Barack Obama Taps Former Fannie Mae CEO Jim Johnson to Help Choose Running Mate

As the news continues to focus on the Democratic primary after a big win for Hillary Clinton in Kentucky and a large victory in Oregon for Barack Obama, the announcement that Jim Johnson has been tapped by Obama to help choose a running mate for the Illinois senator is making waves.

Who is Jim Johnson?

Johnson served as Fannie Mae CEO from 1991 to 1998 and has a long history in both Washington politics and business. He served on the boards of numerous companies, including The Goldman Sachs Group, KB Home, and Target Corporation, and has been Vice Chairman of Perseus LLC. He also was a corporate finance managing director for Lehman Brothers. He was an executive assistant for Vice President Walter Mondale (1977-1981) and a U.S. Senate staff member. Johnson also helped screen running mates for Democratic presidential nominees Walter Mondale in 1984 and John Kerry in 2004.

Choosing a Running Mate

Johnson's job is not going to be easy. He must take on the arduous task of screening potentially dozens of possible candidates under a veil of secrecy. Helping Obama choose a running mate will require Johnson to create a potential ticket that will appeal to as many voters as possible, all the while having to remain true to Obama's political ideology and persona.

Potential issues Johnson must address when screening and recommending running mates to Obama will include matters such as looking at individuals who may represent experience, who can help Obama win in states with large blue-collar and middle-class populations, who can help Obama reach out to white and Hispanic voters, and Johnson must also consider this issue: who can unite the Democrats and mend the schism between Obama's followers and Hillary Clinton's supporters?