There are not many female role models to guide voters, and the tradition that a Southern woman's place is in the home still lingers in some quarters.

The vice presidential candidate does not usually make much difference at the polls. But that may be changing as voters become more aware that the understudy must be ready to take over if needed.

Common wisdom dictates that the vice president should provide balance to the ticket by representing a different part of the country, another set of experiences, or a basketful of electoral votes.

Madeleine M. Kunin Quotes