sVeep-stakes!

I know all the hype over the VP selection process always seems silly when in the end, few times does the pick actually change the dynamic of the race in any significant way--two exceptions to this rule could be Bill's pickup of Gore in '92 and then Gore's choosing of Lieberman in 2000; both times the VP pick injected new life, however temporary, into the initially sluggish campaigns. But hey, it's always fun to speculate. To get the conversation started, I'll list every person--along with an argument both in favor and in opposition to their being chosen--who's name I've heard mentioned as a possible running mate over the last couple months. Whether you come up with as comprehensive of a list, I'd like to hear who your pick would be. You can choose your ideal candidate or one that you actually think has a chance, but in this contest arbitrated by yours truly, only the person that correctly predicts the VP will be crowned the winner. Said winner (granted it could be a couple months before we know) not only gets their comment posted and read by millions, but will be granted full posting rights for an entire day--free of executive censorship! If this doesn't compel you to contribute to the discussion, I don't know what will.

My favorites:

1. Chuck Hagel--Nebraska Senator

The only of the bunch, he is a Republican. And regardless of how bipartisan he may be, he risks isolating Obama's incredibly organized left base. Also, do we really wanna make it any easier for a Republican, however moderate, to take Obama's place in eight years? O, and he's super rich after spending the early part of his career starting up a cell phone manufacturing company.

Once again, he's a Republican and would prove that Obama's serious about all his 'post-partisan' speak. Also, since the Dem takeover of Congress last year, he has sided with them on almost every piece of legislation concerning the war in Iraq. Just last month he again broke ranks with the Republicans in backing the Jim Webb-sponsored GI Bill that McCain vehemently opposes. And, having served under Reagan as the head of the Veterans' Administration and currently closing out his second term as Senator, he has plenty of 'experience.' O, and considering that only two vice presidents in US history have then been elected president (Van Buren and more recently, the first Bush), giving him the VP spot doesn't promise him a promotion--fair enough, if Obama's whacked, the dude's in regardless.

2. Jim Webb--Virginia Senator

OK, so even though I really like the guy the truth is, as Sarah won't let me forget, he's on occasion said and written some pretty sexist crap--this a) would obviously get leaked and be played over and over, like Louis Armstrong's trumpet, by the McCain's smear team and b) if he is actually a woman hater (I'm not necessarily convinced), we don't really want him in the big House. Also, this would no doubt alienate Hillary's female following. O, and according to Bruce, the guy's a little looney from all his time fighting on the front lines. I'm skeptical--some might call this bias.

The guy's a fighter. He's got plenty of military experience to flaunt, he served under Reagan--yea, that's right, he's a born again Democrat--and could make taking Virginia a real possibility (it's gone Republican since '68). Obviously, he'd also help big time in extending Obama's appeal to white working class men. And, while many consider this to be his downfall, I think his being a freshman Senator only strengthens Obama's argument against doing Washington politics as usual. Anyway, I like the guy a lot. He seems sincere as hell--he's vowed to wear an old pair of army boots until his son, along with every other US combat soldier, returns home--and you gotta commend him for taking Washington by storm with his fiery Jacksonian populism (I don't really know what that means but I always hear people saying it).

3. Joe Biden--Deleware Senator

Fact is, he's from Deleware. Really, I think it's his only drawback.



We all know the guy. He's straight talking and every chance he gets, he cuts the shit. He has a great record on both civil rights and foreign relations. And, as his relentless referencing of his "Tri-federal" Iraq plan during the Primary proved, as VP he could help thwart right-wing efforts to sketch the Democratic ticket as ignorant on foreign policy. He'd be real cool.


Other pretty cool possibles:

1. Janet Napolitano--Governor of Arizona

Since Arizona is McCain's home state, any boost Napolitano might bring to the ticket still probably wouldn't be enough to help Obama win the state. Also, despite rumors of her being gay--no doubt, these would be flying around the net at warp speed if she's nominated--she has not only declared that she is straight, she is an outspoken supporter of legislation that would ban gay marriage in Arizona (the negative part is her stance on gay marriage, not her being straight :).

She's widely recognized for rescuing Arizona's economy--after having sat in the governor's seat for only a couple years she managed to turn a $1 billion deficit into a $300 million surplus. Last year she was ranked as one of the top five governors in the US. Anyway, she's real capable, and...she's a woman, which could help Obama reclaim some of those disillusioned Hillary supporters angry with how Obama and the media mistreated their lady.

2. Kathleen Sebelius--Governor of Kansas

Nothing obvious. She might be a little dull. Also, as is true with Napolitano and will be with any of the other female picks that I mention, I personally don't think snagging women will actually be too tough even without a female VP; I think time will heal the wounds that are still pretty fresh for Hillary backers (I know this kinda goes against what I was just saying above, but I think both can be true).

Like Napolitano, she's highly respected, moderate (could help with the Indi vote) and was on John Kerry's shortlist for VP back in 2004. And, coupled with Obama having family ties to the state, she could possibly help put Kansas, a firmly Republican state, into play in the General.

3. Wesley Clark--Retired Army General, raised in Alabama

With almost 20 years on Obama, he doesn't gel with the whole 'new and fresh' feel of Obama's campaign. He's also from the deep South and so probably couldn't be counted on to put any new states in to play.

I actually think he'd be a pretty cool pick. Firstly, he was, as opposed to the rest, a staunch Hillary supporter throughout the primary and could help draw some of her camp more firmly into Obama's. Also, with more than 30 years of military experience, both in combat and peace making, he'd certainly make it tougher for McCain to call the Democratic ticket inexperienced on national security. He'd also help with the working class male demographic. There hasn't been formal chatter about him being on Obama's VP radar, but I think it could be interesting.

4. Claire McCaskill--Missouri Senator

Once again, history shows that the Democratic nominee can all but bet on the woman's vote, so having one as his VP might not be necessary to secure their vote. Also, she's a first term Senator and would play real nicely into the Repubs' narrative of experience vs. youthful ignorance. In reality, I don't think she'd be chosen, but she's a beast nonetheless.

She's pretty awesome. She ran on a strong anti-war and pro-labor platform and certainly in the first two years of her term, she hasn't disappointed. She'd also bring Missouri into play.


'Would be sweet, but not really gonna happen' picks

1. Al Gore--Former VP from Tennessee

First of all, I definitely don't think he'd do it, but after his official endorsement of Obama last night the rumors have started flying so I thought I'd humor the idea. Obvious drawbacks: despite being a rad environmentalist, he's a drag to listen to and is a walking SNL skit waiting to happen, and, fact is, Tennessee is not going to vote Democrat.

He's got a huge fan base, one that I actually think transcends party lines. People love the guy. More than anything, I think this time around he'd embrace his green blood and could really be a great candidate. I just doubt for VP though.

2. John Edwards--former Senator from North Carolina


Let's be real. Dude didn't even carry his hometown as Kerry's VP. Also, he, like McCaskill, would just add insult to injury with the whole young and inexperienced thing. Besides, he joins Gore in seeming sincerely not interested in taking the job.

He'd definitely help secure the working class male vote, an always elusive demographic for Dem candidates. We all know enough about him, he's filthy rich but apparently cares a lot about poor people. I guess, in a weird kinda way, I can admire that.

OK, so obviously I'm missing some pretty big ones, most notably: Bill Richardson (Governor of New Mexico); Chris Dodd (Conn. Senator); and of course, Hillary. Of these options (aka the "f.c.b." or, the "former candidate bunch") I only think Richardson has a shot, namely because of his extensive foreign policy experience and his ability to help guarantee Obama the Latino vote. However, I've heard the dude is considered a pretty big sketcher back in New Mexico, and maybe even more troubling, I can't stand listening to him talk. He straight up doesn't make sense. And, while I have no objections to Dodd, I'd passionately advise Obama to steer well clear of Hillary. There's no reason to think she wouldn't drag Obama's campaign down just like she did her own. Besides, Obama's motto is "no drama," which means, sorry Hillary supporters, the Clintons gotta go.

Another MIA is Evan Bayh, who actually seems to have a pretty good chance, but I know nothing about him so chose to not include him. I actually just stumbled upon this, the most up to date and comprehensive list of Democratic VP possibilities that I've seen. Definitely check it out. Go there to read more about Bayh and others.

Another, less sexy discussion, but one that will certainly pick up speed in the upcoming months, is that of cabinet positions. No doubt, several of the potential VP picks that I've mentioned above will dominate the discussion. For now though, tell me who you think Obama will choose as VP and why. Remember what's at stake here.