FACTBOX-Possible U.S. Democratic vice presidential candidates

(Reuters) - Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, who has secured the Democratic presidential nomination, has taken the first small step toward choosing a running mate.

Obama has asked a three-member team to head a search for his No. 2 and vet prospective candidates.

The team members are: Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late President John Kennedy; former Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder, and Jim Johnson, former chief executive of the mortgage lender Fannie Mae.

Johnson performed the same task for Democrats John Kerry in 2004 and Walter Mondale in 1984.

Here is a list of some possible Democratic vice presidential candidates, in alphabetical order:

* Joseph Biden, 65 - The senator from Delaware, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is a respected foreign policy expert who would give Obama authority on the issue. But Obama might not want to add a second senator to the ticket, and could be looking for a fresher face to reinforce his message that this election is about change and the future.

* Wesley Clark, 63 - A retired Army general and former NATO commander who ran unsuccessfully for the presidential nomination in 2004. Clark is a supporter of Hillary Clinton who could help rally the party and provide a boost on national security issues. But he did not run a strong campaign in 2004 and would be unlikely to generate much enthusiasm among party activists.

* Hillary Clinton, 60 - Polls have shown strong Democratic support for a "dream team" ticket of Obama and Clinton, his top rival for the nomination. Obama has not ruled out the option, which would help unify the party after a long nominating battle. But the New York senator and former first lady also would bring complications, including the return of former President Bill Clinton to the White House. A joint ticket could help attract some of Clinton's supporters -- including women and white working-class Democrats -- who have been reluctant to support Obama.

* Chris Dodd, 64 - The Connecticut senator, a fluent Spanish speaker and expert in Latin American issues, is the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee and a former foe for the presidential nomination who quickly endorsed Obama after dropping out. He would help bolster Obama's foreign policy and economic credentials, but presents many of the same drawbacks as Biden.