Even a Minority VP Pick Won't Give Romney the Edge He Needs
It's been speculated that in order for Mitt Romney to gain the much needed edge over Obama, he would have to pick a vice presidential running mate that qualifies as diverse. Mitt Romney has had several issues during his campaign trail but among one of his biggest issues is his in ability to relate to the average American. Being raised in a life of privilege and extreme wealth is the story of only 1% of Americans.
President Obama, on the other hand, has had the benefit of being your average American that was the product of a single-mom home in middle America, yet went on to become a Harvard Law graduate and of course, our President.
And he's black.
With racial and ethnic minorities growing at faster rates than Caucasians, the racial divide has been shifting in the last several decades with Latino and African-Americans becoming the majority-minority in this country.
What’s this mean for Romney? He will need to try and pick up some of the minority vote. Romney needs a woman, African-American, or Latino in his corner in order to try and gain some sort of edge over Obama.
Who are the likely candidates?
Condi Rice is likely Romney's best bet for two obvious reasons; she's a woman and African-American. She’s also smart as a whip. Still, she's a bit of a risk for Romney. Her association with the Bush administration may be a turn off to voters, and her alleged "liberal" views on abortion would further harm Romney amongst his most conservative supporters. Will she be enough to gain Romney some African-American votes? No. Perhaps wealthier African-Americans who are ready for this economy to shift may believe that a Romney/Rice ticket is the way to strengthen our economy. But your middle-class African-American voter will likely continue to vote for Obama with the understanding that Obama policies and initiatives are likely to benefit them rather than a Romney/Rice administration.
Next up is Bobby Jindal whose name has been thrown around by some as a strong candidate for Romney. But Bobby's subpar public speaking skills and upbringing in Hinduism may not serve the conservative voters well. From a diversity standpoint, Jindal is not a strong representation of our minority population in America. I'm going to guess that the Latino and African-Americans will find Jindal equally as relatable as Romney. Jindal will give Romeny the edge he needs.
Finally there's Marco Rubio. Rubio, who recently received the support of the largest Tea Party group this week is likely what will make a Romney/Rubio ticket unfavorable to the minority vote. Many African-American and Latino voters believe because Rubio's uber conservative platform is bad for middle America and minorities.
This post is part of a weekly conversation with our Moms Matter 2012 political bloggers. To see the original question and what the other writers have to say, see Who Is Your Republican VP Pick?
Image via BobbyJindal2007/Flickr
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Pinstripes4
billsfan1104
PonyChaser
Because, Bills, race is ALL that matters to Liberals. Obama is the LEAST qualified person to ever occupy in the White House. He never worked a real job a day in his life, spent his time getting high (by his own admission) while Romney built a successful business, and now plays fast and loose with the facts while covering up the most corrupt administration in history.
But he's black.
That's all that matters. Qualifications? Nope. Judge a man by the color of his skin, not the content of his character. That's their motto.
JAFE
Just like Obama can relate to us? HAH! I'm with the first two commenter's. First, his grandparents did most of his upbringing and I would hardly call his upbringing "average". I didn't live in foreign countries while I was growing up.
What exactly is a "single family home" anyway?And why do you always bring up race? Isn't it racist for him to pick "Condi" just for votes? Won't you cry racist then?
billsfan1104
Pony, and they call us racist.
chigirl1228
Lesliemom2mzjm
Obama never came from an "average" american home. He came from a very privleged home went to multiple priveleged schools, raised by his mother AND her husband, not single mom and then by his grandparents. In Hawaii. That's a very expensive place to live, even 40-50 years ago compared to the mainland. He went to Harvard, which most americans DON'T and mixed with elitist who share his socialist/marxist views on the world. He is by no stretch of the word average. And I don't mean that in a good way. He wouldn't have a clue in my part of the country, living my middle class life on one income, raising 4 kids, driving a 15 year old mini-van. But you know what? I have a heck of a lot more in common with Ann and Mitt Romney, as rich as they are, then I do with Obama and Michelle. I think you are way off and com November, we'll see who's right.
lukithia
Pinkmani
Billsfan, race matters because there are still people today who discriminate against others because of the color of their skin. I unfortuneately see it everyday. (I am black and still get called out of name despite the fact that I try my best to let people know that I'm not the sterotypial angry black woman with a bunch of kids.) There are people that have admitted to not voting for President Obama just because he is black. (Not on this site, but on others that I read daily)
I think the point that she is trying to prove is the President Obama has been trying to win as many groups as possible. First, it was aliens (particularly Latinos) with the DREAM Act. Then, it was homosexuals with announcing that he supports same-sex marriage. Whether or not he was successful, I don't know. I think she is trying to say it's time for Romney to try to win a social group and that he might succeed in doing so by picking Bobby Jindal, he will win the Middle Eastern/Hindu vote. Or that he might win more black votes or women votes by choosinig Condoleezza Rice.
Orlow
He lived a good portion of his life with his grandparents. His grandmother was a banker in Hawaii, yeah, just like all the rest of us - ha!!!
Obama never worked a day in his life. Bet he's never had dirt or grease on his hands.
Count me as an ANYBODY-BUT-OBAMA supporter.