As the conventions near, speculation over running mates continues

We’re getting closer to the Democratic and Republican national conventions, and vice presidential contenders on both sides have yet to be announced. When it comes to determining and announcing a running mate, timing can be key.

“Timing varies depending on circumstance, ” Randall Miller, a history professor at St. Joseph’s University, said.  Miller, who is also a political analyst for some major news organizations, says that in the past, VP candidates have been selected at the convention and the results can be disastrous.

“One can think, of course, of Teddy Roosevelt here in Philadelphia in 1900 where the Republicans wanted to find a place to hide him rather than let him be a presidential candidate,” he said. “The irony there was that the President, [William] McKinley, was assassinated soon after he was elected and Roosevelt became president.”

“In other cases, it’s weeks out because it’s very important to have a vetting process; you don’t want surprises,” he added. “Although, in some cases, it’s not just the news cycle in terms of capturing attention. It’s also that you haven’t found somebody willing to say ‘yes.’ That’s likely the case with Donald Trump.”

For more on the potential VP selections for both Trump and Hillary Clinton, including speculation around New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, click on the interview at the top of the page.