GOP Kingmakers make their case for Romney's Running Mate

The Hill  Mitt Romney has kept his cards close to the vest about who he'll pick for his presidential running mate — but that hasn't stopped a number of Republican kingmakers from saying who they think Romney should pick.


A number have mentioned Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as their top choice. Others mentioned at least once include GOP Sens. Rob Portman (Ohio) and Rand Paul (Ky.), Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R), former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez (R).
No one touted former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), who has loyally worked for Romney since his own campaign ended and is said to be in the running.

Here's a list of some top Republican movers and shakers — and who they want to see as Romney's vice presidential pick.
A number of other top Republicans declined to comment or offered a list of options, saying it was Romney’s decision to make and that they didn’t want to meddle.
Those who declined to comment include former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), and Faith & Freedom Coalition President Ralph Reed, both of whom touted the GOP’s deep bench but refused to offer specifics on the record.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R): Rubio
“Marco would bring an incredible energy. He’s the most articulate spokesman for conservative principles I think in America today,” Bush told reporters in early May. “And he’s my friend, so I’m a little biased. But I think he would be extraordinary.”

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker: Ryan
"I'm biased for Paul," Walker told The Hill at a Thursday breakfast sponsored by The Christian Science Monitor in mid-June. "If you believe that the fiscal crisis facing our country is clearly one of our top challenges, I don't know of anybody, at least in this town, who's better equipped to help you deal with that, not just because of his plan but because he understands the dynamics. I think he's got credible respect on both sides of the aisle. … Far beyond that, he's just from Wisconsin — I think there's tremendous value to Paul."

Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist: Jindal
“Romney would do well to have a wing man who can astutely explain the flaws in President Barack Obama’s policies and lay out the GOP’s innovative, pro-growth alternatives. There are many attractive prospects out there, but Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal can do not just all that, he has already implemented the sort of bold reforms at the state level that are now desperately needed at the federal level,” he wrote in Politico in mid-May.
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