Rarely does The History Bluff comment on current events, but the staff could not pass this one up. On August 29, 2008, Presidential candidate John McCain announced that Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK) would be his running-mate for the 2008 Presidential Election. A former contestant in the Miss Alaska beauty pageant, Palin could be the forty-seventh Vice President of the United States.

For many, Sarah Palin is an attractive choice for Vice President.

While Palin may be a former beauty queen, she may not be the best-looking Vice President in history. Here are the top three competitors she’ll face for the title:

John C. Calhoun

Vice President for both John Adams and Andrew Jackson (1825-1832), Calhoun earned a name for himself as a Ludwig van Beethoven impersonator. During both of his terms, he received harsh criticism for his performances. (Beethoven was still considered at this time to be a controversial figure because of his sensual head movements while conducting combined with his rebellious hairstyle). Despite the negatives, John C. Calhoun was regarded among the ladies as a “bad boy with dignity.”

Levi P. Morton

Vice President for Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893), Morton excelled in the good looks category. Known for his chiseled facial features and rugged beard, women swooned when he appeared in public. Before he was Vice President he was the United States Minister to France and drove in the first rivet in the construction of the Statue of Liberty. While he was an effective Minister to France, he was not a successful Vice President because of his unmistakable lisp. On her 90th birthday, Susan B. Anthony said, “He may have a lisp, but he still lights my candle.”

Thomas R. Marshall

In office from 1913 to 1921 during Woodrow Wilson’s presidency, Marshall brought a level of style, charisma and good looks to the White House not seen until John F. Kennedy took office in 1961. Marshall’s popularity rivaled Sheridan Gorden and F.L. Stanton who published the 1913 hit song, “Fat Li’l’ Feller Wid His Mammy’s Eyes.” After Marshall left office he became an underwear model for the Chalmers Knitting Company.