1.) Sen. Joe Biden of -Biden is a former presidential candidate and is the fourth-longest serving Democratic Senator.
-He provides 26 years of experience, so whenever Obama is attacked by McCain about his lack of experience, he can point to Biden.
-He is the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and would provide tons of foreign policy knowledge to the ticket--something Obama desperately needs.
-His age balances out well with Obama's.
-Biden is Catholic and hails from a blue-collar world, two constituencies with which Obama needs help.
-He is also not afraid to say what is on his mind, which is exactly what the Democrats need in an election year, and would have no problem going after McCain.
-He has not endorsed Obama or Clinton at the time of this writing, so he could be seen as a neutral pick in an effort to unify the party.
-But, he also gained no traction at all as a presidential candidate, which might prove true again if he is selected as Obama's running-mate.
-He doesn't put any states in play and tends to say the wrong thing.
2.) Gov. Bill Richardson of -Richardson is the current governor of a pivotal swing state, and was re-elected in 2004 with 68% of the vote.
-He has sway among the millions of Latinos in the U.S.--a group Obama currently struggles with and needs in the general election.
-He could help carry New Mexico, Colorado, and even put Texas in play for the Democrats (or at least force McCain to spend money there).
-He served as the Ambassador to the United Nations which would reassure voters who are concerned about Obama's lack of foreign policy experience.
-He has been recognized for negotiating the release of hostages, American servicemen, and political prisoners in North Korea, Iraq, and Cuba.
-He was also the U.S. Secretary of Energy under President Bill Clinton, which would reassure the millions of voters that are concerned about high gas prices.
-He is pro-2nd amendment, which would help with moderates.
-Richardson has been nominated five times for the Nobel Peace Prize.
-But, a Black-Latino ticket might be be risky, with members of two minorities that have never served in either office on the same ticket.
-Obama could probably win New Mexico and the bulk of the Latino vote without him.
-And,
3.) Gen. Wesley Clark of Arkansas (Age: 63)-Clark was the former NATO commander, and an experienced armed forces general.
-He would bring loads of bona-fide national security credentials to the ticket, and would rival, if not beat, McCain on issues of foreign policy.
-He was a big-time Clinton supporter during the primaries, but has praised Obama on multiple occasions since he won the nomination.
-Picking a former Clinton supporter might help to unite the party.
-He is from Arkansas and has appeal in that region of the country, so he might help to flip a state like Missouri over the Dems.
-But, he too gained no traction as a presidential candidate in 2004, and is a mediocre campaigner.
4.) Gov. Tim Kaine of -Kaine is a popular and successful governor of a key southern swing state with 13 electoral votes, that could trend Democratic if he was included on the ticket.
-He was formerly the mayor of the city of Richmond.
-He endorsed Obama very early, and has been a staunch supporter ever since.
-He is a fiscal and social centrist.
-His strong Catholic faith would have wide appeal in the Rust Belt.
-Would be seen as a Washington outsider, so he would fit with Obama's theme of change.
-But, he is only four years older than Obama and has no foreign policy experience, which is needed to balance out the ticket.
-He is not well-known nationally.
5.) Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York (Age: 60)—-Clinton has the support of thousands of Democrats that Obama could not normally win in the general election.
-Many Democrats are thrilled with the idea of a “Dream Ticket” with their two leading candidates on it.
-If he chooses her, the party will instantly be united, and most of her 17 million supporters will jump on board.
-She could bring in working class voters, and has a strong appeal in states like
-She is also popular among older voters, which could help in states like Florida.
-She would attract millions of women voters who might not have voted for him otherwise.
-Has the most recognizable name in American politics (for better or for worse).
-She is an incredible attack dog, and would have no problem going after McCain.
-But, she is a very partisan and polarizing figure in American politics, and her and Obama are not exactly best buddies after spending 17 months as bitter adversaries.
-She represents the "old Washington" that Obama has so strongly run against.
-Her and Bill would insist on becoming "co-presidents" which might create a hostile environment in the West Wing, should they win the election.
-She is the kind of person who loves the spotlight, and so does Obama. They would compete for attention, and it might be counterproductive to the campaign.
-She would galvanize the conservative base, and McCain will have a much easier time fundraising.
-She won't bring in any Republican voters, which Obama has claimed time-and-again that he can do.
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