Vice-presidential picks will be key test for Clinton and Trump

THE de facto Democratic and Republican Party nominees Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have begun the process of considering candidates to become their vice-presidential running mates. Wide-ranging persons are being touted in the media, of varying ages, ethnicities and experiences, as both campaigns search for the strongest possible picks to provide momentum.

The vice-presidential selection process is an election-year custom that attracts high prominence, partly because of key changes in US politics in recent decades. Firstly, the vice-presidency has become perhaps the single best transitional office to the presidency. Secondly, the office of vice-president has assumed more power and resourcing. And thirdly, the electoral stakes have grown of not selecting a deputy who is perceived to be capable of assuming office effectively upon the incumbent's unanticipated death or incapacity.

This latter factor was a major feature of the 2008 election when Republican nominee John McCain, then aged 71, made the decision to select Sarah Palin - whose only major experience of office was less than two years as governor of Alaska. Rather than boosting Mr McCain's campaign, Ms Palin was - ultimately - widely viewed at the time as too inexperienced to be able to potentially become a heartbeat away from the presidency.