Romney supporters look to potential McCain/Romney ticket

Two prominent New Hampshire supporters of Mitt Romney think he would be a strong pick for vice-president.

Reports have focused on the potential news that U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) could add his former primary rival to the national ticket.

"I hope that he does. We are fortunate to have a strong slate of vice-presidential prospects, but Romney stands out as an optimistic, take-charge leader who knows the economy better than anyone," Jim Merrill, Romney's former New Hampshire state director, told PolitickerNH.com.

Tom Rath, a former senior advisor to Romney's Commonwealth PAC, said McCain should select someone who would "best serve" the ticket.

"I think John McCain should pick whoever he thinks best serves his needs and the needs of the ticket. If that choice happens to be Mitt Romney that would be great to see it but first it has to be someone they want," Rath said.

Merrill added that a potential McCain-Romney ticket would unify Granite State Republicans.

"A McCain - Romney ticket would represent a powerful, well-balanced one-two punch for Republicans to rally behind in New Hampshire, and around the country," Merrill said.

Rath argued that Romney could help McCain in various parts of the country.

"First of all he brings a strong loyalty to make John McCain president. I think he helps John McCain in areas geographically, Michigan, New Hampshire. I think it would be a great ticket in New Hampshire. I think it would be a great ticket in Michigan, Colorado and some of the Western states," Rath said.

Rath, a former New Hampshire Attorney General, said McCain has "earned the right" to decide whether or not a pro-choice vice-presidential nominee would damage the Republican ticket.

"My feeling is that whoever the presidential nominee is that person has earned the right to figure out this sort of decision by themselves and they don't need a lot of advice from other people. I will support without question whoever John McCain picks and I think at the ending of the day it's up to him. John McCain's position on that issue is clear and unequivocal and so the totality of the ticket will be stronger on that issue than the Democrats will be."