Regular feature: 'Veepstakes'

Each week, The World Next Week studies potential running mates for Barack Obama and John McCain. This week, we examine the runners-up in the nomination processes.

Democrat: Hillary Clinton, Senator, New York

• Pros

• Unify the party after long, competitive campaign
• Name recognition
• Power and fundraising prowess of the 'Clinton Machine.

• Cons

• Deeply unpopular among some segments of the electorate
• She and her husband could overshadow Obama
• Does not put any regions in to play and effectively concedes foreign policy to the war veteran McCain

Verdict: This will largely depend on how gracefully Hillary exits the race and how fervent her supporters remain. There is no doubt a Clinton-Obama ticket would unify the Democratic base, but would the duo appeal to Independent voters?

Republican: Mike Huckabee, former Governor, Arkansas

• Pros

• Secures the evangelical vote, an important Republican constituency
• Guarantees Arkansas for Republicans, which Clinton may be able to put into play if she is chosen by Obama
• Friendliness could balance McCain’s temper in the eyes of voters

• Cons

• Inexperienced nationally
• Could turn off more libertarian conservatives
• Gaffe-prone, eg. his assassination joke at NRA rally

Verdict: McCain needs to shore up his base, and former pastor Huckabee would guarantee the religious right's support in November. Yet despite the recent campaign, he is untested and could prove to be an easy target for the activist left.