Electoral College Strategy
In elections which are expected to be close, great concern is placed an a running mate's ability to appeal to voters in key states with critical numbers of votes in the Electoral College. In modern times, America is generally split along red state/blue state lines, but these lines are not absolute. Key "blue states" like Pennsylvania and Michigan could be swayed to shift support toward a Republican candidate under the right conditions. Likewise, key Presidential "red states" such as North Carolina and West Virginia may shift allegiances for the right ticket.
A favorite son on the ticket from one of these states could garner enough support to swing it from one column to another.
Read more about this topic: Ticket Balance
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