Mitt not even on the short list?February 18th, 2008 | 25 Comments | Posted in 2008, Charlie Crist, Condi Rice, Haley Barbour, John McCain, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Mark Sanford, McCain, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Mitt Romney, VP Prospects
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Even after the guy drops out, the MSM still working overtime to keep him down. McClatchy spells out their list, six deep, and Mitt is nowhere to be seen. Here’s their list:
…here’s a set of names, with the pros and cons of each person most often mentioned by Republicans:
HALEY BARBOUR, 60, governor of Mississippi
Pro: Popular former national party chairman helped Republicans win Congress in 1994 and got very good reviews for his leadership when Hurricane Katrina struck his state in 2005.
Con: A long record as a Washington lobbyist that could clash with McCain’s reform message.
CHARLIE CRIST, 51, governor of Florida
Pro: He’s a popular governor whose endorsement helped McCain win the critical Florida primary. As running mate, he’d probably help put this big swing state solidly in the Republican column.
Con: His refusal to back an anti-gay marriage initiative and appointment of Democrats to head state agencies tar him as suspect to the party base.
MIKE HUCKABEE, 52, former governor of Arkansas
Pro: He’s shown his ability to win in the South and has support among evangelical Christians. A solid social conservative.
Con: He raised taxes as governor and supported equal benefits for the Arkansas children of illegal immigrants. Picking him might not excite conservatives.
KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, 64, senator from Texas
Pro: Offers a gender balance to the ticket and wins handily in her mega-state.
Con: Support for financing embryonic stem-cell research worries social conservatives. Also, she’s probably more interested in running for governor.
CONDOLEEZZA RICE, 53, secretary of state
Pro: First black woman on the ticket provides racial and gender balance against a Democratic ticket sure to have either a black or a woman.
Con: Nobody knows what she thinks about hot-button issues from abortion to taxes. Also, her record on Iraq and other security issues could provide a running debate with her own running mate, who criticized many of those stands.
MARK SANFORD, 47, governor of South Carolina
Pro: Young, vibrant conservative with a record of fighting spending while in the House, a McCain theme.
Con: Wouldn’t add a state to the McCain column. McCain should carry South Carolina without him.
Now, I’m completely undecided as to whether a Veep spot is really good for Mitt anyway, but I have a hard time believing that Mitt is not even on the top 6 list above some of these other people.
