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Ax murderers are people, too! Joel Send a noteboard - 04/03/2012 08:23:41 PM
NOT! :P 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.
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Now That Romney Is Officially the Republican Presidential Nominee: Pick the President! - 29/02/2012 08:29:02 PM 1197 Views
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a bit simplistic and unrealistic - 02/03/2012 11:44:02 PM 618 Views
When illustrating a point realism is not required and simplicity is a plus - 03/03/2012 03:04:26 AM 630 Views
I have a couple quibbles. - 03/03/2012 05:23:46 AM 660 Views
Oh, certainly, I'm over-generalizing but I was already getting long-winded - 03/03/2012 06:52:04 AM 622 Views
I hate when people do that. - 05/03/2012 09:49:36 AM 603 Views
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First you complain of simplicity then of my lack of brevity? - 03/03/2012 11:18:11 AM 554 Views
A simplistic argument doesn't mean it's brief *NM* - 03/03/2012 09:55:51 PM 308 Views
Also I don't like this refrain that implies only the POTUS vote matters - 03/03/2012 03:29:58 AM 773 Views
IMHO, parliaments choosing prime ministers is LESS democratic than the electoral college. - 03/03/2012 05:57:41 AM 581 Views
Re: IMHO, parliaments choosing prime ministers is LESS democratic than the electoral college. - 03/03/2012 07:02:30 AM 619 Views
*is learning* - 04/03/2012 09:49:42 PM 609 Views
Re: *is learning* - 04/03/2012 09:56:16 PM 620 Views
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I've fairly limited exposure and that from some years back - 04/03/2012 11:35:12 PM 658 Views
Re: *is learning* - 05/03/2012 12:08:08 AM 657 Views
You could imitate the French. - 07/03/2012 10:40:16 PM 588 Views
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Do you happen to have that link, please? - 03/03/2012 06:46:31 PM 509 Views
Sure. - 03/03/2012 06:58:07 PM 676 Views
Guess we did not read far enough. - 03/03/2012 10:38:07 PM 631 Views
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Re: Yeah, you have to know a few things about European politics... - 05/03/2012 06:56:24 AM 628 Views
Fascinating. - 05/03/2012 10:52:32 PM 606 Views
Re: Yeah, you have to know a few things about European politics... - 08/03/2012 07:11:12 PM 584 Views
Many valid reasons, including those Isaac cited. - 02/03/2012 02:26:37 AM 722 Views
Most states are ignored anyway - 02/03/2012 11:56:12 PM 807 Views
Why would we do something logical? Dude, you're utterly ridiculous. *NM* - 05/03/2012 04:53:38 PM 344 Views
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Nothing has shut him up yet, why should this? *NM* - 01/03/2012 05:27:30 PM 327 Views
Maybe he'll pull a Palin and go touring around the country *NM* - 01/03/2012 07:06:02 PM 296 Views
No, it probably means we will get more and worse than ever. - 01/03/2012 11:25:25 PM 745 Views
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You should put that on your license plates. - 03/03/2012 06:41:34 AM 680 Views
Re: You should put that on your license plates. - 03/03/2012 06:51:00 AM 620 Views
Ax murderers are people, too! - 04/03/2012 08:23:41 PM 569 Views
And what are you basing all of this on? - 03/03/2012 09:54:06 PM 665 Views
The closeness of several states when Obama was far more popular, and UTs heavily Mormon neighbors. - 03/03/2012 11:44:06 PM 613 Views
Wrong - 04/03/2012 08:08:56 AM 740 Views
Higher turnout magnifies the Mormon effect. - 04/03/2012 08:08:09 PM 770 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 674 Views
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Do you have any knowledge of statistics at all? - 07/03/2012 09:04:15 PM 670 Views
I hate this message board - 07/03/2012 09:06:30 PM 468 Views
Some, though it is far from exhaustive. - 08/03/2012 02:29:06 PM 658 Views

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