How do presidential candidates choose their v.p. running mates?  With both McCain and Obama soon to choose theirs, here's a look back at one case. 

Richard Nixon placed a glass on the counter.  He filled the glass three-quarters full with his favorite scotch whiskey.  Nixon drank Famous Grouse.  He then, as his tradition dictated, added a scoop’s worth of ice cubes to his drink.  Nixon liked to crunch into frigidity.  Nixon liked the hard edges in his mouth.  Nixon liked the breakage and shattering effect.
     He did not pour a drink for his guest.  He did not particularly like his guest.  Politics was a game of needing, not liking, and no man knew that more than Dick Nixon.
     Nixon’s guest did not like his host.  Nelson Rockefeller, the governor of New York, was the consummate glad-hander.  The man oozed sincerity insincerely.  The man oozed warmth with frigidity.  
     Nelson Rockefeller, being Nelson Rockefeller, wanted to be president without running for president.  He wanted the Republican Party to beg him to run.  He wanted the electorate to elect him in a landslide.  He didn’t want to be vetted.  He didn’t want to travel.  He didn’t want the sweat of the campaign.  He didn’t mind paying for advertising, and throwing money around in general.  He didn’t mind gossiping with the press.  The man was used to entitlement, not political pugilism.
     Richard Nixon was the ultimate political pugilist.  

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