The 8 best 'I won't be Romney's running mate' lines

Whether or not they want the job, Republicans on the short list to be named Mitt Romney's vice presidential running mate have to say no — again and again

Mitt Romney appears with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) to address the press at Mustang Expediting on April 23 in Aston, Penn. Though he went on a mini tour with Romney, Rubio has said, "I don't w
(Image credit: T.J. Kirkpatrick/CORBIS)

Pity the poor Republicans deemed to be on Mitt Romney's short list for vice presidential running mate: If they want the job, tradition and politics dictate that they have to say they don't, or won't get picked, or are too busy in their current job to give the veepstakes much thought. For candidates who really don't want to be on the list, it's worse: They are still going to be asked about the No. 2 slot on the ticket in every interview, and how many ways are there to say no, without offending Romney and other powerful figures in the GOP? Here are some of the more creative ways short-listed Republicans have said (believably or not) "thanks, but no thanks" to VP speculation:

1. Mike Huckabee: His talents are best used elsewhere

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