Gov. Walker of Wisconsin would be on my short list of possible candidates to support in 2016. I am also impressed by Gov. Kasich of Ohio (I know he’s not pure enough for some here). Also, Sen. Cruz of Texas, of course.
Forget Kasich. He’s a “compassionate conservative”.
No senator has unseated a sitting president, ever.The last (and only) time a senator beat a governor in a presidential race was Warren G. Harding’s victory in the wave election of 1920.
Are we so sure of victory in ’16 that we can afford to ignore that history by nominating a senator for POTUS? I say, “No!” We have successful Republican governors, and Walker of Wisconsin is probably the most notable both for results and for political success.
The presidential nominee can pick his running mate to geographically balance the ticket, with emphatic constitutional backing. He can, if he chooses, pick his VP for executive competence even though that can only really matter in the unlikely event of his inheriting the presidency.
But IMHO the presidential nominee should consider campaigning and debating skills more heavily. I would also put a premium on youth because I wouldn’t consider anyone for VP who I wouldn’t consider for elevation to SCOTUS.
In short, my dream ticket would be a governor like Walker for POTUS and a true-red conservative like Senator Cruz for VP.
Note that “a governor like Walker” would include Palin.