Huffington Magazine Issue 11 | Page 38

THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION HUFFINGTON 08.26.12 ERIC THAYER/THE NEW YORK TIMES/REDUX Romney speaks at a campaign event at a coal mine operated by American Energy Corporation in Ohio. At the time, so many months away from Election Day, Rhoades was focused on the task at hand. The Romney campaign was launching its attack on President Barack Obama for his “you didn’t build that” remark to the business community. At the time, most political observers expected Romney to pick Ohio Sen. Rob Portman or former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty as his running mate. Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan’s name was barely being mentioned as a potential vice presidential nominee. But when I asked Rhoades in July how Romney would govern if elected, and what Romney might do with the budget and entitlement refor