[Williams]

I can't imagine would turn down the opportunity to run for Veep. Having run for V.P, or being V.P., are well known stepping stones to the presidency.

But if a lot of the main contenders turned Kerry down, it would be rich. No such luck, most are going around campaigning for the job. I think we're missing the important factor here that Kerry has a hard time making decisions.

[Phantom Lord]

Having run for V.P, or being V.P., are well known stepping stones to the presidency

How many people who have been on the losing end as the VP nominee have gone on to become president?

[Alberta's Child]

Serving as VP is a good stepping-stone to the White House. Being on a losing ticket as a VP candidate is generally a political death knell.

Think of how quickly people like Geraldine Ferraro, Lloyd Bentsen, Dan Quayle, and Jack Kemp disappeared from public view. And the only three losing VP candidates in the last 30 years who actually pursued White House bids all went down to humiliating defeat in future elections or primary campaigns (Dole in 1996, who was Ford's running mate in 1976; Mondale in 1984, who was Carter's VP; and Lieberman in 2004, who was Gore's running mate in 2000).