Romney’s VP list seems to get shorter as GOP convention speakers are announced

[morningfog]

Mitt Romney appears to have narrowed his short list of potential running mates, as national Republicans announced Monday that at least four people once thought to be under consideration for the No. 2 spot will speak at this month’s Republican National Convention — all but ruling them out of contention for the vice presidential slot.

The Republican National Committee announced that former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez are among those expected to address the Aug. 27-30 convention in Tampa.

That still leaves a number of presumed contenders — including former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio), House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (Wis.), Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie — in the mix.

With less than three weeks until the convention, speculation about Romney’s selection is escalating rapidly. And his campaign is doing its best to maximize the attention, taunting reporters with the prospect of news, joking about the timing and scheduling a bus tour through four swing states this weekend that could be the backdrop for a vice presidential rollout — or not.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romneys-vp-list-seems-to-get-shorter-as-gop-convention-speakers-are-announced/2012/08/06/60e6b698-dff6-11e1-8fc5-a7dcf1fc161d_story.html


Looking more and more like Portman.

[RZM]

1. CW says Portman and that seems most likely at this stage

Definitely won't be Christie. Probably not Jindal either.

[KurtNYC]

8. Portman

[zbdent]

2. Well, the point is often made (usually an Obama smear) about the company you keep ...

the field of people wanting to be seen with Romney must be shrinking by the minute ...

[elleng]

3. 'Front runners' paw + port still available.

No news here.

[Ruby the Liberal]

4. I can't for the life of me imagine who would want that spot on the ticket.

Not only does Willard have NO people skills or message discipline (setting up a hugely frustrating run), but it would be a political suicide run to have your name attached to him.

[gkhouston]

7. Maybe he'll find someone not widely known who'll delude themselves into believing that

national exposure plus not looking as bad as Romney will somehow be helpful in the future.

[cr8tvlde]

11. Jindal ... I hope. n/t

[newtonfigg]

5. Does it Really Matter.

I don't think it makes much difference, Romney may not even make it out of the Convention. There is some thinking along those lines. His own party isn't real taken with him.

[SoCalDem]

6. I think he's going to be forced into taking Christie

but part of me hopes for Piyush

[spinbaby]

9. I think they're going to double down on the crazy

Santorum.

[dimbear]

10. I still expect Ryan. Not just because Ryan is so evil, but because of the initials.

R/R in 2012 would hypnotize Republicans instantly.