Republican vice presidential candidates

Carly Fiorina

The pitch
The former CEO of Hewlett-Packard has been one of McCain's most effective surrogates on television, and she would boost his outreach to women, especially Democrats who backed Hillary Clinton. She would bring economic expertise.

The downside
She has never sought, much less held, elected office, and she is relatively new to politics. Her ouster at Hewlett-Packard was messy and could prove a distraction.
(Patricia McDonnell/For the Globe)
Carly Fiorina The pitch The former CEO of Hewlett-Packard has been one of McCain's most effective surrogates on television, and she would boost his outreach to women, especially Democrats who backed Hillary Clinton. She would bring economic expertise. The downside She has never sought, much less held, elected office, and she is relatively new to politics. Her ouster at Hewlett-Packard was messy and could prove a distraction.