With Mitt Romney nearly guaranteed as the Republican Party candidate for the 2012 Presidential election, media efforts have turned to gleaning who will be his running mate.
ABC News has an extensive list, but there’s one name from it I can’t help notice is missing – Ron Paul.
Vice president potentials, according to ABC News, include Ohio Senator Rob Portman, whose qualifications and help against electoral candidate Rick Santorum could be helpful in gaining the eastern Midwest vote. Chris Christie, though rejecting any thought to a presidential run, said he wouldn’t mind the VP spot if asked, according to the ABC article.
Paul Ryan could also clinch the Midwest votes, but his economic policy could drive away moderates. Though a favorite among the GOP, his inclusion could hurt Romney more than the party’s reluctance to accept Romney as the candidate in the first place.
Considering the War on Women by the GOP, a female running mate might not be a bad idea. Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin is a possibility, and in a response to the ABC article said
she would consider it, if asked.
So, back to Ron Paul. The man who’s been scorned by the Republican Party might just be the guy to save it now. Some analysts considered a Rick Santorum/Ron Paul ticket when Santorum was starting to catch up to Romney in primary votes, so I don’t see why a Mitt Romney/Ron Paul ticket would be any worse.
The reasoning behind the Santorum/Paul ticket was Paul’s support would be able to tip the balance against Romney, bringing a small, vocal support group to combat the silent majority grudgingly willing to accept Romney as their candidate.
With Romney now a shoo-in, it makes sense to bring that vocal support in favor of Romney. More than that, Paul’s political consistency and Libertarian political views would be perfect for countering Romney’s wishy-washy centrist view on the ticket.
Granted, including the fringe GOP member Ron Paul with the reluctantly supported centrist Romney will probably drive away a lot of votes, too. The two would just have to make sure they gain enough votes to make up for it. The youth vote might just go for Romney with Paul as a VP candidate – some of them, at least.
There’s still the women vote to consider, and the Hispanic vote, but if nothing else, Romney’s selection of Paul would make a statement to the GOP. That statement would a large, firm, resounding, giant middle finger to the GOP establishment. Such a statement could easily grab the centrist vote away from President Obama and Vice President Biden.
Moderates and independents are sick of looking at the candidates and seeing the candidate’s party play puppeteer for the candidate. Obama doesn’t have this problem, but Romney does big time.
The only thing holding the GOP together in support of him is lack of a serious opposition. That, and to continue to in fight at this stage would seriously hinder the GOP election.
Ron Paul may seem like an odd choice for a running mate, but that’s the point. His vocal supporters could bring votes and a counter to the Tea Party movement, whose support of Romney could best be described as meh.
Besides, choosing Paul would make a statement that Romney won’t fall in line with the GOP leaders, finally freeing him from the constant need to back-pedal and counter his earlier statements with more party-friendly statements.
Mitt Romney/Ron Paul 2012!
