Hillary Clinton Eyes Retired NATO Commander for Running Mate

A retired four star general is topping the list of possible running mates for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. James G. Stavridis, NATO's 16th supreme allied commander, and current dean of the Fletcher School at Tufts University, is reportedly being vetted by the Clinton campaign.

In his four years at NATO, Stavridis supervised campaigns in the Balkans, monitored piracy near the African coast, as well as commanded operations in the Middle Eastern countries of Syria, Libya and Afghanistan. 

In 2012, Stavridis was cleared after an investigation into his alleged improper use of an aircraft to fly with his wife to a party hosted by winemakers in Burgundy, France. The Pentagon conducted a prolonged inquiry into his expenses and travel records, including trips he took with his mother, daughter and wife. The report furnished by the Pentagon OIG concluded that Stavridis made several bookkeeping errors and failed to employ proper oversight protocols with staff members. 

Officially, the Clinton campaign has not commented on whether Stavridis is being considered, and Stavridis himself has not commented on whether he has been contacted by the Clinton campaign. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) have also been rumored as contenders for the Clinton vice presidential position.

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is reportedly considering retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn as his running mate. Flynn said "it's an unbelievable honor" to be considered for the billionaire’s running mate. "It's just an honor to even be in the discussion," he continued. Trump has not confirmed the nod, but has been quoted as calling Flynn a "patriot."