Bob,

For the first time in my life, I agree with you> I love Romney, who doesn't? But a Rick Santorum, or the like would be a MUCH wiser pick.

It's not out of the question, but yes, It's extremely likely that it won't happen. The way Mitt bowed out of the race scored big points with republicans...they could be in the same mess the democrats are if he hadn't.

Honestly though, if the democrats don't do something soon about there little fiasco, it won't matter who McCain picks. It's already bitter enough that a good portion of Hillary/Obama supporters will vote for McCain if their candidate doesn't get the nomination.

It will be interesting to see what happens.

I guess in favor of Mitt though, his name is out there now, and he would add his economic strength to the ticket.

I still think the way he bowed out, and the way he is supporting McCain now has healed a lot of wounds on McCain's stubborn hide.

So...we'll see when we see...I'm not holding my breath though.

Hey Bob...since you seem to know the future, how about letting me know the numbers for the Mega Millions lottery as well. Your article is pure slop. How about some real reporting instead of "I can see the future" crap. If you can't do better than this, maybe a nice local Amway position would suit you better.

By all the logic you mention you are right. However he is good looking and intelligent. So perhaps he may be able to help McCain win in a more intangeable way.

That said, I don't think McCain should win. I'd vote for him, but I prefer to vote for someone who actually wants to get us out of Iraq and Obama is the one I trust most to do this.

You should spell it RMNY. We'll see how many of you religious types get that one.

Bob, you heartbreaker, you managed to disappoint liberals, and alternate universe conservatives, with the same column. I was seriously hoping that McCain would swallow his distaste for Romney and chose him for his running mate. This ill fated ticket would have allowed the hapless dems a chance to win despite their current bungling.

Your evaluation of the situation is right on.

First, Bob's not a reporter, but a columnist disguised as a reporter. Second, if there are so many better candidates (not saying there's not), why not list them Bob? C'mon, do some real work here.

Hey, The Man:

I'll assume that you were implying that we religious types are fairly ignorant. The Jehovah reference was actually fairly clever, but the snarky attitude took something away.

Am I the only one who thinks that even when Bernick is right, he's still snide and obnoxious?

What a naive article.

Without Romney, McCain has little chance of assuredly carrying the vital States (electorally speaking) of Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. And don't underestimate the Mormon vote on the Pacific Coast States. This is why McCain needs Romney more than Romney needs McCain.

If McCain loses just one of these States, based upon recent elections, he cannot win. Romney would absolutely put in to play Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Mass. as well as other Midwest States.

Romney played much better in the South than Hucabee and McCain played out West. The Southern States were very close in a three way race. Romney and McCain combined, got 65% of the the vote in the South.

When Romney dropped out he had won 11 States with 4 million votes to McCains 13 States and 4.7 million votes. This reporter has not followed this election closly enough to come to his conclusions.

In other words, his opinion is not worth too much.

The alienation McCain, his Mother, and Hucabee created, among Mormons, runs deep. Let's see McCain win an election without the West which is much more in doubt than the South will ever be.

ajarizona

That has to be one of the most arrogant smug articles ever written. We aren't stupid Bob but thanks for treating us like nimwitts.

All knowing Bernick please tell us who will be VP?

Could your whiney writing by any more annoying Bernick? The capslock on Romney is funny, until it ruins the experience of reading your already poor writing.

"I love Romney, who doesn't?" Now THAT'S funny!!

Keep wishing sheep. Mitt is a lying, say one thing to one group, and something else to another. He has sold his soul, and his true nature, in his quest for power.

It really is sad how low Utahns will go to follow the GOP money is everything Party.

Anyone who uses the "poopy" in an article is a very poor writer - I regret I wasted the time to read the article

I'm curious to see who will end up as the VP on McCain's ticket. I think his smartest choice would be to redo Reagan-Bush (picking the closest primary challenger), which seems to galvanize the troops. Ajarizona's comments were spot-on, and I think it makes a lot of sense for McCain to select someone that his Republican opponents like (Romney, not Huckabee - it appeared that Huckabee's supporters were dating McCain's supporters early on with how much they swooned over each other).

However, no announcement will be made until August. The announcement of a Presidential running mate guarantees news covereage, which the Republicans will need after a crazy Democratic Convention, and McCain's whole staff has learned that momentum is everything (without New Hampshire we'd be choosing between Gov. Romney and Mayor Giuliani by now).

Wow, could you be any more angry? Why is it ok for you to bash Mormons? Would this be acceptable if Romney happened to be a Jew?

Is this author a reporter or simply trying to put forth his own opinion? Perhaps this is his weekly or so column designed to be an editorial. But for goodness sake, if this is supposed to be a political article, then let's focus on reporting it and not editorializing it!!!

John McCain was standing right beside a good VP pick. His name is John Huntsman. I'm not really disposed in favor of the current Republican party and I'm not LDS. But I wouldn't feel too bad if these guys ended up in Washington. I didn't care for Romney--he was a crummy governor with a tin ear and too much ambition. Huntsman has proven himself to be a capable administrator who listens fairly to the people he governs. He doesn't show the "take no prisoners" attitude that causes Utah to be so unfavorably regarded. He seems to be a decent and ethical man.

I'd never vote for Mitt. Some of those more tender Utahns think that's anti-Mormon. Never was. Just anti-bad. There are plenty of good Mormons and I don't think American has much problem voting for them.

So now Bernick thinks Cheney is "Darth Vader"? Am I wrong, or hasn't he been the poster boy for Bush/Cheney and the national GOP all these years now? Rats are always the first to desert the sinking ship.

What a picture. Huntsman, Romney, and McCain. Two Bored Billionaires and a Bore.

At least Romney could urge McCain to do something about the illegal alien cancer we have in this country.

Always love the guys who cut down everyone else's ideas without presenting one of their own... I'd like to know who McCain IS going to pick if not Mitt.

Romney would be the best thing for this country, but the country wants a Democratic ticket. Vote for change even if we are worse off for it, I guess. In four years America will want change again, because it won't be going so well (Thanks Bernick & others); if we have gained any sense by then, Romney will make a great President in 2012.

But why would Romney tarnish himself by running on the losing ticket with a snide McCain now? The only reason would be to give America an option better than the Hillary or Obama wreck. Though America isn't smart enough to take that option right now, Mitt, so save it for when it really counts, for when we are ready for the best Presidential option currently available to us (We're just postponed 'till 2012)

Thanks America for my opportunity to vote in a degenerate election: Hillary (never), Obama (maybe, but disagree with his policies), McCain (Bush had strength of character behind tough handed policies, McCain is just as heavy handed with deceit and hatemongering guiding him.).

Romney would improve any ticket, but these three options in '08 could only pull him down. Go 2012. THE END

I have a hard time believing the truthfulness of this article--has a "fishy" smell to it. I, for one, think McCain will pick Romney as his running mate.

I guess this article is part of the "Opinion" section. Disregard my earlier comment made at 9:24 a.m.

Greg Curtis asked McCain yesterday at the luncheon/fundraiser, "When will you pick your VP and is there a chance it will be one of the two governors (Hunstman/Romney) in the room?" McCain responded with, "Soon, and yes."

Not sure what to make of it since I don't have Bob's crystal ball, but thought I'd throw it out there just for fun.

Bob, you missed a major reason Romney won't be the VP choice, he may not really want to be. It would come with very mixed consequences. If McCain were to lose the election with Romney as VP, it would give him good exposure, and tamp down the Mormon thing preparing for 2012. However, it would be bad for Romney as VP if McCain were to win and end up with a failed administration voted out in 2012. The way things look no matter who is elected democrat or republican we can expect failure. If the democrat is elected president, Romney will still have a much better chance in 2012 since the democrats will be blamed if we are in tough times. We can look back to Jimmy Carter as an example of this.

Anyone who thinks Jon Huntsman would get the VP nod is crazy. He's a complete unknown nationally, he carries all the same Mormon baggage as Romney (read: can't win in the South), and for those who really know what's going on, he's a TERRIBLE administrator. He's all PR and no substance...name one thing he's accomplished as governor... and he's let the legislature totally neuter the governor's office. Sorry. Jonie will just have to hope McCain will give him a nice appointment if he wins. Here's hoping he gets the appointment and leaves Utah.

Bob,

Reading tripe like this reminds me why I stopped subscribing to the Deseret News. Your less-than-subtle jabs at Mormons, Utah citizens, and Republican candidates reeked of smugness and an overall lack of respect for your readership.

I see that Dan Quayle jokes are still fresh even though he's been out of public office for almost 16 years. Mr. Potatoe Head...how original. And Dick Cheney's age, heart attacks and lesbian daughter? Again, so hilarious.

If you and your fellow writers at the Deseret News showed a little more respect for your readers, maybe your subscription numbers wouldn't continue to plummet. There again, I'm just a ROMNEY supporter who thought he'd make a great candidate.

'Cuz sumpthin' tells me there's gonna be a run on Prozac this weekend. ;-)

Romney is far more trusted than McCain. He actually received more votes from evangelicals than Huckabee in many states. He was widely viewed as the 'Savior' to save us from McCain.

Romney stands supreme on the issues that the opposition is likely to bring up; Iraq, Health Care and the Economy.

McCain is the big dog on Iraq.
If Hillary or Obomination try to his a McCain/Romney ticket with the Health Care stick, Romney can just say "Excuse me, that's my stick."

Ditto for the economy.

An Intellectualy dream team, yes!
A political dream team? Probably not.

... more clearly labeled as an opinion piece

Please count me as one Utahn who does not love Romney.

I really hate the assumption that I would have voted for Mitt just because I'm LDS. I have nothing against him, but I'm going to vote for a president after I examine each candidate's platform, plans, leanings, etc. I'm not going to vote for someone simply because we share a religion.

This article is surprisingly light on facts. How did it get published? It is dead wrong on Romney's appeal in the Northeast. The South is not going Democratic.

Romney puts in play for McCain the very states and conservative votes he needs. ajarizona is spot on.

I love comments like Romney 2012. Change for the worse? You act like the eight years of Bush have been good for the country. There is no way Obama could possible do worse.

"poopy", the guy used the word "poopy" in a newspaper article? And "Darth Vader" and "Mr. Potato head"?

Apparently someone is actually paying this guy money to write - wow!

Romney would give the domestic issues strength for McCain who is weak in that area but McCain will do much better by getting a VP that is either a woman or Black. A Black running mate would be best and we have several that are well qualified from JC Watts from Oklahoma to the former Lt. Gov. Steele.

Romney could get a cabinet post but I would think that he would want to distance himself from McCain if he has future plans to run for President.

The author may end up being correct, but this article is fluff. It's not as simple as he makes it out to be. There's a reason the Drudge Report plastered a photo of McCain and Romney across the top of its page yesterday, with the caption "The Ticket?"

The main problem many Utahns have (which is probably true of many areas saturated with only one predominant source of thought) is that they have a myopic, Utah-centrist viewpoint of reality. For many, this gives them delusions of grandeur that first of all, their "favored son" can win the US Presidency and second of all, that their "favored son" can win the good graces of a man he ripped up one side and down the other.
Just because Romney got 90% of the Utah vote (my point exactly) doesn't mean he's a viable candidate for President, nor all that useful for McCain as a vice president. The most important point is that McCain doesn't like Romney, but will be more than happy to use him in the state that gave him 90% of the vote. Has McCain been taking Romney on any of his fund raising trips to other states?
Just because your child is the star of your home video doesn't mean that every other parent at the play was making the same movie.

You said, "for McCain there are many other better vice presidential picks than ROMNEY", but you never said who, or how they would be better.

to come across as nothing but snide and resentful of Romney, you achieved your goal. Too bad. Why the hatred of Romney? You said in the article that you actually liked Romney but then you proceeded to rudely poke fun of him (the constant "ROMNEY" from beginning to end). Enough already!, we get the fact you really don't like him. If you're instead trying to say that you really do like him but you find the majority of Utah's passion for Romney silly, you should poke fun at his supporters, not the man himself. Sadly, the majority of Americans are too blind to recognize a quality individual when he stands right in front of them.....a "light shining in darkness that the darkness can't (or won't) comprehend". (You Romney haters can look up what that refers to and freak out now....and "NO, I'm not saying Romney is exactly like THAT guy"). McCain/Romney sounds good to me. If McCain asks Huckabee for VP I'll puke. Huckabee is not as polished or professionally "proven" (successful). Folksy is comfortable for Americans but it doesn't impress world leaders....

Romney 2012!

I think a McCain, Don Rickles ticket would be a winner.

I wouldn't throw Romney out. Just because McCain doesn't like Romney, doesn't mean he will not pick him. JFK hated Johnson, and Reagan disliked Bush Sen. But they picked them to work to there advantages. History has shown, you don't have to like the person to be on the ticket together. The presidency is more important to McCain then having a good buddy in as his VP. We will see what happens after the Dem. Nomination. Romney might be the man. But you know McCain is looking at all his options.

I am trying to figure out who would be better than Romney if Romney had the 2nd most votes out of all the other Repubs...

The only thing that matters for McCain is votes, and while I don't think any Repubs would stand a chance, I think his best chance would be to go with the 2nd best option for a Republican candidate

The old adage in the Republican Party is that you have to "run to the right" to get the nomination and then "run to the center" to win the National Election. Romney's often laughable attempt "run to the right" in the primaries will no doubt make him a liability in the General Election.

What I suspect will happen is that Mitt Romney will have to be satisfied with giving a big speech at the convention. My prediction is that he will compare himself to Ronald Reagan in 1976 and will basically sit on his hands and hope John McCain loses.

I don't know if it is just me, but journalism and journalists used to actually report pure news and not the smut and hateful things that this article said. I didn't even read the whole thing. It was that bad. Obviously that man hates or has big problems with Mormons and MITT ROMNEY. His name should be in caps because of his greatness not someones hatred and arrogance.

There is a big chance that McCain won't get my vote unless he chooses MITT ROMNEY for his running mate. I won't be voting Democrat though. I will be writing in MITT'S name.

Bob,how did an obvious left-wing liberal reporter type like you land in Utah? I would think New York,Cal.Wi.Mn would be more to your liking.I guess I should realize that even the D.N. needs some balance with your Bleeding-heart Liberalism.But it must mean you love to be hated ,a glutton for punishment as they say!!Have fun, but don't expect to gain Editorial Fame with your game in a Conservative State like Utah

I can't get enough of this feed. It truly shows how myopic most Utahns are. I loved the references to Poopy, Mr. Potatoe Head and Darth Vader. If this article would have come out sooner, I would have voted for Mr. Bernick for Best Reporter in Salt Lake City Weekly's annual best of survey.

Two reasons Bernick failed to mention. Romney is better looker and taller...much taller.