Speculation on 2012 GOP Vice-Presidential Pick Already Heating Up; May Come Down to “Rubio and the Rest”

Talk of who may be the GOP Vice-Presidential pick for whoever becomes the Republican Presidential Nominee is already heating up. The field of possible picks appears to come down to “Rubio and the rest”:

POLITICO: . . . Also among the frequently mentioned: McDonnell, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

Despite the throng of potential running mates, a consensus is emerging in Republican circles that the contest for the vice presidential nomination essentially boils down to Rubio and the rest.

The Florida junior senator is a rare blend in the GOP – Hispanic, from a key swing state, and a proven fundraiser with tea party appeal who also would enjoy support from the Republican establishment.

“He fits every box you’re looking for when you’re looking for a VP, and then some,” said Chip Saltsman, a GOP strategist who, as Mike Huckabee’s campaign manager in 2007, worked with Rubio when he was their team’s Florida chairman.

“I just found him to be unbelievably [impressive] in every way,” said Saltsman. “He is a very unique kind of elected official right now, in that he’s young, he’s good-looking, he’s smart, he’s done a good job his first [year] in the Senate, he’s energetic, he’s got a great family. He’s the total package in a lot of different ways. Whoever the nominee is, Marco’s gonna be at the top of a very short list.” . . . Read More