Hi mazda77!
I don’t know about #2. S/he will have to rise to that spot on his or her own merits. I’m all in for Sarah Palin.
There are a lot of people who would be great as VP. Still, the reasons on who to choose are not based on who we like but on what they bring to the ticket.
Someone who:
1. Can deliver a state or a constituency group. For example, Cain and the black vote, Rubio and the Hispanic vote or Daniels to solidify Indiana.
2. To shore up perceived areas of inexperience. Ryan would give major credentials for the economy and budgets. Romney or Cain for their business background. This could also include a senator to help her deal with the insiders in DC.
3. The person being groomed to follow in 8 years. Christie to give him federal executive experience. Bachmann or Pence to overcome the lower name recognition and to skip the needed executive experience.