Posted on 03/22/2012 8:24:51 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Yesterday's endorsement of Mitt Romney by former Florida governor Jeb Bush sent the implicit message that the time had come to wrap up the nomination process and begin focusing on the general election. Bush made that more explicit in an interview with Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Salena Zito --- and Bush had an idea how to make the ticket even stronger:
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush says Republican front-runner Mitt Romney has earned the right to take on President Obama in November.
“It is time to get behind the nominee,” Bush told the Tribune-Review on Wednesday during a visit to Pittsburgh. “And it is time for the country to focus on the most important thing, which is to elect a president who will create a climate for high growth and job-creating abilities for our country.”
Does he want to be VP? No, but he knows the man for the job:
“Marco Rubio,” he said of the freshman Florida GOP senator, who served as a volunteer on Bush’s governor’s campaign. Bush described Rubio, 40, as “dynamic, joyful, disciplined and principled.”
“He is the best orator of American politics today, a good family man. He is not only a consistent conservative, but he has managed to find a way to communicate a conservative message full of hope and optimism,” Bush said.
No doubt, Rubio would be a popular choice for a running mate in the GOP. He routinely wins the polls here at Hot Air for the slot, for example. If Romney does win the nomination — and that seems just short of certain now — he’d need a popular figure like Rubio among conservatives, and I’m not sure there’s another choice that could help him consolidate the base as effectively.
However, I’m still not sold on this as an effective general-election choice. Rubio has not had any executive-branch experience yet, and has been in the Senate for a mere 14 months. He needs more time to garner broader experience before one can make the claim that he has a resumé that justifies him being one heartbeat away from the Presidency. (Yes, I know Obama only had two years in the Senate before beginning his run for the top spot. Look how well that’s working out.) As talented as Rubio is, he has a brilliant career ahead of him if he shows some patience and builds a record of more than just fabulous oratory. He needs a full term in the Senate with his name on significant legislation, then a term as governor in Florida. With that kind of record, Rubio might be unbeatable in any cycle. With four or eight years as VP after less than two in the Senate, Rubio could end up being a historical footnote.
Bobby Jindal makes more sense as a running mate in this cycle, or Nikki Haley, both of whom are governors outside of Washington with Southern draw. Jindal probably would be better in getting conservatives to coalesce behind him, and he has a real track record of political reform in his second term in the top spot in Louisiana.
Update: Fox asked Rick Perry about rumors of his being on the shortlist, and Perry says that rumor is all it is:
“Texas governor versus VP? The balance on that one isn’t even close,” Perry said. “I would suggest to you that’s deep in the rumor category and I got a better gig where I am, thank you.”
Perry would make a pretty good running mate, though, and would help Romney get conservative backing. I don’t see Perry in a #2 slot, however, and I doubt he sees himself there either.
Can’t stand Rubio. And now Jeb’s given me more reason to not want him to be the VP.
Is Rubio an NBC?
Jeb? Then I am not for Rubio....
Sigh. DO NOT TAKE A SINGLE CONSERVATIVE OUT OF THE SENATE. This is not the place to get a veep. We need EVERY conservative vote in the Senate, end of story. I view this almost as a conspiracy to ensure that we NEVER have a conservative Senate!
RE: Can’t stand Rubio.
We’d like to know why...
So, first the Bushes get to select our presidential nominee - they also get to pick our vice-presidential nominee?
Would Rubio still be principled if he accepted? Would Rubio help Romney with thr “reset button” or the “etch a sketch”? I think Bob Dole would be the perfect running mate for Romney, even better than John McCain.
Mrs. Bush has spoken!!
If Romney were smart, he’d pick Gingrich as his VP. Romney can be all nicey nicey while Gingrich can be the attack dog of the administration. Not to mention that he’d be the president of the senate and drive those senators nuts by taking command, setting the agenda, and whipping votes.
But alas, I doubt that will happen. Romney will probably pick a dullard like Rob Portman.
Is the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave????
Like hell he has! FUJB!
Not to worry, LS. He would not RESIGN to run as VP. When the ticket goes down in flames, he’s still in the Senate!
RE: Is Rubio an NBC?
It really depends on what your definition it. As it stands now, not everyone even agrees on what the criteria is.
Note the debates going on here at FR on this issue alone.
Most people I know understand it to mean -— BORN IN THE USA AND TERRITORIES OF PARENTS WHO WERE LEGAL RESIDENTS.
But then I also know some who disagree with the above definition and insist that BOTH PARENTS MUST BE US CITIZENS.
And so the debate continues...
To solve this problem, we really need a CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT CLARIFYING THE TERM “NATURAL BORN” today.
Yes.
I think Herman Cain would be a good choice. Not only does he have some unique ideas, this pick could trump Obama’s race cards when they start flying durning the general election.
It could also garner the support of moderate to conservative African-Americans that would otherwise vote for Obama based on race.
It’s saddening to think that the upcoming elections will be race based again but sooner or later it will happen unfortunately.
that is what i thought also
“Mrs. Bush has spoken!!”
You got that right.
In fact, I like the rest of your post too. Can you imagine the sparks that would fly if as you said Gingrich happened, both houses of Congress went Republican, and Romney was forced to cooperate with a conservative legislative branch that originates the agenda as the constitution requires?
Opposed S.B. 1070. Wishy-washy on illegal immigration and amnesty, and prone to facepalm-inducing pandering when confronted by La Raza activists and Univision hosts.
It’s a neverending RINO nightmare! I want OUT!
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