, and then has success. Methinks Romney talked to him about getting back in, to try to dilute Newt/Santorum.

[Gator113]

Agreed and I already am...

I want a president that will turn this country around intelligently and quickly.

I will continue to support the one man that I believe in my heart and head can turn this country around and set the course for my children and grandchildren to have a better future........ that man is Newt Gingrich.

GO NEWT GO.........

[BurningOak]

If it comes to that, my money is on Santorum or some other visible social conservative since its Romney’s most blatant weak spot. McCain did just that and it worked as far as getting social conservatives to the polls.