Inside The Vice Presidential Guessing Game

Katie Couric Looks At The Method Behind Choosing A VP - And Who's On The Short List

(CBS)  It's Washington's favorite parlor game: Speculation over who Republican Sen. John McCain will select as his vice presidential running mate.

CBS News anchor Katie Couric reports the guessing game has already started, but the process usually takes months, with a behind-the-scenes dealer heading up the search.

Every candidate appoints someone to help with the vice presidential selection process.

That individual's role, said former Ronald Reagan chief of staff Ken Duberstein, is to act as "the Sherpa, the guide. The Sherpa lays out what I refer to as the four tests for any potential vice president: Competence, chemistry, credibility and compatibility,"

In addition to assessing the "four Cs," the person in charge of the search is also in charge of the vetting.

"The first consideration is to find a candidate who won't do you any harm," said former Senate majority leader George Mitchell.

You could call that the Hippocratic Oath.

"Who won't hinder your chances to win and then of course, who can best help," Mitchell said.

With McCain's age a factor - and national security experience a given - he might seek help from someone with a different resume.

"...he needs somebody who matches John McCain's proficiency in foreign policy and national security on the domestic side," Duberstein said.

And although we won't know the pick for some time, the dealing has already begun.

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For a breakdown of the VP possibilities, check out Vaughn Ververs' latest Horserace post.

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Maybe it's someone from a battleground state, like Minnesota's governor, Tim Pawlenty, or Ohio's former congressman Rob Portman. Or a former rival, like Mitt Romney.

Some Senate wildcards like Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, have been thrown into the mix.

One thing's clear: McCain's pick could be a revealing look into his leadership style.

"The vice presidential pick is absolutely critical for what it tells you about a presidential candidate's ability to make sound judgments," Duberstein said.

Geography mattered for FDR, who had three vice presidents for his four terms.

"It used to be said FDR would pick a different VP every four years - many of them unknown simply because he wanted to win a state," said presidential historian Douglas Brinkley.

Party unity was paramount for centrist Dwight Eisenhower when he tapped conservative Richard Nixon.

"He never liked Nixon," Brinkley said. "They weren't compatible, but he needed him and stuck with him two times because it got the 'hard right' off his back."

In the case of Bill Clinton and Al Gore in 1992, two similar candidates made for a winning pair.

"They both came from the same region," Brinkley said. "They both were young, but the combination of their youth and energy, attractiveness politically at the time … it was a huge positive factor."

In 2000, it was the man in charge of George W. Bush's search who ended up taking the prize.

And sometimes, bitter rivals in the primaries become critical allies in the general election.

"Without Lyndon Johnson being picked as V.P., John Kennedy probably wouldn't have been able to win," Brinkley said.

Duberstein said: "I happen to think George Herbert Walker Bush helped strengthen Ronald Reagan."

Some are still hoping it could happen with the two current Democratic contenders, though it looks less likely every day.

What about the notion of a Clinton/Obama ticket or an Obama/Clinton ticket?

"I think it would have a great deal of appeal," Mitchell said. "If Democrats feel that the two of them together would be the best ticket and one of them declines for personal reasons, that will have an effect on his or her own future in the party."

But other names are already being drawn.

For Obama, national security chops like Jim Webb's or Gen. Anthony Zinni's, or executive experience like Mike Bloomberg's might strengthen his hand.

For Clinton, a big swing-state governor like Ohio's Ted Strickland or Pennsylvania's Ed Rendell could appeal.

Or even ... Mitchell himself.

"I would suggest that a George Mitchell makes an awful lot of sense because of his gravitas, because of his international experience," Duberstein said.

Couric asked Mitchell: "Is the vice presidency anything that you would ever consider?"

"I think given all the circumstances, there's about as much of a chance of my being vice presidential candidate as you being chosen by Sen. McCain," he laughed.

[KOOLSTUF]

An ideal VP for McCain would be Lieberman -- who had
guts enough to defy his old Democrat cronies, and run
"solo" !!! Might make "Far Right" Republicans squirm,
but they NEED McCain to WIN, by drawing Shrillary''s Democrats who won''t vote for Obama.

Pelosi would make a GREAT running mate for Obama, if his campaign plans to make it CERTAIN he''ll LOSE !!!

She clearly demonstrated NO LEADERSHIP skills at all,
and her affiliation with Murtha reveals she''s DUMBBBB


If Lieberman won''t fly -- Liz Dole is brainy and HIGHLY qualified !!!

[cjravi]

Condalisa Rice for VP. It''s very easy.

She is one smart lady and her credentials are first class.

[taddles-2009]

"I would rather have Hillary, than someone ''''mesmerizing'''' people with TALK.

Posted by Katia327 at 07:47 AM : Apr 01, 2008"


Huh...considering that "talk" is exactly the qualifications for the office, you sure you''re not a closet Obama fan....I mean when your not being an ignorant bigot.

[taddles-2009]

"The Dems would do well to consider Nancy Pelosi. Hell, she''''s already in the line of succession and she''''s got at least as much clout.

Posted by godofredo29 at 12:50 PM : Apr 01, 2008"


Wrong temperament, she''s too volatile for the office. She makes a better senator or speaker.

[taddles-2009]

"When our country attacked Iraq the die was cast for many years to come.

Posted by walker1209 at 11:04 AM : Apr 01, 2008"


But we do not have to propagate a failed policy. We got out of Viet Nam when we realized it was a failed war, how many more American Soldiers and how many hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians have to die before we figure that same thing out about Iraq?

Regardless of what McCain said, all his other stances state quite explicitly that he has no intention of leaving Iraq or even entertaining any ideas that would extricate the US from Iraq. He will stay with this until the bitter end, he is bound and determined to show his father that he can go down with the ship.

Iraq was the wrong target, anyone who doesn''t have their head stuck firmly between Georgies buttcheeks knows that. We went into Iraq on false information. We failed to get the terrorists who killed 3000 US civilians because we were so determined to use this attack as an excuse to go after GB''s personal enemy.

Simply put, any nominee for the office president who does not present some idea on how to get the US out of this illegal war does not have the qualifications to be president.

[taddles-2009]

"When our country attacked Iraq the die was cast for many years to come.

Posted by walker1209 at 11:04 AM : Apr 01, 2008"


But we do not have to propagate a failed policy. We got out of Viet Nam when we realized it was a failed war, how many more American Soldiers and how many hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians have to die before we figure that same thing out about Iraq?

Regardless of what McCain said, all his other stances state quite explicitly that he has no intention of leaving Iraq or even entertaining any ideas that would extricate the US from Iraq. He will stay with this one till the bitter end, he is bound and determined to show his father that he can go down with the ship.

Iraq was the wrong target, anyone who doesn''t have their head stuck firmly between Georgies buttcheeks knows that. We went into Iraq on false information. We failed to get the terrorists who killed 3000 US civilians because we were so determind to use this attack as an excuse to go after GB''s personal enemy.

Simply put, any nominee for the office president who does not present some idea on how to get the US out of this illegal war does not have the qualifications to be president.

[barryrose1]

Hillary should be McDrains running mate as she is as close to Rebublican(commie) as you can get without being one.That way if she wants to be president ,when McDrain falls over dead(age/health) she''s automatic.

[craigh9]

If Obama chooses Hillary he had better never go down a flight of stairs in front of her!!!!!!!!!!!

[bdribus]

Huckabee is the man.

[hungry1968]

alfred e. neuman for vp.

Posted by bogusbones at 12:42 PM : Apr 01, 2008




That''s what I suggested for McCain in my earlier post:

"Obama should pick Jim Webb.

McCain should pick George W. Bush. (If he''''s going to live the guy''''s third term out, then he might as well do it at full speed ahead.)

That would also give Obama the first presidential win with over 95% of the votes."

[getacluidiot]

Obama should just get it over with and select Al Sharpton

[hungry1968]

How little you understand politics and the voters. This story has not magically gone away and you would have to be extremely ignorant or an Obama Kool Aid Drinker to think that.

Posted by JERSupporter at 11:04 AM : Apr 01, 2008





Please post a link to a CURRENT story on the issue.

[hoosiermoon]

Well I''m hoping Virginia Senator James Webb will be the next President AFTER 2008. He might be better for America in the Senate until he can run for President, but if he could be VP for Obama, that would be good too.

[godofredo29]

The Dems would do well to consider Nancy Pelosi. Hell, she''s already in the line of succession and she''s got at least as much clout.

[bogusbones]

alfred e. neuman for vp.

[jgunther7]

At first, Edwards appeared to be the best choice for Obama''s running mate, however he doesn%u2019t have the guts to take a stand until he knows who the winner is. Not exactly a profile in courage. That leaves Bill Richardson, Jim Webb and many more. The Democrats have so many good candidates to chose from it will be a very difficult decision. What a wonderful position to be in. Viva Obama

The Republicans needn%u2019t bother

[walker1209]

I''ll start out by saying that I am a 59 year old Black female who is a lifelong Democrat. I am also a staunch supporter of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. I don''t know yet who will win the nomination on the Democrat side but he/she will be well advised to pick someone who can really make a difference.

If I were Senator McCain (who is beginning to look much better to me if BARACK THE MAGNIFICANT should get the nomination) I would consider someone like Senator Chuck Hagel or Senator Jim Webb. Both of these gentlemen are independent, thoughtful, and fail legislators. I don''t think that he could lose if he were to pick one of them.

Also for my fellow Democrats, Senator McCain did not say that the US military would be in Iraq for 100 more years - he said that there would be an American presence in the region for at least that long. He is correct folks; no matter who the new president is, Americans will be in the Middle East for the foreseable future and that is just the way it is. When our country attacked Iraq the die was cast for many years to come.

[jersupporter]

Hillarygrl34, give it up! The Rev Wright story is old news, and Obama has addressed it. His ratings in the polls were hardly effected. Just because a pastor makes some stupid comments doesn''''t mean the candidate believes in the same things. The only people making noise about this are people who would never have voted for Obama anyway. Posted by nolalou
----------------------------
How little you understand politics and the voters. This story has not magically gone away and you would have to be extremely ignorant or an Obama Kool Aid Drinker to think that.

[dimmu19]

Obama / Nader

The ObamaNader ticket. They''ll be back !!!

[puredem]

I''d like to alert everyone to an interesting site on this topic: "Approval Style Voting for a Potential Democratic Cabinet (and other important posts)": http://puredem.wordpress.com. This is no-nonsense, poll based speculation and worth a visit for political junkies or just fans of the democratic process.