(CNN) -- Mitt Romney is rumored to be announcing a choice soon for his vice presidential running mate, and conventional thinking suggests his pick is going to be "safe," someone who brings a high measure of conservative street cred, and preferablyfrom a swing state.

In other words, the rumor is the guy who has trouble getting people to like him is going to pick someone even more boring than him.

It seems he hasn't figured out that as long as Barack Obama is president, his base will be fired up in spite of his dull personality, so what he doesn't need to do is waste this pick on a running mate Republicans will like.

What he needs is someone who can attract voters on the fence.

A media darling with a successful track record to point to and someone whose social politics won't immediately get them labeled by independents as "crazy."

Romney risks playing running mate hand too early

Enter Michael Bloomberg: that union-fighting/gay-couple-loving renegade who would make things complicated for Democrats because he's managed to get elected three times in the most diverse region in the country while being a rich, old white guy.

Four years ago, Sen. John McCain selected a game changer who turned out to be better in theory than in practice. Like Sarah Palin, Bloomberg would be a curve ball. But while she got people talking,the New York mayor would get people talking and thinking.

How?

By being something many of the other VP options are not: a real Republican. An old school Republican.

Answer the following questions:
1. Who does the author say might be a curveball to the campaign?
2. What position is he being considered for?
3. For which presidential candidate?
4. What party is he running under?
5. Is he expected to make a "safe" choice?
6. From which type of state would a "safe" person be?
7. Who is Romney running against?
8. Who might Bloomberg make things "complicated for"?
9. Does he support unions?
10. Who else was described as a "game changer" in a previous election?
11. Who selected her?
12. How many years ago was that?
13. Who does the author describe as a "rich, old white guy"?
14. How many times was he elected, despite that reputation?
15. Does the author find Romney boring?

Numbered answers:
1. \ Michael Bloomberg
2. VP
3. Mitt Romney
4. Republican.
5. yes
6. a swing state.
7. unknown
8. Democrats
9. no
10. Sarah Palin
11. John McCain
12. Four
13. Michael Bloomberg
14. three times
15. yes