Why isn't Romney vetting Marco Rubio for VP?

By Richard K. Barry 

More as a curiosity than anything, but I wonder if it's wise for the Romney campaign to neglect to place Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) on their short list of potential vice presidential nominees?

ABC News is reporting that Rubio is not being vetted; he's not been asked to fill out any questionnaires or turn over financial documents, according to knowledgeable Republican sources.

As ABC points out, it has been widely assumed that Rubio would be near the top of any list. "Not only is he young, charismatic and wildly popular with conservatives, but he could also help Republicans win a key state (Florida) and make inroads with Hispanics."

I'm not saying Rubio is the clear choice or anything like that. I'm just wondering if the smart move was to put him on the list as a sign of respect to the Hispanic community, especially after Obama helped consolidate his own support with that community through his DREAM act announcement.

My guess is that Romney could have benefitted by such move, unless he was afraid to create expectations he couldn't meet. If that's the case, he's thinking small. It's always an honour to be considered and an honour for those who would promote you.

I guess it may still happen, but in the short-term it shows a bit of mismanagement on the part of Team Romney.

Update: Later in the day, Mitt Romney told reporters while campaigning in Michigan that Marco Rubio was in fact being vetted. What was that all about?

(Cross-posted at Lippmann's Ghost.)