Who's Gonna Be VP?

(Newser) - It’s a myth that running mates put a ticket over the top, former Bush speechwriter David Frum writes in the New Republic —so John McCain might as well just look to the future of the Republican Party. "Keep in mind that, when you choose, you may well be choosing a future leader of the party," Frum pleads, "a leader whose impact could well equal or exceed your own." More »

(Newser) - The logic for Hillary Clinton as Barack Obama's running mate is simple, writes Ed Kilgore for Salon: "Obama doesn't have any obvious alternative option that will please everyone, much less provide the political payoff of an Obama-Clinton ticket.” Kilgore notes that rank-and-file Democrats support the pairing and refutes a laundry list of anti-Clinton arguments. More »

(Newser) - Barack Obama has a plethora of reasons to reject Hillary Clinton as his running mate, Thomas Schaller writes in Salon, but the most important is consistency: "Obama's decision to cast himself as a fresh alternative to both the Bushes and the Clintons is reason enough for him to choose somebody other than Hillary." Schaller lays out four anti-Clinton arguments and concludes by urging Obama to move quickly. More »

(Newser) - The timing is finally right for Sam Nunn to be installed on a Democratic presidential ticket, Michael Crowley asserts in the New Republic . The former senator from Georgia—bandied about as a potential VP in  ’88, ’92, 2000 and 2004—is “tailor-made for the veepstakes,” Crowley writes, because he's got a big resume and a small ego. This year, he's the perfect choice. More »

(Newser) - Dear wannabe running mates, here’s how to campaign for the No. 2 job, per Mark Halperin in Time : DO: Prove you can be an attack dog while maintaining “eloquence.” Suck up to Michelle/Cindy. They’ll have the final say before the final say. Notify the campaign of every appearance you plan to make. Prove you’ve got something the future nominee needs. More »

(Newser) - Democratic strategist James Carville thinks Barack Obama should consider someone with a little experience for the vice presidency: like, say, former VP Al Gore. Carville told CNN that choosing the Nobel Peace Prize-winner would drive home the message that America is serious about a new energy policy. A third term would make Gore the longest-serving veep in history, but he's said he'll only run for top spot. More »

(Newser) - Some Minnesota lawmakers are scratching their heads over their governor’s unusual veto of a resolution backing renewed trade relations with Cuba, but Matt Snyders writes in City Pages that Tim Pawlenty’s move may be a play to buddy up to John McCain. Pawlenty's been mentioned as a possible VP, but McCain could ill afford to have anyone on the ticket who wants to end the embargo—even if it would help the state's farmers. More »

(Newser) - Analysts were surprised to see the name of retired general James Jones on Barack Obama's vice-presidential shortlist yesterday, but Noam Scheiber, in the New Republic thinks he knows what the former NATO commander was doing there. Per Bob Woodward’s most recent book, Scheiber notes Jones was so put off by Donald Rumsfeld he refused to interview for the Joint Chiefs chairmanship. More »