Morning Joe: Portman Predicted As Romney VP Pick
With not one Republican primary vote cast yet, we're getting way ahead of ourselves by speculating about whom Mitt Romney might pick as his vice-presidential running mate. But Willie Geist did invite Politico's Mike Allen to make his "bold predictions" for 2012. And Allen delivered, prognosticating that Romney would pick Ohio Republican Senator Rob Portman as his ticket-mate.
Mark Halperin strongly seconded Allen's assertion. View the video after the jump.
Watch Allen make the case that the Romney campaign figures it should carry Florida without Marco Rubio on the ticket, whereas Portman could be more of the key to victory by helping to carry his home state of Ohio.
MIKE ALLEN: One of the first big stories in 2012, assuming Mitt Romney becomes the Republican nominee, however long it takes, who will be his vice-presidential pick? A lot of people are looking at Marco Rubio in Florida; he's definitely on the list. But I think the most likely to be chosen, at the top of Mitt Romney's list, is Senator Rob Portman, Republican of Ohio. Brings that important state, put it with Michigan, where Mitt Romney could be strong, and you would really have President Obama sweating, there in the industrial Midwest.
WILLIE GEIST: Now, what does Portman give him, Mitt Romney, if it is Mitt Romney, what does he give him over Marco Rubio?
ALLEN: It's a two-fer. In addition to Ohio, and if Mitt Romney doesn't already have Florida he's already in trouble, so the Romney folks are hoping they're going to have Florida without Marco Rubio. Ohio would be a bit tougher call. So Rob Portman would be more helpful there. Also, it's a governing pick. He has experience on the Hill, both in the House and the Senate, in the White House as the Budget Director, and so he would bring a lot of gravitas, experience to this administration.
MARK HALPERIN: I think this is an easy one. First off, Mitt Romney is going to make a governing pick. He knows from history, the first, second and third obligation, both politically and substantively, is to pick someone ready to be president. I think Rob Portman is head and shoulders above most of the other people who Mike mentioned on that score. Both the press and the public would look at him and say, yeah, that's responsible, that's somebody who's ready to president. I think Chris Christie will also be considered. But I think on this one, somebody's going to have to make a compelling case for me, for someone besides Portman, for me to think it's not headed in that direction, or should be, assuming Romney's the nominee.
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Comments
WHO??????
Submitted by motherbelt on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 9:21am.
Yeah, that's the ticket! Pick someone no one has heard of outside his home state!
Assuming he's the nominee, he'd do better picking NATALIE Portman!
"Hey MB"
Submitted by mad53PA on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 10:00am.
MB,
I love Natalie Portman. I'd vote for that ticket in a second! LOL.
All kidding aside, I agree with your observation.
If Romney is the nominee, I think it would be the time to go bold with a VP choice.
Sadly, the logic for Portman does make some sense electorally and Romney has been safe if nothing else.
Have a happy 2012!
Not long ago, we had
Submitted by motherbelt on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 10:44am.
Not long ago, we had presidential candidates talking about who they would name in their cabinets. I think it's time that they say up front who their VP choice would be so that people can vote for the whole ticket.
It might make a difference in the primaries.
At this point, I am privately
Submitted by motherbelt on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 10:50am.
At this point, I am privately (because they don't care what I think) begging, imploring, and hoping for candidates NOT to drop out after a poor early showing. Let the primary process play out!!! This crap of the media deciding who's done and who's not, and the candidates going along has got to stop.
Mother
Submitted by ricklail on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 11:38am.
The problem with that is if they make a poor showing, the bucks stop flowing. It still going to take a lot of money to see this thing to the end.
Portman was Director of OMB
Submitted by bkeyser on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 11:45am.
under Bush, and a Representative from Ohio for 12 years prior. ACU rated him a lifetime score of 89 in 2004.
He may or may not be credentialed, but he surely won't excite the base and if your Mitt Romney, you need a VP that'll make sure people come out and vote if it's raining on election day.
Ha, BK! I had to look him up too.
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 11:51am.
See my post. GMTA and all that.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Rob Who?
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 11:50am.
Well, I had to look this guy up. Apparently he was on the top of McCain's VP list as well.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- While Sen. John McCain will not decide on a vice president for many months, Rob Portman gets the highest marks inside the Republican presidential candidate's organization. Portman's background is legislative (House Republican leadership), executive (George W. Bush's Cabinet), diplomatic (U.S. trade representative) and economic (Office of Management and Budget director). He comes from a swing state (Ohio), is young enough (52) to contrast McCain and conservative enough (89 percent lifetime American Conservative Union rating).
His qualifications seem to be in order. I'm concerned at the media push, which always makes me suspicious, particularly the Morning Schmoe crew.
I really would like for people to leave Marco Rubio alone right now. He's great. For all of the obvious reasons, and I know the top of the ticket candidates would LOVE for him to bring Florida AND the hispanic voters. But I think Marco is serious about his job in the Senate. I like having him there representing me.
Oh, and I wanted to introduce you all to the "next" Marco Rubio/Allen West. Col. (R) EJ Otero is running for Betty Castor's seat over in Tampa, Florida's 11th. Visit his website and sign his petition for him to get on the ballot if you are in his district. I suspect this guy is the real deal, too. I LOVE It that Florida is producing a batch of great conservatives. (Oh yeah, Little Debs is having a hard time, too. Sweet!).
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Little Debs
Submitted by Seashell on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 2:54pm.
(Oh yeah, Little Debs is having a hard time, too. Sweet!).
Good. I can't stand her. Sooooo arrogant.
Allen, Geist and Halpern
Submitted by djwolf12 on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 1:54pm.
Aren't these the same 3 schmucks that were touting Jon Huntsman as the savior of the Republican Party? yeah, I thought so. And Yes, Obama IS a dick.
Think of Portman as the model
Submitted by stratman on Fri, 12/30/2011 - 8:37pm.
Think of Portman as the model from which Congressman Paul Ryan is patterned. I have no doubt Portman would be of great help in righting the course the Leftists have set America on. He's already positively impacted the fiscal course of the country in previous administrations.
IMO, Portman would be wasted as VP. While not a national household name, low-key personality and style that he has, Portman is a good man who would serve the country well wherever he is asked to serve. A Cabinet level position, other than VP, would be a better use of his fiscal talents. I haven't agreed with every decision on his part, but Portman always has a well reasoned argument for his choices. There's little knee-jerk or self-aggrandizement in the man.
I encourage people to review Portman's record at On the Issues.
I have communicated with his office in the past and his staffers are very nice folks who genuinely seem to enjoy their work interacting with the public. I believe this to be a reflection of their boss who sets the tone.
One last thing for Blonde: According to Wikipedia, Portman "co-authored legislation to swap Costa Rica's debt for the preservation of tropical forests."