Who Would Agree To Be The VP Candidate In a Losing Ticket?

[Mister Mets]

In the last few elections, the people who agreed to be their party's candidates for Vice President did so with the understanding that they had a good chance of winning. Even the 2008 election was seen as competitive before the September financial crisis.

The next election might easily be different. The environment might clearly favor one party, and/ or a party may not nominate the wrong kind of candidate (the equivalent of Goldwater in 1964 or McGovern in 1972) someone whose appeal to the base alienates the center/ soft voters.

When the election's looking like it's going to be a rout, who would agree to be on a losing ticket?

[pbrower2a]

Someone very old, whose political career is basically over -- or some minor politician.

Never held an elected office -- Sargent Shriver. ('72)
Member of the House -- William Miller ('64), Geraldine Ferraro ('84), Paul Ryan ('12). 

[Mr. Smith]

Don't forget Jack Kemp ('96)

[Mister Mets]

I don't think Ryan's in the same camp as Miller and Ferarro. The election was much closer, and he did beat out statewide officeholders Pawlenty and Portman to be Romney's running mate.

Kemp fell in the political career was basically over category, although his resume was pretty similar to Dick Cheney (prominent congressman who served in Papa Bush's cabinet.)

McGovern's first choice was a young Senator. Mondale wanted to go for diversity at a time when there were few opportunities to do so with statewide officeholders, meaning he did limit his choices in a way that a modern nominee would not. This probably wouldn't be a cycle where either party has to choose a generic member of Congress.

For Democrats, I could see Amy Klobuchar agreeing to be on a losing ticket. If she wants to be President, she would have to raise her profile somehow and that is a shortcut. The same might be true of the Castros, given their limited opportunities at statewide office. It would also give Democrats a former hispanic candidate for national office as a permanent surrogate. Former Dallas Mayor and US Trade Rep Ron Kirk seems to fit several boxes (African-American, potential surrogate in Texas, old enough to be an elder statesman.)

For Republicans, Tim Scott seems like someone the party would be happy to have on a national ticket. Haley and Jindal might agree to it to raise their profiles. Former Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuño could generate some ideas/ excitement on the way to a loss. I don't see elder statesman types in the Senate (Bob Corker, John Cornyn) wanting to take the potential hit to their reputations. Terry Branstad might do it to raise his post-gubernatorial speaking fees.