Who Will Be Second in Command?
by Igor Derysh

On the road to the party presidential nominating conventions in August, the biggest question is who will be on the ticket. Already decided are the two presidential nominees, Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona and Democratic Senator Barack Obama of Illinois. Now comes the ever-tedious selection of the Vice Presidential nominees.

Even though, as John McCain likes to say, a Vice-President’s only duties are to break a tie vote in the Senate and from time to time enquire as to the President’s health, a Vice Presidential nominee can make or break a candidacy.

Both candidates are in need of help among several key constituencies and will look to select a Vice Presidential candidate who will help them in those demographics. Unfortunately no one is popular among every one of those constituencies and both candidates will have to choose wisely.

Senator Obama’s key weaknesses are his inexperience and his lack of popularity among Latinos and rural, white, middle-class voters. To try to win over these constituencies, Senator Obama will look to find a Democrat from a southern or Midwestern state, preferably with National Defense experience, to put on his ticket.

Here is a list of the most likely Democratic Vice Presidential Candidates:

Senator Joseph Biden of Delaware: Two-time Presidential candidate, Current Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Pros: Vast foreign relations experience. 35 years experience in the Senate. Moderate Democrat.Cons: Does not help much among Latinos. Loose cannon, says anything and everything on his mind.

Senator Jim Webb of Virginia: Former Secretary of the Navy. Top “Go-To” guy on the Iraq War in the Senate. Sits on the Senate Foreign Relations, Armed Services and Joint Economic Committees. Pros: One of the top Democratic officials in Washington on Defense. Very tough Vietnam veteran who will not allow himself to be “Swiftboated” like John Kerry. Democratic Senator from a mostly conservative state. Cons: First-term Senator who was elected by less than one-percent. Also offers no help with Latino voters.

Former Senator Sam Nunn of Georgia: Former Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Three-time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize. Chairman of the Nuclear Threat Initiative. Pros: No one offers more Defense and Foreign Policy experience than Sam Nunn. Popular figure in a conservative, southern state. Cons: Has been out of politics for over ten years. Might be too old (turns 70 in September).

Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana: Former Governor of Indiana. Sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee and several economic committees. Pros: Very popular Senator in a conservative state. Big Hillary Clinton supporter, could help bring more Clinton supporters to Obama. Helps Obama on both defense and economic issues. Cons: Not many.
Senator Hillary Clinton of New York: Former first lady and Presidential contender. Sits on the Senate Armed Services committee as well as several economic and health related committees. Pros: Biggest name recognition in the Senate. Would bring Obama and Clinton voters together. Helps with the Latino vote. Cons: Ran a dirty campaign in the Democratic primary. Not well liked by many male and moderate voters.

Senator McCain has an entirely different set of qualities he is looking for in a Vice President. McCain’s biggest weaknesses are his age, his inability to appeal to the Republican base and inexperience on the economy. McCain will look for a governor from a conservative state who Republicans would like to be the next in line for President as McCain is unlikely to run for a second term.

Governor Charlie Crist of Florida: Former Attorney General of Florida. Pros: Very popular in a very important swing state. Well liked by the party and only 51-years-old, Crist would be a good candidate to succeed John McCain. Cons: Does not help much with the GOP base. Not many other cons.

Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota: Chairman of the National Governors Association. Pros: Incredibly conservative darling of the far-right. Well liked by the party. Only 47-years-old. Good on economic issues. Cons: Not many.

Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana: Former Congressman. Pros: Well liked by the Republican base and the media. Very popular in Louisiana. Cons: Might be too young (only 37-years-old). Not very experienced.

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson of Texas: Sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee as well as many subcommittees. Pros: As one of the few female Republicans in the Senate, she could bring some women over to the GOP. Very experienced. Well versed in the economy. Cons: McCain wants someone with executive experience (Governors). Too old (turns 65 in July) to succeed John McCain.

Senator John Thune of South Dakota: Former three-term congressman. GOP Chief Deputy Whip. Serves on several committees including the Senate Armed Services Committees. Pros: Young (47) and very well liked by the Republican base. Currently being groomed for a Republican Senate leadership position and a possible Presidential run. Cons: Very conservative and could turn some moderates off of McCain. Not very well known outside of Washington.