IN A WORD, HERE'S WHY ROMNEY CHOSE RYAN: INDEPENDENTS

Many have wondered why Romney chose Ryan. He doesn't obviously help win a battleground state or a key demographic. So... what was Romney thinking?

POWER LINE:

If Romney is playing to win a close election, the traditional analysis would dictate that he pick a veep candidate who could help him carry a key state. 

I thought that this gave Portman or Rubio — and as between them, Rubio — the edge. 

It makes me wonder what Romney is thinking. On what did he base his pick? What does the pick signify? 

... Looking at the pick in traditional terms, Ryan puts Wisconsin in play. 

But what about Ohio and Florida? 

Romney is playing to win not just by making himself an acceptable alternative to a failed incumbent, but by making a positive case through the force of ideas.

RIGHT! And that's not just morally good, but politically and tactically an strategically sound.

HERE'S WHY:

• Ryan is the strongest person in the GOP on issues and ideas and in debates of substance.

• Independents CRY OUT for this and Ryan will deliver them.

This was Mitt's reasoning. And it is brilliant. It cuts through all the cliches and gets right to the strategy that wins elections: winning the independents.

MARK MY WORDS FRIENDS - (AND REMEMBER YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST!) -  AND WATCH THE INDEPENDENTS IN THE POLS IN THE COMING DAYS...