Running Mates from the Senate

[liberalpragmatist]

The top 3 contenders for the Democratic nomination are Sens. Clinton, Obama, and Edwards, although Gov. Richardson of New Mexico has an outside chance.

Given that the top three contenders are senators, the vice presidential nominee may well be a governor or general; maybe even a member of the House (though that would be unlikely). However, it is instructive that EVERY Democratic ticket since 1944 bar one (1984) has nominated a sitting senator as the vice presidential nominee. Besides 1984, the other partial exception is 1972, when Sen. Tom Eagleton was nominated but later withdrew his name after it was revealed he had received electric shock therapy. (He was replaced by a non-senator, Kennedy in-law and former Peace Corps director, R. Sargent Shriver.)

1944 - Sen. Harry S Truman (Mo.)
1948 - Sen. Alben W. Barkley (Ky.)
1952 - Sen. John Sparkman (Ala.)
1956 - Sen. Estes Kefauver (Tenn.)
1960 - Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson (Tex.)
1964 - Sen. Hubert Humphrey (Minn.)
1968 - Sen. Edmund Muskie (Maine)
1972 - Sen. Thomas Eagleton (Mo.); replaced by R. Sargent Shriver
1976 - Sen. Walter Mondale (Minn.)
1980 - Mondale as the incumbent
1984 - Rep. Geraldine Ferraro (N.Y.)
1988 - Sen. Lloyd Bentsen (Tex.)
1992 - Sen. Al Gore (Tenn.)
1996 - Gore as the incumbent
2000 - Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conn.)
2004 - Sen. John Edwards (N.C.)

By historical precedent, there's a very strong chance that even with a senator leading the ticket, the second spot will go to a senator as well. And it may well be a senator that has not otherwise exhibited any presidential ambitions.

So who are some Democratic senators that you could see on the ticket, besides the ones running for president.

Maybe Sens. Kent Conrad or Byron Dorgan of North Dakota? Sen. Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico? Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois (for someone other than Obama)? Chuck Schumer of New York (for someone other than Hillary)? Jack Reed of Rhode Island, a veteran and a member of the Armed Services Committee? Chris Dodd of Conn., assuming his presidential bid goes nowhere. Washington's Patty Murray? And, of course, the more often-touted name of Indiana's Evan Bayh. For Obama, ex-Senator Tom Daschle might actually be in the running, given that Daschle has very publicly endorsed Obama and given that a lot of Obama's senior staff are veterans of Daschle's campaigns and staff. Virginia's Jim Webb might be in the running, though he has little Senate experience and may not like playing second fiddle; he seems to like his independence.

These are the names that seem plausible, based on experience, age, and ideology. Any thoughts? I'm especially interested in what people think of North Dakota's senators and Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico, since they aren't heard of much in presidential or vice-presidential name games.

[Sherman A1]

1. Well I think I would go with

Harry Truman as even long gone, he still has more sense than what I have seen in the Republican field.

[Hippo_Tron]

2. Senator Blanche Lincoln would be a strong possibility if Hillary gets the nomination

An all female ticket might be very attractive and Lincoln is from Arkansas which might be competitive for Hillary because she was first lady when Bill was in the Governor's mansion.

Other possibilities include (for no nominee in particular)

Senator Clinton - if she doesn't get the nod, she may be asked to be VP to unite the party

Senator Obama

Senator Webb - Was just elected but Obama only has two years and is running for prez, so anything is possible

Senator Brown - Faces the same problem as Webb but his name will be brought up because he represents the key swing state of Ohio

Senator Bayh

Senator Pryor - Also from Arkansas, maybe Hillary would want someone from Arkansas but not an all female ticket

Senator Landrieu - always mentioned but unlikely, IMO. Her seat would very likely go to a Republican if she is picked due to Louisiana's population demographic shifts. Louisiana is likely going to get a Republican Governor this year so she won't be able to resign and have a replacement appointed and be the incumbent running for re-election.

Senator Feingold - probably too much of a maverick but will be considered

BTW, a general rule is that there is no way that someone from the northeast will be the VP on a democratic ticket. Because that region already favors Democrats there has to be a very good reason to put someone from the northeast on the ticket (like the reason I mentioned with Senator Clinton above). Joe Biden, Chris Dodd, and Jack Reed will not be VP candidates.

Kent Conrad and Byron Dorgan will likely not be considered. North Dakota has three electoral votes and probably won't vote Democratic even if they are on the ticket. Joe Hoeven, North Dakota's GOP Governor will get to replace either one of them if they become VP. Dorgan and Conrad are too valuable in the Senate to be VP candidates.

[MalloyLiberal]

3. Feingoldddddddddddddddddd dddddddddddd