Donna Gentile O'Donnell: The search for Kerry's running mate

As Democratic nominee John Kerry turns his attention toward picking a running mate, the profiles of the potential "veeps" are emerging. Conventional wisdom is to look at the field of also-rans, then add in the should-be/could-be-considered. Apply any number of lenses through which to view the potential combinations: geography, ideology, electoral votes, key constituencies, political pedigree, charisma, physical appearance (Botox commentary notwithstanding) ... pick one, and let the speculation begin.

John Edwards scores points for being one of the best campaigners in recent memory. Being from the South helps. But his credentials as a first-term senator and his lack of gravitas in foreign policy are not the best profile. And the trial lawyer's recent attempt to strong arm the Kerry campaign by intimating that their financial support hinged upon Edwards being put in the number two spot went over like a lead balloon with Kerry loyalists.

Bob Graham, a popular former governor and senator, helps in the contested state of Florida. But Graham is low-key, almost dour at times, making his running mate seem charismatic (which, even Kerry stalwarts admit, is hard to do). Not a great dynamic there.

Howard Dean, the liberal governor from Vermont, crashed on the electoral vote count launching pad. He made some important advances, bringing in master political operative Joe Trippi, and revolutionizing Internet fundraising. He was the energizer bunny of the Democratic field. But he shorted out in Iowa, unable to recharge. Not exactly a winning endorsement.

Gen. Wesley Clark, a political newcomer, ran a lackluster campaign, which never really got off the ground. He "Hamlet-ed" his way into the decision "to be or not to be" a candidate. He also made a strategic political error, making public reference to candidate Kerry's alleged intern problem during the primary. Not happening.

Missouri Congressman Dick Gephardt brings lots of big labor and a big advantage in the rust belt states -- critical in putting the D's over the top in November. He managed a losing campaign with guts and decency, looks vice presidential and has the stuff to actually be president (a priority for Kerry). But big labor was a big disappointment for Gephardt. Will they deliver for the ticket? That's an open question among Democratic strategists.

Arizona's Attorney General Janet Napolitano is on the radar screen. Though not well known, she is a popular, law-and-order woman in the fastest-growing state in the nation. Not a bad start ... but not proven on the national stage. A risk.

Our own governor is mentioned in more than a few conversations. His friends remain hopeful that Kerry will consider a "Northeast only" strategy, meaning that the campaign would focus principally on winning all non-Southern states, with the exception of California. Kerry has actually said that this could be a legitimate strategy to win in November. A sitting Pennsylvania governor could fit nicely into that strategy. But even Rendell says he'd advise against it.

Then there's Hillary. While she would energize the base -- which means activity, votes and cash -- she is still a polarizing figure for a lot of Americans. But Hillary in the veep spot gets the Democrats' best asset, Bill Clinton, back in the race with both feet.

One of the most interesting options for Kerry to consider is New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. Richardson -- a former congressman, former U.N. Ambassador under Clinton and former secretary of energy -- has one of the most intriguing political profiles.

Richardson was born to a Mexican mother and an American father in California, a "must-win" state for the Democrats and Richardson's neighbor state. With a Republican governor running it, California can't be treated as a foregone Democratic win conclusion.

As a congressman, Richardson served on the influential Select Intelligence Committee. During his tenure, he negotiated multiple successful hostage releases, including American pilot Bobby Hall in North Korea, and later, Evan Hunziker; two American engineers from Saddam Hussein's Iraq; three Red Cross workers, imprisoned in the Sudan by tribal war lords; and several other political prisoners in hostile nations. Fluent in five languages, he personally negotiated multiple diplomatic missions in conjunction with the State Department and was nominated on two separate occasions for a Nobel Peace Prize. These significant accomplishments were, in part, why President Bill Clinton chose him as the first Latino American to serve as ambassador to the U.N.

Richardson is a big man in physical presence, political capacity, intellect, skill and accomplishment. That he is Latino, and thus capable of energizing the fastest growing group of ethnic voters (and a key Karl Rove constituency target), is an important asset to a Democratic ticket. His dark complexion is a reminder that America is not a white-only nation. A national Democratic ticket, at some point, has to reflect the diversity we spend so much time talking about.

Richardson brings real depth to the Democratic bench. While he has publicly committed to serving out his term as governor, that shouldn't stop Kerry from making sure he's got a VP partner whose got the goods and can deliver. John Kerry should make good use of his formidable persuasive oratory by talking Bill Richardson onto the 2004 ticket.

Donna Gentile O’Donnell is a Ph.D. candidate in health policy history from Philadelphia, Pa. vox populi... appears on alternate fridays.

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