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
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
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
, and everyone knows the Economy is #1 in this election.
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
and the
endorsed Brownback for governor in 2010. The
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
in 2002.
- Other VP "Long-List" Candidates Will Support Him.
Fla. Gov. Jeb Bush actually
in 2010.
- His Wife Actively Promotes Literacy.
The Governor's wife, Mary Brownback promotes
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."
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