Presumptive  Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is currently on the search  for the right person to run with him against President Barack Obama and  Vice President Joe Biden in the fall election. Names have been thrown  out. Some have expressed no interest emphatically. Others have let it be  known that if asked they would run.

My  1st choice would have been the Cornfield's own Governor Mitch Daniels.  Alas, Daniels has made it clear he will not run. He solidified his  decision not to run by accepting the position of President of Purdue  University once his 2nd term as governor ends at the end of this year.

So,  that left me looking at some of the other possibilities out there. My  first inclination was to see if there may be  a suitable woman to serve  as the next Vice President if the GOP is successful in winning the White  House in November. To that end I began looking at the most mentioned  names: New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, Oklahoma Governor Mary  Fallin, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and New Hampshire junior  Senator Kelly Ayotte.

While all 4 are appealing candidates there are issues with all 4 I find troubling and a potential pitfall if chosen by Romney.

Martinez  seems to have all the right qualities. Conservative, Hispanic, 1st  female governor of New Mexico, running a good administration. But, what  is troubling is past issues when as a prosecutor there were allegations  of conflict when her husband was both a magistrate and as a law  enforcement officer. Plus, Martinez was fired from her positon as a  prosecutor allegedly related to the conflicts noted in cases involving  her husband. She is also against both same-gender marriage and civil  unions. No biggie on same-gender marriage, but civil unions too? Have to  say, no to Martinez.

Fallin  again seems to have it all. Conservative, 1st female governor of  Oklahoma, former Congresswoman, 1st female lieutenant governor of  Oklahoma, good record under the Keating Administration. But there have  been allegations of infidelity raised. A member of her bodyguard team  resigned after stating he was involved inappropriately with the  Governor. This could cause big trouble for the fall. Again it's a no to  Fallin.

Haley  is a success story of her own, Conservative and Tea Party favorite. She  is known for her stands on taxes and smaller government. She is the 1st  female governor of Indian descent. But there have been 2 charges, so  far, of infidelity raised against Haley. This would be a big issue in  the fall. Another female governor bites the dust. It's a no for Haley  too.

This  brings us to Ayotte. The junior senator is serving in her 1st elective  office. While she was attorney general under both a Republican and  Democrat, it is an appointed position. Ayotte has at least 2 pending  lawsuits which could be an albatross come the fall. If for no other  reasons, this garners a no for Ayotte.

I  then went outside the box and looked at a retiring US Senator from  Texas, Kay Bailey Hutchison. I've always like her. She knows how to  compromise and keep her principles. But there's one big drawback...her  age. Not sure Americans want a vice president who is nearing 70.

This  left me wondering about the men being mentioned. Some such as Jeb Bush  have emphatically ruled out a run. Most widely discussed names are  Senator Rob Portman of Ohio, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty,  Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and Florida junior Senator Marco Rubio.  None of these really set me on fire.

We  don't need dry and drier. Although I'll admit that Rubio and Jindal are  not exactly wallflowers in the least bit. Jindal has been known,  however, to make some not so intelligent comments and Rubio may need to  wait at least another 4 years.

Another  name mentioned is the junior Senator from Kentucky Rand Paul. There is a  certain appeal in that perhaps choosing Paul, Romney may avert a  showdown with Liberty Movement supporters of Texas Congressman Dr. Ron  Paul, the Senator's father.

Listening  to Paul and seeing some of what he has said or done in the Senate give  me reason to believe this is not the time for the Senator.

Who do I pick or prefer to be Romney's running mate?

While  former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice has a certain allure, there's  too much baggage from the Bush Administration and she is someone who  has never run for office.

So...where do I go from here?

Romney  needs a bulldog. He needs someone who can stand his/her ground and not  give an inch. He also needs someone who can work with the Senate and  knows how to reach a consensus and compromise.

I  believe Portman's ties to the Bush Administration will hurt him in the  fall. I believe Pawlenty is too drab to win over the public. Jindal, I  believe, is too prone to gaffes or outright miscommunication.

While I think there are some issues with Rubio, at this point in time, he may be the best person for the job.

Forget  about New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. He's not ready to give up the  governor's mansion and, though refreshing at times, his mouth may get  him in trouble more than Joe "Stick My Foot In My Mouth" Biden.

Is there a fiery moderate out there?

Hey, I wonder if Newark Democratic Mayor Cory Booker may be open to crossing the line, serving in a bipartisan administration?

From  the Cornfield, the odds seem to favor either Rubio or Portman. Money  says it may be Portman...not sure that will help or hurt.