Summary:
It is never too early to look ahead and scout the potential Vice Presidential field. With a strong field of candidates left on both sides; the choice of the Vice Presidential nominee could very be a deciding factor in determining the next President.

Details or Sample:

While it is hard to say what exactly makes up the perfect formula for a VP; one of the most important things is balance with the Presidential nominee. This could mean anything from personality and background to intellect or skills. Historically, it has referred to regional balance, and in recent years has referred to Washington insider/outsider balance. This year, for the first time ever, it will also refer to ethnic and gender balance.

On the Republican side, Mike Huckabee is the favorite to be the Republican VP candidate. He has built himself a national image and reputation throughout the course of the campaign. He has a likable personality with an air of humility that has endeared him to the national press corps.

He is also a Washington outsider; something which has endeared him to a large portion of voters. His outsider image has contributed to his success among Christian conservatives. He is the next generation of Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson who speaks for a large section of the Evangelical movement. He would also keep a large section of the Republican voting bloc securely within the Republican tent.

But that outsider image also puts him at odds with much of the Washington conservative establishment. While they would probably oppose Huckabee as the VP candidate; they could learn to live with it. Once Huckabee was sworn in as Vice President, they would have plenty of time to get to know one another.

Other potential Republican running mates are Kay Bailey Hutchison and Marsha Blackburn; two Southern conservative women who would provide a good counterpoint to a Hillary Clinton candidacy. Similarly, Bobby Jindal, as a young minority, would provide an effective counterpoint to a Barack Obama candidacy.

On the Democratic side, Phil Bredesen, the Governor of Tennessee, looks poised to be a good running mate for either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. He was reelected by a large margin in Tennessee last election cycle including winning every county in the state. His previous career was in business where he ran a successful healthcare management company. As Governor, he has proven to be a good manager bringing the state’s budget and healthcare crises under control during his tenure. And finally, he is a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant.

Although Bredesen touts a Southern conservative image, he also has a very liberal record that many in the Democratic base would be very comfortable with. He reaches out to progressives and secularists in the party.
For example, this past Christmas, he sent out a card with a picture of a Muslim girl he had painted. During his reelection he refused to take a stance on a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage that was on the ballot. The amendment passed overwhelmingly. He also liberally supports abortion including attempting to provide state funding for Planned Parenthood.

He has a mixed record on capital punishment carrying out the laws of Tennessee as his duty as Governor while remaining personally ambivalent about it. He recently commuted the sentence of a prisoner on death row.

Other potential Democratic VP candidates include Wesley Clark and Jim Webb, two men who bring both military credentials and regional balance to the ticket. Similarly, Tim Kaine, the Governor of Virginia who is a Christian and pro-life would also provide a good counterpoint if the Republican ticket included names like Giuliani or Romney.

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Written by: John Xavier
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