Technically untrue: they could run together, but Florida's electors could not vote for both men, so a GOP victory under this scenario might conceivably result in a Bush-O'Malley administration, with the White House Food Taster raised to cabinet rank.

The same-state scenario could work in practical terms for a ticket comprised of, say, two North Dakotans—although in a close race, why would you hazard even three electoral votes?—but Florida's twenty-seven EVs are way too many to risk.

cordially,

Not necessarily.

Everything they say now will be taped and replayed in ads and "pivoting" will next to impossible.

Dunno about that. Mittens turned on a dime after the convention and (albeit with a series of broad winks at the crazies) presented himself in the debates as the soul of moderation, something like the second coming of Jacob Javits, fishing for the low-information "undecided" voters.

I've often thought that Obama was signally ungrateful when, following the 2012 election, he neglected to offer an ambassadorship to the bartender who caught and circulated Romney's infamous "47%" remarks. I do not doubt that President Romney would have come through with a Foreign Service posting—to Libya.

cordially,