With all the talk of race and minority issues in this year’s presidential election and the fact that the presumptive nominees still haven’t chosen their running mates, we got to thinking: Would a Korean VP really be that far-fetched? John and Barack, listen up. Here are KoreAm’s political picks to add to your short lists.

 

Yul Kwon

It’s been eight years since we’ve had a remotely attractive vice president, which is why “Survivor” winner Yul Kwon represents much-needed change in the OEOB. But the 33-year-old management consultant offers more than bulging biceps: Schooled at Yale Law (like Hillary!), he once flexed his political muscles as a legislative aide to Sen. Joseph Lieberman, helping draft sections of the homeland security bill and other legislation. He also worked as a judicial clerk to a federal judge, and has increased awareness on the need for minority bone marrow donors in the U.S. In short, he has the charm of JFK, the foresight of Roosevelt, and the six-pack of our dreams.

 

Margaret Cho

OK, so we can’t really picture this self-declared “trash-talkin’, sh*t-startin’, girl comic” discussing foreign policy over tea and crumpets with the Prime Minister of England, but the U.S. could sure use a VP with a voice. This “All-American Girl” has used the stage as her platform to mouth off on political issues such as marriage equality, immigration and the Iraq War. Her tireless activism has earned her the First Amendment Award from the ACLU, the Intrepid Award from the National Organization for Women (NOW) and the Justice in Action Award from the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund. Cover up the tattoos, and she’s a shoe-in.

 

Dr. Chang Mook Sohn

John McCain has admitted that he’s not so great with the numbers. That means he’ll need a running mate who beefs up his expertise on the economy. Enter Dr. Chang Mook Sohn, the well-respected, longtime executive director of Washington State’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council. Though he ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer on the Democratic ticket earlier this year, Sohn is known for being nonpartisan and a straight shooter, an ideal VP for the captain of the Straight Talk Express.

 

Rain

Of all Korea’s public figures, no one has been a better ambassador to the U.S. in terms of culture than Rain. Here’s why: 1) He beat Stephen Colbert, America’s unofficial political pundit and one-time presidential office bidder. So what if it was in dancing? 2) As an entertainer, he can easily quell the fights on the Senate floor. Having already conquered Asia, 100 Americans should be chump change. 3) America needs Rain. According the NOAA National Weather Service, while the Midwest is experiencing flood after flood, the periphery regions are staying drier than sandpaper!