# Politics aside, what Republican VP choice would be best for the country? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 14, 2012, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843 "2012-05-14T04:06:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/21 "2012-05-23T13:19:30Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Why does the Veep need to be somebody exactly like the POTUS? It’s traditionally enough that they are from the same party. (Originally they were from **different** parties, the Veep being the runner-up in the election.) Because that is who the people elected. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/22 "2012-05-23T14:04:02Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > Because that is who the people elected. No, they elected the whole package, part-and-spare. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/23 "2012-05-23T16:05:30Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > I think the OP is asking people put aside their own political affiliation, and choose which potential GoP Veep would be best for the country in the event of a GoP victory in November. The Mayan guy who carved out that calendar. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/24 "2012-05-24T01:33:21Z")
I’ll rejoin the party if Romney picks me. Still a social democrat, though. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/25 "2012-05-24T02:01:29Z")
It’s going to be [Rob Portman, Boring White Guy](http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/05/18/2806282/gops-best-boring-white-guy-rob.html). ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/26 "2012-05-24T02:14:21Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > Politics aside it would have to be someone almost exactly like Romney if we go by the premise of his only is replacing Romney in case of a tragedy. > [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > It’s going to be [Rob Portman, Boring White Guy](http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/05/18/2806282/gops-best-boring-white-guy-rob.html). Whaddaya know! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/27 "2012-05-24T02:32:07Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > No, they elected the whole package, part-and-spare. I don’t get it, if the country elects Romney the best replacement is obviously someone exactly like Romney. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/28 "2012-05-24T02:33:43Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > I don’t get it, if the country elects Romney the best replacement is obviously someone exactly like Romney. Was LBJ like JFK? Was Palin like McCain? Is Biden like Obama? “Ticket-balancing” is a long-established tradition. And the voters will be voting for/against the whole ticket of Romney/X, and (we may hope) take X’s characteristics into account when they decide how to vote. Romney is not old, but you never know. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/29 "2012-05-24T04:10:32Z")
Jon Huntsman, Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, Bobby Jindal, Tim Pawlenty, and Mitch Daniels. ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/30 "2012-05-24T13:12:17Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > The Bush name is radioactive. No way in Hell he ends up on the ticket. My choice would probably be Condi, but I suspect Rubio will get the nod eventually. So a Bush would be bad for the country because it would give the Haters a free pass to hate? Answer: Yes ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/31 "2012-05-24T15:44:29Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > What _conceivable_ Republican VP choice would be best for the country? Setting politics aside. Herman Cain would be good. Bachmann, Palin, Allen West… This country will be objectively worse off if Romney is elected: if you think this country’s bad off now, just wait 'til he gets through with it. So the choice that would be best for the country is that which minimizes the chance of Romney getting elected. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/32 "2012-05-24T16:42:46Z")
I’m still going with Jeb Bush. He is _nothing_ like his brother, except for the Republican and gutting-services bits. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/33 "2012-05-24T17:47:37Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > I’m still going with Jeb Bush. He is _nothing_ like his brother, except for the Republican and gutting-services bits. :mad: **NO.** He must never, ever be forgiven for [2000.](http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Voter_roll_purge_in_the_2000_Florida_election) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/34 "2012-05-24T17:48:40Z")
> [@What\_the](#): > > So a Bush would be bad for the country because it would give the Haters a free pass to hate? Answer: Yes Jeb Bush would be bad for the country because anyone who would do what he did in 2000 cares not for democracy. ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/35 "2012-05-24T18:57:02Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > So what it boils down to is making a list of the most serious and qualified Republicans in public life, constrained by plausibility considerations. Is Gingrich the kind of person you’re looking for? Twenty years of government experience and served as Speaker of the House? ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/36 "2012-05-24T20:01:48Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > It’s going to be [Rob Portman, Boring White Guy](http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/05/18/2806282/gops-best-boring-white-guy-rob.html). I dunno. Rob looks a little effeminate. Since the extremes on both sides are gonna vote party line regardless, the campaigns need to go after the middle. Condi seems like the best option. Black, female, smart and experienced. If Romney picked her, I wouldn’t think he was as much of a dweeb. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/37 "2012-05-24T21:19:55Z")
> [@spooje](#): > > I dunno. Rob looks a little effeminate. > > Since the extremes on both sides are gonna vote party line regardless, the campaigns need to go after the middle. Condi seems like the best option. Black, female, smart and experienced. If Romney picked her, I wouldn’t think he was as much of a dweeb. Too much about Condi would alienate the GOP base, and she has repeatedly and clearly expressed her passionate disinterest in the slot. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/38 "2012-05-24T22:36:18Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Too much about Condi would alienate the GOP base, and she has repeatedly and clearly expressed her passionate disinterest in the slot. All covered very thoroughly in [this thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651669) ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/39 "2012-05-25T03:25:14Z")
[Romney praises Cheney’s “Wisdom and judgment.”](http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/09/15/romney-praises-cheneys-wisdom-and-judgment/) So . . . where can he find another like him? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843/40 "2012-05-25T14:13:37Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Romney praises Cheney’s “Wisdom and judgment.”](http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/09/15/romney-praises-cheneys-wisdom-and-judgment/) > > So . . . where can he find another like him? Keep an eye on newspapers for hunting accidents? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-aside-what-republican-vp-choice-would-be-best-for-the-country/621843.md?page=3)