Seeking Clues in the Presidential Veepstakes
Timing, tone and political capital weigh heavily in vice presidential searches.
July 14, 2008 -- In the next few weeks, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama will announce his vice presidential pick, and in all likelihood, his Republican counterpart John McCain will announce his choice for second-in-command soon after.
At this point in the race, Democratic strategist James Carville told "Good Morning America" today, the vice presidential picks are crucial to setting the tone for each ticket.
Still, he says, there's no denying that Sen. Hillary Clinton's shadow still looms over Obama's choice.
"Obviously, Senator Clinton running the race as she did, to get literally half the votes and have a large constituency like she does… I've seen polling that shows she helped him. That has to be considered," said Carville, who is a close Clinton supporter.
Adding to the speculation that a Clinton veep candidacy is still alive, Obama phoned Clinton fundraiser Jill Iscol last week.
"He said that he admired Hillary Clinton, that he respected her enormously, how could he not consider her for VP and that she certainly was on his list," Iscol said.
Citing a historical precedent for former party rivals making their way to second-in-command on the ticket, Carville added, "Senator Kennedy picked Johnson. President Reagan picked Bush to be his vice president. John Kerry, Edwards."
But, until final choices are made, the Beltway is consumed studying all the comments and body language — every last nuance from engagements to haircuts to international trips — to try and figure out who the vice presidential nominees will be.
Family values conservatives were concerned that Republican Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida wouldn't be a suitable vice presidential pick because he's been a bachelor for decades. Earlier this month, Crist got engaged.
The Minneapolis media have written that Gov. Tim Pawlenty's chances of being picked were hurt by his mullet, or "hockey hair." Suddenly, the Republican governor was sporting a new, distinguished haircut.
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