Perdue for President?

Could Beverly Perdue become the nation’s first female president?

The New York Times suggested that it’s possible.

In a speculative story yesterday, the Times took a look at women in politics who could become plausible future candidates for president, now that Hillary Clinton’s chances for the presidency appear very slim.

The story suggests an exhaustive slate of possibilities — from Condoleeza Rice to Chelsea Clinton, from Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius to Alaska governor Sarah Palin. A graphic accompanying the story contains portraits of 12 women and asks “Is There a President Here?” Among the 12 is North Carolina’s very own lieutenant governor, Perdue.

The story also devotes one line to Perdue, saying that along with Sebelius, Perdue “is also named as a prospect” to be Barack Obama’s running mate. Trail Mix, however, is skeptical about that, given that Perdue is in the midst of a gubernatorial campaign this year.

Here’s another intriguing (and utterly speculative) possibility from North Carolina that the Times didn’t mention: Kay Hagan. If Hagan were able to upset Elizabeth Dole in the U.S. Senate race this year, her political stock would go through the roof and she would get nationwide recognition. Remember that Obama, like Hagan, was only recently a little-known state senator.

But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.