Why Condi Rice still won't be VP

Back in May, there was some idle speculation that Mitt Romney might pick Condoleezza Rice for vice-president.

It was idle speculation because there never was and never will be a chance Mitt Romney would name Condi his running mate for the simple but profound reason that she's pro-choice.

Fast-forward to last night and Drudge's big headline that Condi is on the short list, and nothing has changed. Condi is still pro-choice.

I'm posting again much of what I wrote in May about the prospect of Condi for Veep, because nothing has changed.

1. Romney has spent the last six years trying to convince social conservatives that he's really, truly, actually, and honestly pro-life.

Why would he destroy all of that by picking Condi? And make no mistake about it, all of that would be destroyed within ten minutes of announcing the pick.

And think about this. If John McCain opted out of picking the pro-choice Joe Lieberman because it would inspire full-scale revolt with the base, do you really think Romney would dare?

Mitt is a nominee who’s played it safe at every point in his political career, and McCain was one of the most daring/reckless nominees in history. Again, why would the safe guy hire Les Miles to coach his team?

Now – Condi supporters will likely point to CNN’s recent poll putting her at the top of Republicans’ wish list, but I bet about 25% of the 26% who put here there didn’t know that she’s pro-choice.

Again, Romney spent six years trying to convince Republicans he's truly pro-life. Picking Condi would destroy turnout, and as they say this will be a turnout election.

2. Romney wants to talk about the economy; not social issues.

If he picked the first pro-choice Republican VP in history, what do you think people would be talking about this fall?

Condi’s views on abortion would dominate every news cycle and, in some violation of the universe’s laws and sleep, create a 26/8 news cycle.

Barack Obama’s team would die laughing from its good fortune.

Picking Condi would ensure the election wasn’t about the economy or Obama’s record, and Romney could actually lose ground with independents. After all, the main reason people support him is because of his economic message. If that's diluted by social controversy, why back the unlikable guy?

Condi would help reelect Barack Obama. That’s not what vice-presidents from the other party are supposed to do.