In a matter of months – or perhaps even weeks Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry will choose a vice-presidential run­ning mate. He has a number of factors to con­sider when selecting this individual: ideology, geography, and viability, to name a few. Does he want a running mate who is more liberal or more moderate than himself? Should Kerry pick someone from the South, the Midwest, or the West? Who will help him by delivering electoral votes in key battleground states? Who could competently step into the role of presi­dent at a moment's notice, if necessary? And, as it is contentiously debated, who can most effectively balance support from both the cen­trist "swing" voters as well as the progressive, Green-leaning sympathizers of Ralph Nader and Dennis Kucinich?

First, there are many potential vice-presidential candidates whom I believe are imprudent choic­es, ones frequently name-dropped to share the ticket with Kerry. As dynamic of a candidate as he was, Howard Dean would not work well with Kerry, nor would it be smart for Kerry to place another Northeasterner on the ticket. Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano is from an important state that the Democrats could potentially pick up, but Napolitano was only elected governor in 2002. A similar dilemma exists when considering Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas. Former Senator Max Cleland has been a loyal and faithful supporter of Kerry's from the beginning, but Cleland would realistically be better-suited as Secretary of Veterans' Affairs.

Then there's Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, the nation's only Hispanic governor. He has a long and impressive résumé as a legislator, diplomat, and cabinet member. However, Richardson has repeatedly stated he is not interested in the position, which would make it very hard for him to ultimately ac­cept the V.P. slot if it were offered. Senator Evan Bayh is also a popular choice, due to his positive reputation, his centrism, and his past gubernatorial experience. However, Bayh's U.S. Senate seat this year would almost certainly go to a Republican in a state as conservative as Indiana, potentially preventing the Democrats from regaining a Senate majority. John Breaux, retiring from his position as Louisiana's senior U.S. Senator, may be too conservative to com­pliment Kerry's own platform, and is probably destined for a cabinet-level position.

Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia is another possible V.P. often praised for his speaking skills and intelligence. But with skep­tics concerned that Kerry's image is already too "patrician," does Kerry really want someone whose last name is "Rockefeller" sharing a national ticket with him? Senator Bill Nelson is mainly suggested as a candidate because he is from the electorally-significant Florida and used to be an astronaut. However, given that he has less than four years of experience in Congress – plus an incredibly annoying voice – why select Bill Nelson when Kerry could run with Bob Graham? As for the prospect of John McCain teaming up with Kerry to be his V.P. – sorry, not gonna happen!
So who's left for Kerry to consider? Well, a lot of quality candidates are out there. I will cover some of the media's most popular selec­tions, along with some potential vice-presidential candidates who aren't very well-known (yet) at the national level.

John Edwards – he's charismatic and handsome, has abundant experience with anti-terrorism legislation (teaming up with Senator Chuck Hagel to combat biochemical threats, plus sponsoring his own bills to accumulate first responders and emergency systems), and has placed much emphasis on community service with his Community Corps grant program (S.2392). The disadvantage: Edwards has been a U.S. Senator for less than one term. His opposition to NAFTA should play well with the labor base, although Edwards has very few actual votes in Congress to validate his stance. John Edwards may be a better choice as Attorney General (although I'd prefer John Conyers) in a Kerry Administration.
Learn more at: http://www.johnedwards2004.com/home.asp

Mary Landrieu – Lousiana's other U.S. Senator would humanize the Kerry ticket by softening its image with centrists and ruralites. Landrieu's youth, good nature, and perkiness would attract the soccer moms, but she also has plenty of stealth on her résumé for those voters who like the "things-that-go-bang." Senator Landrieu has brokered bipartisan compromises as part of the Senate Armed Services Committee, fighting against military base closures, lobbying for increased veterans' health care and other benefits, and negotiating a missile defense plan that requires nuclear warhead reductions. She worked with Breaux on strengthening airport security, geographic surveillance, and funding for B-52s and the JSTARS program. Over­all, Landrieu has a family-friendly record as an outspoken advocate for child tax credits, education expenditures, responsible fatherhood, farm relief, pesticide research and reduction of the AMT tax.
Learn more at: http://www.marylandrieu.com

Wesley Clark – his advantages are that he's a four-star general and served as NATO Supreme Allied Commander. That gives him plenty of national security and defense credentials. Clark also proposed income tax reductions through his Families First plan and tax credits for job creation. His own presidential platform included bread-and-butter ideas such as rural education funding, flexible health care plans, and competitive bidding to make Medicare more affordable. His family-friendly, center/left beliefs would attract many Eisenhower Republicans who are sick of the Bush/Cheney antics, although Clark should also be considered for Secretary of State or Secretary of Defense.
Learn more at: http://clark04.com/issues/

Dick Gephardt – obviously, the former House Minority Leader brings decades of experience to the table, and could deliver the critical state of Missouri. His own presidential platform included a Teacher Corps and First Step (for early childhood education) program and his Apollo 21 Energy Plan to expand fuel cell, ethanol-based, and hybrid vehicles through tax credits. Although Gephardt's staunch opposition to NAFTA and his advocacy for human rights would energize organized labor, he may have problems with those still upset at him for his support of the Iraq War Resolution. Gephardt's next job may instead be as Secretary of Labor.
Learn more at: http://gephardtgrassroots.com/

Bob Graham – he was formerly Governor of Florida, and denounced the Iraq policy of Bush, having voted against the war resolution last year. As a prominent member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Graham probably knows more post-9/11 information than any other vice-presidential prospect out there. During his own presidential campaign, Graham really hammered on the need for infrastructure reinvestments to uplift the economy, and his presence on the ticket would surely double Kerry's support with veterans. If he doesn't make the ticket, look for Graham to be tapped as Kerry's new Secretary of Homeland Security. Again, I ask: what does Bill Nelson have going for him that Bob Graham lacks?
Learn more at: http://www.senate.gov/~graham/

Additionally, Edwards, Clark, Graham, and Landrieu could potentially swing a few of the more moderate Southern states into the Democratic column. Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Kentucky are all states that Clinton has won in the past, and could be won again with a balanced ticket.

Finally, my personal first-choice for Kerry's running mate would be U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, who represents the 11th Congressional District of Ohio. As a tough former Cuyahoga County prosecutor and municipal court judge in Cleveland, Tubbs-Jones was among those on the House ethics panel who took the lead investigating former Congressman Jim Traficant, who was found guilty and convicted on counts of bribery in 2002. That same year, she was considered to be a formidable and viable statewide candidate for Governor of Ohio, foreshadowing her potential to deliver the pivotal state of Ohio to Kerry in November.Legislatively, Tubbs-Jones has opposed trade with China based on human rights, favors voluntary school prayer while opposing taxpayer-funded faith-based initiatives, and has pushed for DNA testing of those sentenced to death row. She also has called for a temporary moratorium on federal executions, and advocates the American importation of cheaper, FDA-approved prescription drugs from other countries She has worked tirelessly passing legislation to crack down on child abuse (H.R. 764) and provide uterine fibroid research (H.R. 1672).Although skeptics may scoff at the notion that a black woman with fairly liberal views could be of benefit to Kerry's ticket, I contend that Tubbs-Jones brings a lot to the table. She's from a critical swing state and would excite progressive voters – possibly attracting voters to the ticket who might otherwise vote for Nader or the Green nominee. Furthermore, she could attract moderate voters with her assertive record and common sense legislative accomplishments. Tubbs-Jones opposed both the War in Iraq and the PATRIOT Act – two items that Kerry is so often criticized for supporting. She's also extremely intelligent and compassionate, having earned an undergraduate degree in Social Work and a Juris Doctorate degree in law.

Decide for yourself at: http://www.house.gov/tubbsjones/

Despite the common view that Kerry must "play it safe" by choosing a Protestant white male from the South as his vice-presidential running mate, the unpredictable and unconventional choice of Stephanie Tubbs-Jones for the V.P. slot could be just what the doctor ordered if the Democrats are truly serious about attracting new voters and retaining old ones. The prospect of a Kerry/Tubbs-Jones ticket would give Americans a reason to vote – by giving us a diverse, credible, multi-talented ticket to vote for.