Ritter for veep? Gerson says he'd be a good choice.

Would Gov. Bill Ritter be a good choice as a running mate for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama? Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson thinks so.

In a column Friday, Gerson said "Many national Democrats consider Ritter a cipher, with little reputation outside Colorado. But Ritter's story of personal struggle, (missionary) service in Zambia and environmental leadership would appeal broadly." Gerson said

Ritter's Catholic background pursuing social justice would serve the Obama campaign well, the columnist said.

And it would be a "revolutionary" decision to pick Ritter, an anti-abortion Democrat, that could actually help the party, Gerson said.

Gerson referred to Ritter and Tim Kaine of Virginia as "two popular red-state Democratic governors." While Ritter's favorability ratings remain high, a recent poll showed his job approval ratings had slipped 13 points since May to 41 percent of Coloradans saying he is doing a good or excellent job.

The governor's spokesman, Evan Dreyer, said the governor had not been approached by Obama or party officials about a running mate slot.

"Gov. Ritter has not been asked and it’s not anything he thinks about," Dreyer said. "Bill Ritter loves being governor of Colorado because it’s the best job in America.

"Barack Obama has come this far and been this successful because he makes great decisions. There’s no doubt that his choice for a running mate will be another great decision."

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