Modern vice presidential highlights

In 1984, the addition of Geraldine A. Ferraro to the Democratic ticket initially helped Walter F. Mondale catch up with Republican Ronald Reagan in the polls. But that momentum soon was lost, in part over questions about her personal finances. Her husband, real estate broker John A. Zaccaro, declined to release his tax returns after Ferraro had said he would do so. At the 1988 Republican National Convention, George H.W. Bush surprisingly named Indiana Sen. Dan Quayle his running mate. Questions soon surfaced about whether Quayle had used family connections to avoid military service in Vietnam.

In 1984, the addition of Geraldine A. Ferraro to the Democratic ticket initially helped Walter F. Mondale catch up with Republican Ronald Reagan in the polls. But that momentum soon was lost, in part over questions about her personal finances. Her husband, real estate broker John A. Zaccaro, declined to release his tax returns after Ferraro had said he would do so.

At the 1988 Republican National Convention, George H.W. Bush surprisingly named Indiana Sen. Dan Quayle his running mate. Questions soon surfaced about whether Quayle had used family connections to avoid military service in Vietnam.  (Richard Drew / Associated Press)

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Decliners

Recently, Virginia Sen. Jim Webb (with Barack Obama, left) and Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (with Hillary Rodham Clinton, far left) publicly declined VP consideration.

Webb said he wanted to use his “efforts and talents” in the Senate to work on issues he cares about. For instance, he sponsored a recently passed bill that expanded education benefits for veterans. But he promised to “proudly campaign” for the Illinois senator.

Strickland’s popularity in Ohio, an important battleground state, had led to speculation that he would be a smart choice for the ticket. Strickland had supported Clinton (D-N.Y.) in the primaries.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)