Mark Halperin: Two GOP sources say it’s Romney; Update: NYT says it’s Romney or Pawlenty
posted at 11:26 pm on August 21, 2008 by Allahpundit
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So much for Pawlenty versus Lieberman. Halperin’s posts have been known to disappear inexplicably, so here’s the thumbnail for posterity just in case this one floats off into the ether before morning. Exit question: Fear the Reaper?
Update: You know who he could have picked who would have totally locked this election up for us?
Update: The Times says Ridge and Lieberman have at last been eliminated and the shortlist is down to Romney and Pawlenty — with David Petraeus being mentioned in a naked attempt by Team Maverick to steal a little buzz from Obama’s VP announcement tomorrow. New theory, then: Halperin’s sources are two pro-Romney partisans within the party who are trying to make life uncomfortable for McCain by putting Mitt’s name out there now and stirring up some excitement for him.
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Yawn.
Purple Fury on August 21, 2008 at 11:28 PM
I agree with Rush……relief on the Pro-Life front, and serious gravitas on the economic / business front.
Starlink on August 21, 2008 at 11:29 PM
$0.46
ninjapirate on August 21, 2008 at 11:30 PM
My eyes are bleeding!
(boring white guy)
lorien1973 on August 21, 2008 at 11:30 PM
Please let it be so!!!!!!!!!
McCain/Romney ‘08
Winebabe on August 21, 2008 at 11:31 PM
You know who this benefits? Mitt Romney.
lorien1973 on August 21, 2008 at 11:31 PM
It ain’t over until Inauguration Day.
Just ask Richard Nixon and his dog Checkers.
That said, Mitt will obliterate Joe Biden if that’s the matchup in the VP debate.
sulla on August 21, 2008 at 11:32 PM
You know, it isn’t very nice to throw us bones like this.
Weebork on August 21, 2008 at 11:32 PM
And you know who
benefits? Hugh Hewitt.
Anyone who says otherwise isn’t to be trusted as an analyst.
sulla on August 21, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Well, if it is, Romney has the smarts and the speaking ability to blow away any Dem VP in a debate. That’s all I’ll say for now.
Connie on August 21, 2008 at 11:34 PM
Gah, that’s twice I’ve used the wrong markup.
sulla on August 21, 2008 at 11:34 PM
I miss Fred. Sigh.
Romney’s ok. I can’t wait to see how tolerant the left is if this is true. Mormons qualify as a minority, no?
VolMagic on August 21, 2008 at 11:34 PM
Mwahaha. I should have thought of that for the post, but I’m afraid new readers won’t get it.
Allahpundit on August 21, 2008 at 11:34 PM
I see both positives and negatives in a selection of Romney. If it’s true, I hope those positives are greater than the negatives.
DanStark on August 21, 2008 at 11:34 PM
The “pro-abortion veep” trial balloon accomplished this:
two weeks ago, I would have cringed at a Boring White Guy veep; now I’d be very happy with Mitt or Tim.
jgapinoy on August 21, 2008 at 11:34 PM
I still want him to choose Sarah Palin, but I guess she’s no longer on the short list.
themediansib on August 21, 2008 at 11:35 PM
…even though the Dems will air lots of videos of Mitt & McCain sniping at each other if it’s Mitt.
jgapinoy on August 21, 2008 at 11:35 PM
McCain/Palin! ! ! ! . . . ?
Sigh.
jgapinoy on August 21, 2008 at 11:36 PM
I think he’s a good choice. Health care is becoming an major issue among voters and Romney is one of the few Republicans who actually has a detailed plan.
terryannonline on August 21, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Well if I’m not going to get Michael Steel (to stop the race baiting attacks of Obama & Co) or Lieberman (as to ram independence down Barry’s throat), Romney will do. At least he can raise money and has a national network.
Zaggs on August 21, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Imagine all the latex they waste producing all these trial balloons. My God, just get it over with, for goodness sake.
RBMN on August 21, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Halperin Adds:
Seriously?
amerpundit on August 21, 2008 at 11:39 PM
Isn’t Romney’s plan in MA becoming a disaster?
lorien1973 on August 21, 2008 at 11:39 PM
mccain could have picked my neighbors 3 legged dog, it will not matter. Barry hussien will lose this election and give the win to johnny boy.
custer on August 21, 2008 at 11:40 PM
Free publicity. Drama. Everyone loves it.
lorien1973 on August 21, 2008 at 11:40 PM
Haha.
Well, great. Romney is okay by me. Not my first choice maybe, but not Liebs either.
Spirit of 1776 on August 21, 2008 at 11:40 PM
Please, oh please. I’ll be able to stop shredding Mitt’s requests to send Mac money.
Dubn8tr on August 21, 2008 at 11:40 PM
I’ll keep saying it,like I’ve always have,
Mitt Romney,will be the Vice President,period!
canopfor on August 21, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Heh. Glad I’m not the only one.
sulla on August 21, 2008 at 11:42 PM
We will get Sarah Palin for 2012. Don’t worry.
Winebabe on August 21, 2008 at 11:42 PM
NY Times its Mitt vs Pawlenty
William Amos on August 21, 2008 at 11:43 PM
I loved Roms in the primaries (and would love him for Veep), but the closer we get to the prospect of actually having him on the ticket, the more I’m second guessing myself on my earlier belief that he would help the ticket in CO, NV, and MI more than he would hurt it with “killin dem Jesus hating Mormons with a twelve gauge from the back of their flatbed affixed with a nice Huckabee4POTUS bumper sticker while Rosco drives” folks. I dunno. If McCain was already elected, Romney would be my choice for Veep…but I think he should pick somebody like Jindal or Palin if he wants to survive Obamamania.
Stock Markets just went up 111!!!1111,000,8989,0000 points!
malan89 on August 21, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Oh missed this from the times article
William Amos on August 21, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Well Mr.
HumbabeeHuckabee will have something to say as he storms out of the convention, with his ugly ass banjo on his knee.Sergei on August 21, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Why is this rumor so much better than all the others?
Buford Gooch on August 21, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Alaska the coldest state with the hottest governor
custer on August 21, 2008 at 11:45 PM
It isn’t really “Romney’s plan” anymore. What was left of the conservative elements of the plan (that the MA legislature decided to leave alone) have been shredded to pieces by Obamamessiah Jr.
malan89 on August 21, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Like I said here yesterday, Mitt’s people called Howie Carr (local Boston radio host/Herald Columnist and friendly toward Mitt) to let him know Mitt is scheduled to speak the night the VP nominee normally speaks. They were “excited” but could not (would not?) confirm Mitt’s the pick.
TheBigOldDog on August 21, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Romney is safe but not electrifying. Having seen Jindal again over the weekend will cause some 2nd guessing on the BO communication’s team. Jindal and Palin would cause some serious headaches over at club BO.
Sergei on August 21, 2008 at 11:48 PM
It would be rough political equivalent to picking Rice. Nobody’s really sure where they stand on all the other issues. Add in the ties to Bush. McCain’s already strong on nat. sec., why take on all that baggage?
malan89 on August 21, 2008 at 11:48 PM
I can get behind this. I understand the enthusiasm for her this go around, but IMO, she and her hubby just had a baby in April. She’s probably away from him longer than she’d like to be as it is. I just can’t see her up and accepting VP, and I don’t see that going over well.
Dubn8tr on August 21, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Sergi 11:44pm
Hilarious!!!!!! I needed a belly laugh!!!!!! Good one!!!!
Winebabe on August 21, 2008 at 11:50 PM
I disagree Petraeus had no say in going into Iraq. He doesnt have that burden. In fact he saved the day in Iraq,
Any candidate has good and bad points
William Amos on August 21, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Well, Mitt certainly helps in Colorado, seeing as it has one of the largest Mormon populations in the nation (top ten I believe). Nevada’s looking good, too.
amerpundit on August 21, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Everyone. Just admit it.
McCain/Clinton would have rocked this country. Best ticket ever!
lorien1973 on August 21, 2008 at 11:52 PM
clinton is too conservative for mccain
custer on August 21, 2008 at 11:53 PM
I still believe who McCain ultimately selects depends on who Obama selects in some way. There’s a Rovian chart with a diagram in some office.
Marcus on August 21, 2008 at 11:53 PM
I agree.
Spirit of 1776 on August 21, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Was there ever really any doubt? McMitt!
SouthernGent on August 21, 2008 at 11:53 PM
I’m not sure. This Reason magazine article suggests that health care costs increased in Mass. so that’s not good but than goes on to say maybe a voucher would be better.
Here’s a video of Mitt on health care.
terryannonline on August 21, 2008 at 11:54 PM
Darn it. I was watching the replay of Captain Ed’s show, and I missed my opportunity to use the HH line.
- Sounds like McCain, understanding military history, may have been preparing the battle field for Mitt w/ the pro-choice trial balloon, and in the event he had to go for the home run w/ Liebs -which became moot w/ the latest polling data.
- McCain also probably finally figured out that giving Liebs Sec. of State was much better for Joe (and the country) than the VP slot… I don’t suspect that Joe will “go native” at State like Powell and Rice have…
phreshone on August 21, 2008 at 11:54 PM
By far the best choice.
Huckabee and the worst of the snake-handelers can bug-off.
Obamas crazy crap still means a Red South with or without bigoted evangelicals.
This pick makes sense for strategic reasons- it puts Michigan in play, and nails down Nevada.
Romney will also reinforce the idea that tradional family values are in the crosshairs of BO, Michelle and the company they keep.
jjshaka on August 21, 2008 at 11:57 PM
God, I hope its Mitt! He will add a lot of class to the ticket (great family man). Can’t wait to watch him chew up and spit out the dems vp pick.
cjs1943 on August 21, 2008 at 11:59 PM
It doesn’t appear she was ever on the shortlist. Haven’t seen her mentioned once in any of this late round of speculation. Seems the short list is/was:
Lieberman
Ridge
Pawlenty
Romney
Sadly, no Sarah anywhere to be found.
Purple Fury on August 22, 2008 at 12:03 AM
Romney/Jindal ‘12
Jindal/Palin ‘16
??
Connie on August 22, 2008 at 12:04 AM
rice/jenna bush ‘20
custer on August 22, 2008 at 12:06 AM
If Mccain wants to win zero southern states……Romney’s his man!
SaintOlaf on August 22, 2008 at 12:06 AM
You’re right. Bad metaphor. He probably carries less Iraq/Bush baggage than Condi. And he’s a General, which has to be a plus. But there’s still the issue of his other political beliefs.
25-35% of country that is either far left or high on hopenchange would go Obama.
15-25% of country that is already pissed that McCain is too liberal and would have left camp once he picked HillDog goes to various third parties (possibly Huckster).
45-60% that is right in the middle goes to McCain/HillDog.
And it would be awesome to see her campaign against Obama again. You know she wants to tear him apart soooo bad. It’d be like “Shame on You, Barack Obama” times infinity.
Yeah, that’s what I see as the electoral argument for him as well. Not so sure about what he can do in MI, but he did kick some Maverick booty in the primary. The question that’s making me second guess myself is how strong the anti-Mormon sentiment in the Evangelical community is. I used to think it wasn’t that great, but I’m not sure. How else would a nut like Huckster go mainstream in the GOP? I dunno. Maybe I’m thinking too much. Mitt = Safe Pick that May Help With Mtn West and Michigan, Jindal or Palin = High Risk, High Return, Pawlenty = Game over, man/Surrender to Obamessiah/Let’s Start Packing Bags for New Log Cabin in Rural Saskatchewan packed with medical supplies, enough food to surrvive for 15 years, and a bunker to survive Iran’s nukes (I’m kidding about the cabin stuff…but not 100% kidding, just like 75% kidding). That estimation sound right to anybody else?
malan89 on August 22, 2008 at 12:08 AM
Agaist Chelsea Clinton ‘20?
terryannonline on August 22, 2008 at 12:09 AM
Ooooh, you’re here. This should be fun.
In a totally unrelated note, what does everybody think about Mike Huckabee, greatest man to ever step foot on Earth except for Jesus (but it was close!).
malan89 on August 22, 2008 at 12:09 AM
Romney’s been all over the place today denying that he’s going to be the Veep.
That’s good enough for me.
It’s Romney.
seanrobins on August 22, 2008 at 12:11 AM
Thought it was illegal for Petraeus to run – something about having to be out of uniform for a minimum of 6 or was it 9 months? Maybe there’s an exception in there for Constitutional offices – I dunno.
BTW – just happened to grab a book off the shelf at the library the other day IN THE COMPANY OF SOLDIERS, written in about Petraeus and the 101st Airborne during the invasion of Iraq, by Rick Atkinson, probably the best layman’s military historian alive and writing in English, who was embedded. Petraeus’s running question throughout was “How does this end?” and his all-purpose reaction to sticking points and unexpected Iraqi resistance was “8 years, 8 divisions.” Not too far off for a joke. Anyway, if he ever does decide to get political, he won’t have to apologize for anything on the level of policy, since he wasn’t making it and since in retrospect he had thinks a lot closer to right than a lot of other people, but I suspect he’s too much of a perfectionist to run for office. Take over and save the country in case of national calamity – sure. But not run for office. And he’d be a waste as VP.
CK MacLeod on August 22, 2008 at 12:11 AM
Why not make some more “Who Really Cares” history?
The First Mother-Daughter team.
Clinton/Clinton . . .
Aaarrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
seanrobins on August 22, 2008 at 12:13 AM
“This is the big one, Elizabeth!”
sulla on August 22, 2008 at 12:16 AM
What is the problem? Seriously.
Guy lives a clean life, comes out pro-life, and gave a great speech about faith in America.
So what if his religion is different, even weird? What are you afraid of? That’s a genuine question, what does Romney as VP represent that makes some social cons get the willies?
Spirit of 1776 on August 22, 2008 at 12:18 AM
What does “GOP sources” mean anyways? Technically, couldn’t I be one of the sources? I’m a Republican. I vote. I bought a funnel cake from the “Snyder County Women Republicans” at the fair last weekend. I gave $25 to the RNC a couple years ago. I could very well be the GOP source.
malan89 on August 22, 2008 at 12:20 AM
They should have saved it and just made condoms… because whomever wins this election, the government’s still screwed.
ErikTheRed on August 22, 2008 at 12:20 AM
The fact that he isn’t Mike Huckabee (or Jesus).
malan89 on August 22, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Yeah and you’re calling ten and a half year Governor and Presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee, a “nut case”??
Right….
SaintOlaf on August 22, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Olaf dude, I’m going to just go out and say what everyone else here is thinking: Mike Huckabee can’t achieve orgasm unless he’s pardoning a convicted felon.
ErikTheRed on August 22, 2008 at 12:22 AM
+1000
I’m still clinging to guns, religion, antipathy, and Palin for VP.
MB007 on August 22, 2008 at 12:22 AM
I’m sure the whole Massachusetts thing is part of it.
I can’t speak for the whole South; I’m from Southern California (and Mormon) and even I’m not a big fan of New England Republicans. You could be a jack-booted fascist in Boston and still look like a tie-dyed hippie in Birmingham.
sulla on August 22, 2008 at 12:23 AM
McCain/Romney reminds me a lot of Ford/Dole in 1976, which wasn’t a bad ticket. Then Ford was 63, Dole 53, now McCain is 72, Romney is 61. Carter won in a squeaker. A lot of parallels to now, though at this point in time Ford was down like 25 points and McCain is even. The country was/is sick of Republicans and wanted something new.
Paul-Cincy on August 22, 2008 at 12:23 AM
P.S. AP make up yer dern mind! :)
Paul-Cincy on August 22, 2008 at 12:24 AM
Would be cool to see this bumper sticker:
1st John; 2nd Timothy
RBMN on August 22, 2008 at 12:24 AM
I was joking (not a nutcase). He wasn’t (huge nutcase).
malan89 on August 22, 2008 at 12:28 AM
Not true. Raising taxes and giving a scholarship to a criminal illegal alien does it for him too.
malan89 on August 22, 2008 at 12:31 AM
What does it take to gain the title of “Former Presidential Candidate” anyways? Anybody could just declare themselves a “Presidential Candidate”. Doesn’t mean anybody’s gonna vote for ‘em. Kinda like Alan Keyes.
malan89 on August 22, 2008 at 12:33 AM
Okay, if this is true I have a friend who will finally decide to vote for McCain because are you ready?????? Due to the fact that Senator McCain was a POW, she is waiting for him to have a mental break down.
And SaintOlaf, I love you but I am with the other folks, Huckabee gives me the willies. It’s a gut thing. Sorry but that’s the way it is.
Cindy Munford on August 22, 2008 at 12:35 AM
I certainly hope this is the case. With the economy being issue #1, he could certainly use someone with Romneys economic bonifides. I love the guy.
therightwinger on August 22, 2008 at 12:39 AM
The Massachusetts Healthcare plan seem to be a quiet success
eaglesdontflock on August 22, 2008 at 12:41 AM
SaintOlaf,
Mike Huckabee seems like a nice guy. I thought he the best spoken of all the Republican candidates this year. However, he also tended to be a loose with his words. He made a lot of gaffes. He just doesn’t strike as a ready for prime time kind of guy.
terryannonline on August 22, 2008 at 12:41 AM
I like the idea of a having even our VP candidate having experience that can mop the floor with Obama. While Mitt’s positions over time may be too flexible for some, the job of the VP is to run stuff and be ready for the top job at a moment’s notice. Mitt is the right guy for that.
pedestrian on August 22, 2008 at 12:42 AM
Please let it be so!!!!!!!!!
McCain/Romney ‘08
Winebabe on August 21, 2008 at 11:31 PM
I think I love you winebabe. I couldn’t agree more, I want Mitt on the ticket.
PS
7 Deadly Zins rocks, and yes I am a winemaker.
Semper Fi
winemkr on August 22, 2008 at 12:44 AM
Pedestrian
Perhaps you have a good point. The VP doesn’t really have much power, per se, except little things such as presiding over the Senate if in the case of a tie. So, perhaps with Mitt as VP, he’ll be able to move around and help implement the policies of a President McCain. Mitt, by being an effective business man and CEO would be able to play quarterback and help get things done. Perhaps the VP slot is up Romney’s alley. I hadn’t really thought about it that way.
Weebork on August 22, 2008 at 12:46 AM
I guess so. Seems pretty intense for just that aspect.
Spirit of 1776 on August 22, 2008 at 12:47 AM
Romney would be a good choice.
freevillage on August 22, 2008 at 12:47 AM
I’m waiting for the third or fourth update AP. I know you like to jerk my chain, but I don’t want to wake up in the morning and find this was another false test.
eaglesdontflock on August 22, 2008 at 12:50 AM
Pawlenty or Romney would both be fine. What’s up with all the hating on white men? Rudy’d be fine. Sanford’s fine. Lieberman and Ridge? not fine.
funky chicken on August 22, 2008 at 12:51 AM
Cantor would be fine.
Except, I heard he’s a Jew. Is that true? gasp!
/
funky chicken on August 22, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Evangelical Christians do not want Mitt Romney to be president or VP because, to the world… he will essentially represent the Christian right.
It’s a known fact that all of Christianity..Orthodox,Roman Catholics and Protestants..all consider Mormonism a cult.
The fact is: Mccain will never pick Romney unless he wants to lose.
If Mccain were to pick Romney millions and millions of Christians really would sit it out or even vote Obama to stop this from happening. Not all would, but more than enough would.
That’s the religious issue….but as for Romney himself, there are more than enough reasons to vote against him, even if he was not mormon.
In fact, I don’t even consider him a mormon (he essentially denied essential parts of mormon doctrine on tv in order to win)..
I just consider him a slimey, pro abortion, liberal who will say or do anything to get elected.
SaintOlaf on August 22, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Excuse me but we are hating on white Protestant men.
:)
terryannonline on August 22, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Putting Jindal or Palin on the ticket at this time takes away the experience argument. It’s to soon.
Most evangelical Christians voted for Romney in the primary, and will do so again in the general election. We prefer Mormons to Marxists any day of the week.
Speaking of Obama, what a paradox he presents. He is the god-king/empty suit. So is he an emperor with no clothes or clothes with no emperor? Can he be both simultaneously, and if so does this bending of physical reality constitute Lightworker ability?
Nosferightu on August 22, 2008 at 12:55 AM
Thompson/Palin 2008!
If Hillary’s hellions won’t give up hope, neither will I.
Jindal/Palin 2012! Now there’s hope and change that won’t collapse under scrutiny.
If Halperin has the right finalists, I prefer Pawlenty to Romney. As an evangelical, I promise you that many will never vote for a Mormon anywhere on the ticket. That’s not my issue with Romney, though; his questionable authenticity and Eastern establishment pragmatism leave me completely cold. I don’t get the Romneymania. At. All.
Terrie on August 22, 2008 at 12:56 AM
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