Veep short-listers mix positives and negatives
source: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/V/VEEP_PLUSES__MINUSES?SITE=JRC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=D...
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- When Barack Obama shows up Saturday in Springfield, Ill., on his way to the Democratic Convention, he'll have his new running mate grinning beside him. But that man or woman is still unknown, even as speculation rises to a fever pitch.
Same with John McCain, just days away from his Republican convention.
A big reason the jobs are still open: The contenders believed to be still in the running could pose significant risks as well as helping the presidential candidates.
For Obama, for instance, picking a senator like Delaware's Joe Biden or Indiana's Evan Bayh would bring experience to the ticket but would also make it harder to emphasize his own signature campaign theme of change.
For McCain, former rival Mitt Romney would bring economic experience and ties to battleground Michigan. But Romney has his detractors, even among Republicans, and McCain's primary-season attacks on him would provide ammunition for Democrats.
For all the talk, running mates seldom are a factor in November outcomes. A party's No. 2 hasn't played a truly key role since John F. Kennedy chose Lyndon Johnson in 1960.
But the selection is the most important decision each candidate makes before formally gaining his party's nomination, and it could reveal much about his judgment.
Same with John McCain, just days away from his Republican convention.
A big reason the jobs are still open: The contenders believed to be still in the running could pose significant risks as well as helping the presidential candidates.
For Obama, for instance, picking a senator like Delaware's Joe Biden or Indiana's Evan Bayh would bring experience to the ticket but would also make it harder to emphasize his own signature campaign theme of change.
For McCain, former rival Mitt Romney would bring economic experience and ties to battleground Michigan. But Romney has his detractors, even among Republicans, and McCain's primary-season attacks on him would provide ammunition for Democrats.
For all the talk, running mates seldom are a factor in November outcomes. A party's No. 2 hasn't played a truly key role since John F. Kennedy chose Lyndon Johnson in 1960.
But the selection is the most important decision each candidate makes before formally gaining his party's nomination, and it could reveal much about his judgment.
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- tags:
- Election 08, VP, Obama's VP, McCain's VP, 1 more
