10 posibles running-mates de Romney (Parte II)

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie

Bottom Line Republicans would love to see him debate Joe Biden. Christie can be electrifying on the stump and brutally effective in taking down his opponents. He worked hard for Romney, but he'd be a running mate who could overshadow the top of the ticket.

Vital Stats
Age: 49
Birthplace: Newark, N.J.
Family: Mary Pat Foster (wife); Children: Andrew, Sarah, Patrick and Bridget
Religion: Roman Catholic
Current job: governor of New Jersey
Previous experience: U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, member of the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders
What They've Said: "If Gov. [Mitt] Romney were to come and talk to me about it, I'd listen, because I love my party enough and I love my country enough to listen."

Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H.

Bottom Line OK, so she's never held any elected office other than U.S. senator, and she's been in the Senate less than two years. But Kelly Ayotte is no novice. She served for five years as New Hampshire's attorney general. Oh, and she's a woman. Downside: a Romney/Ayotte ticket may be too much New England for a party that doesn't stand much chance of actually winning in New England.

Vital Stats
Age: 48
Birthplace: Nashua, N.H.
Family:Joe Ayotte (husband) ; Children: Katherine & Jacob
Religion: Roman Catholic
Current job: U.S. Senator for New Hampshire
Previous experience: N.H. state attorney general (2004-2009), U.S. senator (2010-present)
What They've Said: "I just got elected to the Senate by the good people of New Hampshire and that has been and will continue to be my only focus," Ayotte told the Nashua Telegraph.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell

Bottom Line As a governor, attorney general and retired Army lieutenant colonel from swing state Virginia, McDonnell checks a lot of boxes. But his clumsy handling of the transvaginal ultrasound bill in Virginia didn't exactly help his case.

Vital Stats
Age: 57
Birthplace: Philadelphia, but moved to Fairfax County, Va., at 1 year old
Family: Maureen Gardner of McLean, Va. (wife) ; Children: Jeanine, Cailin, Rachel and twins, Bobby and Sean
Religion: Roman Catholic
Current job: governor of Virginia
Previous experience: 21 years in Army, including time on reserve, seven terms in the Virginia House of Delegates, three years as state attorney general, two years as governor
What They've Said: "I'd be very interested. It is a swing state. I'm not asking for the call. I'm not looking for the call."

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal

Bottom Line His 2009 response to President Obama's state of the union address was a flop, but Jindal is considered one of the smartest and most effective Republican governors in the country and that's enough to guarantee he gets a good look by the Romney team.

Vital Stats
Age: 39
Birthplace: Baton Rouge, La.
Family: Supriya (wife); Children: Selia Elizabeth, Shaan Robert and Slade Ryan
Religion: Roman Catholic
Current job: governor of Louisiana
Previous experience: director of Louisiana Health and Hospitals Department (1996-98), executive director of the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare (1998-99), president of the University of Louisiana system (1999-2001), principal policy advisor to the secretary of Health and Human Services (2001-03), U.S. congressman (2004-2006), governor (2008-present)
What They've Said: "No, I will not be V.P."

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty

Bottom Line We know his campaign for president flopped, but blame that on tactics (who bets the farm on the Ames straw poll?). This Sam's Club Republican can help Romney with two groups: evangelicals and working class voters. And he's not as boring as you think. He wants us to take him off our list, but we are not going to do it.

Vital Stats
Age: 51
Birthplace: St. Paul, Minnesota
Family: Mary Anderson (wife); Children: Anna, Mara
Religion: Baptist
Current job: Lawyer
Previous experience: Governor of Minnesota (2003 - 2011), Majority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives (1999 - 2003).
What They've Said: "No, I've taken my name off that list."