Romney's potential running mates
Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, R-Minn.
Age: 51
Education:
B.A. in political science, University of Minnesota, 1983
J.D., University of Minnesota Law, 1986
Previous elected office:
Eagan Minnesota City Council 1989-1993
Minnesota House of Representatives 1993-2003
Majority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives 1999-2003
Governor of Minnesota 2003-2011
Hometown:
St. Paul, Minn.
Family:
Wife: Mary Anderson.
Children: Mara (b. 1996) and Anna (b. 1993).
Something you might not know about Pawlenty:
Pawlenty's mother died of cancer when he was 16.
He originally wanted to be a dentist.
He's the only member of his family to graduate from college.
Pawlenty enjoys practical jokes. He pulled down the pants of Ohio House Speaker Steve Sviggum during a 2001 softball game.
A voice from his past:
College friend Andy Tanick recalls playing fantasy football with Pawlenty. "He would always lose," Tanick told CBS News. "He called me, at that point I was at his former law firm, and he asked me to do some pre-research if [fantasy football] would constitute gambling and I said 'in your case it's not because you're not winning.'"
Strengths:
Pawlenty is both socially and fiscally conservative. He claims to have balanced Minnesota's budget every year as governor while still passing tax cuts. Also, his blue-collar roots appeal to the broader GOP base and work as a counter balance to Romney's wealth.
Drawbacks:
Pawlenty has been accused of being bland as well as too nice for politics. In addition, his detractors like to mention that he left behind a $6.2 billion deficit in Minnesota. During his presidential run in 2011, he criticized Romney by coining the term "Obamneycare" to describe the similarities between Romney's Massachusetts health care law and Obama's Affordable Care Act.
Net Worth:
Pawlenty was worth between $470,000 and $1.6 million as of 2011 according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Written by Joseph Van Dusen
Full coverage: Romney's vice presidential choice
Romney's potential running mates
Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio
Age: 56
Education:
B.A. in anthropology, Dartmouth College, 1979
J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1984
Previous experience:
Deputy assistant and director, White House Office of Legislative Affairs under George H.W. Bush, 1989-1991
Congressman, Ohio Second District, 1993-2005
U.S. Trade Representative, cabinet of George W. Bush, 2005-2006
Director, Office of Management and Budget under George W. Bush, 2006-2007
U.S. Senator from Ohio, 2011-present
Hometown:
Cincinnati, Ohio
Family:
Wife: Jane Portman
Children: Jed, Will, and Sally.
Something you might not know about Portman:
Portman owns a 1917 Model T Ford that he keeps at his family's home in Terrace Park, Ohio. The car had belonged to Portman's father.
Portman kayaked the Yangtze River in 1984 with a friend from Dartmouth, just as China was beginning to permit foreign tourists. Portman chronicled the trip in an essay called "China by Kayak," published in First Descents: In Search of Wild Rivers.
A voice from their past:
Joe Hagin, who has been friends with Portman since the sixth grade and worked with him in the second Bush White House, recalls their first job in politics: "We would hammer in yard signs for Congressman Bill Gradison. Bill was the guy Rob ended up replacing," Hagin told CBS News.
Strengths:
Portman's popularity in Ohio could prove decisive in bringing the swing state to the Romney column: "If you look historically, the vice president's home state gives them about 3-5 points," Robert T. Bennett, chairman of the Ohio Republican Party, told CBS News.
Supporters say that Portman's experience in the White House could be an asset to the Romney campaign. Portman has served in the cabinet, as a budget director, and a trade representative, so he could speak authoritatively on economic and trade issues during the campaign.
Drawbacks:
Portman's connections to the Bush administration could also be a liability. According to an attack ad from Portman's opponent Lee Fisher in the 2010 senate race, the U.S. trade deficit with China increased by 20 percent when Portman was the U.S. Trade Representative under George W. Bush. He served in that role from 2005 to 2006. Politifact.com has verified this figure.
Net worth:
Portman was worth between $1,325,069 and $16,283,999 as of 2010 according to OpenSecrets.org.
Written by Matt Joseloff
Full coverage: Romney's vice presidential choice
Romney's potential running mates
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.
Age: 41
Education:
B.S. in political science, University of Florida, 1993
J.D., University of Miami, 1996
Previous elected office:
West Miami City Commission, 1998-2000
Florida House of Representatives, 2000-2008 (majority leader, 2003-06; speaker, 2006-08)
U.S. Senate, 2011-present
Hometown:
Miami, Florida
Family:
Wife: Jeanette Rubio.
Children: Amanda (b. 2000), Daniella (b. 2002), Anthony (b. 2005), and Dominick (b. 2007).
Something you might not know about Rubio:
Orlando Cicilia Jr., the husband of Rubio's sister Barbara, was convicted of drug trafficking in 1989 and sentenced to 25 years in prison. The New Yorker reported that Cicilia was paroled in 2000.
A voice from his past:
Rebeca Sosa, former mayor of West Miami, recalls meeting Rubio in 1997 when he wanted to run for the city commission. Sosa says Rubio had been told he would need the mayor's support to get elected and approached her as she was hanging Christmas lights on her home: "I stopped everything I was doing," Sosa told CBS News. "I invited him into my house and we kept talking while we drank Cuban coffee. I realized he didn't need me, that he didn't need anyone, because I knew he was going to get to those positions on his own. He just had that charisma."
Strengths:
Tea Party conservatives have been less than enthusiastic about Romney. Rubio, on the other hand, has been called the movement's "crown prince" and could lock up conservative support for Romney. Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, could help Republicans improve their historically poor performance among Hispanic voters. According to the Pew Research Center, only 31 percent of Hispanics voted for John McCain in 2008.
Drawbacks:
Questions have been raised about some possible inaccuracies in Rubio's telling of his family's immigration story to the U.S. according to a Washington Post investigation. Rubio could come under scrutiny for his connection to Florida Rep. David Rivera. In April, The Florida Department of Law enforcement ended a year- long ethics investigation into Rivera and did not charge him, but he may still face federal charges for misusing campaign funds. Rubio and Rivera shared a house in Tallahassee from 2005 to 2010 when they served in the Florida House. Rubio also hosted a fundraiser for Rivera earlier this year.
Net Worth:
Rubio was worth between $75,987 and $834,998 as of 2010 according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Written by Matt Joseloff
Full coverage: Romney's vice presidential choice
Romney's potential running mates
Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis.
Age: 42
Education:
B.A. in economics, Miami University, 1992
Previous elected office:
U.S. House of Representatives 1998-Present (Chairman of the House Budget Committee 2011-present)
Hometown:
Janesville, Wis.
Family:
Wife: Janna Little
Children: Elizabeth Anne (b. 2002), Charles Wilson (b. 2003) and Samuel Lowery (b. 2004)
Something you might not know about Ryan:
In 2010, Ryan led P90X intense fitness routines for fellow lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
He enjoys bow-hunting.
Paul Ryan noodles catfish, a fishing technique popular in the South and Midwest where the animals are caught and pulled from the water with a bare fist down their throats.
A voice from his past:
Janesville, Wis., economist John Beckord recalls seeing Ryan at the dump. "I remember pulling up to the local dump and Ryan was there emptying out his truck as well," Beckord told CBS News. "He's the kind of guy who still comes home on the weekends and does the chores."
Strengths:
Ryan's supporters say he's an excellent communicator and young leader. Additionally, Ryan's simplification of the tax code is appealing to certain income groups and businesses concerned with net profits.
Drawbacks:
His budget's effect on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid have been criticized as too harsh and that could hurt him with older voters. Also, Ryan's critics say that his 14 years in Congress gives him a long voting record, which could be called into question by opponents. He also lacks executive leadership experience.
Net Worth:
Ryan's net worth is estimated between $927,100 and $3,207,000 as of 2010 according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Written by Joseph Van Dusen
Full coverage: Romney's vice presidential choice
Romney's potential running mates
Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J.
Age: 49
Education:
B.A. in political science, University of Delaware, 1984
J.D., Seton Hall University School of Law, 1987
Previous experience:
Governor of New Jersey since 2010
U.S. Attorney, 2002-2008
Hometown:
Livingston, N.J. (Pop. approximately 27,000)
Family:
Wife: Mary Pat.
Children: Andrew (1993), Sarah (1996), Bridget (2000) and Patrick (2000).
Something you might not know about Christie:
According to the New York Times, Christie is a big fan of fellow New Jersey native Bruce Springsteen, and has attended at least 122 of his concerts.
A voice from his past:
John Inglesino, 49, a close friend of Christie's who met him through the political scene in New Jersey's Morris County approximately 20 years ago, told CBS News that he always thought of Christie as a "superstar in the making." "The thing that's most intriguing about Chris is, what you see is what you get," Inglesino said. "He's not one way in private and another way in public."
Strengths:
Christie's six-year tenure as New Jersey's U.S. Attorney is lauded as a success by political pundits and New Jersey citizens alike. This strong legal background would balance Romney's business orientation well. In addition, as governor, his supporters say that he has a strong foundation in executive leadership.
Drawbacks:
Critics say that Christie's tendency to be blunt in his public remarks could be polarizing to some voters and could clash with Romney's more genial tone.
Net Worth:
Christie was worth an estimated $3.8 million as of 2009 according to the Newark Star Ledger (Financial Disclosure Form 2011)
Written by Sarah Jorgensen
Full coverage: Romney's vice presidential choice
Romney's potential running mates
Gov. Bobby Jindal, R-La.
Age: 41
Education:
B.A. in biology and public policy, Brown University, 1991
M.Lit. in political science, Oxford University, 1994
Previous experience:
Governor of Louisiana since 2008
U.S. House of Representatives, 2005-2008
Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001-2003
President of the University of Louisiana system, 1999-2001
Executive Director of the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare, 1998-1999
Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, 1996-1998
Hometown:
Baton Rouge, La.
Family:
Wife: Supriya Jindal.
Children: Celia (b. 2002), Shaan (b. 2004) and Slade (b. 2006)
Something you might not know about Jindal:
Jindal, who officially converted to Roman Catholicism from Hinduism during his college years, witnessed the exorcism of a friend during his time at Brown University and wrote about the experience in an essay for a Catholic magazine, the New Oxford Review. "I began to think that the demon would only attack me if I tried to pray or fight back; thus, I resigned myself to leaving it alone in an attempt to find peace for myself," Jindal wrote.
A voice from his past:
Billy Nungesser, president of southern Louisiana's Plaquemines Parish, who has known Jindal for about 10 years, told CBS News that "through these four hurricanes and the oil spill, [Jindal has] kept a calm head on his shoulders. He's been able to pull the local leaders together like I've never seen done before." Nungesser also noted that Jindal is "very compassionate" and that he has a "hands on, common sense approach to solving problems."
Strengths:
Jindal's background in nationwide healthcare administration could be extremely beneficial to Romney, who has stated that he would attempt to repeal President Obama's Affordable Care Act immediately if he wins the election. In addition, supporters also praise Jindal's sweeping ethics reforms in Louisiana and his handling of the Deepwater Horizon crisis.
Drawbacks:
Jindal was harshly criticized for what many considered a lackluster performance in his delivering of the 2009 Republican response to President Obama's first address to a joint session of Congress.
Net Worth:
Jindal was worth an estimated $2.7 million as of 2006 according to InvestingAnswers.com (Financial Disclosure Form 2011)
Written by Sarah Jorgensen
Full coverage: Romney's vice presidential choice
Romney's potential running mates
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
Age: 57
Education:
B.A. in political science, University of Denver, 1974
M.A. in political science, University of Notre Dame, 1975
Ph.D. in political science, Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver, 1981
Previous elected office:
None
Previous experience:
Bush administration national security adviser, 2001-2005
Secretary of State, 2005-2009
Hometown:
Birmingham, Ala.
Family:
Not married.
No children.
Something you might not know about Rice:
Her name comes from the opera term con dolcezza, meaning "with sweetness."
She is an avid piano player and ice-skater.
She skipped grades one and seven.
In the 70s, she dated Rick Upchurch, a wide receiver for the Denver Broncos from 1975-1983.
A voice from her past:
Former Denver Broncos wide receiver, four-time Pro-Bowler and Rice's ex-boyfriend Rick Upchurch told CBS News: "She was very athletic. Back in the 70s, when she had the opportunity to hang out with the guys playing for the Broncos, one thing she always told me was she either wanted to be a coach or the commissioner of the National Football League... After games, she always wanted to know why we ran this play or why we didn't run another play."
Strengths:
Serving as Secretary of State and national security adviser for nearly a decade, Rice is head-and-shoulders above the other possible VP candidates when it comes to foreign policy, an arena where the Romney camp falls short. Also, a recent poll of small business owners conducted by George Washington University shows that Condoleezza Rice is the "Top Pick by Small Businesses for VP Candidate."
Drawbacks:
Rice's critics point out that she is pro-choice, which puts her at odds with Romney and the conservative base. Additionally, her history with the Bush administration and the Iraq war could make an easy target for the opposition.
Net Worth:
Rice's net worth is between $667,022 and $2,379,999 as of 2008 according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Written by Joseph Van Dusen
Full coverage: Romney's vice presidential choice
Romney's potential running mates
Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H.
Age: 44
Education:
B.A., in political science, Pennsylvania State University, 1990
J.D., Villanova University School of Law, 1993
Previous elected office:
New Hampshire Attorney General, 2004-2010
U.S. Senate, 2010-present
Hometown:
Nashua, N.H.
Family:
Husband: Joseph Daley
Children: Katherine and Jacob
Something you might not know about Ayotte:
Ayotte was endorsed by Sarah Palin in her 2010 race for senate. Palin called her "granite grizzly."
A voice from her past:
Matt Lyons served on student government with Ayotte at the Villanova University School of Law. Lyons remembers her as one of the most highly-motivated students in the class. "From the moment I met Kelly at 23, it was clear to me that she was focused on state and national levels, and that she was going to accomplish those goals," Lyons said.
Strengths:
As a mother of two, Ayotte can relate well to women voters. Even opponents say that she had a "deep connection" with voters in New Hampshire and that she was extremely personable on the campaign trail, something that the Romney campaign has struggled with.
Drawbacks:
Critics say Ayotte lacks experience because she has only served two years in the Senate. Critics also say that she may not be ready for the national media's scrutiny of her time as attorney general in New Hampshire. Ayotte's emails and calendar appointments were deleted shortly before she resigned from her position as attorney general to run for office. She later called for the emails to be released.
Net worth:
Kelly Ayotte's net worth is between $420,000 and $1.3 million as of 2010 according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Written by Sarah Phinney
Full coverage: Romney's vice presidential choice
Romney's potential running mates
Gov. Bob McDonnell, R-Va.
Age: 58
Education:
B.B.A. in management, University of Notre Dame, 1976
M.S.B.A., Boston University, 1980
M.A. in public policy Regent University, 1989
J.D., Regent University, 1989
Previous elected office:
Virginia House of Delegates, 1997-2005
Virginia Attorney General, 2006-2009
Governor of Virginia, 2009-present
Hometown:
Philadelphia, Pa.
Family:
Wife: Maureen McDonnell
Children: Jeanine, Cailin, Rachel and twins, Bobby and Sean.
Something you might not know about McDonnell:
McDonnell lived in Germany for four years during his early childhood when his father, USAF Lt. Colonel John McDonnell, was assigned there.
A voice from their past:
Gerry Scimeca who ran McDonnell's first campaign for state legislature in 1997 told CBS News that he remembers McDonnell as, "very practical, very people-oriented, even-tempered" who hasn't changed at all, but "maybe his suits fit better now."
Strengths:
McDonnell is governor of Virginia, a highly-valued battleground state. In 2008, President Obama was the first Democrat since 1964 to carry Virginia in a presidential election. On July 13, CBS News reported that the Romney campaign opened more than 20 offices in the state.
Drawbacks:
In 2009, the Washington Post uncovered a thesis that McDonnell wrote in 1989 while studying at Regent University. Titled "The Republican Party's Vision for the Family: The Compelling Issue of the Decade", McDonnell recommended that the Republican party "fight any attempts to redefine family by allowing special rights for homosexuals or single-parent unwed mothers."
Critics say the thesis could alienate much-needed women swing voters. In March, McDonnell received national attention after he signed a bill requiring women to have an invasive ultrasound before getting an abortion.
Net worth:
CBS News obtained McDonnell's financial disclosure form from 2011. The document shows trips he took and gifts he received throughout the year, including a $665 suit from J Crew and tickets to University of Virginia football games.
Written by Sarah Phinney
Full coverage: Romney's vice presidential choice
Romney's potential running mates
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.
Age: 51
Education:
B.A. in business, Biola University, 1983
M.B.A., University of South Dakota, 1984
Previous elected office:
U.S. House of Representatives, 1997-2003
U.S. Senate 2005-Present
Hometown:
Murdo, S.D. (Pop. approximately 500)
Family:
Wife: Kimberley.
Children: Brittany and Larissa
Something you might not know about Thune:
Thune is an avid hunter, especially for pheasants. Former mayor of Murdo, Kelcy Nash, told CBS News that Thune is very involved with wildlife and noted that he occasionally returns to the Murdo area for the fall hunting season.
A voice from his past:
Thune's political science professor at Biola, Dr. David Peters, told CBS News he remembers him as a strong student. "John is intellectually strong," Peters said. "He is a thinker and he reflects and thinks things through and takes a balanced view of things."
Strengths:
Thune, reported by many as a devout Christian and regular attendee of McLean Bible Church in the Washington D.C. area, would appeal to Christian voters nationally. In addition, supporters say that his business education is consistent with Romney's background and emphasis on private enterprise.
Drawbacks:
Since Thune has only worked in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, critics note that he has no executive experience - a trait that many voters consider necessary for a potential president.
Net Worth:
Thune was worth between $170,023 and $676,000 as of 2010 according to the Center for Responsive Politics. (Financial disclosure form 2011)
Written by Sarah Jorgensen