http://news.bostonherald.com/politics/v ... eid=164837

That’s the ticket? Speculation swirls over Mitt-Jeb pairing in 2008
By Kimberly Atkins
Boston Herald Reporter

Monday, October 30, 2006 - Updated: 01:17 AM EST

Gov. Mitt Romney is tapping the seasoned political team of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, leading to speculation that the Mormon from Massachusetts may be courting the Bible Belt blueblood for a possible Romney-Bush ’08 ticket.

Earlier this month, Jeb Bush’s former chief of staff and top political adviser, Sally Bradshaw, jumped to Romney’s Commonwealth political action committee.

Soon after, Romney flew to the key electoral Sunshine State to join Bush for campaign events and fund-raisers - and, sources said, to gauge Bush’s interest in being a running mate.

“There has been substantive talk between the two of them” about the possibility of the president’s younger brother running for vice president if Romney wins the nomination, one GOP source with knowledge of the Oct. 19 meeting told the Herald. “Everyone in Florida is expecting an endorsement by Gov. Bush (of) Romney.”

Days after the meeting, Bush’s chief finance director - Ann Woods Herberger, whose association with the Bush family dates back to George H.W. Bush’s presidential first campaign - also joined Romney’s political action committee.

The moves have set political circles abuzz with rumors of a Mitt-Jeb ticket.

Strategists said Jeb Bush, who has ruled out running for president or Senate himself, would bring name recognition and fund-raising power to Romney’s ticket.

“It’s also a way for Jeb Bush to run on the national ticket without having to run for the ticket,” since vice presidential candidates are chosen, not elected, said political analyst David Mark, a former political reporter who covered Gov. Jeb Bush.

“For religious conservatives who have concerns about Romney’s (Mormon) faith, it’s the best of both worlds,” Mark said. “He’s a strong executive who’s also conservative.”

Many Republican candidates are loathe to associate themselves with the president this political season, but Jeb Bush attracts little if any of the Iraq War-fueled anti-Bush sentiment generated by his brother.

New Hampshire-based GOP consultant David Carney said Bush would bring “an extremely well-respected record of accomplishment.”

“He’s an articulate, focused guy,” Carney said. “He has a great resume and has been very successful (with) things like education reform, health care and a whole bunch of areas that are not typically strong points for Republicans.”

Carney, an adviser to several presidential campaigns including that of George H.W. Bush, said he has never heard of a candidate courting potential running mates this early in the campaign season. But, he said, if Romney has his eye on Bush, he’s probably not alone.

“I think (Jeb Bush) would be a serious contender (for president) if his last name was anything other than Bush,” Carney said, adding that voters have “Bush fatigue” after electing Jeb Bush’s father and brother. But because of his popularity, “I’m sure he’d be considered (as a running mate) no matter who the nominee is.”


What is Mitt Romney thinking, this will surely hurt his odds in running for the presidency in 2008