Rand Paul VP Rumors Continue But Face Growing Skepticism

Despite the ongoing Republican presidential primary, rumors about who GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney might select to be his running mate continue to mention U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., as a potential vice presidential candidate.Paul's father, Congressman Ron Paul, R-Tx., who is also running for president, downplayed the rumors that his son is on Romney's short list. But as WFPL reported last month, Sen. Paul is open the door on the idea and would be honored at the consideration.And while many believe such a selection—if Romney wins the nomination—would boost the former Massachusetts governor's support among Tea Party members, some political observers are skeptical that Kentucky's controversial junior Senator would benefit him at all.From The Nation: The recent political chatter has centered on Rand Paul. On the surface it seems plausible. First, it would at least explain why Ron Paul has been so uncharacteristically tame toward Romney. Second, Rand Paul is a conservative Southerner, an identity that Romney does not connect well with. However, Rand Paul’s brand of conservatism is far too extreme for the general voter. In Paul’s Senate campaign he argued that private businesses should still have the right to discriminate. It’s one thing to advocate for states’ rights in general terms, and another to try to argue against the long-settled constitutional and societal norm that discrimination is unacceptable. While this position did not harm his election, it may not play as well outside of his home state of Kentucky and the Deep South.Thoughts?