2012 Republican Party vice presidential candidate selection

Selection process

Romney asked Beth Meyers, an aide, to head up the search team for selecting a vice presidential candidate. It was speculated that Romney might announce his running mate in July to create early enthusiasm and boost fundraising, but this proved untrue. Romney stated that he would select a pro-life vice presidential candidate.

Political analyst Larry Sabato stated that Romney could pick a vice presidential running mate that would help electorally such as by delivering a swing state or a demographic group. Romney's associates suggested the VP pick was likely to be someone mild-mannered with high integrity and have a similar aptitude for analysis.

Short list

According to the book Double Down, Romney's campaign narrowed down his list of potential nominees for vice president to eleven individuals in April 2012:

File:Kelly Ayotte, Official Portrait, 112th Congress 1.jpg| File:Chris Christie 2015 crop.jpg| File:John Cornyn official portrait, 2009 (cropped).jpg| File:Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels (cropped2).jpg| File:Bill Frist official photo (cropped).jpg| File:Mike Huckabee (5842591342) (cropped).jpg| File:Bob McDonnell (4379673749) (cropped) (cropped).jpg| File:Tim Pawlenty by Gage Skidmore (cropped).jpg| File:Rob Portman official portrait (cropped).jpg| File:Marco Rubio, Official Portrait, 112th Congress (cropped).jpg| File:Paul Ryan official portrait.jpg|

The list was later further narrowed down to five individuals: Christie, Pawlenty, Portman, Rubio, and Ryan. According to Double Down, many on Romney's campaign favored Ryan because he was "young, telegenic, Irish Catholic, with blue collar appeal," and could potentially help the campaign in his competitive home state. Romney also personally liked Ryan and felt comfortable campaigning with him. Christie was also strongly considered, but the vetting process raised several issues.

The announcement

Having returned from his overseas tour of the United Kingdom, Israel, and Poland, Romney planned a bus tour of Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida with his then-yet to be announced running mate. It was possible that Romney could have chosen to stall his announcement until at least August 12, the last day of the Summer Olympics, in order to attract greater media and voter attention while still allowing time for campaigning and fundraising before the Republican National Convention, which would begin on August 27.

On August 10, 2012, it was announced that Romney would introduce his running mate on August 11, 2012, in Norfolk, Virginia, after touring the USS Wisconsin, leading several news sources to speculate that his choice would be U.S. Representative Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. Shortly after 7 a.m. on August 11, the Romney campaign officially announced Ryan as its choice for vice president through its mobile app titled "Mitt's VP".

Media speculation on possible vice presidential candidates

Political analyst Larry Sabato stated that Romney could pick a vice presidential running mate that would help electorally such as by delivering a swing state or a demographic group. Romney's associates suggested the VP pick was likely to be someone mild-mannered with high integrity and have a similar aptitude for analysis. Media speculation and analysis on vice presidential picks included:

Members of Congress

Jim DeMint (8001765668) (cropped).jpg| File:Rand Paul (5446428487) (cropped).jpg| File:Rick Santorum by Gage Skidmore 2 (1).jpg| File:John Thune, official portrait, 111th Congress (cropped).jpg| File:Pat Toomey, Official Portrait, 112th Congress (cropped).jpg| File:Cathy McMorris Rodgers 113th Congress.jpg|

Governors

File:Jeb Bush (16686581821) (cropped).jpg| File:Nikki Haley speaks at the Hiring Our Heroes job fair (cropped).jpg| File:Bobby Jindal 26 February 2015.jpg| File:Governor John Kasich (cropped2).jpg| File:Governor NewMexico (cropped).jpg| File:Brian Sandoval 2010 (cropped).jpg| File:RickSnyder (3x4 crop).jpg|

Others

File:DCIA David Petraeus (cropped).jpg| Donald Trump cropped.jpeg| File:Condoleezza Rice (cropped).jpg|

References

References

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