MARSHALL FRANK - Marshall Frank writes that, while candidates argue their vice presidential selections are based on merit, the decisions are actually highly strategic. Citing historical examples, he explains that factors such as regional appeal, general popularity, and political deal brokering all influence vice presidential picks. Frank predicts that ethnicity, race and gender will be deciding factors in the 2008 Veepstakes. He guesses that, if nominated, Clinton will pick New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, while Obama would opt for Arizona’s governor, Janet Napolitano. Depending on the Democratic nominee,... 
|
THE MONKEY CAGE - Lee Siegelman looks at five politicians that the Washington Post’s Chris Cilliza picked as potential running mates for John McCain. He observes that they are all about the same age and have similar experience, while none are high-profile names. Concluding that the only major difference between them is the number of electoral votes of their home states, Siegelman selects Florida governor Charlie Crist as the odds-on favorite, though many pundits have pegged Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty as the early front runner. Siegelman ultimately decides that it’s simply too soon to make any sound...
|
OPEN LEFT - While acknowledging that speculating on an Obama running mate is a bit premature, Chris Bowers argues that the Democratic candidate should select a vice presidential nominee whose career trajectory and ideology reinforces Obama’s strengths. From this starting point, Bowers lists a number of senators and governors as potential candidates, weighing the strengths and weaknesses of each until he arrives a short list of five potential candidates, ultimately deciding that Ohio senator Sherrod Brown is the best pick. Bowers concludes the post by summarizing discussions about an Obama running mate...
|
