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