Update: Buddy Roemer still running for president, but his top VP choice says no

For what it’s worth, former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer is still running for president. I can see how you might think otherwise; he hasn’t yet received enough support to participate in a Republican presidential debate (even former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson has taken the stage at least once!) and he doesn’t register on the RealClearPolitics average of polls.

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But he’s a step ahead of all the other candidates in at least one respect: In a press release, he announced that his unequivocal first choice for a vice presidential running mate would be … former vice presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman. According to Roemer’s release, the presidential candidate thinks he and Lieberman share similar stories. Both left the Democratic Party, for example, and (consequently?) are able to “transcend partisanship.”

“I am asking independent-minded voters to imagine what we could accomplish with this ticket,” Roemer wrote. “Americans are justifiably frustrated with their politicians and parties. Joe and I could change that. To me, it’s a dream team.”

Just one catch: Joe would say no.

Marshall Wittmann, communications director for Lieberman’s office, responded this morning to Roemer’s offer. “The senator is grateful for the governor’s gracious bipartisan gesture,” Whitmann said in an email to me, “but he has been there, done that and has the t-shirt and the chad to prove it.”

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Clever quip. I kind of have to wonder, though: Would Lieberman say no to anyone who asked him?

In the meantime, Roemer’s selection brings up another question: Would it actually be wise of the GOP nominee to select a centrist VP candidate? The consensus so far has seemed to be that whoever receives the nomination should pick a running mate to his or her right — and that’s what I’d prefer to see, too. But any merit to the idea that a slightly more independent running mate would increase electability?

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