With Eric Cantor the buzz of the veepstakes this week, the Wall Street Journal does a nice rundown of his resume and experience. Noteworthy graf:

Yet as a young Southern conservative from a swing state, Rep. Cantor is increasingly listed alongside up-and-coming Republicans, including Govs. Sarah Palin of Alaska, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota -- three reform-minded governors also rumored to be on Sen. McCain's list of potential running mates -- as the next generation of Republican Party leaders.

The common thread among the four is their youth -- all are under 50 years old -- and Sen. McCain has regularly commented that his running mate will be younger than he is. Sen. McCain will turn 72 on Aug. 29. Each of the four has also been credited for his or her likability at a time when 48% of the public has a negative view of the Republican Party, according to the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.

A lot of calculations go into the picking of a vice president, not least of which is whether he or she can help the candidate win in November. However, while conservatives want to win, there is also a feeling that the GOP and conservatism in particular needs a rebranding. Fair or not, many feel the years of Rove, DeLay, and Abramoff have effectively destroyed the GOP Reagan built. And although John McCain is the party standard-bearer, he is not seen as the standard-bearer of conservatism. That responsibility could fall on the VP's shoulders, if McCain chooses from the list the Journal names "the next generation" of Republicans.

It's a weighty responsibility and it wouldn't be exactly fair to whoever is chosen to expect him to take it up. Nevertheless, it is at least what some on the Right are hoping for from McCain's choice -- that, and to win in November of course.