Running this series of polls has been especially rewarding for me. I've spent quite a bit of time researching the top-tier Democratic women out there and learned a lot about individuals I had known very little about before. The bench is a lot deeper today than at any other point in American history, and it can only get better.
Over the past week, we've considered 9 current and former Governors, 11 current and former Senators, 16 sitting 5th-term or higher members of the House of Representatives, and 9 other distinguished women currently outside of elected office, including 3 former Cabinet officials and 1 CEO. Monday and yesterday, the 12 semifinalists were narrowed down to today's Final Four:
Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano
Ohio Representative Marcy Kaptur
California Representative Jane Harman
Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu
Before you vote, consider their strengths and their weaknesses, not only for their value to the electoral hopes of the Democratic ticket, but for their ability to serve as Vice President. Is Gov. Napolitano too inexperienced? Does Rep. Kaptur lack sufficient national security credentials? Is Rep. Harman a liability because California is not a swing state? Will Sen. Landrieu alienate the left?
Janet Napolitano
Gov. Napolitano is in her first term as Governor of Arizona, having won by less than 1% in 2002. Prior to the governorship, she served one term as the populary elected Attorney General for the state of Arizona and four years as an an appointed U. S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. Her years of public service were preceded by a career in private law practice.
Marcy Kaptur
Congresswoman Kaptur has represented the Toledo area in Northwest Ohio in the United States House of Representatives since 1983. She previously served in the Carter White House as Assistant Director for Urban Affairs and has extensive background in city and regional planning. In Congress, Rep. Kaptur serves on the House Appropriations Committee, and is Ranking Minority Member of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies.
Jane Harman
Congresswoman Harman has represented the Los Angeles County coast, including Torrance, El Segundo and Venice, in the United States House of Representatives since 2001, having previously represented that district from 1993-1999. A bid for the Governorship of California failed in 1998. She is Ranking Minority Member on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and also serves on the Select Committe on Homeland Security. Rep. Harman previously served in several government posts, including as Special Counsel to the Department of Defense.
Mary Landrieu
Sen. Landrieu was first elected to represent Louisiana in the United States Senate in 1996. She previously served eight years in the Louisiana state House Representatives and eight years as Louisiana State Treasurer. In the U. S. Senate, Sen. Landrieu serves as the Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee District of Columbia Subcommittee. She also serves on the Enery and Natural Resources Committee and the Small Business Committee. Previously, she served on the Senate Armed Services Committee.