Republicans criticized Granholm for dithering over her running mate selection while Posthumus moved deftly to name state Sen.

CNN: Granholm wins in Michigan

During his AP tenure, King broke several major political stories, including Michael Dukakis' selection of Lloyd Bentsen as his running mate in 1988 and Clinton's selection of Al Gore in 1992.

CNN: About

Still, with Mr. Ryan so clearly associated with GOP economic policy, Obama aides argued that his selection as running mate would help make their case that the election is a choice between two competing visions, rather than a referendum on Mr. Obama and his handling of the economy.

WSJ: Mitt Romney Picks Paul Ryan as Vice Presidential Running Mate

And in his first presidential decision, the selection of a running mate, he hit it out of the park.

NPR: Transcript: Bill Clinton's Prime-Time Speech

Obama's selection of Joe Biden as his running mate probably enhances the theme.

NPR: Why Democrats Are Focused On Faith

His choice of vice-president, expected on August 29th, will be crucial too, playing a bigger part in the voters' ultimate decision than Mr Obama's selection of Joe Biden as his running-mate on the eve of his own convention.

ECONOMIST: The presidential race

Another move that gave voters the jitters, Kohut says, was his selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as running mate.

NPR: Exit Polls Link Obama Victory To Economic Fears