Western Courier

Issue date: 3/31/04 Section: News

Media Credit: DETROIT FREE PRESS / KRT Presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., has not announced his official running mate for the election.

DALLAS (KRT) - John Kerry is in a protracted period of courtship - scouring the country for a person whose special somethings augment his own. But finding a political soul mate is a lengthy process‚ even if the union needs to last only four years. And when it comes down to whittling virtues from vices in that search for a second name on the Democratic ticket‚ the paper turned to a group long schooled in such affairs: matchmakers.

Find someone who enjoys the lighter side‚ said Barbie Adler‚ president of Selective Search‚ a Chicago matchmaking company.

"Since John Kerry is very‚ very serious‚ his running mate should be a bit more human‚" Adler said. "Someone fun‚ funny‚ lighthearted."

He also should aim for a political partner with a down-to-earth demeanor‚ Adler added.

A presidential duo should also be able to exchange strong viewpoints‚ said Lisa Clampitt‚ co-founder of the Matchmaking Institute in New York. Kerry‚ Adler said‚ should focus on finding someone with deep-seated beliefs who does not hide them.

Energy from "rock star" partners could stir up voters but outshine the main attraction. For example:

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton‚ New York: "I don't know if it would necessarily get him elected. But it would be an interesting partnership ... She's been diplomatically dealing with strong men for a while‚" Clampitt said.

"She's demonstrated how loyal she is in sticking by her man‚" Adler said. "Being a vice president‚ you have to show loyalty no matter what the president does. She'd always stand behind her running mate."

Sen. John Edwards‚ North Carolina: Edwards' "charismatic" attitude and "people-person" outlook could temper any criticism of Kerry's stiffness‚ Adler said. Being able to identify with "the common person" is good for the ticket‚ Adler said.

"There's some kind of comfort level with him from all the campaigning‚" said Lisa Ronis‚ who runs a matchmaking service in Manhattan. "It's not someone from left field."

Find someone who's compatible with a cross-section of Americans‚ such as:

Gov. Bill Richardson‚ New Mexico: "Gov. Richardson is a little bit down to earth‚" Adler said. "He's someone to watch football with - more of a meat-and-potatoes type of guy."

Continued...

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