Wendy -
Generally speaking, it would be unusual for a Congresswo/man to run for P/VP. In recent years, governors are much more likely with GHW Bush being the lone exception since... Nixon? Carter, Reagan, Clinton and Bush.
Senators tend to have more statewide name recognition [incumbent House members win over 90% of the time, incumbent Senators win about 60-65% of the time because they are challenged by governors etc with high state name recognition] and that eventually can translate into more nationwide name recognition which is vital to election. Few Representatives earn that same name recognition on a national level.
Another thing to realize is that the entire House is up for election every two years. Senate terms are alternating six years, so only 1/3 of them are up for election at a time - none of the three currently in the running are up for election. Members of the House would have to
A: chose to 'lose' their job in the House or
B: run two campaigns and hope that their constituents elect them to the House even if they're in a close election for the presidency
and that's just not a good choice for most of them. That has happened from time to time in the Senate - where a seat is up for election while the person in it runs for P/VP - I forget the last time... Edwards maybe? I remember one [but don't ask me who] who won the Senate seat while losing the P/VP, but I don't remember how close the race was.
Governors can face the same thing. Bush was not up for reelection in 00. Palin is not up for reelection this year, but it can happen.
Carol
Edit: Carol, I think the vast majority of Americans are completely disgusted by those kinds of things. Even if McCain/Palin lose today, I think we'll have a female P/VP with in the next 12 years or so [I know that seems like a long time, but that's only 3 elections]. I would be very surprised if both parties don't have serious female contenders - Palin, win or lose this year; Clinton [maybe, think she said she's done but...]; Pelosi perhaps; other women I've never heard of...
