Romney Seeks a Rare Gem

Who will be Mitt Romney’s Sarah Palin?

In fact, knowing his cautious temperament, the former Massachusetts governor will probably avoid following the example of John McCain, who in 2008 chose a risky and controversial number two for his presidential “ticket.”

But the search for a running mate officially began Monday with the designation of the person who will be in charge of the selection process.

“I have selected someone who has been a counselor of mine for a number of years, Beth Myers,” Mitt Romney said in an interview broadcast on ABC.

“She was my chief of staff when I was governor,” said the man who is almost certain to win the Republican nomination for the 2012 presidential election.

It will thus come down to this 55-year-old woman, a Massachusetts native, to conduct a thorough review of potential candidates to determine if they can survive the inevitable media scrutiny.

For his part, Mitt Romney will be guided in his choice by geographic, demographic and personal considerations.

Among the potential candidates most often mentioned by the media, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have already repeatedly stated that they don’t want to be vice-presidential candidates. But they would not be the first running mates to have to swallow these types of statements.

“I have absolutely no desire to go back to government,” Dick Cheney, then head of Halliburton, said in 2000.

“I made it clear that I didn’t want this job,” said Joe Biden, then a member of the Senate, in 2008.

However, it would be surprising if Mitt Romney imitates George W. Bush in choosing as a running mate the person in charge of overseeing the vice-presidential candidate selection process!

Beth Myers has never run for office. She has always preferred to help various candidates get elected. In particular, she led Mitt Romney’s first presidential campaign.

For the moment, the list of potential candidates for the number two position on the presidential ticket includes a dozen names. Prominent among them, besides those mentioned on this page, are Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, South Dakota Sen. John Thune, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez.

The Main Contenders for the Title

Chris Christie

The New Jersey governor’s popularity with Republicans is largely due to his outspokenness and his desire to do battle with the unionized employees of his state. His selection as Mitt Romney’s running mate would not guarantee him a win in New Jersey, a state that tends to vote Democratic, but it would surely add color (and weight!) to the Republican ticket.

Bobby Jindal

The Louisiana governor has already made history by becoming, in 2007, the first Indian-American to lead a U.S. state, and also, at age 36, the youngest. Born in Baton Rouge to Punjabi parents, he espouses very conservative ideas, including creationism, which make him a popular figure within the tea party and with the Christian right. He was elected in 2011 by an overwhelming majority.

Marco Rubio

The Florida senator seems to be the ideal number two for the Republican ticket: He is young, photogenic, from one of the most important battlegrounds of the presidential election and a member of the Hispanic community, which is far from enchanted with Mitt Romney. His conservative ideas are also consistent with those of tea party activists, who played a key role in his political rise. Who could be better?

Paul Ryan

The Wisconsin congressman is the man of the hour in the House of Representatives. He is the author of a budget for 2013 which Mitt Romney described as “wonderful.” And even if his proposals bring to mind “social Darwinism,” according to Barack Obama, his reputation is that of an intellectual who is perfectly reasonable and respectable. His nomination as Republican running mate would put the questions of the deficit and taxation at the heart of the campaign.

Rob Portman

Unlike many other potential candidates, the Ohio senator would provide no surprises for Mitt Romney. His career has already been vetted by the Senate, which approved him for two cabinet appointments in the George W. Bush administration, including that of White House budget director. His association with the Republican administration might harm him, but his experience, his background and his friendship with Romney are assets.