DemDaily: The Veepstakes: The Top Contenders

Major Factors in the Selection Process

1) Geography: Electoral benefit to a nominee from a battleground or swing state, as well as a region. No party has ever picked a Presidential and VP ticket from the same state.
2) Experience: The role of the VP has expanded substantially, and foreign and domestic policy experience, Congressional relationships, and years in office or profile in the public sector, are important factors. The administrative experience of a former or current Governor always a plus.
3) Age: Goes both ways. A more seasoned veteran, or a younger, energetic VP can help balance a gender gap at the top of the ticket.
4) Compatibility: Together or apart on the campaign trail, the Pres and VP must be able to work together and appear to be a genuine team. How the candidates, staff, consultants and operations assimilate is both a personal and practical consideration.
5) Ethnicity and Gender: A potential balance to the opposing ticket's picks and platform that could swing the presidential.
6) Ideology: A more conservative or liberal VP can expand the ticket's appeal to a broader voting constituency, but the team should not be ideological or publicly opposed on any major issues.