Rating Running Mates

While we wait for Obama’s game-changing text, CNN educates us with a list of the best and worst vice president picks since Harry Truman’s right hand man, Alben Barkley. Traditionally, the ticket add-ons contribute more than just a pretty face, whether it’s supplementing the campaign with a state’s support (California came with Nixon during Eisenhower’s run) or adding more of that dubious “experience” qualification.

That said, LBJ came out at the top of the veep heap while Thomas Eagleton (George McGovern’s ill-fated choice) was at the bottom, just edging Dan “Potatoe” Quayle. Dick Cheney, meanwhile, appeared on the list as both a good choice (2000) and a bad choice (2004).

Thanks Aileen!