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The Ups And Downs Of The 2016 ‘Veepstakes’

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With guest host Jane Clayson.

V.P. options. The “Veepstakes.” Gingrich, Christie, Warren, Castro. We’ll look at Clinton and Trump and their choices ahead.

Former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA), U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro (D-TX), U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) are said to be among the top candidates for their respective party's vice presidential nomination. (AP photos)
Former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA), U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro (D-TX), U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) are said to be among the top candidates for their respective party's vice presidential nomination. (AP photos)

The vetting is in full-swing. Who will be the VP pick? Trump and Clinton have their short lists. So much to consider. It’s the candidates’ first important decision. A test of judgement. And there’s a lot of strategy here: demographics, geography, gender, race.  And the always looming question of who has the right stuff to be a heartbeat away from the presidency? This hour On Point, a deep look at the 2016 Veepstakes shortlist. — Jane Clayson

Guests

Kyle Kopko, associate professor of political science at Elizabethtown College. Author of “The VP Advantage: How Running Mates Influence Home State Voting in Presidential Elections.” (@kylekopko)

Sam Sanders, covers the 2016 presidential race for NPR. Co-host of the NPR Politics podcast. (@samsanders)

Philip Bump, writes about Politics for the Washington Post. (@pbump)

From The Reading List

CNBC: Veepstakes Intrigue Deepens as Clock Ticks on Candidates' Picks — "rump's pick will be closely watched, as many Republicans are hoping his vice president will not only help balance out the ticket politically but balance out Trump personally. In addition to strengthening Trump's support in key swing states or among untapped demographic groups, skeptics are hoping he'll pick a candidate who can be a steady hand on the stump, one with strong conservative credentials and a long history with the GOP."

POLITICO: Trump praises Ernst, Pence amid VP speculation — "The search for a running mate is normally mired in secrecy, but Trump is once again breaking that tradition by essentially tweeting his job interview schedule. On Monday, Trump announced that he’d be meeting with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a popular freshman from a swing state, in New Jersey later on the Fourth of July."

FiveThirtyEight: A FiveThirtyEight Guide To Veepstakes Speculation — "Choosing a running mate is one of the first major decisions that a presidential nominee makes; it’s an early window into his or her personality, priorities and campaign strategy. It’s … important, and the media will spend endless hours discussing the pros and cons of each potential pick."

This program aired on July 5, 2016.

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