These are scenarios that might happen in a TV series or movie. They are not going to happen here. Even a brokered convention is very, very, very unlikely.
I still think you might see Perry and Palin team up and shoot everyone and try to pull out the nomination at the last second.
Alright so this is pretty much done so who do y'all see Romney taking for VP? If he wants another airheaded female governor he can have Susanna Martinez.
They have to go Hispanic. I think they realize the only shot they have is to pull some votes from an unexpected source. My guess is Rubio, pulls in Hispanics and energizes the tea party base.
At this point, chasing the Latino vote is a luxury for them. Romney's struggling with the blue collar base (Reagan Democrats) - those are the people voting anyone-but-Romney. He and the party need someone who appeals to this group, or the Dems will have a golden opportunity to take back that group and win some House seats. Obama doesn't appeal to them at all (thus the Biden VP pick), but he gets back on even ground if the GOP doesn't either.
A Republican ticket of Romney and a fat guy from NJ? No way. VP nominee has to come from below the Mason-Dixon line. The problem is that none of the prospective VP nominees are ready for prime time. For instance, Rubio would be eviscerated... so far his questionable life history hasn't been that big a deal because only people from Florida and those who pay attention to politics know who he is. You start telling the Republican base in rural Oklahoma or Georgia that this hispanic guy made up some of his life story and it probably won't end well. Plus, he's a Catholic-Baptist. Pick one Marco.
...no need to put too much thought into it. With Romney driving the bus, they're already off course. I suppose Rubio would do Spoiler but you'd have to excuse him...he's from Barcelona.
I don't think Marco Rubio wants any part of that tranwreck. Much better for him to wait until the next round in 2016.
Don't know if the GOP wants to draw extra attention to the immigration issues by picking a Latino VP candidate. Might end up hurting them with both Latino voters and the xenophobic base.
I wouldn't be surprised if we see a Romney-Santorum ticket, Santorum can appeal to the blue collar workers and the religious right, something Romney can't. Of course, they lose the hispanic vote, but I think even if he picks rubio he alienates the base too much of the base that even the hispanic vote won't make up for. Only way it works: Romney gets an endorsement from Rush and/or a major evangelical leader Romney, without having to fear losing the base, takes a risk on a more independent, hispanic leader. Santorum and Ron Paul agree not to run as third party candidates. The economy does not improve or gas keeps climbing (both possible if not probable)
VP nod will be Jindal or Bob McDonnell <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tCt7xQZk3lo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I think Jindal may have mortally wounded himself with his Republican response to the SOTU. That was some brutal stuff from the 'future of the party.' The last quality you look for in a potential president is that he be a laughingstock. Jindal would have to do something noisy to shed the first impression he made on the nation before he's taken seriously at the national level again. Endorsing Perry wasn't the best first step in rehabilitating his image. McDonnell makes some sense. Haley Barbour might too. You know what would be bold as hell? Olympia Snowe. Then run as the grown-up moderates that will fix the gridlock. Romney would lose some true believer, hard-core, fringe of the base types (hightop maybe or people that far out there) but most Republicans that usually vote are going to vote again. And they're mostly going to vote Republican. Even though they are both New Englanders, a "non-politician" (who has been in politics most of his adult life but quick look over there! A bunny!) and a smart, capable, moderate Republican woman that just quit the Senate because of the gridlock? That's a narrative and one that smells half fresh. And then it's a real race for independents again. Plus Maine would be in play at least and might even lean red, upsetting Obama's electoral math. Of course to sell it, Romney will have to renege on everything he said in the primaries, swearing to be more pro-gay than Teddy Kennedy as it were, saying and 'believing in' whatever he needs to to be elected, never mind what he said last month. But let's be serious. He was going to do that already. Anybody that thinks he'll choose someone to shore up his credentials with the right probably doesn't understand presidential elections very well. Santorum? Why not Billy Graham?
I believe Romney will indeed choose a veep to shore up his right flank, but it won't be someone clearly unfit for the national stage like Santorum. If he doesn't, Romney is as good as dead. The foundation of a presidential election is motivating the base. The nominating process has shown just how little cred Romney has with them. The goal for November is to motivate the base without alienating swing voters. But if the right-wing isn't properly motivated, Romney has zero chance against Obama. If he chose a RINO like Snowe, the base would "teach him a lesson". Who knows, a 3rd party spoiler might enter the fray.
Could be, but I don't know if the voting public is ready for another Bush. I really don't have any idea and doubt it's anyone on the national scene right now. People should remember Rubio is Cuban and won't automatically deliver a boatload of Hispanic votes. There are conservatives out there that are well known within the "movement", not so much outside, who will vet well and not embarrass themselves or Romney. This will give Romney cover
