Mitt Romney Vice President: Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback Strong Pick For GOP

The presidential election is over 175 days away. Barring unforeseen circumstances, former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney will be the Republican candidate running against Pres. Barack Obama. The Democrats already have their running mate (VP Joe Biden), but who will Mitt choose? An impressive lineup of candidates has emerged, but alas, there can only be one winner.
Several frontrunners (NJ Gov Chris Christie, FL Sen Marco Rubio) are crisscrossing the country attending fundraisers, campaign events and photo op's, but I think these appearances are for show and publicity.

My choice is a candidate working behind the scenes, out of the limelight, being vetted, getting all of their ducks in a row before the Summer. I think KS Gov. Sam Brownback would make an excellent running mate, and here's why:

• He's Been On This Road Before.

Brownback ran for president in 2008. He knows the political landscape, has contacts in the early caucus / primary states (Iowa, NH) and has national fundraisers in place.

• He Has Friends On Both Sides Of The Aisle.

The Gov. worked with Joe Biden on a Plan For Iraq and got that bill passed in the Senate. They appeared together on the Iowa campaign trail in Sep. 2007 at bipartisan events and from what I observed, he commanded respect from all.

• He Has Senate Committee Experience.

Brownback served on subcommittees for State/Foreign Operations, Defense, Homeland Security, Aviation and Energy, among others. More importantly, he was a member of the Joint Economic Committee, and everyone knows the Economy is #1 in this election.

• He Has Voter Popularity.

The Gov.'s been in the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate and now the Governor's seat in Kansas -- and has been re-elected to statewide office, something Christie and Rubio have not.

• He Has Unquestioned Conservative Credentials.

The National Rifle Association and the Kansas National Federation of Independent Business endorsed Brownback for governor in 2010. The National Right To Life Committee gave Brownback a 100% rating in 2010.

• He Adds Heft To The Midwest.

A Romney-Brownback ticket would add .

• He Can Reach Out To Christians.

A perfect complement to Mr. Romney's Mormon faith, the Gov. was raised a Protestant and converted to Catholicism in 2002.

• Other VP "Long-List" Candidates Will Support Him.

Fla. Gov. Jeb Bush actually campaigned for Brownbackin 2010.

• His Wife Actively Promotes Literacy.

The Governor's wife, Mary Brownback promotes literacy and love of reading, and has made it a priority in Kansas. You gotta love people who promote reading!!!

I believe Brownback could "hit the ground running" and has Capitol experience to get the job done. So with that said, who really knows who the VP candidate will be? But if I were Mitt, my choice would be Sam Brownback.

Erin Medlicott was online communications manager for BidenForPresident and has written previously on presidential politics for "Off The Bus."

 

 

Comments

[Jay Warring]

03:57 PM on 05/15/2012

Couple of things. Midwest 'heft' is more determined to the electoral college, not who your VP turns out. The other is your 'voter popularity' argument. This guy is sorely unpopular in KS and with moderate conservatives, a group Romney needs badly. While it is true that he has been elected numerous times, its a state where 50-60% of the voting population votes reliably republican. He has also sat over one of the most divided and dysfunctional legislative sessions in recent Kansas history. A good leader he is not. Credible Tea Party candidate on the outside, disaster in action.

[eevestigio]

11:32 AM on 05/23/2012

Don't know where you're from, but I'm a Kansan and we love Gov. Brownback. You are basing your statements on generalizations, opinions and assumptions. Hardly a way to combat the bullet points Erin made clear above.

[JNail]

08:52 PM on 05/14/2012

Nice try. He adds nothing but anti women gas to the war on women fire...

[skwan91607]

08:17 PM on 05/14/2012

ROMNEY IS THE ONLY PROBLEM TO SAM BROWNBACK FOR GOP VP POST
The weired mindset of Romney may put Sam on ROOF of His Car.during campaign. It is no way Sam will accepted that. How about Herman Cain or Allen West ? Both are desperate and will take the offer, even riding on a bag. They will tell their offspring the story of "VP in a bag".

[LANETexasLonghorn]

08:16 PM on 05/14/2012

Brownback....good answer good answer
The question is:
Name the only person less electable nationally than Gary Bauer and Alan Keyes.

[Erin Medlicott]

02:57 PM on 05/18/2012

Sarah Palin.