NOT!
I am unsure how much VP choices really matter for swinging states anymore, though it does not really help that recent candidates have chosen their VP for other reasons. The last president I think might actually have won a state because of his VP was Reagan in 1980. Even then, it is hard to argue TX really voted for him because of a CT carbetbagger who never managed more than a couple House elections. So we are back to JFK/LBJ (once again in TX, oddly.)
I am unsure how much VP choices really matter for swinging states anymore, though it does not really help that recent candidates have chosen their VP for other reasons. The last president I think might actually have won a state because of his VP was Reagan in 1980. Even then, it is hard to argue TX really voted for him because of a CT carbetbagger who never managed more than a couple House elections. So we are back to JFK/LBJ (once again in TX, oddly.) I don't think Darth Vader or the Gaffe Machine represent wonderful strategic choices anyway. It still matters, Rubio is well-liked and especially by the GOP there.
Well, Cheney offered Bush some much needed gravitas, and Biden demonstrated Obama could excuse past opponents past transgressions, but I agree with your assessment overall. Obama badly needed a running mate from somewhere his popularity is shaky; it would have given him a popular landslide and lasting mandate in 2008 as well as solidified FL, OH, VA or NC for him now (though the revelations already surfacing about Edwards made him an unsuitable choice.) Wikipedia claims Sam Nunn was on the short list, which might have split the South in half and produced a true realignment election. As it is, Biden brings no more to the table now than then; he just offers Romney someone like Quayle to illustrate Obamas bad judgement.
Of course, FL should actually be close, and is certainly critical now that it has the third most EVs, so putting Rubio on the ticket would be a smart move (and help Romneys credibility with the base.) It might even help seal the deal in AZ and put NM in play (it could be argued Rubio has little in common with Southwestern voters save religion and immigrant ancestors, but both are huge.) In that case Obama would be in truly dire straits, because Romney has to be the favorite in NH, and that would mean Obama could afford no more losses except IA—even WITH OH (sorry.) Looking at the map, it is hard to see why so many Dems are so cheery.
This stuff always unguessable until maybe a week out, and then of course afterwards it was 'inevitable', I can't see Rubio hurting Romney in the Pop vote or EV. Guessing VP candidates this early out is also an exercise in futility though, I happen to be a big Rubio fan is all.
It is too soon to tell a lot of things, but Rubio offers the GOP in general many upsides with few liabilities, unless something really damaging is discovered.
Honorbound and honored to be Bonded to Mahtaliel Sedai
Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.
Love still can't be coerced.
Please Don't Eat the Newbies!
LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.
Love still can't be coerced.
Please Don't Eat the Newbies!

LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
Now That Romney Is Officially the Republican Presidential Nominee: Pick the President!
- 29/02/2012 08:29:02 PM
1506 Views
- 29/02/2012 08:29:02 PM
1506 Views
I agree Romney will be the candidate.
- 29/02/2012 08:54:52 PM
803 Views
I would say the math favors Romney over Obama, but it will probably be close either way.
- 01/03/2012 03:37:52 PM
894 Views
I have never understood the point of the Electoral College.
- 29/02/2012 11:39:11 PM
878 Views
You don't think like a politician then
- 01/03/2012 12:38:36 AM
936 Views
- 01/03/2012 12:38:36 AM
936 Views
I certainly hadn't considered much of that. I'm glad you posted it. *NM*
- 01/03/2012 07:15:03 AM
395 Views
I also have not seen most of that mentioned in the popular vs. electoral debate.
- 01/03/2012 02:34:31 PM
818 Views
a bit simplistic and unrealistic
- 02/03/2012 11:44:02 PM
871 Views
When illustrating a point realism is not required and simplicity is a plus
- 03/03/2012 03:04:26 AM
901 Views
I have a couple quibbles.
- 03/03/2012 05:23:46 AM
904 Views
Oh, certainly, I'm over-generalizing but I was already getting long-winded
- 03/03/2012 06:52:04 AM
846 Views
What a bunch of waffle!
- 03/03/2012 10:47:19 AM
1007 Views
Also I don't like this refrain that implies only the POTUS vote matters
- 03/03/2012 03:29:58 AM
1012 Views
IMHO, parliaments choosing prime ministers is LESS democratic than the electoral college.
- 03/03/2012 05:57:41 AM
817 Views
Re: IMHO, parliaments choosing prime ministers is LESS democratic than the electoral college.
- 03/03/2012 07:02:30 AM
857 Views
*is learning*
- 04/03/2012 09:49:42 PM
843 Views
Re: *is learning*
- 04/03/2012 09:56:16 PM
885 Views
Re: *is learning*
- 05/03/2012 12:08:08 AM
916 Views
You could imitate the French.
- 07/03/2012 10:40:16 PM
826 Views
- 07/03/2012 10:40:16 PM
826 Views
That seems... unlikely....
- 08/03/2012 03:03:54 PM
850 Views
- 08/03/2012 03:03:54 PM
850 Views
It does, doesn't it?
- 08/03/2012 06:11:08 PM
1013 Views
- 08/03/2012 06:11:08 PM
1013 Views
After I thought about it more, I realized France and the US are not so different in that respect.
- 08/03/2012 08:51:03 PM
796 Views
More similar than the other major Western democracies at least, agreed.
- 08/03/2012 09:32:55 PM
799 Views
I did not realize lack of a parliamentary majority dictated his cabinet.
- 09/03/2012 12:27:31 AM
871 Views
I don't know much about Norwegian politics, but you seem to be wrong.
- 03/03/2012 06:18:08 PM
876 Views
Do you happen to have that link, please?
- 03/03/2012 06:46:31 PM
758 Views
Sure.
- 03/03/2012 06:58:07 PM
934 Views
Guess we did not read far enough.
- 03/03/2012 10:38:07 PM
860 Views
Yeah, you have to know a few things about European politics...
- 03/03/2012 11:49:44 PM
1081 Views
Hey, man, I am an AMERICAN: I do not HAVE to know ANYTHING!
- 04/03/2012 11:46:57 PM
1084 Views
- 04/03/2012 11:46:57 PM
1084 Views
Re: Yeah, you have to know a few things about European politics...
- 05/03/2012 06:56:24 AM
873 Views
The thing is, regions often have national relevance far greater than their populations would suggest
- 05/03/2012 10:21:26 AM
837 Views
Re: Yeah, you have to know a few things about European politics...
- 08/03/2012 07:11:12 PM
817 Views
Many valid reasons, including those Isaac cited.
- 02/03/2012 02:26:37 AM
980 Views
Most states are ignored anyway
- 02/03/2012 11:56:12 PM
1036 Views
Only because and to the extent they have already committed themselves.
- 03/03/2012 03:41:39 AM
892 Views
Why would we do something logical? Dude, you're utterly ridiculous. *NM*
- 05/03/2012 04:53:38 PM
446 Views
I'm kind of sad- does this mean Santorum won't be providing wonderful sound bites anymore?
- 01/03/2012 02:22:31 PM
801 Views
Romney or Obama, either way, America loses. *NM*
- 02/03/2012 01:10:26 AM
613 Views
Hard to dispute that either; six of one, half a dozen of the other.
- 02/03/2012 01:38:07 AM
772 Views
I'd agree hope and change was extremely unrealistic
- 02/03/2012 11:58:57 PM
782 Views
Well, you know my story there; I voted for Obama and got Hillary (at best.)
- 03/03/2012 01:43:20 AM
804 Views
Update: Despite rules requiring they be split, the MI GOP is giving Romney BOTH statewide delegates.
- 02/03/2012 11:10:56 PM
891 Views
Romney is damaged
- 02/03/2012 11:27:33 PM
775 Views
Obama is rather damaged also; it will probably come down to FL and OH, yet again.
- 03/03/2012 02:23:53 AM
917 Views
I'm hoping for Rubio as VP... then FL probably won't matter
- 03/03/2012 04:28:08 AM
778 Views
You should put that on your license plates.
- 03/03/2012 06:41:34 AM
913 Views
- 03/03/2012 06:41:34 AM
913 Views
Re: You should put that on your license plates.
- 03/03/2012 06:51:00 AM
871 Views
- 03/03/2012 06:51:00 AM
871 Views
Ax murderers are people, too!
- 04/03/2012 08:23:41 PM
819 Views
- 04/03/2012 08:23:41 PM
819 Views
And what are you basing all of this on?
- 03/03/2012 09:54:06 PM
885 Views
The closeness of several states when Obama was far more popular, and UTs heavily Mormon neighbors.
- 03/03/2012 11:44:06 PM
845 Views
Wrong
- 04/03/2012 08:08:56 AM
971 Views
Higher turnout magnifies the Mormon effect.
- 04/03/2012 08:08:09 PM
1021 Views
Your reasoning is flawed and if you can't see it there is no hope for you
- 05/03/2012 11:39:04 PM
941 Views
Yeah, I think we had that conversation already, several times, in fact.
- 07/03/2012 05:36:45 AM
762 Views
Do you have any knowledge of statistics at all?
- 07/03/2012 09:04:15 PM
924 Views
I hate this message board
- 07/03/2012 09:06:30 PM
707 Views
It would probably help if you deleted the stuff from two, three posts back?
- 07/03/2012 09:25:40 PM
824 Views

