The selection of Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as the Republican vice presidential nominee continues an odd and indeed unprecedented pattern so far in the 21^st century. Seven of the eight major party vice presidential candidates have been the first people from their home states to be major party national candidates.

This started with Dick Cheney of Wyoming and Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut in 2000.  It continued in 2008 with Joseph Biden of Delaware and Sarah Palin of Alaska. Now we have Ryan.