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| Mitt Romney moves on to Israel while VP hopefuls 'audition' in swing states | Mitt Romney moves on to Israel while VP hopefuls 'audition' in swing states |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| With Mitt Romney overseas on a gaffe-ridden jaunt, his would-be deputies are taking up the campaigning slack back at home, jockeying for position as they press the flesh on the campaign trail. | With Mitt Romney overseas on a gaffe-ridden jaunt, his would-be deputies are taking up the campaigning slack back at home, jockeying for position as they press the flesh on the campaign trail. |
| Tim Pawlenty, Rob Portman, Bobby Jindal and Marco Rubio – all mentioned to a greater or lesser degree as potential vice-presidential picks – are all in swing states over the weekend, participating in events designed to bolster support for the Republican ticket. | |
| But with the presidential candidate himself winging it to Israel for a reception he hopes will be better than the one he received in London, the coast is clear for one of the would be running-mates to start, well, making the running. | But with the presidential candidate himself winging it to Israel for a reception he hopes will be better than the one he received in London, the coast is clear for one of the would be running-mates to start, well, making the running. |
| Of the crop being touted, Ohio senator Rob Portman is the man that the clever money appears to be settling on. | Of the crop being touted, Ohio senator Rob Portman is the man that the clever money appears to be settling on. |
| His stock rose on Friday with the intervention of leading Republican congressman John Boehner. | His stock rose on Friday with the intervention of leading Republican congressman John Boehner. |
| In an interview with Fox News, the House speaker vouched for his long-standing friend and fellow state politico. | In an interview with Fox News, the House speaker vouched for his long-standing friend and fellow state politico. |
| "I'm partial to Rob Portman," Boehner told Fox's Greta Van Susteren, adding: "I think he'd be a great asset for Governor Romney. | "I'm partial to Rob Portman," Boehner told Fox's Greta Van Susteren, adding: "I think he'd be a great asset for Governor Romney. |
| While Portman campaigns in Ohio, his potential rivals for the vacant post of Romney's running-mate are doing likewise across the country. | While Portman campaigns in Ohio, his potential rivals for the vacant post of Romney's running-mate are doing likewise across the country. |
| Louisiana governor Jindal is set to headline an event in Coral Springs, Florida, with Pawlenty, a former Minnesota governor, heads to North Carolina. | Louisiana governor Jindal is set to headline an event in Coral Springs, Florida, with Pawlenty, a former Minnesota governor, heads to North Carolina. |
| Meanwhile Rubio will be holding a Romney "victory rally" in Las Vegas. The Florida senator is one of the most high-profile Hispanic members of the Republican Party and is thought, by a few, to represent a savvy outside punt for the vacant VP spot. | Meanwhile Rubio will be holding a Romney "victory rally" in Las Vegas. The Florida senator is one of the most high-profile Hispanic members of the Republican Party and is thought, by a few, to represent a savvy outside punt for the vacant VP spot. |
| On Friday, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani said he thought Rubio to be "the most exciting" candidate being talked about. | On Friday, former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani said he thought Rubio to be "the most exciting" candidate being talked about. |
| He added in an interview with Tampa's News Channel 8: "[Rubio] is of a different generation. He makes outreach much more possible to a younger people – people in their 30s where the Republican Party has a little bit of a deficit." | He added in an interview with Tampa's News Channel 8: "[Rubio] is of a different generation. He makes outreach much more possible to a younger people – people in their 30s where the Republican Party has a little bit of a deficit." |
| But the man himself has previously ruled himself out. Likewise, Pawlenty – who fits the mould of a safe, if a little dull, right-hand man – has said the job is not for him. | But the man himself has previously ruled himself out. Likewise, Pawlenty – who fits the mould of a safe, if a little dull, right-hand man – has said the job is not for him. |
| But "no" doesn't necessarily mean "no" when it comes to answering the VP call. | But "no" doesn't necessarily mean "no" when it comes to answering the VP call. |
| In addition to the quartet of Jindal, Pawlenty, Portman and Rubio, Republican senator John Thune, Rep Paul Ryan and Governor Nikki Haley are all out and about over the weekend. | In addition to the quartet of Jindal, Pawlenty, Portman and Rubio, Republican senator John Thune, Rep Paul Ryan and Governor Nikki Haley are all out and about over the weekend. |
| It makes for a crowded field of potential picks vying for attention while Romney is away. | It makes for a crowded field of potential picks vying for attention while Romney is away. |
| The Republican candidate has yet to announce a shortlist. | The Republican candidate has yet to announce a shortlist. |
| But in a tweet on Friday, Romney aide Beth Myers perhaps provided a clues. Amongst a list of Tweeters she suggested people follow were Pawlenty, Jindal, Rubio, Ryan, Portman and Thune. | But in a tweet on Friday, Romney aide Beth Myers perhaps provided a clues. Amongst a list of Tweeters she suggested people follow were Pawlenty, Jindal, Rubio, Ryan, Portman and Thune. |
| She also threw in the names of New Jersey governor Chris Christie, former House speaker Newt Gingrich, and ex-secretary of state Condoleezza Rice in the "follow Friday" message. | She also threw in the names of New Jersey governor Chris Christie, former House speaker Newt Gingrich, and ex-secretary of state Condoleezza Rice in the "follow Friday" message. |
| As the weekend progresses, eyes will be on who appears to be performing best during Romney's absence. | As the weekend progresses, eyes will be on who appears to be performing best during Romney's absence. |
| "Absolutely this is an audition," explained Republican pollster Dan Judy. "They have been auditioning for the last few month. But I think how they do on the campaign trail with Romney out of the country will definitely matter when it comes down to making a choice." | "Absolutely this is an audition," explained Republican pollster Dan Judy. "They have been auditioning for the last few month. But I think how they do on the campaign trail with Romney out of the country will definitely matter when it comes down to making a choice." |
| He added: "Portman is widely viewed as a smart, competent person. He may not be the most exciting person in the world but he would be a good choice." | He added: "Portman is widely viewed as a smart, competent person. He may not be the most exciting person in the world but he would be a good choice." |
| "I think you would get even odds on Portman, and Pawlenty will probably be in the final two. Rubio and Jindal are longer shots," Judy said. | "I think you would get even odds on Portman, and Pawlenty will probably be in the final two. Rubio and Jindal are longer shots," Judy said. |