Mitt Romney Is John McCain’s Only Real Option

Vice President Mitt Romney?

The McCain camp has been silent on the issue of V.P., but I imagine a short list exists and Mitt Romney is likely on it.

This morning, Mitt Romney made a guest appearance on MSNBC to discuss John McCain’s health care policy.  Romney’s appearances have been plentiful despite insisting that he isn’t lobbying for the V.P. job.  When asked about the position, he promised to support John McCain no matter what he decides.   Below are some reasons John McCain should select Mitt Romney as his running mate.

1. What’s in a name?

   Barack Obama is black and has a middle name that reminds people of the famous villain that hanged for crimes against humanity.  Whether or not you believe this is a completely bogus issue, it will be exploited to the nth degree by Republican strategists.  The racial misdirections and attacks will be highly effective if a white male is selected as John McCain’s running mate.While a person of color as a Vice Presidential candidate might help disguise the blatant use of racial attacks and deceptions, people of color are still more likely to veer towards Obama when all is said and done.  For this reason, it would be wise not to take the risk of appearing like an opportunist by selecting a woman or minority to counter the Democrat’s stranglehold on gender and racial demographics.  Republicans will argue that we don’t give Americans enough credit or that we assume too much about voter habits.  The fact is that our history has divided us to a point of no return.  Face the facts: people of color will see Barack Obama as “hope” the way many women supporters viewed Hillary Clinton.

2. Forget Mitt Romney, what about a female candidate?

   Some McCain supporters would like to see a female candidate, especially if Hillary Clinton joins Obama’s ticket.  The single most important reason John McCain should consider a woman candidate is that it could change the media narrative from “the great white hype” to “career woman vs. housewife”or “Roe v. wade mania”.  Sure, it’ll serve to distract from the great amount of emphasis that will be placed on Barack Obama’s blackness, but would it be enough?  Short of a so-called Dream Ticket, the gender vote should not be the focus of John McCain’s campaign.Women will inevitably flock to Barack Obama’s idealism and support for issues that have plagued women over the centuries.  We can argue until we are blue in the face about women voters, but Democrats will have to do a lot more than dissing Hillary Clinton to lose a substantial portion of the female vote in 2008.

3. Mitt Romney is WHITE, John McCain is WHITE and the WHITE MALE will have the critical swing vote in 2008.

   As much as Obama’s skin color, eloquence and intelligence intrigues America, many people will involuntarily feel an affinity towards candidates that share their skin tone.  Keep in mind that I’m talking primarily about Americans who have no idea about political issues and care not for political correctness.  Light skinned Americans will make up the majority of the voting block and if you consider the portion of Americans that are susceptible to their environment, ego and racism,my guess is that a considerable amount of votes will veer towards John McCain.

4. Mitt Romney’s image fixes everything that is wrong with John McCain

   Along with the theme of stereotypes, bias, and American vices, John McCain is OLD.  He is so out of touch with youth that he uses his hundred year old mother as an example of good genes and longevity.  His opponent Barack Obama is young, vibrant, full of hopes and dreams and the only way to counter that is with a young, vibrant and successful Vice President.

5. Mitt Romney is a rich white American “patriot” who is living the American Dream

   Mitt Romney’s wealth, skin tone, eloquence, youth and likability will pull independent white Americans closer to John McCain. Traditionally, African Americans have voted for the Democratic party candidate.  There is no evidence that this will change in 2008 and what that means is John McCain needs to win over White America in order to have a shot at averting a political disaster for the Republican party.

It is true that all of the above reasons are based on bias inherent in our society and evidenced by our dark past that will follow us for decades to come.   I know I’m not the most politically correct blogger, but I hope this gives you some insight into the workings of a political mind.

Fred Soto is an Attorney and Entrepreneur from the Silicon Valley.
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