I'm curious to hear what readers think, given that the public VP talk on the Republican side and generally boiled down recently to Bobby Jindal, Tim Pawlenty, Rob Portman, and Mitt Romney.

Since first raising the topic (here and here) I continue to think Jindal, Pawlenty, and Romney remain the best options.

Romney has the highest critical mass of recent buzz, indicated for example by his #1 ranking on the Fix's VP line and by news coverage of the healing of the McCain-Romney rift. In many respects he's already doing the job of the VP nominee: regularly speaking to gatherings of the party faithful, fundraising like mad, and delivering shivs into the side of the opposition with a smile via copious media appearances.

That said, while Romney has much upside, it's hard to ignore the potential downside too. While he fits the bill of what McCain needs in a VP pick exceptionally well, he still provokes a visceral reaction from a vocal minority of the GOP activist base (even as his selection would sooth many movement conservatives). Moreover, one could see an obvious line of attack from Democrats probing into his venture capitalist past that might not sit will with the economically populist mentality that dominates many swing voters.

Portman is an intriguing option as a former Congressman in Ohio, former U.S. Trade Representative, and former Director of the Office of Management & Budget (OMB) - which is the government agency that actually runs DC more than most people realize. He fits almost every criteria McCain could want in a VP, except his pronounced ties to the Bush administration are an ugly and distracting series of attacks waiting to happen.

There is notably less recent buzz about Jindal and Pawlenty, though there inherent strengths remain obvious. Pawlenty seems like the ultimate safe choice if he gets through vetting. A blue state governor with working class roots. Adequately embrace by both conservatives and moderates. And he bears the reformer label to match McCain's campaign theme and persona. On the downside, his ability to put Minnesota in play electorally is in doubt and he hardly seems a choice that will excite any particular component of McCain's uninspired, conservative base. In the end, Pawlenty may be the best combination of "first, do no harm" combined with the other needs McCain has in a ticketmate.

Jindal remains a member of a national ticket, at some point, either now or in the future. His resume and record are beyond impressive, but his tenure as Governor is very short and the lingering concern about his age gap with McCain magnifying rather than mollifying that issue with the public should not be ignored.

Of note, it seems also clear that South Dakota Senator John Thune and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin seemed destined for a national ticket in the future too. For now, however, Thune lacks the managerial/executive experience McCain needs, while Palin's family considerations and Jindal-like short tenure as Governor necessitate a little more time on the national sidelines.

On the Democratic side, Obama seems destined for the ultimate do no harm pick. He doesn't need to excite anybody. He simply needs someone competent, who won't harm the ticket, and with luck soothes the bruised feelings of some Clinton backers. Indiana Senator Evan Bayh or Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius seem the most logical choices in that category. Joe Biden is an interesting dark horse too, though his famous running mouth would seemingly preclude him from VP consideration. He seems a giant gaffe waiting to happen; the last thing one needs from the ticket's junior partner.

Your thoughts, o loyal reader?

UPDATE: I see Chuck Todd is very high on the "do no harm" rule.