Kerry Spot    [ jim geraghty reporting ]
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Kerry and media members, aboard the candidate's plane, June 22, 2004.

Most modern anti-ship and air-to-air missiles rely upon radar guidance at some point in their flight path — often homing with active radar as they approach the target. The simplest of all techniques for disrupting radar is dispensing "chaff," consisting of bundled strips of metallic foil. When dispersed, radar-signal returns from these strips can confuse homing missiles, disrupting the targeting radar and causing the missile to fly off course.

What does this have to do with John Kerry's search for a running mate? It appears as we enter the closing weeks (and perhaps days) of the search process, Kerry's campaign is launching a lot of chaff — a lot of potential veeps who amount to little more than metallic foil, thrown around to disrupt the targeting of the press.

In the past week or so, we've seen more than a dozen names suddenly crop up as potential picks for Kerry. Obviously, some of them are not really on Kerry's list; they're either being floated by his campaign, Democrats on the Hill, fans in the media, or maybe even the officials themselves (Could that be a veiled reference to Mark Warner?).

"I don't think he is seriously looking at all of them," says one Republican official closely following the campaign. "The idea of floating names to garner support is well established. You mention them in the press, leak them. Then you don't seriously consider them. They feel like they were in the hunt and you gain their loyalty and energy."

A quick review of the upsides and downsides of the lesser-known possible vice-presidential choices:

Republican Bill Cohen of Maine, Clinton's second-term defense secretary. Upside: National-security experience. Theoretically reaching across the aisle. A fairly safe, uncontroversial choice. Downside: Never served in the military, undermining Kerry's it's-important-to-be-tested-under-fire rhetoric. Been a lobbyist since he left government. Not terribly liked at the Pentagon. Hated by Wes Clark. Was in charge of Clinton's lame anti-al-Qaeda strategy after embassy and Cole bombings. Sits on the board of Global Crossing.

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius Upside: A woman; maybe takes a red state and turns it blue. Downside: Who? No national profile. Little experience on national security.

Florida Senator Bill Nelson Upside: Fairly solid, reliable record; from Florida. Downside: Bland, not terribly distinguished in Senate.

Former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn Upside: Serious, former Armed Services Committee chairman, presumable credibility on defense issues. Downside: Last won office in 1990. Member of the board of Texaco, Inc., undermining oil-baron and Halliburton special-interest arguments. Supported ban on gays in the military.

Sen. John B. Breaux of Louisiana Upside: Maybe takes a red state and turns it blue. Downside: Retirement suggests he may be tiring of politics. Fairly centrist voting record might irritate liberal interest groups. Would laid-back Cajun charm mesh well with Kerry's stiffer, more formal Senate-speak style?

Gov. Rod Blagojevich of Illinois Upside: Young, telegenic, good bio with immigrant parents and stint as a pizza deliveryman. Downside: Comes from state fairly secure for Kerry. Only elected to governorship in 2002. Unpronounceable name.

Gov. Phil Bredesen of Tennessee Upside: Won statewide in key red state, fairly strong record as mayor of Nashville. Downside: Only elected in 2002. Little national profile. No national-security experience.

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois Upside: Safe, standard liberal. Downside: Bland, probably too liberal.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California Upside: A woman, national profile, fairly good speaker. Somewhat centrist in support of vouchers in District of Columbia. Downside: Kerry already has California. Presumably, Lieberman proved Jewish faith not an obstacle, but would some African Americans be bothered that the Democratic party has picked two Jewish running mates and two women but no African Americans?

Rep. Jane Harman of California Upside: Woman, ranking member on House intelligence committee. Downside: State Kerry already has state secure. Does she seem ready to be a heartbeat away from the presidency?

Former Sen. Bob Kerrey of Nebraska, member of 9/11 Commission Upside: Direct, no-BS style, fairly moderate for a Democrat, could conceivably pull over a red state. Downside: Showboating during 9/11 Commission. If picked, he might have to leave 9/11 Commission early, and his selection would instantly further politicize the commission's conclusion. Not known as a team player, would have trouble with mere supporting role. Kerry-Kerrey confusion.

Gov. Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania Upside: Has won statewide in a vital swing state; Sopranos-esque charm, fairly solid record as mayor of Philadelphia. Downside: Only elected in 2002, will be a perfect veep choice with a thicker record of accomplishments in 2006. Some bad behavior (off-color comments to female reporters) in his past as mayor.

Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia Upside: Maybe takes a red state and turns it blue. Ranking member of intelligence committee. Downside: Not exactly an overwhelmingly charming or inspiring speaker. Another unimaginably rich guy. West Virginia only has five electoral votes.

Former Treasury Sec. Robert Rubin Upside: Wall Street loves him; associated with Clinton prosperity. Downside: He's in New York now; ticket has no southern or midwestern appeal. Rubin has little or no non-financial national-security/foreign-policy experience.

Former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire Upside: Woman, elected several times in swing state; maybe takes a red state and turns it blue. Downside: Lost Senate bid in 2002. Too much New England on one ticket. Not enough experience in national-security issues.

NY Attorney General Eliot Spitzer Upside: Aggressive, energetic, fighting popular battles against shady corporate dealings and Wall Street crooks. National profile. Downside: Doesn't help win any needed state. Yet another figure from a wealthy family. Is state-level prosecutor the best preparation to be a heartbeat away from the presidency?