After seizing the Democratic presidential nomination, Senator Barack Obama's next move is to choose a running mate.
The big guess for the moment is whether he and his rival Senator Hillary Clinton will finally settle on the same ticket, despite the fact that the former first lady has not yet conceded her race.
While choosing Clinton could help heal rifts in the party after weeks of divisive campaigning from both candidates, Obama has the pick of a broad field of candidates from across the political spectrum.
The following is a long list of possible frontrunners:
Evan Bayh: What he lacks in charisma, the telegenic Bayh makes up for in national security credentials, having served on both armed services and intelligence committees in the Senate.
Joseph Biden: A six-term senator who helms the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden could offer the heavyweight foreign policy experience that Obama is often accused of lacking.
Michael Bloomberg: Since ruling out his own independent bid for the presidency, the current mayor of New York has been seen as a potential running mate for both Obama and McCain.
Wesley Clark: This former NATO commander, who failed in his bid for the 2004 presidential nomination, was seen as a staunch Hillary Clinton supporter -- a fact that could help unite the party.
Chris Dodd: A long-serving senator with solid foreign policy credentials who was previously considered as a running mate for John Kerry's failed presidential bid in 2004. Dodd presents the same problems as Biden.
Chuck Hagel: A close friend of fellow Republican John McCain --Obama's general election rival -- Hagel's strong anti-war in Iraq stance has generated cross-party appeal, though an unlikely choice he could be seen as the man to attract wavering Republican voters.
Ed Rendell: As an outspoken Clinton supporter, a Rendell partnership could rally support for Obama and as governor of swing state Pennsylvania, he could help secure key votes, but his popularity is limited outside Philadelphia.
Bill Richardson: the New Mexico governor, who identifies himself as Hispanic, could help sway the burgeoning Latino vote in addition to lending heavyweight foreign policy credentials as a former United Nations ambassador.
Kathleen Sebelius: The two-term governor of mainly Republican Kansas, Sebelius has proven cross-party support but the rising Democratic star still lacks a national profile.
Jim Webb: Another rising star, the straight-talking Virginia senator has already dismissed his vice-presidential prospects, but his appeal as a Vietnam veteran and successful novelist are clear.
Other names mentioned in the running include: Former South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle, former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, former Armed Services Committee Chairman Sam Nunn and Ohio Governor Ted Strickland.
Source:Xinhua
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