How to Pick Your 'Number Two'

Now that Barack Obama and the Democratic primary drama is over, Obama and his Republican rival John McCain (R-AZ) have an important decision to make: Selecting a running mate.

Neither Senator has said much about whom they would like as a vice president, and Obama is keeping particularly mum about the possibility of running with Hillary Clinton.

Picking a number two is one of the most crucial professional decisions you’ll make, whether you’re a politician, an entrepreneur or a newly appointed CEO. Experts say the second in command coworker should be someone who complements the big cheese’s personality, but also fills in the gaps on his or her resume.

ON THE CAMPAIN TRAIL
MainStreet asked Josh Greenman, opinion editor at the New York Daily News and a former speechwriter for Senator Joseph Lieberman, for insight on how the candidates will make a choice.

“Obama will have to pick somebody who mitigates his weaknesses,” says Greenman. The junior senator from Illinois will likely pick someone who makes up for his minimal experience in some way, such as Jim Webb, who is on the Foreign Relations committee, and Evan Bayh, who is on the Select Committee on Intelligence.

Both Obama and McCain are senators and will likely look to make up for a lack of management experience, Greenman says. They can do this by picking a vice presidential running mate who has run a large city as a mayor or a small state as a governor. For example, Obama may be interested in the Democratic governors Ted Strickland of Ohio and Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania.