Will Mitt Romney Pick a Woman for Vice President?
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Bill Pugliano/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Mitt Romney has a gender gap problem. He’s trailing by 19 points among women voters according to the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll, so it might be tempting for him to think about picking a female vice presidential nominee.
Sen. John McCain tried it when he named Sarah Palin as his running mate. But Republicans ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos has spoken with have said the 2008 Palin experience makes picking a woman this time around a non-starter.
It’s clear that this so-called “war on women” is going to play a part in the 2012 narrative, so let’s look at the women Romney might consider.
There are two impressive and smart governors from South Carolina and New Mexico — Nikki Haley and Susana Martinez, respectively. Martinez could also help Romney with the Hispanic vote.
But both women are in their first term and have been convincing in their denials that they do not want to be considered for vice president — denials that are beyond the normal coy talk of someone who wants to be in the running for VP.
Haley told Stephanopoulos on Good Morning America she “would not accept” a running mate offer because she “made a promise to the people in my state and I intend to keep that promise.”
Other possibilities are Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison or Kelly Ayotte. Ayotte, from New Hampshire, has a strong past as a prosecutor and a bright future in the Republican Party. But again, she’s in her first term and that cuts against her. And it doesn’t make much sense for a nominee from Massachusetts to pick a running mate from New Hampshire.
Romney could also turn to the private sector and pick a corporate titan such as Meg Whitman or Carly Fiorina. But they ran for office and lost in 2010 and both have had moderate pro-choice positions in the past, which would not help Romney court the conservative wing of the party.
The only thing we know about the Republican ticket is what Romney has previously said: that he will pick someone who will undeniably be seen as ready to be president on day one.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio