Here is why we pick the guy who is next.
First, experience is a good teacher and VP’s usually have a good look at how things work in DC and have a decent grasp of policy, issues, and foreign affairs.
Second, the runner up in a primary (or a VP or candidate for VP) has demonstrated the ability to get votes, has been vetted and no skeletons found, has had practice in debates, has a core group of volunteers and donors to get a head start on the next campaign.
This is why the next guy has huge advantages over the guy who is not next.
As an example, let’s look at Palin running for president in 2008 vs. Palin running in 2012. Palin in 2008 would have no name recognition, no volunteers, no donors, no debate experience, little knowledge of issues or of foreign policy and would not know how to run a campaign.
In 2012, as next in line, all the above problems would have been minimized or disappeared.
So, get used to it. The next candidate will be Santorum, Bush, Romney or Ryan.
They can all raise money, they have the experienced staffers, they will have volunteers from all 50 states, they know the issues, they have been vetted.
Good luck with your theory.
When did Gov. Jeb Bush run for president in the primaries or as a running mate to a presidential candidate? Your theory founders there. And who in hell wants Gov. Mitt Romney, again? Then former Vice President Richard Nixon was a decent retail politician, and worked hard to regain the nomination after eight years. Who else can you think of that pulled that off, much less won election to the White House, on the GOP side? Your theory actually points to Gov. Palin or Sen. Santorum having a shot at the nomination, rather than Governors Bush or Romney, with Rep. Ryan being the only other likely person, save for Vice President Dan Quayle. Hearing any rumors about him?