Veep watch
The media says that John Kerry might balance his ticket with a southerner (Floridian Senators Bob Graham or Bill Nelson, North Carolina Senator John Edwards), southwest (New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson), Hispanic (Richardson), someone more to the centre of the party (anyone from the south, Indiana Senator Evan Bayh), a midwesterner (Bayh or Rep. Dick Gephardt) or a woman (various senators or governors). But Ronald Faucheux, an adjunct professor at George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management,
writes in today's
Washington Post that Kerry might have more than balance considerations in mind when he choses a running mate. "Though vice-presidential selection was once seen as a way to balance a presidential candidate's philosophy or region with a running mate who represented something entirely different, it has shifted in recent years as vice presidents have taken on a more serious role in governing and have acquired an increased visibility. In that sense, a nominee's appeal in any one state is far less important than his or her ability to reinforce the broader message and image of the candidate, as well as of the party as a whole."
The column outlines to what degree the vice-presidential candidates have made an electoral difference. Balance seems to be over-rated. Competence is more important and in that department, few Democrats can qualify.
For the record,
Richardson is again denying any interest in the veep position, jokingly telling reporters that if they are going to continue to ask him whether he would accept such an invitation, "I would not accept at gunpoint."