1. Susana Martinez. The top pick on this list is someone who has declared zero interest in running for president. Martinez, who is the first Hispanic female governor of New Mexico, is also the only GOP woman on this list. If Clinton runs and wins, Martinez could emerge as a powerful counterweight in the battle for women voters. The question marks are: 1) Whether Martinez wants it and 2) How the GOP primary ends up. Martinez stumped for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) last year and defended him as he’s been sullied by a traffic scandal involving former aides. If Christie runs and she endorses him, Martinez would be well-positioned if he gets the nomination. If Martinez does so and Christie loses, the candidate who beats him might not quickly forget it.
Democrats
5. Cory Booker. Young, energetic and never camera-shy, the new New Jersey Senator could provide a boost of energy (and youth) for a Democratic ticket led by Clinton or Vice President Joe Biden. The New Jersey senator is African American, which would help Democrats as they aim to keep up (or at least not lose too much of) the enthusiasm among African American voters that was there for President Obama’s two historic campaigns. If Clinton is the nominee, Booker’s status as a fresh face would counteract the inevitable Republican attacks that Democrats are running a ’90s party campaign of the past. The downside of picking Booker is that he’s been known to go off-script and his 2013 special election campaign was less than stellar. Remember the 2012 Sunday show appearance in which he criticized an ad hitting Mitt Romney? We bet Clinton does.
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