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Ok, so it's just my prediction. And at the end of this post I'll mention some others. But Rockefeller strikes me as the most logical choice for Dean. Dean is an outsider, a governor of a tiny state and relatively bad relations even w/ that state legislature. He'll need someone from inside Congress who can work between the administration and Congress -- someone who knows Congress, and has served for a longtime. Plus, the VP nominee is almost always (esp. for Dems) a senator -- representatives usually represent too small an area.
In addition, that person is going to need to be relatively establishment. Dean is anti-establishment, but to win he needs party unity. To get party unity he needs someone who is acceptable to the establishment. This is why I doubt that Russ Feingold will be the next VP -- he's great, but, aside from the types of progressives that frequent DU, he'll probably strike most Americans as an endearing, but quirky, and unacceptable VP. The Party establishment, while it respects Feingold, would also not really like his VP nomination. As for Boxer, she's more establishment than Feingold, but she's ultraliberal, and it may not be the strongest electoral choice. That said, I view Boxer as a possibility -- she's really the only viable woman president in the senate aside from Hillary*. Still, I don't view her as a likely pick.
Dean will need somebody who comes from a geographic district separate from his own. That eliminates Kerry (already elminated b.c the 2 hate each others' guts), Dodd, and many other fine figures. The running mate will probably not be Edwards b/c he does not really give Dean greater credibility w/ Congress -- Edwards would be in the same boat as Dean if he were the nominee. Graham might be good, but he's older than many realize (68) and he proved to be a pretty boring, unappealing candidate for President. I do not think he will be the running mate.
Clark is often talked abt, and I would not at all be surprised to see it happen. However, I think ultimately, Dean will not choose Clark. While Clark gives him a military background, the ticket will have zero Wash. experience. Plus, Clark seems to get along much better with Kerry, Edwards, and Gephardt -- he and Dean often maintain an icy distance.
All this leads me to think that Jay Rockefeller will be Dean's running mate if Dean is the nominee. He gives instant establishment and congressional credibility. He is a strong liberal from a quasi-southern, populist swing state and a key swing region (Ohio, W.Va., Penn.). He has decades of experience in the Senate, plus governing experience, and is well-liked in Congress. He voted against the Iraq War, and he is a seasoned fighter. A downside is that he is beyond wealthy, but I don't think it's as much of an issue for middle-class voters, who I believe will accept a ticket of rich people who sincerely care about lower and middle class people, unlike Bush and Cheney.
Dick Durbin, and Carl Levin are some other strong possibilities who would fit this criteria.
Among some other names I thnk people will drop -- John Lewis -- too liberal, and just a congressman. If he was a senator, it might be different, but house members, unless they're in the top core of the leadership are generally not good national-ticket holders. Inouye -- too old. Richardson -- a distinct possibility, but I think it's more likely he remains a governor, given he just began on the job a year ago this Jan. and most New Mexico residents would prefer he remains. Harry Reid -- too necessary in the Senate, plus we may have a tough time maintaining that seat if he drops the race.
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