[jyl]

I don't really agree w/ your criteria for a good candidate, the part about favoring governors of large/border states or former VPs.

In theory it might make sense, but it doesn't match up with my views on the actual presidents.

Unfortunately I think it is more complex and uncertain than that. You could have a large/border state governor who never cared or knew about the world outside the US (thinking of Bush W here). Its like hiring based solely on a resume, without meeting the person or checking references - not usually successful.

(Here's the post-war Presidents and their last political position prior to the Presidency:

Nixon, Johnson, Ford, Bush Sr, Truman were former VPs.
Clinton, Carter were governors of small states AK and GA.
Reagan, Bush W were governors of large/border states CA and TX. Kennedy was a Senator from MA.
Eisenhower was a general.

Of the small-state governors, I have generally positive views on Clinton and generally negative views on Carter - that's 50/50.

Of the former VPs, I have no opinion on Truman, think Ford was a non-factor, somewhat positive views of Johnson and Bush Sr, generally negative views of Nixon - no real correlation there.

Of the large-state governors, I have negative views on Bush W and mixed views on Reagan - no positive correlation there.

I have generally positive views on the lone Senator, Kennedy - though after 34 years of the "Camelot" story it is hard to distinguish between myth and man.

I have no opinion on Eisenhower. Too long ago.

So, not a lot of correlation, and obviously the sample is too small anyway.)