(CNN) – Beth Myers, the woman leading Mitt Romney's running mate search, tweeted a list of names on Friday–all of whom have been speculated as potential VP picks.
The tweets come as a surprising post for a campaign that has been strictly tight-lipped about its search process.
#FF @robportman @bobmcdonnell @CondoleezzaRice @johnthune @Gov_Martinez @RickSantorum
—
Beth Myers (@BethMyers2012) July 27, 2012#FF @KellyAyotte @timpawlenty @GovChristie @BobbyJindal @marcorubio @RepPaulRyan @NewtGingrich
—
Beth Myers (@BethMyers2012) July 27, 2012
Myers writes "#FF" before the names, a tradition known as "Follow Friday" in which users urge their friends to follow certain names on Twitter.
The list of names included: Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, fromer Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, South Dakota Sen. John Thune, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum, New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Romney has repeatedly said only he and Myers were the two who knew the most intimate details about the search process. So far, he has only admitted to vetting Rubio, after a firestorm erupted over reports that the Florida senator was not on the list.
The tweets appeared to come at random, as Myers last posted on Twitter back in April–her first and only tweet until Friday.
Romney's campaign confirmed that the Twitter posts were authentic.
– CNN's Dashia Starr and Mark Preston contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
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Sounds to me like a list of GOP politicians who still have a pulse. No rational person, including Romney, would pick Gingrich, Santorum, and a few others to be one step removed from the Presidency.
We hope!
That ain't a shortlist; it's a directory.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this one out. The campaign is grasping at straws as it attempts to sway attention away from Romney's moronic actions in London. Really, the VP list is as secret as Mitt's tax returns, but every time he blunders they throw out some VP 'hints' in hopes that it will shield 'Mitt the Twit'.
Who would want this job? Months of scrutiny, followed by years of being a laughing stock, just like Palin.
So, basically, everyone is on the list. But do you really think Christie, Gingrich and Condi are serious considerations?
13 names does not a short list make. It sounds like a long list to me, with many names that are generally thought to be second-tier at best. I think the only news here would be if any expected names were NOT on that list.
O'Donnell would be perfect.
We'd have the twit and the witch.
There's nothing more to this than hoping to get some more news cycles about the VP and less about his epic and historic blunder in London. CNN obviously bit, but they have demonstrated these last few weeks they are already in the tank for Romney.
CNN: Your bias is really showing. You are giving much more print space to Mittens than to THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BARACK OBAMA.
Stop you bias.
Rubio or Christie would be great. Both good heads on their shoulders and screwed on straight. They know how to get things done. Christie would simply destroy Biden in a debate. Crazy Joe probably wouldn't even show up.
All losers – just like MR.
It's a recipe for disaster if Romney trys to enhance his "crazy vote" by selecting a person because he needs proof of his actual right-wing credentials. His constant flip-flopping shows he has no true convictions to anything but power. His life with Bain Capital shows he has no ethics. His lack of tax returns shows he's hiding something really bad!
As a Minnesotan, a choice of Pawlenty would insure that the campaign doesn't make headway in this state. The Governor is not remembered fondly for accomplishing anything and being nothing short of a Bush toady. And I'm a Republican.
13 finalists... Either they are very slow at deciding or this is just a smoke screen to keep attention high without revealing very much.
They are just trying to change the subject away from his latest gaffe.
That's not a short list!
Please, please, PLEASE let him choose Rick Santorum!
This is an obvious, and amateurish, attempt to manipulate the news cycle by giving the media something to write/talk about other than Mitt's disastrous visit to the UK. Instead of burnishing his image as a statesman, Romney managed to demonstrate that he is the arrogant privileged rich guy without a an inkling of understanding of or connection to anyone or anything outside of his rarefied clique of uber-rich peers. This "short list" is not news at all since it includes only the names that everyone already knew would be list. It is like watching a 6th grade talent show magician... when the misdirection is ham handed and obvious, it is no longer misdirection but a big arrow pointing at the very thing the performer doesn't want the audience to see.
Do any of these candidates really help Romney win the White House? Each may bring a possible win in their state (Ayotte, Portman, Rubio, Martinez, or McDonnell), but unless Romney can put all 5 on his ticket, the polls so far, indicate that he still loses the electoral vote.
What a sad bunch of losers.
Mitt is messing up overseas, time to change the subject... quick.. someone tweet out the obvious vp choices to distract easily lead reporters.
Picking a woman is his only chance, and then only if enough women are stupid enough to throw everything away about the future just to see a woman as vice president.
14 names is a short list?
IMHO without charismatic african-american VP Romney has no chance. Rice lacks charisma. Only good choice – Powell. Without Powell – Obama continues distroying US economy. Very Sad.
Looks like a list of clowns for a circus. Is that the best he can do? Please take Little Hitler Jindal and save Louisiana!