Condi as Romney's VP would make Barack Obama's wish come true

Newscast Media WASHINGTON, D.C.—One of this news cycle's latest talk is the Mitt Romney is seriously considering Condoleezza Rice as his vice presidential pick for the general. Some say that this is being used as a distraction from the Bain attacks, while others say he wants to give the impression of being inclusive to appeal to minorities. Whether the speculation turns out to have substance remains to be seen, but picking Rice as his vice-presidential nominee would certainly grant Barack Obama his wish—introducing George W. Bush into the political conversation.

However, as a journalist who uses critical thinking, I highly doubt that Romney is serious about picking Rice as his No.2. During all his speeches, Romney has emphasized three things: creating jobs, reducing the size of government and lowering taxes. This theme was taken directly out Texas Gov. Rick Perry's playbook. In an election cycle that has rising unemployment numbers, why would Romney pick someone who has no experience in the economy or someone who has never run for office? There are a lot of governors and lawmakers with strong economic track records whose business models could be a template for economic recovery. That's the pool from which Romney should pick.

Secondly, on September 5, 2011, Romney was at the Palmetto Freedom Forum and was asked if he would pick a running mate who was pro-life and pro-marriage:

Host: Governor Romney, will the person you chose as your vice presidential running mate be someone who shares your pro-life and pro-marriage convictions?

Romney: I certainly imagine so, I haven't made and selections in that regard, as I look around at the people I would consider I would expect that they would all be pro-life and pro-traditional marriage, but this is an important enough issue that the person that I would select in that position would share my views on those important issues.

Host: So more than just expectation — would share those views?

Romney: Yes … that person would share my views, yeah.

The problem Condi presents is that not only does she introduce the Bush-baggage which Obama sees as red meat, she is also pro-choice. This will really be a slap in the face of conservatives who were giving Romney the benefit of the doubt regarding his past stand on this issue. It will also show he is not true to his word, and will enrage conservative voters. In a 2005 interview with The Washington Times, Rice described herself as "mildly pro-choice". pop-up

Perhaps proof that Romney will not be picking her comes directly from Rice herself who in a June 26, interview with CBS said this in regard to being Romney's running mate: "There is no way I would do this. I didn't run for student council president. I don't see myself in any way in elected office. I love policy. I'm not particularly fond of politics."

As she continues her vacation break amidst the summer heat, it is apparent that all the headlines about Condi for VP are hot air, since Condoleezza Rice confirmed to ABC news through a spokesperson she is still not interested in the job and said her previous statements about not being interested in Mitt Romney's vice presidential pick "still stand."

My analysis is that there is no way Mitt Romney will risk picking someone like Rice, whose views he'll have to defend, rather than spend the next few month defining Obama. Add Comments>>

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