Veepstakes at a Glance

So, here are some of the more well known choices (in no particular order)

Democrats
John Edwards: Lovable, friendly guy who's goal (in spite of not being President) is to rid America of poverty. He would fit well with Obama's message of Change because he was only a Senator for 1 term. This adds to attacks on Obama's limited experience as an executive. But Edwards is liked and would have done really well in the Primaries if Obama and Clinton weren't in it. Now that Clinton isn't in anymore, he may bring more to the table for people who wanted to vote for him and Obama.

Hillary Clinton: She's Hillary Clinton. Need I say more? Though, I will. She would definitely be a huge roadblock for McCain getting the Whitehouse. She brings a lifetime of experience, knowledge, and ability to get things done. However, she brings extra baggage with her (Bill Clinton) and she is the exact opposite of what Obama is campaigning against: Washington Politics. I say that if Obama picks her, it will be because he wants to win, not because he wants to make change in America.

Bill Richardson: He would bring in some of the Clinton supporters, though admittedly not the female vote. But he brings something else: the Hispanic perspective. How monumental would it be to have an African American President and a Hispanic Vice-President? Richardson brings the executive experience that Obama lacks and potential for added influence in the West, which Obama really needs.

General Wesley Clark: He would bring immediate national security and foreign policy strength to Obama's campaign, which he desperately needs. He would be a force to reckon with regarding military expertise, a useful combatant (no pun intended) against McCain and his military background. But he doesn't seem to be a good campaigner and not very politically savvy. However, Obama has strength enough for both of them in those categories. The real question is what would happen when there is a military decision that they disagree on?

Republicans
Mitt Romney: Brings executive expertise, economic genius, and the appearance of youth (even though Romney is older he doesn't add to the "old man" image of McCain). His economic experience would be really helpful coupled with McCain's national security expertise. Romney would probably not do well in the South because of religious differences between evangelicals and mormons and his economic principles which appear to help the rich more than the poor, but his Christian religion would really help McCain in the West, where Obama is expected to do well. Michigan would probably swing towards McCain with Romney on the ticket (and perhaps since the DNC snubbed Michigan last Spring). The biggest difference would be whether McCain could actually get along with Romney (and vice versa) given their heated differences in the primaries. It seems that Romney would be more of a team player (given that he backed out of the race to help McCain secure the nomination quicker). But, McCain really, really dislikes powerfully rich people, but perhaps he can ignore that if Romney is putting his money towards McCain's campaign instead of against it.

Mike Huckabee: Would clinch the Southern vote for McCain but may not help him in the West, which will be a "battleground" in the general election. He brings youth, vitality, and a genuineness that McCain lacks. However, Huckabee's "liberal" past (raising taxes in order to grant more rights to immigrant families) as a governor may not be what McCain needs to secure the conservative base of the GOP, with which McCain is already struggling to hold.

Charlie Crist: McCain needs youth and he is not it! He would bring in much needed votes from Florida, but not from other conservative GOP voters anywhere else.

Condaleeza Rice: She is smart, competent, politically savvy, and would bring youth to the campaign. Her foreign policy expertise is not something that McCain absolutely needs in his campaign, but she does offer a link to female voters and African American voters within the GOP. The double-edged sword with Rice is her connection with the Bush Administration's foreign policy agenda, but the right kind of spin would easily put that issue to rest. She has a great number of strengths as an executive but may not be the right choice with some GOP bloc voters if there should come a time when the President is not able to fulfill the duties of his office (and given McCain's age and chronic health problems, should be taken into consideration).

Joe Lierberman: He's a democrat, even though he calls himself an independent. That will not help his GOP stalwarts, no matter how much strength and expertise he brings.

Bobby Jindal: He is new and exciting and may appeal to the younger generation, which is something McCain needs to do. He doesn't have a lot of experience, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. He will bring credibility into McCain's campaign in the South, especially to Hurricane Katrina victims and their advocates, and may help turn things around for the GOP in regards to the emergency relief debacle from the Bush Administration (which would help McCain separate himself more from the Bush Administration).