Veep short-listers mix positives and negatives

[Terri]

By TOM RAUM
Associated Press
August 20, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) -- When Barack Obama shows up Saturday in Springfield, Ill., on his way to the Democratic Convention, he'll have his new running mate grinning beside him. But that man or woman is still unknown, even as speculation rises to a fever pitch.

Same with John McCain, just days away from his Republican convention.

A big reason the jobs are still open: The contenders believed to be still in the running could pose significant risks as well as helping the presidential candidates.

For Obama, for instance, picking a senator like Delaware's Joe Biden or Indiana's Evan Bayh would bring experience to the ticket but would also make it harder to emphasize his own signature campaign theme of change.

More