Republican vice presidential candidates

Haley Barbour

The pitch
Former Republican National Committee chairman Barbour, the governor of Mississippi, could strengthen McCain's image with Southern conservatives. Barbour emerged as one of the few bright spots after Hurricane Katrina, with his response as governor compared to that of Rudy Giuliani's after Sept. 11.

The downside
Barbour founded a lobbying firm, and has been accused of personally profiting from the Katrina recovery by steering contracts to his company. McCain, who has recently been dogged by ethics accusations, may want a vice president with less potential for controversy.
(AP)
Haley Barbour The pitch Former Republican National Committee chairman Barbour, the governor of Mississippi, could strengthen McCain's image with Southern conservatives. Barbour emerged as one of the few bright spots after Hurricane Katrina, with his response as governor compared to that of Rudy Giuliani's after Sept. 11. The downside Barbour founded a lobbying firm, and has been accused of personally profiting from the Katrina recovery by steering contracts to his company. McCain, who has recently been dogged by ethics accusations, may want a vice president with less potential for controversy.