VP buzz around Sen. Kelly Ayotte was already growing before she joined the Romney clan on vacation in New Hampshire yesterday. But Ann Romney has thrown fuel on it by telling CBS the campaign has been considering a female VP pick:
Ann Romney says her husband is considering a woman for the ticket—and admitted she’s been playing a big role in the VP search, too, according to an interview with CBS News.
“We’ve been looking at that,” Ann Romney replied, when asked if her husband should pick a female as his No. 2. “I’d love that option as well. So, you know, there’s a lot of people that Mitt is considering right now.”
While she had previously suggested she wasn’t playing a major role in the VP search, Ann Romney admitted she’s been giving the process “a lot of thought, actually” and has been offering her husband advice on his choice.
Ann Romney doesn’t specify, but who else could she be referring to other than Ayotte? The chatter about Condoleezza Rice never seemed serious, and a Tea Party favorite like Nikki Haley would draw instant comparisons to Sarah Palin. Speculation about NM Gov. Susana Martinez also seems to have tapered down after this email flap. Ayotte is still a first-term senator, but she’s already impressed the party establishment, and she’s been a prominent and effective surrogate for Romney. That said, it would still be a bit surprising if she’s being considered seriously. If Marco Rubio’s lack of experience supposedly kept him off the short list, then why would it be any different with Ayotte? They’re both freshman senators, and both very capable on the campaign trail. Maybe this is a sign there was a deeper issue plaguing Rubio?
It’s also possible that Ayotte is being vetted as a possibility (as Rubio is) but hasn’t made it onto the short list. That’s what Erin McPike surmises at RCP:
Mitt Romney may be tight-lipped about his vice presidential short list, warning that only he and longtime aide Beth Myers know who is on it, but a close examination of the campaign’s activity suggests four contenders have risen through the ranks: Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.
New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell may be considered wild cards, and Romney has said he’s thoroughly vetting Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, though the first-term lawmaker’s status appears unchanged.
That’s an interesting top four. Portman and Pawlenty are obviously very different picks than Ryan and Jindal. The first two are the safe and bland route, the second two would be far more exciting but riskier. Ryan in particular would be a game-changing choice, instantly turning the race into a referendum on his Path to Prosperity plan. Conservatives would love the opportunity to have that debate, but it would also be an uncharacteristically bold decision for Romney. Then there’s the question of whether Ryan would accept.
I'm normally not a fan of identity politics, but in this case I think it's vitally important that Romney not select another clean-cut white male for VP. the Republicans already have a hard time overcoming the rap that they are the party of rich white males. let's not give them more ammunition. n nwe also have to be prepared for the possibility that Obama, if he sinks lower in the polls, might dump Biden and put Hillary on the ticket. that's a sure win, IMHO, and Obama has to know it. I'm sure he'd hate to be beholden to the Clintons, but he'd hate more being kicked out of Washington by a landslide. n nI like Rubio, and Condi Rice would make it extremely interesting. I don't know enough about Ayotte to make a decision yet, but from what I hear she reminds me of Sharron Angle. and I don't mean that in a good way.
What makes you think that Hillary would accept the VEEP nomination? Unlike most times where you can listen to the wife to get a good sense of what the husband would say if he could, I suggest that Hillary agrees pretty much with Bill's concerns, do you think she wants her name dragged into that? Besides, VeeP would be a step down from both Sec of State and 1st Lady.
And she'll be running in 2016 no matter what. Why would she risk polluting that run by risking it with a potential loser. And in 2016, she'll be an old dudette, white and passe', (especially compared to the emerging army of republican young guns). Romney will be 69? He'd probably get 2 terms if he wins 2012.
I personally like Condi – she brings strong Foreign Policy experience and is not a light weight but she has shied away from politics before. Bobby Jindal has enough experience to be a decent choice. I like Rubio and Kelly but they are only 2 years into their first national office. The need at least 4 more years. n nRomney has to promise that he will not do a McCain – pick Palin then let his own staff throw her under the bus. I think if McCain had let Palin be Palin things would have been far better.
NO. NO. NO.
I think it’s vitally important that Romney not select another clean-cut white male for VP. says rulieg
The person Romney will choose as his running mate should be the best qualified individual, first and foremost and from that list the one as high up on that list as possible who can beat Obama. The pandering to women was tried and failed by Senator McCain. We need not suffer with another Sarah Pailin. Not that there is anything wrong with her besides being a fatal error for McCain. McCain would have been better off choosing the person whom he could work with the best, Lieberman. That is who he should have picked. To eliminate “white males” is ridculous. Oh yes, let us discriminate against white males. That’s bullshit.
Romney needs someone who is distinguished,a known quantity as solid as a rock with a long track record. Someone who could run for president themselves. If Romney cannot pick a good running mate, he deserves to lose like Mc Cain.
Wow — Kelly Ayotte! Good catch, Alana! n nThe more I think about it, the more priceless a pick she would be. She is Catholic, pro-life and won Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood at the SCOTUS level only to have the state repeal the parental notification law. She is polite and charming, but she is definitely a conservative's conservative. n nIf Romney really meant "I am a conservative, I promise" — picking her would prove it. Her worst baggage is prosecuting a cop killer and getting him the death sentence (which NH has no idea how to carry out) — in much of the country people are going to ask exactly what is wrong with executing a cop killer. n nHusband owns a landscaping company, they have two children (7 & 4 I believe), she is "cute" rather than a fashion model — Ann Romney is going to be able to get along with her in a way that she reportedly didn't with Lt Gov Kerry Healey. n nThis is the sort of pick that would bring people like me back to the GOP. And she isn't up for election this year which means she doesn't loose the seat unless she wins. n nKelly Ayotte is on Howie Carr's radio show quite frequently — she is well respected for what she says and what she does — and remember this is the Boston media market. Shel'l get Romney votes, but not because she is a woman….
A new Hampshire pol paired with a Massachusetts Governor. What a ticket! n n57-states Obama seems to know more about geography than Mitt Romney.
The era of regionalism died with the era of parties.