If Obama wins the nomination, which seems probable at this point, I think that John Kerry would be the perfect running mate.
* one of the first big-name Democrats to endorse Obama
* provides uncharismatic white guy balance for exciting black
guy candidate
* near-universal name recognition
* an experienced "insider" who knows how to get things done in Washington
* similar philosophical outlook to Obama
* he’s not Bill Richardson or Wesley Clark
* knows firsthand what a presidential candidate needs from a VP candidate
* survived Republican swift-boating and emerged untainted
* could undoubtedly perform the job of President in an emergency
* can afford to pick up the Dunkin Donuts tab on the campaign trail
It seems to me that an Obama-Kerry ticket would have no significant downside.