POD: 2007. For some reason, Mike Huckabee doesn't run. Romney wins the Iowa caucus, goes on to win New Hampshire, and the GOP nomination.
For his VP, he selects the first female GOP VP nominee: Rep. Marsha Blackburn of TN.
Could Romney have done 6 points better than McCain, and won? Given how toxic the environment was for all Republicans, maybe not. But there are multiple reasons why Romney would have been a much stronger candidate against Obama:
1) Romney would not have been outspent 3-1 like McCain was
2) Romney would have been much harder to link to Bush
3) The GOP base hated McCain for his liberal stands on immigration, global warming, etc, they would have been more enthusiastic about Romney
4) Romney would not have been hurt as badly by the financial meltdown- in fact he might even have been helped by it, since he was clearly much more qualified to deal with the economy than Obama.
5) Romney would have almost certainly done much better against Obama in the debates.
6) Romney would not have shied away from bringing up Rev. Wright, and would have brought up Ayers much earlier when it didn't seem like a desperation move.
Etc...
I think Romney would have had a decent shot, and at least would have made it close.
For his VP, he selects the first female GOP VP nominee: Rep. Marsha Blackburn of TN.
Could Romney have done 6 points better than McCain, and won? Given how toxic the environment was for all Republicans, maybe not. But there are multiple reasons why Romney would have been a much stronger candidate against Obama:
1) Romney would not have been outspent 3-1 like McCain was
2) Romney would have been much harder to link to Bush
3) The GOP base hated McCain for his liberal stands on immigration, global warming, etc, they would have been more enthusiastic about Romney
4) Romney would not have been hurt as badly by the financial meltdown- in fact he might even have been helped by it, since he was clearly much more qualified to deal with the economy than Obama.
5) Romney would have almost certainly done much better against Obama in the debates.
6) Romney would not have shied away from bringing up Rev. Wright, and would have brought up Ayers much earlier when it didn't seem like a desperation move.
Etc...
I think Romney would have had a decent shot, and at least would have made it close.
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