May 3, 2012
With his recent five-state sweep in the primaries and news of Newt Gingrich dropping out of the race, Mitt Romney is the surefire GOP presidential candidate.
Mitt Romney at an election campaign in Chantilly, Virginia, May 2, 2012.
May 3, 2012
With his recent five-state sweep in the primaries and news of Newt Gingrich dropping out of the race, Mitt Romney is the surefire GOP presidential candidate.
Mitt Romney at an election campaign in Chantilly, Virginia, May 2, 2012.
Going with the assumption that Mr. Romney will be the nominee, speculation is rife on who his running mate will be. Among the many names being tossed around are Florida Senator Marco Rubio, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley — who was quick to endorse Mr. Romney and stand behind him during the primaries –, and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal who initially was behind Rick Perry, but then switched loyalties to endorse Mr. Romney.
However, “no” seems to be the answer from these possible running mates, including Indian Americans Ms. Haley and Mr. Jindal, at least for now.
Ms. Haley’s spokesman, Rob Godfrey, told India Real Time: “The governor appreciates the investment the people of South Carolina made by allowing her to serve as governor. She wants to honor this commitment by finishing the job she was hired to do.”
Bobby Jindal at the 2011 Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, June 17, 2011.
Mr. Jindal who has repeatedly said that he has the job he wants, gave a more open-ended response. Soon after Rick Santorum dropped out of the race, the Louisiana governor issued a statement saying, “Congratulations to Governor Romney on winning a hard fought race, I look forward to supporting him in retiring President Obama. It’s time for all Republicans to focus their energies on the fall campaign which will give Americans a fundamental choice between Obama’s lurch toward European style big government and the Republican alternative of a thriving private sector with a smaller government.”
From past examples, some politicians say “no” yet still end up as nominees and then vice-presidents. But in the case of Ms. Haley and Mr. Jindal, many analysts believe such a course is unlikely. Whether it is a political or a geographical balancing act, Mr. Romney is expected to look right for his nominees to attract the conservative and tea-party blocs.
Ms. Haley with her family.
Ms. Haley’s surprise endorsement of Mr. Romney and her strong support for him during the South Carolina primary led many to believe that if he was looking to the right and looking for support from women, she would be a suitable choice. Conversely, her support for Mr. Romney might have distanced her from her Tea Party supporters, tarnishing her chances to get on the ticket.
Could Mr. Jindal have ruined his chances with his poorly received rebuttal to President Obama’s 2009 State of the Union? Many think so, believing he may not be ready for primetime.
Indian Americans are fast gaining clout in U.S. politics. Whatever their party affiliation might be, their strong educational background, command of the English language, robust financial standing and zealous nature to lead has influenced many to enter the political arena. They have become governors, congressmen, senators, selectmen, mayors, and attorney-generals. However, whether America is ready to elect an Indian American president or even a vice-president is a different matter.
Republican Indian Committee Political Director Jody Venkatesan supports the idea of Mr. Jindal or Ms. Haley as running mates for Mr. Romney: “Both are the personification of what America has to offer.”
“It’s easy to see why Indian Americans have become so visible on the political scene — they are successfully transitioning their everyday belief in freedom, fiscal responsibility and strong family values into grass-roots activism and campaign dollars. Their values are, of course, the bedrock principles of Reagan Republicanism,” says Mr. Venkatesan, who ran for the state senate in Maryland in 2010.
Bottom line, Mr. Romney’s team will chose the person who will compliment his weak spots and help him compete in 2012. Only time will tell if that person is Ms. Haley or Mr. Jindal. Indications are that they might end up just being great supporters. Nevertheless, looking back at the unexpected choice of Sarah Palin back in 2008, who is to judge?
Courtesy: wsj
