>>>>>>But the point of choosing a VP candidate is to make him/her help you get more votes.
>>>>>
>>>>>No, the point of choosing a VP candidate is to have someone who can fill the office of President if you die.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>I can't believe that you are so naive. Or you are confusing the role of a VP with the how the candidates selects one.
>>>
>>>Let me re-word that. It's a measure of the judgment of the presidential candidate whether the VP candidate he or she picks is qualified to be president. Helping get more votes is relevant, but better not be the only criterion.
>>>
>>>Tamar
>>
>>
>>Then wouldn't candidates choose running mates whose policies and views most closely resemble their own?
>
>I view this kind of like college admissions. There's a bar that has to be passed indicating raw qualification. Beyond that bar, choose who you want to meet your needs.
>
>Some candidates will want an echo of their own views. Others will want someone who will challenge their views. Some will focus more on electoral math, others on governing.
>
>But before all those choices, the first question has to be "If I die, can this person govern the country?" Any candidate who can't answer "yes" to that question deserves to lose the election.
>

Not a trivial issue given that McCain is 72 and has been treated for cancer four times.