Johnson: VP Pick No Big Deal

As the analysis continues around Mitt Romney’s selection of Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate a little history may inform how, generally speaking, unimportant the Number Two’s are to the eventual success of a national ticket. For sure Ryan brings youth, partisan excitement, strong conservative credentials and a certain policy wonk attractiveness to the GOP ticket, not to mention the potential to put dependably blue Wisconsin into play in November. Still, to believe that a relatively unknown member of the House of Representatives really could help the ticket requires a major break with what history tells us about the running mate. Only twice in the 20th Century – 1932 and 1960 – did running mates really make an electoral difference/ Marc Johnson , The Johnson Report. More here. (AP photo)

Question: I don’t think Romney’s pick of Ryan as a running mate makes much of a difference to general population. But it does to the Tea Party/pro-life base. Which is important in that some Republicans aren’t enthused re: Romney’s nomination. What do you think?