Yesterday Red Alert contributor Brandon Kiser posted his predictions on whom Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney would or should select for key positions in their respective presidential cabinets if elected. I disagreed with several of Brandon’s choices, so I decided to take a stab at making a list of my own predictions. I also added Newt Gingrich to my list because while he is down, he’s not out yet.
Vice President
Mitt Romney: Mitt needs to focus on two factors when selecting a potential VP – geographical location and aggressive nature. Based on geography alone, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is out. Looking at demeanor, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is out (he blew his VP tryout it at CPAC), as well as former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (he blew it in the Minnesota caucuses). Romney ought to select Kentucky Senator Rand Paul in order to attract the support of Texas Congressman Ron Paul’s massive youth and libertarian coalitions. I doubt Paul would accept, even if he were approached, so my prediction is New Mexico Governor Susanna Martinez.
Newt Gingrich: Newt has the opposite problem of Romney. He needs a VP who will keep his trap shut and stick to the talking points. I agree with Brandon that he should pick someone like Tim Pawlenty, but Pawlenty is a vocal Romney surrogate. I’m not convinced he’d accept Newt’s offer, therefore I suggest former Arkansas Governor and GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.
Rick Santorum: I disagree with Rick Santorum’s claim that he is the true conservative in the race, nevertheless, he’s done a good job making that his message. Therefore Santorum needs someone seen as more moderate on his ticket. He needs Mitt Romney on his ticket.
Secretary of State
Mitt Romney: I agree with Brandon’s pick: Jon Huntsman. As Brandon said, “The two men seem to share the same disposition and he’d be easily approved by the Senate.” Furthermore, I Huntsman’s experience with China will be as the US begins to payback and renegotiate it’s debt with China and China continues to fight the US for world power.
Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum should also select Jon Huntsman.
Attorney General
Mitt Romney: Ken Cuccinelli, who recently won the ACU’s Defender of the Constitution award at CPAC would make an excellent choice. Plus, it would leave the Governor’s race wide open in Virginia for Romney supporter Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling. Win-win situation.
Newt Gingrich: Ditto. Nebraska AG Jon Bruning.
Rick Santorum: Ohio AG Mike DeWine. DeWine’s has held a laundry list of political positions including, US Congressman and Senator and Ohio LG. In 2010 he beat out Democratic incumbent Richard Corday for AG (Cordray ring a bell? It should.) DeWine and Santorum served in the US Senate together, and DeWine is a well known pro-lifer, a characteristic that will be high on Santorum’s checklist. And, if you remember, DeWine switched his endorsement last week from Romney to Santorum, making him a shoo-in for the position,
Secretary of Defense
Newt Gingrich: I am very afraid Gingrich would select Herman Cain for this position. God help us all if the man who had no strategy for how to deal with the crisis in Libya and referred to Uzbekistan as Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan-stan became Secretary of Defense. Newt Gingrich, if you have any sense at all, please, please choose anyone but Herman Cain.
I agree with Brandon that all of the candidates should select Kansas’ second favorite military hero (Eisenhower being the first) Gen. David Petraeus, former commander of US forces in Afghanistan and current director of the CIA.
