The next Vice President of the United States

The other day, while cycling through the downtown of one of my favorite towns in Oregon, I noticed a Presidential campaign bumper sticker. The sticker did not indicate a year; there was no mention of 2016. But it was on a vehicle with an Oregon license plate. This isn't Kentucky, so it could not have been for the Senate race where Rand Paul went to Washington. The sticker said simply, "Rand Paul."

He could have been running for anything. He hasn't declared his candidacy for any position. But he is positioning himself for being a candidate. Make no mistake. He is running.

Rand Paul is not the only person running for President in 2016. You could come up with several likely candidates: Ted Cruz, Rick Perry, Marco Rubio quickly come to mind.

These people are positioning themselves on the national stage during the federal government shutdown of October, 2013. This is an easy, inexpensive way to gain name recognition, and for voters to become familiar with them.

What of the Vice President position? It's easy to point to people and say--Hey, that person is maybe running for President. To be running for Vice President is harder to spot. And the people that come to my mind are mostly female. I just think the next Vice President will be female, and maybe it is also time for a female Presidential candidate as well. Could there be two, three or four females as the major party President and Vice Presidential candidates? Yes, and soon.

Geraldine Ferraro was the first female of a major party ticket, in 1984 when she ran as second fiddle with Walter Mondale. They were trounced at the polls by President Reagan and his VP George HW Bush. It was twenty-four years later before another woman was on a major party ticket. Senator John McCain selected Governor Sarah Palin in 2008 and they were beaten in the election by the Obama/Biden ticket. While there was a lot of negative press about Governor Palin (much of it justified) it will not be another twenty-four years until another woman is on the ticket, either as a candidate for President, or Vice President.

Representative Cathy McMorris Rogers.  Can you say Vice President McMorris Rogers? She is a rising star in the Republican Party, from a blue State (Washington), and could very easily be selected as a VP candidate.

Senator Kelly Ayotte. Another rising star of the Republicans, she is from New Hampshire. A small State both in size and electoral votes, NH could help sway some of the New England states to the Republican candidate.

Governor Susanna Martinez. Rumour has it that Republicans have difficulty attracting both women, and latino voters.  What better way to try to lure those groups to your cause than the Governor of New Mexico.

These are just a few of the possible candidates for the Vice Presidential pick for the Republicans. What about the Democratic party?

Senator Jeanne Sheheen. Another New Hampshire-ite she holds the distinction of being the first woman to be elected as a Governor and as a Senator.

The junior Senator from North Carolina, Kay Hagen.

The junior Senator from North Dakota, Heidi Heitkamp.

Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, might bring some southern cred to a ticket, especially if the Demos pick Senator Elizabeth Warren as their candidate for President.

But that is a whole 'nother story.

Untill 2016...