On the Dems side, it's obvious that either Clinton or Obama will be the nominee but I don't think a Clinton-Obama ticket in any combination will happen. They've attacked each otehr too much adn the Clintons really value loyalty. There's been some talk that Clinton has already promised the spot to Evan Bayh of Indiana. The Clintons are also clsoe to Bill Richardson, who is definitely experienced and probably brings strenght to the ticket, being from an important western swing state and being seen as more moderate or "regular guy."

Richardson could also be a good addition to the Obama for msot of the same reasons. Obama's big drawback is that he lacks experience so needs someone with a lot - similar to a Cheney figure (but without all the scariness). Joe Biden could fit the bill. Jim Webb would be another interesting choice. he's new to politics but is a decorated military veteran with a son currently serving so he could really blunt any attacks against the democrats on war issues. And if they could take Virginia, that would be a big help.

On the GOP side, I think it's trickier because i could see the possibility of a brokered convention where candidates make deals to get teh nomination. I've heard speculation that Giuliani has now prety much accepted that he's gonna lose, but thinks he can get enough delegates by winning New York and New Jersey that he could play kingmaker at the convention in exchang for the VP spot.

I've heard that if McCain gets the nomiantion, he'd be looking at Governor Charlie Crsit of Florida, who jsut gave him a big endorsement and is from an important swing state teh GOP needs to win. He's also close to Lindsey Graham of SC, but I don't think a southern senator brigns much to the ticket. mcCain already has teh experience and given his age, there's a lot of talk that he'd only serve one term and is looking for an "apprentice" type VP to take over in 4 years. I've heard Huckabee's name mentioned, which may be smart because the social conservatives have never been too fond of McCain but he needs them to turn out in big numbers on E-day. Senator Sam Brownback who endorsed McCain after dropping out early could also be a good bridge-builder to evangelicals and has a lot of foreign policy experience to boot.

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If it's Romney, I really ahve no idea who he'd pick. probably a senator with a lot of foreign policy experience who is a solid social cosnervative with ties to the party's right wing

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Most definitely not the latter. If he gets the nomination he'll be done with pandering, or even tipping to, the party's right wing.

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Obama's big drawback is that he lacks experience so needs someone with a lot - similar to a Cheney figure (but without all the scariness). Joe Biden could fit the bill.

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This keeps coming up, and the US commentators keep talking about it. But it's only generally true.

In a 2008 election Obama would either face McCain who will get his party absolutely wolloped if he talks much about foreign policy; or it will be Romney with nothing to worry about there.

[The idea is chilling, but the Bushies would have had 100% confidence in Cheney taking the reigns.]

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Originally posted by Wilf Day:
Based on the famous Curse of Tecumseh George W. Bush has cheated fate so far. If he survives to the end of his term, the USA is overdue for a president to die in office. And for another example, everyone knew Benazir Bhutto was at risk, but she kept sticking her head up anyway.

So perhaps the biggest qualification for a VP candidate for either Obama or Clinton is that, when some nut hears a message from God to cleanse the office of the (black, or woman, as the case may be), the VP should be qualified to be a good president.

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Or someone so scary, no one will dare shoot the President.

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I think the days of picking a Spiro Agnew are over.

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Originally posted by Wilf Day:
Based on the famous Curse of Tecumseh George W. Bush has cheated fate so far. ...

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Legend: A death curse threatens U.S. presidents elected in years evenly divisible by twenty.

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Edwards would have a lot of clout and profile as a VP for Obama. They have a similar desire to reach out and energize.

I have no idea who Obama would pick. I'd like to think Edwards. I've Janet Napolitano's name quite a bit but i don't know much about her. She's endorsed Obama but i suspect her name is coming up a lot because people are prone to speculation.

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Originally posted by Scott Piatkowski:
Obama-Boxer?

Edwards, BTW, is being touted as a potential Attorney General under President Obama

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Originally posted by Scott Piatkowski:
Obama-Boxer?

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