Romney Will Pick Portman — and Here’s Why
Like the stages of grief, the buzz about the Republican vice presidential nominee is about to enter its final phase: acceptance — at least for those on the Republican right. That’s because, with every passing day, it’s increasingly likely that Mitt Romney will reject a more ideological, movement-style conservative and announce instead that he’s running with Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, a well-regarded member of the party establishment.
This is only a guess, of course, and hardly rates as a “wow” if it turns out to be accurate.
Conventional wisdom already favors Portman, the Intrade betting choice to be Romney’s running mate. A recent surge of neoconservative promotion for a trio of alternatives — Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie — is, if anything, a countervailing indicator; Weekly Standard Editor Bill Kristol, the leading promoter, has never been a big Romney fan and probably figures that a different pick has already been made.
In an effort to build suspense, Romney has enlisted potential running mates in a series of events that are widely seen as public tryouts, whether or not that is actually the case. The latest: a four-day Romney campaign swing that starts Saturday, featuring Portman, Rubio, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell in supporting roles.