Sen. John Thune of South Dakota is being touted as a “sleeper” candidate to serve as Mitt Romney’s vice president, the
Sioux City Journal reported.
Thune may be at a disadvantage because he comes from a state with only three electoral votes, South Dakota Democratic Party Executive Director Ben Nesselhuf told the Journal. So electoral strategy might tempt Romney to pick Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida or Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio. Rubio ‘s Florida has 29 electoral votes and Portman’s Ohio has 18. That aside, Thune has qualities to match the job, according to Doug Gross, an Iowa Republican strategist and former candidate for governor.
"[The vice presidential pick] needs to be competent, capable, and respected,” Gross told the Journal. “[Thune] meets that requirement. They need to be capable of being president some day. I think he meets that requirement . . . Thune could really be the sleeper here.”
Gross said Romney likely has Thune in in his top five. “[Romney] doesn't need a Hail Mary pass, so he doesn't need a Sarah Palin-type. In fact, he needs someone who is perceived as competent and steady," Gross told the Journal.
At a recent stop in Custer in his home state of South Dakota, Thune said he would “never say never” if tapped by the Republican presidential nominee Romney to serve, the Journal reported.
“I don’t think you ever rule out or say no to opportunities to public service if you are really interested in making a difference for your country -- you want to put your gifts and abilities to the highest and best use,” Thune said.
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