Hotline's Latest Veep Rankings - March 8th Update

[Laura PourMeADrink]

http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/your-favorite-vice-hotline-s-veepstakes-power-rankings-20120308?mrefid=mostViewed

THE TOP TIER


Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell
McDonnell preserved his spot on the short list by backing off a controversial antiabortion measure in Virginia, but he didn't emerge entirely unscathed. The incident refocused attention on McDonnell's conservative background -- and Democrats would surely dredge up the 1989 thesis he wrote at Regent University. But if Romney's team decides they must win the Commonwealth, McDonnell's approval rating in the 60s has to look attractive.


Florida Sen. Marco Rubio
Rubio's biggest downside, and the reason he's dropped a spot in our rankings, is his good fortune in 2010. He skated into office without much of his past being vetted in the media. That would change in a hurry if he's tapped for the vice presidency, and coming four years after Sarah Palin had such trouble adjusting to harsh scrutiny, that's a very real concern for some Republicans. After all, Tallahassee has its own secrets. Rubio's team, to their credit, zealously guards their man's narrative -- but some Republicans worry about thrusting someone so young and untested onto the national stage.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie
Christie is popular with Republicans because he exudes the one thing Romney will never be able to: Authenticity. Christie's penchant for yelling at some opponents and calling others stupid is part of what got him elected in the first place. But two white guys from the Northeast may not be the image Romney's team is going for. Still, for all his demurrals, his recent veto of same-sex marriage legislation keeps his name in the game.

Ohio Sen. Rob Portman
Sometimes, slow and steady really does win the race. Portman is never going to send chills down the spine of the Republican Party, but he oozes competence, and a lack of competence in government lies at the core of voter anger. Portman wouldn't overshadow the top of the ticket, the way Palin did and Rubio or Christie might; and, as a known Washington commodity, he checks the box among those looking for Romney to make his first presidential decision.


Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal
Perhaps if Jindal had planned his primary endorsement a bit better, he would be higher on the list. Jindal brings almost everything Rubio would -- youth, diversity, conservative credentials -- without the specter of the unknown and with an added policy background that's hard to match outside Rep. Paul Ryan's office (see below). If only he hadn't endorsed Rick Perry for president.

Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan
The Budget Committee chairman has taken a decidedly more bullish tone on Romney lately, saying in a recent interview that the front-runner is "well on his way to the nomination." Ryan likes Romney's tax plan as much as Romney likes the Ryan budget. And while Ryan said no to a presidential campaign of his own (he has young kids), perhaps the short sprint of a post-convention campaign would change his mind. Democrats will saddle Romney with the Ryan budget; why not win favor with conservatives by picking him?

[longship]

1. But, but, but... There's no women!

Wonder why?