Is Romney the best choice for v.p.?

The "veepstakes" is generating big buzz in Utah, especially because adopted favorite son Mitt Romney remains a top GOP contender.

Once dismissed as a long shot, Romney is now in the top tier of v.p. possibilities.

Does he have a real shot and can he help John McCain win the presidency?

Pignanelli: The beta (or trial) version of Romney 3.0 is popular with national Republicans. Readers may recall that version Romney 1.0 (liberal) was used in the U.S. Senate and Massachusetts gubernatorial contest; version Romney 2.0 (very conservative) was unsuccessfully utilized in the GOP presidential primaries. Apparently, the third time is the charm.

These are the current political dynamics: Barack Obama is ahead by eight points; President George Bush's approval rating is at an all-time low; McCain is behind in all categories of voters except white males. So who are the top three contestants for VP? Romney, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Bush budget director Rob Portman. In other words — all white guys that look like Bush. It is amazing that McCain may overlook tremendous up-and-coming Republicans like Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiona or former Congressman JC Watts. If there was ever an election where demography was more important than geography, this is it. If McCain continues with his death wish to bore the country, Romney will be selected. Indeed, Romney version 4.0 (expected October 2008) could appeal to independents outside of Michigan and Utah.

Webb: Romney is McCain's best choice for a number of reasons. While voters vote for the president, not the vice president, the wrong v.p. selection can hurt a lot. It may sound appealing to choose a fresh face, but vice president of the United States is no place for amateurs. This is not a training ground, especially given McCain's age and health. Romney has been tried and tested on the national stage. He has the substance and presence to play a big role in the campaign. No one is better suited to the "attack dog" role than Romney. He can energize the Republican base, and he and McCain seem to have developed a real rapport.

What impact does a vice presidential candidate Romney have on Utah culture and Utah politics?

Webb: Having Romney on the presidential ticket would clearly provide an election spark for Utah Republicans, as if they needed the help. However, none of the statewide or congressional races are really competitive anyway, so the only real impact would be in a handful of close legislative races where Republicans may be able to better drive voter turnout with Romney on the ticket.