Political rumors abound about Mitt Romney's vice presidential pick -- especially with public backing this week of Condoleezza Rice from high-profile conservative voices. Whom Romney will choose between now and the Tampa convention is anyone's guess. But who is No. 1 on some GOP voters' wish lists? Here's one Republican's perspective:
COMMENTARY | We are weeks -- or perhaps days -- away from Mitt Romney tapping his vice presidential pick. As expected, the media are in a frenzy, and potentials are vetted for any strengths and weaknesses they might add to the ticket.
Here are my top three picks and how I feel they can add to the ticket.
Condoleezza Rice: My No. 1 pick is the same pick I wanted last year. She was arguably one of the most popular secretaries of state of our time, and she brings a solid eight years of White House-level foreign policy experience. She could also attract female and African-American voters; 95 percent of the latter voted for President Barack Obama in 2008.
Marco Rubio: If Rice doesn't get the nod, my second choice is Sen. Rubio of Florida. He is a tea party favorite who would bring much-needed conservative enthusiasm to the ticket. He has proven time and again he will speak his mind and not shy away to be "politically correct." That attitude is loved by conservative who want a straight-talk attitude. He is also Hispanic and from Florida, one of the more important swing states that gave President Bush the win in 2000.
Allen West: My third choice is West, an Iraq War veteran with strong foreign policy experience. He has solid conservative credentials, and is the strongest and safest of the top three. He would undoubtedly be a good vice president, and he'd be able to take minority and conservative votes away from President Obama.
