Balancing the Ticket

I think that balancing the ticket when running for president is a smart and effective strategy. It also, however, has the ability to make or break an election. In Obama's case I believe it helped his election. People saw Obama as young and lacking experience and to balance that he sought out Joe Biden who is older and has much experience. McCain choose Palin who he tried to balance the ticket with because she was a female. This move was what I believe gave Obama the leg up in the election because Palin was a very controversial choice. I found it interesting how much a President's running mate choice effects the outcome.