So... You're The Nominee... What Factors Influence Your VP Selection?

[arwalden]

Do you choose your nominee based on who you think will help you to win more states (regardless if that person is actually QUALIFIED to be a 'heartbeat-away' from being the President)? Or do you pick someone who's qualified, but who might not help as much?

Perhaps you're concerned about your presidential legacy and you'll be concerned about picking someone who's electable and will be able to carry on and complete your administrations unfinished projects and initiatives. In that case you'll be concerned about your VP's electability in 8 years.

Or maybe it's something else?

-- Allen

P.S. Any predictions on who you think the VP might be? Why?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Since the VP is the head of the senate

I would look for someone who can twist arms and drive hard bargains with the legislature in the senate. Clinton benefited tremendously behind the scenes from the amount of respect Gore commanded in the senate as did George Bush senior...Quayle may have been an asshat publicly but he was pretty well liked by the senate.

[arwalden]

2. Quayle Seems Like A Genius Compared To Bush*

Murphy Brown, Potatoe and all.

-- Allen

[MrPeepers]

3. Elected experience...

With our country reeling from the Bush Administration, we need changes and fast. We need somebody who knows how to get things done, who has experience doing it, and who has the guts to get his hands dirty with that inside-the-beltway soil.

My guesses for VP? (Assuming Kerry)


Maybe Edwards?
I'd like to see Clark, myself
Gov. Warner of VA, perhaps?


Peepers

[Josh]

5. Clark would be a good choice; not sure if he wants it -

Edwards is the right age to then run for Prez again when he's 58 in 2012, but the thing with Edwards is that despite being from the South, he doesn't guarantee us North Carolina. Not by a long shot. I'd say Clark has a much better chance of pulling in Arkansas. But does it really have enough electoral votes to matter?

That all said, having a VP like Cheney (in that he is never going to run for president) can be invaluable to a president. The VP would never have to worry about walking the line between absolute loyalty and not saying too much to ruin his/her chances in the future. Clark could be that guy, but I think he'd rather be Secretary of Defense than Vice President. Or Secretary of State, even.

[DAGDA56]

6. interesting point...

I haven't heard as yet
That all said, having a VP like Cheney (in that he is never going to run for president) can be invaluable to a president."
I immediately thought of Bob Graham when I read it. (and he knows his way around the congress as well...)

[arwalden]

7. I've Been Thinking Bob Graham Too

That could certainly throw a monkey-wrench into the Jeb Bush machinery of Florida. It could put that state very much into play again... Bush* would have to waste much time and money there.

-- Allen

[tabasco]

4. The best interests of the Nation.

Who would be the best prez.

[HFishbine]

8. Other

Complimentary views. Not completely different, not completely similar.