maintaining singular pronouns

Speaking about an unnamed vice-presidential candidate without revealing the person’s sex poses a grammatical challenge that Sen. Barack Obama failed today.

He started off well in the interview that aired on “The Early Show” this morning.

“Obviously, the most important question is: Is this person ready to be president?” Obama said.

So far, so good.

Identifying the second criterion of his VP got him in trouble: “Can this person help me govern? Are they going to be an effective partner in creating the kind of economic opportunity here at home and guiding us through some dangerous waters internationally?”

Obama should’ve just repeated “this person” one more time. They sounds especially awful when immediately paired with partner, a singular noun.

Unless, of course, Obama is considering having two vice presidents. Wouldn’t that be something?