Who's Gonna Be VP?

(Newser) - Barack Obama told a donor this week that he may still invite Hillary Clinton on the ticket, but worries husband Bill might crowd the White House. "He said once you're a president, even if you're a former president, you're always a president," the donor told the Los Angeles Times . She said she pressed Obama because she believes the media and the Democratic Party have treated Clinton unfairly. More »

(Newser) - GOP national-security stalwart and longtime McCain friend Chuck Hagel will join Barack Obama on his upcoming trip to Iraq, sources tell the Wall Street Journal . The retiring Nebraskan senator has been a vocal critic of the war and the Bush administration. Despite his Republican credentials, he has been floated as a potential Cabinet member and as a long-shot VP choice for Obama. More »

(Newser) - Recipients of the VP vetting process are shifting their positions (and their stylists), Politico reports. Here are some examples: Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has ditched a less-than-leaderly mullet, opting instead for a short hairstyle. Florida's Charlie Crist has spun 180 degrees into the offshore drilling camp, matching John McCain’s switch; he also got engaged, ending a storied bachelorhood. More »

(Newser) - Timing the unveiling of one's running mate is a crucial publicity challenge, David Von Drehle writes in Time —and John McCain would be best served by playing his card soon, while Barack Obama should keep his ace up his sleeve. Obama could run into trouble from rabid Hillary Clinton fans at the Democratic convention, and might need “to hold a headline in reserve." More »

(Newser) - Carly Fiorina sparked stunned silence when talking over breakfast yesterday about the unfairness of health insurance plans that cover Viagra, but not birth control. “These women would like a choice,” she said, despite the fact that her nominee, John McCain, voted against a proposal to mandate coverage. Dana Milbank writes in the Washington Post that the moment typifies why she’d be a risky VP choice for McCain—but also “potentially the most rewarding.” More »

(Newser) - Jim Webb withdrew his name from Barack Obama's VP shortlist today, squelching rumors he might bring military and foreign policy experience to the ticket, Chicago Tribune reports. The freshman Virginia senator has long denied interest, but says he bowed out officially last week. "I believe I am best equipped to serve the people of Virginia and this country" in the Senate, Webb said in a statement. More »

(Newser) - Tim Pawlenty's got plenty on his resume to get him on John McCain’s VP radar. He’s the governor of a key battleground state, a smooth campaigner, and an active GOP player who’s been working hard for McCain. But here’s the proof Minnesota's governor really wants the job, says Salon: He cut his hair. After two terms of steadfastly sporting a mullet in the face of widespread mockery, Pawlenty now sports a trim vice-presidential ‘do. More »

(Newser) - While pundits stoke the frenzy around potential vice-presidential candidates, they rarely see what actually happens behind the campaign curtain. In Men's Vogue , Lloyd Grove offers six maxims to help make sense of the "veepstakes" hype: Presidential hopefuls seek input from several quarters to curry favor, though most of it is for show.   Potential VPs should have ambition, but accept playing second fiddle.