Of course everyone always vehemently denies that they are hoping to be picked as a Presidential candidate's VP pick, or that they would consider it if chosen. But prominent Repubicans seem to be running as fast as possible from contention, ducking their heads hoping they're not noticed, and trying not to be the last one left standing in this game of political musical chairs.
Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana, who declined to run for the GOP nomination, went one better in the typical response of No, no, no I will not accept the VP nomination by suggesting Romney consider other, very good choices (he would not specify) :
On whether he would accept the invitation, should Romney ask, Daniels said, “I think I would demand reconsideration, and send Mr. Romney a list of people I think could suit better."
When pressed on who would be a solid choice, Daniels would not specify, but only say that they’re a number of Governors and legislators who’d fit the bill.
And Jeb Bush, who hasn't disavowed himself from association with jpossibly the worst President in U.S. history by taking his wife's last name, wants nothing to do with Romney. He goes Mitch Daniels one better and says Romney
should pick Marco Rubio:
Friday, Bush told Bloomberg in an e mailed statement, "I am not going to be the e veep nominee…Lay that to rest." Emhof confirmed those comments to ABC News.
In the original interview with Newsmax, Bush said Romney should pick Marco Rubio calling him "probably the best" candidate for vice president.
"Well, I can't speak for Gov. Romney, and I can't speak for Sen. Rubio, but if I was on both sides of that conversation I would ask - and I would hope that Marco would accept," Bush told Newsmax. "There's a lot of things in between that may not make that happen, but I am a great admirer of Mitt Romney's and I'm a huge fan of Marco Rubio's, and I think the combination would be extraordinary."
So what does Sen. Marco Rubio say about that idea? He seems to think Jeb Bush would be the
perfect choice:
In pushing back against the suggestion he might be No. 2 on the GOP ticket, Rubio offered up former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, saying he would make a "fantastic vice president."
How many times has Rubio said
no?
On his end, Sen. Rubio has said no. He said no, thank you, to the idea of being Vice President. He said no to Soledad O’Brien. He said no to Juan Williams. He said no to George Stephanopoulos. He said no to the Washington Ideas Forum. He said no to CNN en Español’s Ismael Cala (in Spanish this time). He will probably say no tomorrow to Candy Crowley.
(He did).
But best of all, admirers of Sen. Rubio are hoping he doesn'truin his nascent and promising political career with the taint of being associated with Mitt Romney:
So why do Republicans want to irreparably destroy his career by associating him with jelly-spined bore Mitt Romney?
Unfortunately for Sen. Rubio, his charm, eloquence, and actual ability on the job... have caught the attention of this generation’s convictionless Massachusetts Scrooge McDuck, Mitt Romney.
In other words, Rubio is everything that Mitt Romney is not, and associating with Romney puts everything there is to like about Rubio in doubt. If Marco Rubio is so charismatic, what is he doing as subordinate to a guy who can’t even properly compliment a cookie? If he is so steadfast in his beliefs, why do Republicans think he should be second fiddle to the Father of Romneycare (and by proxy, grandfather of Obamacare, a program he disowns)?
Even if Romney does end up rehabilitating his conservative street cred, he would still end up being the least exciting presidential personality since Millard Fillmore– once again, the antithesis of everything that makes Rubio a compelling leader. Running with four years of being second in command to the guy who can’t even commit on the idea that these pancakes are delicious is serious baggage compared to the possibility of a Romney-free Republican Presidential candidate Marco Rubio in 2016.
Mitt Romney has a chance of being President, as does Marco Rubio. But their chances are deadlocked in a zero sum game– they have nothing to gain from each other, and everything to lose. And Republicans can’t afford to drown their brightest talent in their murkiest mediocrity.
Whoa, a Democrat couldn't have said it better! Seems like no one wants to be associated with Mitt Romney.
And even John McCain's best pal from 2008 won't endorse Mitt Romney:
WALLACE: Finally, we've only got about a minute left. You were, of course, Al Gore's running mate back in 2000. You campaigned for and very much supported John McCain in 2008.
Have you decided who you are going to support this time, Romney or Obama? And in a minute, what are your thoughts about the two of them?
LIEBERMAN: Yes, I'm going to try something different this year. I'm going to try to stay --
WALLACE: Didn't work out so well the last time.
LIEBERMAN: No. I'm going to try to stay out of this one. You know, I'm not running for re-election. I'm enjoying not being involved in the nastiness of campaigning in America these days.
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