It would chase away independents and moderates, while activating many on the left who, at the moment, are disenchanted with Obama.
The longer Rick Santorum nips at the heels of Mitt Romney, the more likely it is that he’ll chase Romney right into a trap.
And the trap is that Romney may virtually be forced to choose Santorum as his running mate, assuming Mitt wins the nomination, of course.
Now this might unite the Republican Party and mollify Santorum’s supporters and it certainly would throw a big juicy bone to cultural conservatives, but it would be a potentially huge liability to Romney in the general election.
Yes, it would excite the base of the Republican Party. But irrational, steaming hatred of Obama already excites the base, which is going to show up at the polls no matter who the VP is.
But choosing Santorum would severely hamper Romney’s ability to attract the independent and moderate voters that he’ll need to beat Obama.
Plus, it would be a sign to some progressives who may be disenchanted with Obama that the other side is so scary that it’s time to move heaven and earth to reelect him.
As things lie today, Romney stands at least a betting chance of defeating President Obama.
So he’d do well not to heed the calls that are likely to crescendo about giving Santorum the number two spot.
Because it would result in Romney not getting the spot he really wants, which is that cushy chair in the Oval Office.
If you liked this story by Matthew Rothschild, the editor of The Progressive magazine, check out his story “After Southern Primaries, Romney Flounders, Santorum Praises God."
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