Obama is spoilt for choice

In Unity New Hampshire, the presumed candidate for the Democratic party for president, Barack Obama kissed and made up with his former bitter rival, Senator Hillary Clinton. Political pundits speculated that Clinton would make a splendid running mate for Obama. Clinton is for sure the first choice of the 18 million people who voted for her in the primary. She is strong with the "Old Guard" Democrats and with women. She also brings with her the strength and savvy of her husband, former president Bill Clinton. An Obama-Clinton ticket may very well be what the former president called a "dream ticket".

But Obama has numerous other strong prospects to chose from. Three possible candidates are former aspirants for the Presidency who ran against Obama and Clinton in the Democratic primary. The first is Senator John Edwards. Edwards was John Kerry's running mate in the 2004 primary election against George W. Bush. Edwards is a formidable campaigner and has strong appeal with the labour unions. Being a Southerner, Edwards brings geographical balance to the ticket.

Senator Joe Biden is another possibility. He is the current Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Biden did poorly in his Presidential bid, but he is respected throughout the country by Democrats as well as Republicans. He would bring badly needed foreign policy experience, where Obama is considered to be weak.

The third is Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico. Governor Richardson brings strong foreign policy credentials as a former Ambassador to the UN. He also served in the Clinton Administration and has strong appeal among Hispanic voters in the western states, which many consider to be the main battle ground in this race.

Four possible running mates for Obama are presently serving as their states' Governors. Kathleen Sebelius is the Governor of Kansas, a traditionally Republican state. Sibelius, like Clinton, would bring gender balance to the ticket.

Outspoken critic

Another candidate who brings gender appeal and geographical balance is Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona. The governor has been an outspoken critic of John McCain who represents her state in the US senate.

Like Kansas, Arizona has consistently voted for Republicans in the Presidential Elections. Napolitano's choice could change Arizona from being a "red state" into a "blue state".

The third governor is Ted Strickland of Ohio. Strickland was instrumental in delivering Ohio to Clinton in the primary. As Obama's running mate, the articulate governor could deliver Ohio to the Democratic ticket on November 4. This would be detrimental to the Republicans who always depended on Ohio to win the Presidency.

The last governor being mentioned as a possible Vice President running mate is Tim Kaine of Virginia. However, most observers give the governor a slim chance at the position.

Numerous other names have surfaced, among them Caroline Kennedy's, the daughter of the beloved former president John F. Kennedy. But the most interesting name being batted around, is that of Senator Chuck Hagel, the Republican US Senator from Nebraska. If Hagel is chosen, remote as it may be, he would shake up the Washington establishment and traditional party politics.

Nebraska is one of the most conservative states in the Union, but the unpopularity of the Iraq war, coupled with Hagel's appeal with the voters of the state, may result in Nebraska bolting from the Republican ranks. This would be critical for the Republican party.

There are numerous factors that come into play before either party decides on the Vice Presidential running mate, among them: the will of the party hierarchy, gender, geographical balance and compatibility with the candidate. But one thing is certain- The candidate has the final say.

Sam Zakhem is a former US Ambassador to Bahrain.