PoliticsBobby JindalVice PresidentPolitics

Ann Romney's Horse A Factor In Mitt Romney's VP Selection Process?

Is Ann Romney's Horse A Factor In Timing Of Mitt Romney's VP Pick?
By 

Senior Political Correspondent, Yahoo!

Open Image Modal

When Mitt Romney returns from his week-long trip to Europe this week, the media's obsessive coverage over who the Republican will pick as his running mate will kick into overdrive.

One clue to consider as the press seeks to figure out not just who he'll choose, but when he'll announce it, is Ann Romney's schedule.

Ann Romney is reported to be attending Olympic events in London on Thursday and Friday of this week. She's there to watch equestrian events, known as dressage, in which a horse that she partially owns is competing.

There has been some speculation that Romney could name his veep as early as Friday of this week, to drive the news cycle for as long as possible in the run up to the GOP convention starting Aug. 27, and to help with fundraising.

But it seems unlikely that Romney would announce his running mate without Ann present. Campaigns, on announcement day, like to have pictures of their candidate and his or her spouse with the running mate and his or her spouse.

Ann's horse, Rafalca, is competing on Aug. 2 and Aug. 3. If the horse advances in the competition, it could ride again next week on Tuesday, and then again Thursday.

Then again, even if Ann Romney were going to be in the U.S. at the end of this week, the fact that Friday's July jobs report is expected to bring more dismal economic news is another reason for the Romney campaign not to announce their pick.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Veepstakes 2012
Bob McDonnell(01 of16)
Open Image Modal
Who: Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) The Buzz: McDonnell endorsed Mitt Romney, the only candidate besides Ron Paul to make it on his state's ballot, and Romney said last summer that McDonnell would be on "any candidate's short-list" as a VP pick. Rep. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has already started referring to McDonnell as "Mr. Vice President."His Response: McDonnell said on "Meet The Press" in March that he wasn't interested in the position. "I've got the job held by Jefferson and Henry," he said. "I love being governor of Virginia." (credit:AP)
Chris Christie(02 of16)
Open Image Modal
Who: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R)The Buzz: Christie fielded numerous calls to run in 2012, and is now attracting speculation as a possible VP pick by Mitt Romney, who called Christie, "one of the leading figures in the Republican party."His Response: Christie didn't do much to quell the rumors in December when he addressed them by saying:
I don't think you talk about that stuff. I think if you're the nominee you're afraid to talk about that stuff because you don't want to jinx yourself. I don't think [Romney] wants to be presumptuous enough to start talking to somebody about a vice president when he's not yet the nominee.
 (credit:AP)
Marco Rubio(03 of16)
Open Image Modal
Who: Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R)The Buzz: Newt Gingrich called Rubio an "awfully good" choice, while Mitt Romney named him as an obvious choice for the short-list.As the Huffington Post's Carlos Harrison reported, "He's the posterboy for a demographic coveted by the GOP: a telegenic Tea Party favorite and a Latino. And despite being both young and a freshman among Washington, D.C., power brokers, he exerts outsized influence."His Response: Rubio himself seems less enthusiastic:
When asked at the Washington Ideas Forum at the Newseum in Washington DC, Rubio repeated twice for emphasis, "I am not going to be the Vice Presidential nominee. I am not going to be the Vice Presidential nominee."Asked during the forum if he would turn down an offer if the Republican presidential nominee asks him to, Rubio responded, "Yea, I believe so," adding again, "the answer is gonna be no."
 (credit:AP)
Brian Sandoval(04 of16)
Open Image Modal
Who: Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R)The Buzz: Ahead of the Nevada caucus, Sandoval was speculated to be a potential VP pick:
Nevada's governor Brian Sandoval has been bandied about as a potential -- if longshot -- veep choice since his election in 2010. On paper, his resume looks solid. He's a young rising star in the party with strong approval ratings and, as a Hispanic Republican, could help a Republican nominee -- and especially Romney -- stop the bleeding with one of the party's weakest general election demographics.
While no candidates have floated his name for VP yet, Mitt Romney did mention him as a possible Cabinet member.His Response: After endorsing Rick Perry last September, Sandoval denied that he was looking for a VP nod. "I am absolutely committed to serving out my term," he said. (credit:AP)
Nikki Haley(05 of16)
Open Image Modal
Who: South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R)The Buzz: Haley's endorsement of Mitt Romney didn't do him much good in the state, but her name has still come up as a possible candidate for VP.Her Response: "I'd say, 'Thank you, but no,'" Haley told ABC News. "I made a promise to the people of this state. And I think that promise matters. And I intend to keep it."
Susana Martinez(06 of16)
Open Image Modal
Who: New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez (R)The Buzz: Martinez has attracted attention as the first female Hispanic governor, and Mitt Romney mentioned her as a good possible running mate.Her Response: Martinez has said she's flattered, but not interested:
"She has no interest in serving as vice president and will not be a candidate for the position," Martinez spokesman Scott Darnell said in a statement according to the Santa Fe New Mexican on Friday.
(credit:AP)
Haley Barbour(07 of16)
Open Image Modal
Who: Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R)The Buzz: Barbour was considered a promising candidate for the 2012 nomination until he decided not to run last summer.Mitt Romney has mentioned Barbour as a name he'd consider for vice president.His Response: Barbour wouldn't turn down the possibility of being VP, but he said he didn't anticipate being asked."I don't think I'm a good running mate for anybody, but I do think Marco Rubio would be very attractive as would other people," he told FOX last November. (credit:AP)
Mitch Daniels(08 of16)
Open Image Modal
Who: Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R)The Buzz: Daniels hasn't endorsed a candidate yet, but he's considered a potential pick for the VP slot. His book, "Keeping the Republic: Saving America by Trusting Americans," added to the hype.His Response: Daniels was asked about the possibility last fall:
"There's no answer to this question," Daniels said when the vice president's job came up while he was promoting his book. He said he'd have to consult his family, which earlier vetoed the idea of him running for president.
 (credit:AP)
Jan Brewer(09 of16)
Open Image Modal
Who: Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R)The Buzz: Brewer made headlines for a confrontation with President Barack Obama at an airport in Phoenix.Does Brewer want another chance to take on the Obama administration? The Arizona Republic reports that her name has surfaced as a possible VP candidate.Her Response: None so far. (credit:AP)
Tim Pawlenty(10 of16)
Open Image Modal
Who: Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R)The Buzz: Pawlenty was a short-lived presidential candidate, quitting in the summer after a third-place finish in the Iowa straw polls. He later endorsed Mitt Romney, who named him as a possible VP candidate.His Response: Pawlenty said in an interview that he'd taken himself "off the list" to be considered as Romney's VP. (credit:AP)
Rob Portman(11 of16)
Open Image Modal
Who: Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio)The Buzz: Portman is a supporter of Mitt Romney. In December, his home state's Dayton Daily News ran an article touting his chances to become VP:
His deep resume and absence of political negatives keep him in the discussion as a vice-presidential candidate."I would be very surprised if the eventual nominee doesn't have Rob on the short list,'' said Tony Fratto, who served as White House press secretary to former President George W. Bush.
His Response: Portman is noncommittal about being on anyone's presidential ticket. "I truly am not seeking that," he said in an interview with the Dayton Daily News' Washington Bureau. (credit:AP)
Bobby Jindal(12 of16)
Open Image Modal
Who: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R)The Buzz: Jindal, who endorsed Rick Perry, has seen his star fade since his widely panned State of the Union response in 2009.But he is still viewed as a potential pick. Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) praised him, saying, "He's well-liked. He's a nice person to deal with. He clearly cares about people. He's willing to make tough choices," Scott said. "So I think he would make a great vice president."His Response: "I don't want a job from Governor Perry," Jindal said after endorsing the former candidate. "I want Governor Perry to create millions of jobs for my fellow Americans." (credit:AP)
John Thune(13 of16)
Open Image Modal
Who: Sen. Jon Thune (R-S.D.)The Buzz: Thune, once viewed as a potential 2012 candidate himself, has since endorsed Mitt Romney.His Response: Thune has said he's not interested in the VP role, but he wouldn't rule anything out. (credit:AP)
Kelly Ayotte(14 of16)
Open Image Modal
Who: Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.)The Buzz: Ayotte was an early supporter of Mitt Romney. He gave her an endorsement of his own, naming her as a possible pick for vice president.Her Response: Ayotte said she was "surprised" by Romney's comment, but that "certainly it was an honor to be mentioned.""I am very committed to representing New Hampshire," she told the New Hampshire Union Leader. "It is such a privilege to serve New Hampshire in the U.S. Senate." (credit:AP)
Sam Brownback(15 of16)
Open Image Modal
Who: Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R) The Buzz: Brownback endorsed Rick Perry for president, prompting speculation that he could be looking for a spot as vice president. Brownback also briefly ran for president in 2008.His Response: During the last election cycle, Brownback said he'd be "honored" to serve as John McCain's vice president. He hasn't yet commented this time around. (credit:AP)
Allen West(16 of16)
Open Image Modal
Who: Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.)The Buzz: West has been named as a strong contender by a number of his peers, including Herman Cain, who called him an "excellent choice", and Nikki Haley, who said he would make a "good" pick.His Response: "Yes, well, right now, you know, the focus is, of course, being a good congressional representative," West told CNN's Kyra Phillips. "But if someone were to make that call to me, which I really doubt is ever going to happen, you would have to make sure that it is something that god would ordain for you, and you'd have to talk to your wife, my wife and my two daughters about. But we have always stepped up to the plate to serve our country. And if it's the right fit, then I will do so." (credit:AP)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip