Gov. Chet Culver (D-Iowa) (chetculver.com)
Culver is governor of a highly competitive state crucial to national politics. And Culver has already proven his loyalty to the president: the governor offered Obama an early presidential endorsement in February 2008.
Yeas: If Obama’s looking for a rural populist, Culver would seem to be a natural fit. Though he grew up the son of a senator in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., Culver worked as a high school teacher and as a football and basketball coach. Today he touts his efforts to increase the minimum wage, pressure government to rein in spending and assist families and small businesses in his state.
Nays: Before Culver can begin planning any part of his political future, he must first survive his 2010 re-election campaign. Culver suffers dangerously low approval ratings back home, and several heavy-hitting Republicans have lined up to wage a competitive fight against him in November. And if he was to be chosen to be the nation’s next major populist, critics would likely use his background as a lobbyist again him.
Next: 4. Jim Webb