Will Romney's Combative Style Net VP Nod?

In Interview With CBSNews.com, Ex-McCain Rival Flashes VP-Type Style

(CBS)  This story was written by CBSNews.com political reporter Scott Conroy.

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Mitt Romney spent over $35 million of his own money and more than a year of his life on a bid for the presidency that fell short and ended abruptly. The former Massachusetts governor is not one to wallow in failure, but even for the incurably optimistic Romney, portraying his unsuccessful run in a positive light would seem an impossible task. Still, he manages.

"In some respects it's ideal," Romney said only half-jokingly as he sat down for an exclusive national interview with CBSNews.com before addressing the crowd at the opening of John McCain's Great Lakes regional headquarters. "Get out of the race just before summer so you can spend some time with the family at the beach."

Despite his deep summer tan, Romney has been anything but a beach bum as of late. Since dropping out of the Republican race in February, he has gone from being John McCain's fiercest rival to one of the Arizona senator's most visible surrogates. What was inconceivable during the height of their primary battles, the prospect of a McCain/Romney ticket, is now a real possibility.

The most obvious assets that Romney would bring to the Republican ticket include his economic expertise, fundraising prowess and potential to give McCain a boost in more than one battleground state. But a less talked about plus side to a Romney vice presidential candidacy is that despite his perpetually sunny demeanor, the former Massachusetts governor is not afraid to unleash razor-sharp political attacks against the opposition.

"This is not the time for an amateur," Romney said of presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama. "This is the time for a tested, proven professional to lead our country." (Watch video of Romney talking about Obama)

Romney brims with confidence and is almost always unflappable. The McCain campaign has taken advantage of Romney's willingness to take the offensive by encouraging him to make TV appearances on the senator's behalf.

The ability to stay on message is an asset for any vice presidential prospect, but that very trait also led to criticisms during Romney's campaign that he could come across as impersonal or robotic.

Asked what his father George, who as Governor of Michigan during the 1960's was a champion of civil rights, would have made of an African-American candidate winning a major party nomination, Romney refused to go off script, even for a moment, to acknowledge Obama's historic achievement.

"I think most Americans do what the Democrats did in their primary, which is they look at the person and say who can be the right leader at a particular point in time, and they make that decision without regard to gender or race or faith," Romney said.

The kindest words of praise that Romney allowed himself to bestow upon Obama were "charming" and "well-spoken".

It wasn't so long ago that Romney's more scathing attacks were directed at Republicans, rather than Democrats. Even during the testiest moments of the primary campaign, Romney always insisted that he and McCain liked one another and shared no personal animosities. But that was a difficult concept to believe whenever the two men shared a tension-filled stage at one of their many debates.

At a fundraiser in Albuquerque on Monday, McCain said that he and Romney are now "good friends." For his part, Romney has gone from calling McCain "virtually indistinguishable from Hillary Clinton or Obama on a number of major issues" to praising his policies across the board.

"I think both of these guys are professional politicians-they get it," Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis said. "You get caught up in the primary and there's always emotions but a lot of that I think was more with the staffs than the candidates themselves."

Romney and those closest to him have insisted that he's not campaigning for the vice presidency and that the possibility of being asked to serve is highly unlikely. One former senior campaign adviser who remains in frequent contact with Romney insists that the former governor "really believes he's got zero chance" of being tapped to join the ticket and that he wouldn't have much of a desire to play second fiddle to McCain.

Romney said that he hasn't been asked to provide any personal information to the McCain campaign. But how much does a man who has already run for president and whose biggest vice is the occasional bowl of Count Chocula need to be vetted any further?

"The reason you pick Romney is you want a very solid, competent debater, a good governing partner, someone who'll do what you say, and someone who can communicate on economics," CBS News chief political consultant Marc Ambinder said.

As a successful venture capitalist, Romney speaks about the economy with level-headed authority speckled with his trademark optimism. Though he has an affinity for facts and figures, Romney has the ability to break down complicated economics into simple terms.

"This is not in people's heads-this is reality. People are hurting across the country," Romney said, rebutting Phil Gramm's judgment that the U.S. is a "nation of whiners."

Asked for his reaction to the news of downsizing at General Motors, the man who once gained traction by accusing McCain of exuding "Washington-style pessimism" on the automobile industry was as bullish about the business as ever.

"There's no reason why the American automobile industry can't be just as competitive as that coming from Japan, for instance," he said. "The Japanese are building automobiles right here in the United States. Why can they build cars here when we can't build cars here?" (Watch video of Romney talking about GM)

Romney has already been an active fundraiser for the presumptive Republican nominee, but adding the former governor to the ticket could give McCain the extra leverage he needs to bring in enough cash to compete with Obama's record-breaking fundraising, especially in Michigan, where the Romney name is especially salient.

"I don't think anybody's holding back," Anuzis said of Republican donors in Michigan. "But there's a difference between contributing and being part of the team and raising money enthusiastically."

Even with so many qualities that could potentially benefit the ticket, the fact remains that Republican voters already had a chance to back Mitt Romney, and most of them chose not to. Throughout the latter part of 2007, Romney held strong leads in Iowa and New Hampshire, which seemed to evaporate as voters there honed in on other candidates.

Romney's Mormon faith remains a political question mark as the vice presidential guessing game rages on. Though he has always espoused his conviction that voters have gotten beyond what he calls "the politics of identity," Romney seemed to acknowledge for the first time in his interview with CBSNews.com that his religion was indeed a handicap in the Iowa caucuses, when evangelical Christians turned out in droves to vote for Mike Huckabee, a former Baptist minister.

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VP Hot Sheet: McCain
CBSNews.com tracks the veepstakes buzz and ranks the top contenders.

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"In the big primaries like California and Florida, Michigan, New Hampshire, I don't think faith played a particular role in those events," he said. "And perhaps in some small segment or in a caucus or two, that may play a larger role because there are much smaller numbers of people."

Even if he is more interested in the vice presidency than he lets on, Romney is not going to sit around waiting for the call. Next month he plans to attend the Summer Olympics in Beijing, which take place right around the time when McCain is expected to announce his running mate.

But until that day comes, don't expect Romney to weigh in on his chances.

"That's a topic I don't speculate about," he said.

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Click below to watch the entire CBSNews.com interview with Mitt Romney.

[ariel133]

MCCAIN / ROMNEY 2008-2012 !!!!

[lochlan-2009]

Romney will be McCains VP. He''s butered up all Bush/Cheney''s cronies.

[ariel133]

Obama will lose * BIG* because when he comes back from Iraq he will prove to be the ultime flip flopper- just watch and see. Just don''t forget what he is saying now- if you do- don''t worry- someone will refre3sh your memor.

[ariel133]

Obama will lose Very * Very * BIG* because when he comes back from Iraq he will prove to be the ultimate ** "flip flopper" ** - just watch and see. Just don''t forget what he is saying now- if you do- don''t worry- someone will refresh your memory.

[toldyouso12]

McCain has not picked a VP yet, because he wants to win. His best bet, if she would agree to it, is to get Hillary. It is doubtful that McCain can complete a term. He already is showing signs of dementia and since HRC believes in the RFK intiative--accepting the VP slot from McCain is like actually winning the Presidency.

McCain wants a win bad--if he could talk HRC onto a bipart ticket--he could get that win. He knows this, that is why he is holding out. The Republicans want to pick their VP AFTER the Dems pick theirs. LOL

[singingrick]

Romney spent millions but couldn''t even buy the GOP nomination.

If he gets the VP nod from McBush, he''ll surely end up as President as the old and sickly McBush probably won''t survive his term.

[cbs4me3]

I am a Hillary Democrat and would love to see Mitt as John''s VP. What a dream ticket. And as Mitt said, this is no time for am amateur like Obama to play with his toys in the White House. So yes, this democrat will support this the John-Mitt ticket enthusiastically.

[wardoglrs]

I cant even believe that you Dumb Downed people see any good coming from the same political pit we have always had.
You should be ashamed and you deserve your freedoms taken away from you.

Wake up you Morons your in danger

[ariel133]

Obama campaign scrubbed his presidential Web site over the weekend to remove criticism of the U.S. troop "surge" in Iraq, the Daily News has learned.

The presumed Democratic nominee replaced his Iraq issue Web page, which had described the surge as a "problem" that had barely reduced violence.

"The surge is not working," Obama''''s old plan stated, citing a lack of Iraqi political cooperation but crediting Sunni sheiks - not U.S. military muscle - for quelling violence in Anbar Province.

The News reported Sunday that insurgent attacks have fallen to the fewest since March 2004.

Obama''''s campaign posted a new Iraq plan Sunday night, which cites an "improved security situation" paid for with the blood of U.S. troops since the surge began in February 2007.

It praises G.I.s'''' "hard work, improved counterinsurgency tactics and enormous sacrifice."

IS THERE ANYTING YOU WON''T FLIP FLOP ON??

[papabc]

I liked Romney as a Presidential runner and will support McCain even more if Mitt is selected as VP.

Romney will be good for America.

[singingrick]

Ariel133


You are a moron? That''s a rhetorical question. The situation improved and he acknowledged that fact. Would you prefer that he take the neocon approach and deny reality at every turn?

Get a life. Then get a clue.








lol!

[singingrick]

Ariel133


Are you a moron? That''s a rhetorical (look it up) question. The situation improved and he acknowledged that fact. Would you prefer that he take the neocon approach and deny reality at every turn?

Get a life. Then get a clue.








lol!

[babooph]

Hard to not think of that "MORMON UNDERWEAR",-difficult to be serious with that view?

[gwagener]

Romney would be a poor choice because he will not put Massachusetts in play and the evangelical Christians will stay home election day.

[rgrxx175]

this is great a old man and boy wonder...

[ariel133]

You all who think the surge isn''t working should be the ones getting a "clue" and defending Obama is just an example of how ignorant you are.

[danstoned]

Romney is the perfect choice for the Republicon Party of Used Car Salesmen. Two used car salesmen on the Republicon Used Car Salesmen ticket is exactly the right choice for the Republicon Party of Used Car Salesmen.

[nolalou]

You all who think the surge isn''''t working should be the ones getting a "clue" and defending Obama is just an example of how ignorant you are.
Posted by Ariel133

I guess it depends on what you consider "working". It sure hasn''t done what it was supposed to do, give the government time to get it''s act together! You still have a majority Shiite government refusing to give any voice to the Sunni minority, and you have rival Shiite groups fighting each other. You think people who disagree with you are ignorant? How about these opinions?

""From the Washington beltway, Iraq looks more %u2018stable%u2019 because American generals are using cash to temporarily manipulate local tribal interests, but when the Sunni Arab tribes coalesce to fight for control of Iraq, the ****** of progress will collapse and the violence will be worse than before."
-Col. Douglas MacGregor (ret.), Jan. 8, 2008

"The troop escalation has not succeeded in prompting the Iraqi government to make the hard choices or meet the benchmarks laid out by this administration. As General Petraeus told me in Baghdad, this surge can only be won politically, not militarily. But on national reconciliation, oil-sharing, and the other key issues that will allow U.S. forces to eventually withdraw without a return of widespread violence, the evidence is bleak."
-Sen. Bob Casey, Jan. 18, 2008

[globlwarning]

And now we get to here the same lame Libtards thatbitched about all the muslim talk say that a Mormon is bad? Wow, you LibKids are all on DOPE. Burn another fatty and sleep through your next class. Get used to the thought of the mess being straightened out by, yes, Republicans.

[globlwarning]

If the liberals on these boards are an example of the Democratic party this country is in bad shape.
Posted by dmw1167

You just answered your own question.

[sgtrds10-4]

Romney is a combination of every shady lawyer, bad real estate agent and slick used car salesman you''d ever hate to run across. He''s so slimy he leaves a trail of ooze behind himself when he slithers across the room. He''s the Jabba the Hutt of politics.

[bdribus]

Who likes Romney? Social conservatives hate him for his past positions and liberals and moderates hate him for his current positions. That leaves a few thousand millionaires who hope to benefit by his policies and who, unfortunately, controll much of the media.

[xmanborg]

I am a Democrat:

Mitt Romney should have been the Republican Presidential canadate instead of McCain. Out of all of the Republicans I liked Mitt Romney the best. I think its going to hurt Mitt Romney career if he takes the VP under McCain.

[xmanborg]

Posted by bdribus at 12:19 PM : Jul 15, 2008


Sorry I liked him. I may have been having a relapse at the time but I did like Romeny.

[briannorwood]

"I liked Romney as a Presidential runner and will support McCain even more if Mitt is selected as VP." --papabc


Tell me, what did you like better? The Flips or the Flops?

[papabc]

I was a democrat until this year then changed partys. Did not like or trust Hillary & Obama. Also the leadership of the Democrat Party in way far out there for my values.

McCain is close to what the Democrats use to be, before the Clinton Presidency. He is still a little left of where I would like him to be on some if the issues.

Romney could add some balance to the ticket and I did like this guy before and like him now.

[papabc]

briannorwood

I like less Hillary and Obama.

[trbundro1277]

I am a Democrat:

Mitt Romney should have been the Republican Presidential canadate instead of McCain. Out of all of the Republicans I liked Mitt Romney the best. I think its going to hurt Mitt Romney career if he takes the VP under McCain.
Posted by XmanBorg at 12:26 PM : Jul 15, 2008
*** I agree! Mccain stole the primary by making promises to cut the corporate tax rate for big business, he is pure slime!

[trbundro1277]

I was a democrat until this year then changed partys. Did not like or trust Hillary & Obama. Also the leadership of the Democrat Party in way far out there for my values.

McCain is close to what the Democrats use to be, before the Clinton Presidency. He is still a little left of where I would like him to be on some if the issues.
Romney could add some balance to the ticket and I did like this guy before and like him now.
Posted by papabc at 01:00 PM : Jul 15, 2008
*** Mccain is further left than Clinton or Obama on most issues like Amnesty for illegals! Why would you want Mccain to become president and give amnesty to over 12 million illegals???

[caliengineer]

Mormon NOT EQUAL TO Christian.

Understand this, people. Putting plastic-faced, fake religioned Romney in leadership will not bring us closer to God.

[trbundro1277]

I was a democrat until this year then changed partys. Did not like or trust Hillary & Obama. Also the leadership of the Democrat Party in way far out there for my values.
*** Then why didn''t you vote for Edwards!

[perceptions5]

The former Massachusetts governor is not one to wallow in failure, but even for the incurably optimistic Romney, portraying his unsuccessful run in a positive light would seem an impossible task. Still, he manages. -Scott Conroy"

FULL DISCLOSURE:

Scott Conroy is a flamming liberal Democrat reporter for CBS News (Corrupt Broadcasting Station)

This left-winger "hit piece" is why Americans view our mostly liberal MSM wolfpack press as the most corrupt institution in America.

I encourge all freedom loving Americans to "shun" this corrupt liberal network.

CBS your days of using Nazi style propaganda to prop up and support your party, the Democrats is over.

What a bunch of sad elite liberal snobs..........

[kofiananimus]

McCain-Romney would be hillarious... the joining of one flip-flopper with another to create a super-flip-flopper, capable of pandering to any right-wing tool''s specific desires at any given moment. Are you a single-issue voter only interested in destroying outlawing lasagna? McCain-Romney can pander to you!
Who let the Romney out? Woof, woof, woof-woof. I''m dying to hear more about the house that Regan built that Clinton Hillary is going to build that needs to build a foundation.

[mustang9026]

Mitt Romney would be a disaster as the VP choice for McCain. He spent $100 million trying to buy the Presidency and the people said no. If McCain chooses Romney for VP, the people will say no again. It''s as simple as that.

[samthetvcat]

---"Next month he plans to attend the Summer Olympics in Beijing, which take place right around the time when McCain is expected to announce his running mate."---

You know how we all get swept up in that high of feeling like #1 in the world and stuff during the Olympics? Probably if the timing is right, and if Romney''s McCain''s pick maybe they''ll announce it early.

I''m not sure there''s a Democrat who can energize the base quite like Romney can for the Republicans. Hillary can energize some but deflates enthusiasm for others, and after Barack''s been so obious with the snubs of her while simultaneously saying he''s not, it''ll make him look desperate to bring her on which weakens him.

Doesn''t the net advantage with the VP announcements maybe go to the Repubs? Like is an annoucement of say Evan Bayh as VP really going to shift anybody from undecided to Dem the way Romney will probably shift Repubs from Barr to McCain/Romney? Other than in Indiana, not that I''ve got anything against Evan Bayh - just using that because he''s supposedly one of the front-runners . . .

[gwagener]

McCain would only announce his VP pick after Obama announces his VP pick unless he is really desperate for some media attention or is sinking fast in the polls. Neither of those are happening yet, so McCain will likely wait until after the DNC convention, probably not until the RNC convention second day.

[ksjeff-2009]

Romney reminds me of Bob Dole; a nasty old white man with a repertoire of razor-sharp barbs, but no solutions.

Romney will do anything to get elected, even if it means selling his mother into prostitution.

He is even worse than Huckabee, if that is possible.

[ariel133]

Oh, please, if you base your "feelings" on how they look or sound or how old they are- you are as
superficial as the poilicies Obama or Clinton advocates- and that is just ridiculous. Typical Liberal just doesn''t want ot face facts and grow up- you are part of the problem- not the solution.

[ariel133]

Shoulda- woulda- coulda- too little too late- time to face facts- deal with reality- or go somewhere else. Be part of the solution not the problem- win the war and then win the next one- that is reality.

[ariel133]

NO, fella, the biggest scam artist used car salesman is the one that tries to sell you a product before he drives it himself. Obama hasn''t even been to Iraq and he is selling you a story- wake up.

[condumbism]

why should Obama go to Iraq? The Iraqis want US out of their country. Your needless war in Iraq is why we now all pay $4+ per gallon for gas, and your needless war in Iraq is why we all now experience hyperinflation in the USA. Why not just admit that you are an Israeli, or an Israeli First Traitor living in the US as a dual citizen?

[libh8er]

''Will Romney''s Combative Style Net VP Nod?''

I really, really hope so!

[ariel133]

"Why should Obama go to Iraq?" Well, that is a good question if he plans to be a leader of a country he really needs to get his feet wet to see what the heck is going on firsthand, don''t you think??

[gwagener]

"Why should Obama go to Iraq?" Well, that is a good question if he plans to be a leader of a country he really needs to get his feet wet to see what the heck is going on firsthand, don''t you think??

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Posted by Ariel133 at 04:14 PM : Jul 15, 2008

In the past 5 years GWB has been to Iraq about 5 times and has spent about a total of 5 hours on the ground, only in the green zone or the airport. It does not appear to be a job requirement to have first hand knowledge of the goings on in Iraq.

[mbcsmith]

"Why should Obama go to Iraq?" Well, that is a good question if he plans to be a leader of a country he really needs to get his feet wet to see what the heck is going on firsthand, don''''t you think??


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Posted by Ariel133 at 04:14 PM : Jul 15, 2008


Why start now. He has already devised his plan to remove troops, according to his many speeches, so why go to Iraq. Obama can surely grasp defeat from the jaws of victory

[dvsden]

Please, McDole!! Please pick the shady flip-flopping elitist with the $250 million fortune to go along with McDole''s $100 million fortune courtesy of his beer baron wife. Then we can watch them go around the country trying to convince rednecks that they are common folk and Obama is the eltist.
Also, let''s see if millions of evangelicals will support McDole when he has a mormon one heart beat away from the Presidency.

In a related story, Obama is now opening up near double digit leads in IA, MN, MI with SD, ND, and MT becoming toss ups. The last thing McDole can do is alienate southern evangelicals now.

[dowell100]

Romney as McCain''s VP?

The worst possible thing McCain could do.

He needs to pick someone fresh and new, who is not a Mormon.

[ariel133]

OBAMA is the problem with America,..the lack of balance and justice- the lack of real CHANGE- If you keep focusing on something that is not feasible you will be disappointed and it will reinforce your belief that fighting for your country is bad- Don''t you want to WIN THE WAR on terror??!! Obama has no right to make statements having not been to IRAQ...it is MUTE.

[voicemania]

Excellent choice!!! Mitt in ''12

[gwagener]

Please, McDole!! Please pick the shady flip-flopping elitist with the $250 million fortune to go along with McDole''''s $100 million fortune courtesy of his beer baron wife.

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Posted by DVSDen at 04:30 PM : Jul 15, 2008

That is a good point. Most of our presidents and candidates lately are dependant their wives for money.

McCain: Cindy is an Anheuser-Busch heiress
Kerry: his wife is a Hunts heiress
Clinton: Rodham fortune
Dole: Wife beer heiress
GHWB and GWB both live off the Walker fortune from Barbara''s family.

Obama appears to be the only self-made man in recent years.