Romney’s Magical Mystery Tour Holds VP Auditions -The Road to the White House - Election 2012 - Week 25

Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican Presidential candidate spent the week holding trial runs with four possible VP candidates as each joined him on his six state “Every Town Counts” bus tour.

All eyes are now awaiting the next major announcement from the Romney camp which will be his choice for a running mate. Although pundits are sending smoke signals the clearest indication of possible choices includes those who joined the former Massachusetts governor as he warmed up for the national stage.

According to Gallup, as of June 23, 2012 among registered voters President Obama’s national popularity gained a single percentage point this week to 46% and Mitt Romney national popularity remained steady at 46%. Obama’s current overall ratings, according to Gallup, gained a single percentage point over the past week to 46% approve of his effectiveness as President and those who disapprove of his effectiveness dropped three percentage points to 46%.

Gallup also presents a trending issue as Race still, overwhelming, plays a predominate role among registered voters including 81% of African Americans, 69% of non-whites and 61% of Hispanics approve of President Obama’s effectives as opposed to 37% of registered white voters.

The possible four candidates joining Mitt Romney and his wife, Ann, included New Hampshire Junior Senator and former Attorney General Kelly Ayotte, Ohio Senator Rob Portman, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and Chairman of the House Budget Committee Wisconsin Representative, Paul Ryan.

A fifth possible candidate, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida was mysteriously absent from Romney’s recent bus tour which led to early speculation that the Hispanic Junior Senator was not under VP consideration by the Romney camp.

At the end of the week, 42 year-old Wisconsin Representative, Paul Ryan received the call from the Romney Camp. As he accepted, Ryan submitted paperwork and is being vetted as a possible Vice-Presidential candidate. Additionally, the only candidate who was not on the tour, 41 year-old Florida Senator Marco Rubio is also being vetted. 

Vetting of the possible candidates is defined as making a careful and critical examination of something, in the case of possible VP candidates it includes a thorough investigation of their background. Famous cases of political derailment include Judge Kimba Woods, once chosen as a possible Supreme Court Justice and was sidelined in what has become known as “Nannygate.” Vetting includes investigating the person thoroughly, in order to ensure that they are suitable for a job requiring secrecy, loyalty, or trustworthiness.

The GOP primary season concludes with Utah on June 26. Although three candidates remain on the ballot it is expected that Romney will again take the largest percentage of the votes with Texas representative Ron Paul second and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum third.

According to the Wall Street Journal 2012 Delegate tracker total for all candidates have been adjusted. Of the 2286 total available delegates, Mitt Romney has secured 1,480 delegates. At this time Rick Santorum holds 267 delegates, Newt Gingrich; 138, and Ron Paul, 137.

The Republican National Convention is slated for August 27-30, 2012 in Tampa Bay, Florida where GOP Party leaders from each state will officially pledge the delegates awarded during the primary season and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney will officially be nominated as the Republican Presidential Candidate.

 

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