With the U.S. Democratic presidential hopefuls nearing the end of their battle for delegates and U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona – the presumptive Republican nominee – hosting prominent political friends at his home recently, how could the nation avoid being abuzz over vice-presidential possibilities?

Many people have been sending their recommendations directly to me, in response to a column that ran a few weeks ago. To date, nearly 1,200 have arrived via e-mail, regular mail and phone. The results are certainly not scientific. However, they show intense interest – and often a good bit of creativity.

Ken Schaub of Charleston, SC, wrote, “McCain’s best choice for vice president is Bill Frist, a former U.S. senator and majority leader from Tennessee. Why? He has political gravitas, is a physician who can ‘fix’ health care and is younger than McCain.”

A resident of Tallahassee, FL, Stephen Tabb, dismissed the idea of pairing U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois with U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, stating that only the news media view that combination as a dream ticket. “Obama needs to move to the center. Too bad there’s a dearth of old ‘Scoop Jackson’ Democrats around,” he declared. Tabb offered Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico as his choice for the Democrats’ No. 2. Readers in several states echoed that idea.

But hundreds of others, including Susan Siebler of Lincoln, NE, disagreed. “I think an Obama-Clinton ticket would be great. I had a hard time deciding which one to vote for, but Clinton’s experience won me over – plus the fact that we know virtually everything about her. The two of them would be unstoppable.” she wrote.

Bud Pilling of Decatur, IL, pursued yet another direction. He suggested matching U.S. Senator Joe Biden of Delaware with Obama. On the Republican side, Pilling initially expressed admiration for former Secretary of State Colin Powell, then wondered whether someone else would better balance the ticket for McCain.

But Dan Walrus, of Winter Park, FL, along with many others, had no such hesitation. Powell was his only pick for McCain. Walrus also showed his sense of humor by recommending Neville Chamberlain, a British Prime Minister in the early 20th century, for Obama and comedian Rosie O’Donnell for Clinton.

Dozens of readers weighed in from Arizona. One, Joy Isley of Mesa, expressed her support for a ticket with McCain and former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts. Similar sentiments came in from other parts of the country.

But many of the Arizona recommendations reflected the thinking of Milford C. Horton, a resident of Chandler: “What the GOP needs is a strong, honest conservative to be McCain’s running mate. My nomination is Alan Keyes [a veteran political figure, author and former diplomat]. He offers a strong voice and unwavering loyalty to the conservative cause.”

Charles Lewis of Tallahassee, FL, expressed a preference for Elizabeth Dole – a U.S. senator from North Carolina, a former U.S. secretary of both transportation and labor, and a former president of the American Red Cross – for McCain. And he was not alone. “She’s capable. Look at her background,” Lewis urged.

Georgia resident Mary Harris of Augusta suggested Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina as the ideal running mate for McCain. “He would be a good choice as far as the age factor, and he has proved to be savvy in the economic area, as well,” she added. For the Democratic side, Harris would like to see Obama-Clinton or Obama with former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn of Georgia. Nunn appeals to her because she views him as moderate, as well as knowledgeable on defense and global issues.

Finally, Robert Friedenberg of Galloway, NJ, stated that Clinton would not settle for vice president, and “the others don’t add up to a dream team.” In reference to McCain, he stressed the importance of a younger running mate. Although Powell would be great, Friedenberg indicated, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would be McCain’s “dream veep.”