There were 41 'short-listers' per candidate (including 2 duplicates). This list was compiled from a broad range of media sources and represents the most commonly speculated candidates. The optimization allowed mixed tickets — each VP candidate was allowed to appear with Barack Obama or John McCain. In addition, Affinnova panel has also selected 20 provocative 'write-in' candidates that included political pundits, business leaders, musicians and other celebrities.
Each VP candidate had a bulletized biography plus a mouse-over Wikipedia profile. Click thumbnail to enlarge.
| 1 |
ECONOMY |
Provide relief for American families with measures such as a Gas Tax Holiday to suspend the 18.4 cent federal gas tax |
| 2 |
ECONOMY |
Suspend filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to reduce demand for oil and the upward pressure on prices it creates |
| 3 |
ECONOMY |
Provide relief from the housing crisis by helping homeowners convert bad mortgages into FHA-backed loans |
| 4 |
ECONOMY |
Cut taxes for Americans and American businesses to provide relief to middle class families, create jobs, and fuel the economy |
| 5 |
ECONOMY |
Implement a permanent ban on Internet taxes to protect this important engine of economic growth and prosperity |
| 6 |
ECONOMY |
Cut middle class taxes by permanently repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax and doubling the personal exemption for dependents |
| 7 |
ECONOMY |
Maintain low tax rates and make it harder to raise taxes by requiring a 3 / 5 majority vote in Congress to raise taxes |
| 8 |
ECONOMY |
Reduce the Federal Corporate Tax Rate on American companies from 35 percent to 25 percent to match our major trading partners |
| 9 |
ECONOMY |
Pursue comprehensive, pro-market health care and Medicare reforms to reduce health care costs and control increases in premiums |
| 10 |
ECONOMY |
End policies that contribute to higher transportation and food costs such as ethanol subsidies, tariff barriers and sugar quotas |
| 11 |
ECONOMY |
Stop earmarks, pork-barrel spending, and waste that have led to corruption by seeking the line-item veto |
| 12 |
ECONOMY |
Balance the federal budget by eliminating broken government programs, eliminating earmarks, and reforming procurement programs |
| 13 |
ECONOMY |
Reform Social Security to save the program while meeting obligations to retirees without raising taxes |
| 14 |
IRAQ |
Support the government of Iraq to become capable of governing itself and safeguarding its people |
| 15 |
IRAQ |
Prevent Iraq from becoming a failed state, a haven for terrorists, or a pawn for Iran - all likely consequences of early troop withdrawal |
| 16 |
IRAQ |
Support the successful counterinsurgency strategy carried out by General David Petraeus that has resulted in reduced violence |
| 17 |
IRAQ |
Force Syria and Iran to end support of Iraqi violence and terrorism with bolstered military posture and international pressure |
| 18 |
HEALTH CARE |
Create a tax credit of $2,500 to $5,000 to offset insurance costs in the event you choose to obtain non-employer based coverage |
| 19 |
HEALTH CARE |
Improve insurance options with innovations like interstate competition, tax credits, portability, and Health Savings Accounts |
| 20 |
HEALTH CARE |
Lower drug prices through greater competition from re-importation of drugs and faster introduction of generic drugs |
| 21 |
HEALTH CARE |
Make insurance portable so that it follows you from job to job and stays with you if you choose to retire early or take time off |
| 22 |
HEALTH CARE |
Use interstate competition between health insurance companies to improve quality, lower prices, and better fit people's needs |
| 23 |
HEALTH CARE |
Work with state governors to develop a best practice model for providing guaranteed insurance access among high risk patients |
| 24 |
HEALTH CARE |
Develop a strategy for meeting the challenges of an aging population in greater need of long-term care |
| 25 |
HEALTH CARE |
Encourage and expand the benefits of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to put families more in charge of what they pay for |
| 26 |
EDUCATION |
Pursue reforms that address the underlying cultural problems in our education system |
| 27 |
EDUCATION |
Have schools compete for federal funding by giving parents the ability to move their children to the school of their choice |
| 28 |
CLIMATE CHANGE |
Create a cap-and-trade system to set limits on greenhouse gas emissions while encouraging low-cost compliance options |
| 29 |
CLIMATE CHANGE |
Engage the world community in climate change solutions by leading UN negotiations and permitting the export of clean energy technology |
| 30 |
CLIMATE CHANGE |
Promote the development of advanced technologies with funding and infrastructure reforms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions |
| 31 |
CLIMATE CHANGE |
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 2005 levels by 2012 and by another 66 percent by 2050 |
| 32 |
CLIMATE CHANGE |
Enact policies that will deliver both environmental sustainability and economic growth |
| 33 |
CLIMATE CHANGE |
Support technology development incentives including government-led competitions and proceeds from the sale of greenhouse gas permits |
| 34 |
IMMIGRATION |
Secure the border with pro-growth policies that keep spending in check and recognize the importance of a flexible labor market |
| 35 |
BORDER SECURITY |
Restore Americans' trust that their government will honor a pledge to take the necessary actions to make the border secure |
| 36 |
SANCTITY OF LIFE |
Ban advanced technology development that erodes moral and ethical principles such as embryonic stem cell and human cloning research |
| 37 |
SANCTITY OF LIFE |
End abortion by appointing Supreme Court justices that will overturn Roe v. Wade, and empowering state level pro-life movements |
| 38 |
SANCTITY OF LIFE |
Overturn Roe v. Wade with new Supreme Court appointments, then empower pro-life movements at the state level to end abortion |
| 39 |
PROTECTING MARRIAGE |
Preserve the constitutional balance by allowing States to preserve the traditional family without the courts overstepping their authority |
| 40 |
PROTECTING MARRIAGE |
Protect the institution of marriage as a union between a man and a woman by nominating judges that will not legislate from the bench |
| 41 |
SECOND AMENDMENT |
Oppose backdoor attempts to restrict Second Amendment rights by holding gun manufacturers liable for crimes committed by firearm |
| 42 |
SECOND AMENDMENT |
Oppose Second Amendment rights infringements including "waiting periods" and the confiscation of firearms from private citizens |
| 43 |
SECOND AMENDMENT |
Preserve Second Amendment rights by opposing bans on so-called "assault rifles", high capacity magazines, and special ammunition |
| 44 |
ETHICS |
Create an independent ethics office in Congress to help restore the public's faith in the integrity of the legislative branch |
| 45 |
ETHICS |
Disclose the identity of lobbyists and prohibit them from providing gifts or free travel to elected officials |
| 46 |
ETHICS |
Restore fiscal responsibility by vetoing any bill containing earmarks or pork-barrel spending and seeking line-item veto power |
| 47 |
NATIONAL SECURITY |
Develop missile defense systems to protect America from rogue regimes in North Korea and Iran; and competitors such as Russia and China |
| 48 |
NATIONAL SECURITY |
Enlarge the size and adjust the composition of our armed forces to match our expanding defense needs in the global war on terror |
| 49 |
NATIONAL SECURITY |
Keep our promises to retired service members with health care and benefits comparable to that received by retired federal employees |
| 50 |
NATIONAL SECURITY |
Modernize the armed forces with advanced weapons systems and force protection, adapting to the battles of the 21st century |
| 51 |
NATIONAL SECURITY |
Reform defense budgeting and procurement processes to ensure that dollars spent contribute to U.S. security and not pork-barrel projects |
| 52 |
NATIONAL SECURITY |
Show the nation's gratitude and respect for military families with improved pay and benefits, and an improved quality of life |
| 53 |
NATIONAL SECURITY |
Strengthen the military, shore up alliances, protect our homeland, and prevail in any conflict we fight |
| 54 |
NATIONAL SECURITY |
Modernize and increase the size of our military to ensure success against global terrorism and violent Islamic extremism |
| 55 |
NATIONAL SECURITY |
Recruit a stronger military by supporting the families of military service members and protecting veterans after they have served |
| 56 |
VETERANS ISSUES |
Care for veterans with special health care needs like radiation or Agent Orange exposure, substance abuse, or mental health issues |
| 57 |
VETERANS ISSUES |
Fight for those who serve and their families by improving veterans' health care, benefits, and transition to civilian life services |
| 58 |
VETERANS ISSUES |
Increase pay scales and enlistment bonuses for servicemen and women and give special tax relief to deployed service members |
| 59 |
VETERANS ISSUES |
Provide veterans' health care programs with the funding necessary to provide the highest quality health car to those who served |
| 60 |
SPACE PROGRAM |
Continue strong support of the NASA space program, which includes a return to the Moon in preparation for a manned mission to Mars |
| 1 |
CIVIL RIGHTS |
Combat employment discrimination with the passage of the Fair Pay Act and Employment Non-Discrimination Act |
| 2 |
CIVIL RIGHTS |
Strengthen federal hate crimes legislation, ban racial profiling, and take politics out of appointments in the Justice Department |
| 3 |
CIVIL RIGHTS |
Pass legislation to end deceptive voting practices and make accurate election information available to all voters |
| 4 |
CIVIL RIGHTS |
Support Americans with disabilities by providing educational and employment opportunities, and ending discrimination |
| 5 |
CLIMATE CHANGE |
Restore U.S. leadership on climate change by creating a Global Energy Forum of major economies – including China and India |
| 6 |
CLIMATE CHANGE |
Lead the world in green technology and fuel-efficient vehicles, providing high wage jobs and new hope for our planet |
| 7 |
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM |
Restore the integrity of the Constitution with habeas corpus and a true separation of powers among the three branches |
| 8 |
ECONOMY |
Restore fairness to the tax code for middle class Americans and provide 150 million workers with the tax relief they need |
| 9 |
ECONOMY |
Establish a foreign trade policy that opens foreign markets to support American jobs |
| 10 |
ECONOMY |
Deploy the world's most modern communications infrastructure to create new jobs and fuel economic growth |
| 11 |
ECONOMY |
Compete in the world economy by investing in research, education, and training, while opening up foreign markets to American goods |
| 12 |
ECONOMY |
Create an alternative energy-focused youth jobs program to invest in disconnected and disadvantaged youth |
| 13 |
ECONOMY |
Increase renewable energy production and create jobs with a Production Tax Credit and renewable electricity standards |
| 14 |
ECONOMY |
Ensure universal broadband access to enable next-generation facilities, technologies, and applications |
| 15 |
ECONOMY |
Establish a Credit Card Bill of Rights and 5-star rating system to stop unfair and exploitive consumer credit card practices |
| 16 |
ECONOMY |
Protect working people by ending predatory credit card practices and reforming unfair bankruptcy laws |
| 17 |
EDUCATION |
Secure our future with educational reforms that keep kids in school, attract talented teachers, and prioritize math and science |
| 18 |
EDUCATION |
Create innovative new programs to recruit, prepare, and reward the teachers that can inspire and educate America's children |
| 19 |
EDUCATION |
Make college affordable for all Americans with a $4000 tuition credit, while simplifying the financial aid process |
| 20 |
ENERGY |
Implement a market-based cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions by the amount scientists say is necessary |
| 21 |
ENERGY |
Invest in a clean energy future and create jobs by increasing renewable energy production and setting higher energy standards |
| 22 |
ENERGY |
Put America on the path to oil independence by 2030 with new fuel economy standards and alternative energy development |
| 23 |
FAMILY |
Promote work / family balance with expanded after-school programs, a better Family Medical Leave Act, and flexible work schedules |
| 24 |
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES |
Restore fiscal discipline in Washington by eliminating pork barrel spending, no-bid contracts, and tax cuts for the wealthiest |
| 25 |
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES |
Make the tax system more fair by ending the abuse of offshore tax havens and eliminating loopholes for the oil and gas industry |
| 26 |
FOREIGN POLICY |
Build support for our leadership on terrorism and our Iran policy by renewing American diplomacy with friend and foe |
| 27 |
FOREIGN POLICY |
Turn the page on partisanship, secrecy, and the politicization of intelligence, especially in matters of foreign policy |
| 28 |
FOREIGN POLICY |
Re-assert our humanitarian leadership in the world by ending the genocide in Darfur and the conflict in the Congo |
| 29 |
ETHICS |
End no-bid contracts and appoint officials who will serve the American people, not the lobbyists and special interest groups |
| 30 |
ETHICS |
Restore trust in the White House by opening up the business of the government and providing easy access to information |
| 31 |
GUN LAWS |
Enact commonsense measures that respect the Second Amendment while keeping guns away from children and criminals |
| 32 |
HEALTH CARE |
Create a national health care plan that will make affordable, quality, and portable health coverage available for all Americans |
| 33 |
HEALTH CARE |
Reverse the skyrocketing cost of healthcare with programs designed to increase competition, increase transparency, and coordinate care |
| 34 |
HEALTH CARE |
Reduce costs by increasing competition among drug and insurance companies and allowing access to drugs through other countries |
| 35 |
HEALTH CARE |
Cut healthcare costs by creating competition and investing in modern systems, saving the average family up to $2,500 a year |
| 36 |
HEALTH CARE |
Cut the cost of healthcare through prevention and public health – bring down the average family's premiums by up to $2,500 a year |
| 37 |
HEALTH CARE |
Prevent chronic illness with biomedical research, mental health care, and programs to fight against AIDS, mercury pollution, and Autism |
| 38 |
NATIONAL SECURITY |
Implement a coordinated effort to secure America's chemical plants, power plants, and water supply from threats |
| 39 |
IMMIGRATION |
Improve security at our borders, remove incentives for illegal immigration, and fix the legal immigration system |
| 40 |
IMMIGRATION |
Fix the current immigration issue by creating a fair and reasonable system to identify and process undocumented workers |
| 41 |
IRAQ |
Bring our troops home within 16 months, press Iraq's leaders to reconcile, and employ diplomatic efforts throughout the region |
| 42 |
IRAQ |
End the misguided war in Iraq, refocus military on al-Qaeda and finding Osama bin Laden, and bring the balance of our troops home |
| 43 |
IRAQ |
Bring our troops home while engaging in diplomatic peacekeeping and addressing the humanitarian crisis of 2 million Iraqi refugees |
| 44 |
LABOR |
Strengthen rights for workers by passing the Employee Free Choice Act, and enacting a "living" wage that is indexed to inflation |
| 45 |
MIDEAST POLICY |
End the conflict between Israel and Palestine by helping these two states live side by side in peace and security |
| 46 |
MIDEAST POLICY |
Ensure a strong U.S.-Israeli partnership with unwavering military and economic support, and uphold Israel's right to self-defense |
| 47 |
MORTGAGE CRISIS |
Protect homeownership with a Universal Mortgage Credit, foreclosure prevention fund, and subprime mortgage crack down |
| 48 |
NATIONAL SECURITY |
Make America safer with sound presidential judgment that engages diplomacy before force and inspires international support |
| 49 |
NATIONAL SECURITY |
Make progress toward a nuclear free world by securing loose nuclear material, and stopping nuclear proliferation |
| 50 |
NATIONAL SECURITY |
Expand and strengthen our military with more soldiers and investments in better training and superior equipment |
| 51 |
POVERTY |
Help Americans reach and climb the job ladder with improved transportation access to jobs and a Green Jobs Corps |
| 52 |
PUBLIC SERVICE |
Inspire Americans of all ages to serve our nation in education, health care, energy, veteran services, and homeland security |
| 53 |
PUBLIC SERVICE |
Revive the spirit of national service that JFK inspired 45 years ago to address the great challenges facing our nation and planet |
| 54 |
PUBLIC SERVICE |
Create service-learning programs that ask young Americans to serve their communities while learning or earning tuition credits |
| 55 |
RURAL ISSUES |
Protect America's family farms by strengthening laws against monopolies and requiring country of origin labeling |
| 56 |
URBAN ISSUES |
Strengthen federal commitment to our cities with a White House Office on Urban Policy reporting directly to the President |
| 57 |
WOMEN'S RIGHTS |
Respect reproductive choice and women's rights under Roe v. Wade while working harder to prevent unwanted pregnancy |
| 58 |
WORKING FAMILIES |
Support working families with a "Making Work Pay" tax credit to cover up to $1,000 in health care, education, and energy costs |
| 59 |
WORKING FAMILIES |
Fight poverty with a minimum wage that adjusts with inflation and the expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit |
| 60 |
WORKING FAMILIES |
Help working families save for retirement with Automatic Workplace Pensions and Retirement Savings "matching" Incentives |
