BuzzFeed Veepstakes: So Who Didn't Make The Cut?

As time runs out for Romney to select his running mate, let's take a look at the folks he's definitively passed over.

Welcome to BuzzFeed Veepstakes, your daily guide to Mitt Romney's search for a running mate.

Mitt Romney is in Boston this morning and begins his bus tour tomorrow in the Norfolk VA area.

Pawlenty's in New Hampshire today and tomorrow, Portman will be riding in the Pelotonia bike tour this weekend, and Ryan is heading off into the woods for a family camping trip tomorrow.

All indications point to the VP announcement coming after Monday. On Tuesday Romney will be in Ohio - a perfect announcement spot - and the campaign hasn't advised beyond that point.

Questions? Comments? Contributions? Email [e-mail].

The New Republic: Portman’s Shaker Problem

"One of Mitt Romney’s biggest challenges as presidential candidate may be to win public acceptance of a Protestant sect that is poorly understood by a majority of the public. Its practices, historically, have differed dramatically from those of mainline denominations, particularly during the 19th century, when its members engaged in odd sexual behavior and upended the conventional family structure. Even today, other Christians are apt to regard it as a friendly but decidedly alien cult."

CNN: Romney's short list: Portman is case study in campaigning for VP

"Shelby, Ohio (CNN) -- At the edge of the Alt farm cornfield, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman gets a firsthand look at the impact of a punishing drought. 'These guys have crop insurance, which will cover most of their losses,' Portman says of the Alt family, which has been farming this land since 1959. 'But going forward, we need to prove predictability and certainty with a new farm bill.'"

NBC: Pawlenty laughs off questions about spot in Romney cabinet

"WATERFORD, Mich. -- Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty laughed off 'lame' questions Thursday about whether he'd be interested in a cabinet position in a Mitt Romney administration if he isn't selected as the GOP's vice presidential candidate."

Time: Buckeye Value(s)

"Although Rob Portman has been seen as a leading veep contender wire-to-wire, his backers can be forgiven for feeling a little bit apprehensive that his buzz quotient has been a little low of late. Now comes into my hands a poll done a little over a week ago that suggests Portman’s political sway in battleground Ohio is greater than some recent public data has indicated."

The Hill: Poll: Voters prefer Rubio as VP

"A new CNN/ORC poll released Thursday found Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to be Republicans’ preferred choice for Mitt Romney’s vice presidential running mate, while other handicappers' favorites like Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and former Minnesota Gov. TIm Pawlenty failed to crack double-digit support."

The Washington Times: Portman seen having edge as VP choice

"When it comes to Mitt Romney, political insiders tend to agree on two things: Every name floated as the Republican nominee-in-waiting’s vice presidential pick brings some political baggage and, baggage notwithstanding, low-key Ohio Sen. Rob Portman is the likeliest choice."

CBS: Giuliani Speaks Out On Potential Romney VP Picks

"NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – As speculation continues to grow over who Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will choose as his running mate, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani weighed in on who he thinks is qualified for the job."

CNN: Jindal on Romney VP pick: 'It's not about the vice president'

"Colorado Springs, Colorado (CNN) – As the entire political establishment awaits word of Mitt Romney's running mate, is one potential pick blowing off its importance and potential impact? When asked by CNN on Thursday if he's awaiting word from the Romney campaign on whether or not he'll be picked, Gov. Bobby Jindal deflected the question – then intimated that the selection itself won't amount to much."

Wall Street Journal: Romney's VP: The Case for a Reformer

"Is Mitt Romney the GOP's future, or is he the GOP's past? That's one way to look at his upcoming choice of a running mate. As Mr. Romney gears up for that announcement, the political world is tripping through the usual speculation about which veep candidate offers Mr. Romney the biggest Electoral College bang. Can Rob Portman deliver Ohio? Can Marco Rubio help with Florida? Would Bobby Jindal stir the minority vote? Might not Kelly Ayotte tap those younger voters, and women?"

Wall Street Journal: The Ryan Express

"Our lead editorial in the Wall Street Journal today reports on the hot running-mate rumor in Washington that Paul Ryan of Wisconsin is high on the list. If anything, the rumor mill about a Romney-Ryan ticket has only swirled faster in the last 24 hours and a decision could be imminent."

Business Insider: Mitt Romney's Former Running Mate On His VP Pick: 'I Have The Greatest Respect' For Paul Ryan And Rob Portman

"PHILADELPHIA — Kerry Healey would know a thing or two about some of the qualities Mitt Romney is looking for in a running mate: The last time he picked one, he chose her. But Healey, the former lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, won't offer much when asked about her thoughts on the process or any favorites she has as potential vice presidential nominations. But for whatever it's worth, Healey, now a foreign policy adviser to the campaign, did tell Business Insider that she has "the greatest respect" for two of the front-runners — Ohio Sen. Rob Portman and Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan."

Politico: 'The Romney-Ryan plan'

"Bill Kristol and Stephen Hayes, who have been among the most supportive of and vocal about a Paul Ryan VP nomination, push back on the notion that Mitt Romney has distanced himself from the Medicare cuts in the congressman's budget map, which they refer to as the "Romney-Ryan" plan."

Politico: Ryan turned down Bush's OMB offer

"Did President George W. Bush offer the OMB director job to Paul Ryan before he gave it to Rob Portman? No, says a GOP aide familiar with the White House personnel decision. Bush actually offered Ryan the top White House budget post after Portman resigned in June 2007 to spend more time with his family."

Going viral on BuzzFeed's partner network:

The Daily Beast: Paul Ryan: Romney's (Near) Worst VP Choice

Slate: David Petraeus VP rumors: Seven reasons why the CIA director won't be Romney's running mate.

In 2006, Jeb Bush was rumored to be in consideration to be the next NFL commissioner. Bush responded that he was "flattered," but didn't seem especially intrigued by the idea.

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Graphics by John Gara