History shows running for VP is honor, gamble

By Charles Babington

Associated Press

Published: Monday, April 2 2012 9:20 a.m. MDT

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FILE - In this Feb. 9, 2012 file phoo, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. speaks in Washington. If you hope to be president someday, taking the second spot on a ticket is a pretty good deal if that ticket wins. It’s a possible path to obscurity if the ticket loses.

J. Scott Applewhite, File, Associated Press

Summary

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and other ambitious Republicans eyeing a possible invitation to be Mitt Romney's running mate might want to keep 1920 in mind.

WASHINGTON — Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and other ambitious Republicans eyeing a possible invitation to be Mitt Romney's running mate might want to keep 1920 in mind.

That was the last time the losing vice presidential nominee was a politician skillful and lucky enough to eventually become president.

His name? Franklin D. Roosevelt.

So one takeaway for this year's much-talked-about group of potential vice presidential candidates is simply this: If you hope to be president one day, accepting the No. 2 spot is a pretty good deal if the ticket wins — and a possible pathway to political obscurity if it loses.

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