Obama' VP choice to be crucial ...

[The Ghost]

I think Obama's choice for VP is going to be extremely crucial, in terms of the perception of Obama on many fronts. This includes his preparedness, his experience, his toughness, and seriously, this whole Wright issue. He's going to need to pick someone who is known and trustworthy, someone that may normally be on the side of the doubters, as this will help alleviate those questions and make people feel better about voting for Obama. Let there be no doubt, people want to vote for him. The writing is on the wall for the GOP this year, but people are a bit nervous of this generally unknown person on the scene. The economy is in shambles, the war, etc etc. Everyone is uneasy about everything, and Obama's few drawbacks dont help, but all it takes is time for people to feel better about his candidacy, and that includes once he is the nominee, so people can study him, see people come to his side, and a known, tough and trustworthy commodity to join the ticket.

Now Im not sure who that is, but what do you all think?

[Rhiannon12866]

1. I think that both Dodd and Richardson have those qualifications,

but Richardson said that he's not interested in the VP slot...:shrug:

[gateley]

6. Not Richardson --

that would be breaking TWO glass ceilings. Those who are iffy about Obama's race would never vote for a ticket with a black AND Hispanic guy on it. Especially the Repugs we need to entice -- they're scared to death of Hispanics. :eyes:

Same with a woman. WE'D all love to see it, but how would it play in Peoria?

[Rhiannon12866]

16. I don't get the race issue, though it's not an issue here in the north country...

But Obama is equally black and white, so why is he considered just black? His demeanor and intelligence should be the qualifying attributes. After all that's gone down, I don't think that the "dream ticket" would work. Another good choice would be Webb, but I don't think that he's interested in the VP slot, either. I'd vote for Richardson, has to be better than Lieberman, LOL. If it was a woman, Barbara Boxer would be my first choice...:D

[gateley]

32. He's considered just black by people

who DON'T LIKE BLACKS! And there are too many of them. WE don't get the race issue, but it would be a definite issue in the GE. Same with Barbara Boxer (who I wanted for Biden's VP when he was running) -- I don't think we can have a woman, either. We can't forget whose votes we need to attract.

[Rhiannon12866]

49. I agree with you. We can't take any chances this time.

I've always believed that the most important thing is just to win, since we do have so many good candidates. I do think that Obama can pull it off more easily than Hillary, though, gender and race aside. He seems to appeal to a wider demographic than she does. My mother even likes him, and she voted for Bush*! Actually, Biden would also be a brilliant choice, if he wanted it. Anyone who's still saying that Obama lacks experience would have to shut up, with Biden on the ticket...:-)

[PoliticalAmazon]

28. I agree, not Richardson, but it's just because he does not inspire voters on a national level. n/t

[PoliticalAmazon]

29. Edwards would be perfect. Edwards also speaks to populist issues...

...he's a shrewd negotiator (which could come in handy with Congress and the Pentagon), and he seems to me to be loyal. He knows D.C. and how it works. He's not anywhere as inspirational as Obama is when it comes to ability to speak to audiences, but he is a straight-forward communicator. Finally, he was able to take on the corporations when he was a primary candidate, and that would do a lot to attract voters.

[gateley]

34. Could be an excellent choice. nt

[Rhiannon12866]

50. I love Edwards, and was sure that he'd be the nominee this time.

But for VP? He's been there and done that.:shrug:

[PoliticalAmazon]

97. He hasn't served asVP. Candidtes run for office more than once and....

...often their popularity grows with each run.

I think Edwards has been tainted by John Kerry's pathetic run for office, and his cut-and-run the day after election, before many of us had even sobered up from the night before.

I'd like to see Edwards run with a great presidential candidate. I think he would be an asset.

[TheDonkey]

64. NOT Edwards

I know he has fans on DU but he failed to create excitement in 04 and didn't do a very good job in the primaries as well.

[PoliticalAmazon]

96. "Creating excitement" is not why I think he'd make a good VP....

Obama creates enough excitement. Edwards is not as engaging as Obama, but he is rock-solid, has a firm grasp on the issues, and I believe would be a loyal VP. He is also speaks to populist issues, as does Obama.

[crankychatter]

86. The moderate republicans and independents that will vote for Obama are NOT the xenophobes

that's a completely different demographic

[Birthday]

One of the best...

would be Wesley Clark, who now supports HRC. Wow. A team we could be proud of!!!

[The Ghost]

7. At this point though, hes a partisan Dem

im thinking beyond that, someone who appears non-partisan.

[Rhiannon12866]

17. That's the thing, he's still supporting Hillary Clinton, but he'd be a brilliant choice.

I'd vote for that ticket with enthusiasm... :-)

[Auntie Bush]

88. Yup! What an awesome fighting michine/team... Hillary /Clark.

Surprise! Surprise! I love Wes Clark and would vote for anyone with him on the ticket. OK OBama...make my day!

[SteveM]

2. Hell, why not Michelle? (nt)

[gateley]

3. It has to be someone who is well known and will appeal to EVERYBODY,

rather than just to us DU Dems. Needs to be someone who counters areas where he may be perceived as weak. Needs to be someone who waffling Republicans and moderate Dems would have confidence in. Most importantly, needs to be someone who HRC's supporters feel good about, too (or Obama's supporters if Hillary gets the nom).

I'm not sure such a savior exists.

[goldcanyonaz]

5. Might have been Hannah Montana prior to the Vanity Fair spread.

Really, I can not think of anyone that everyone likes.

[ruggerson]

25. Cynthia McKinney

a broad, consensus choice to heal the nation.

[gateley]

30. Nope. Can't be a woman.

No problem getting OUR vote, but I have concerns about those who wouldn't vote for Hillary because of that very fact. We have to be more pragmatic and realistic, as disturbing as the truth may be.

[Frank Booth]

83. .

:spray:

I have to admit, that was pretty good.

[Deja Q]

35. So Bloomberg and Dobbs are out?

:(

[TheDoorbellRang]

37. Um...Al Gore fills all those requirements. If he were Obama's VP, it would seal the deal

I know, I know. Gore hasn't said he's interested in the presidency, the cabinet, or anything else. He's also been very quiet since the primary season started. I'm hoping he's watching events unfold and is cautiously optimistic about what Obama is accomplishing. I can envision a conversation between Gore and Obama as follows:

Obama: "If I can cut thru the poisonous political campaign tricks and gain a groundswelling of support among Americans, would you consider the vice presidency as a platform with real power to effect the changes we need to see happen?"

Gore: "Let's see what happens. I want to make sure I can work with whoever wins, so I'll remain quietly on the sidelines. Besides, if you do win, it would serve us both well if I stayed back, so that your win was on your own merits rather than one propped up by my support."

Between Obama's ability to inspire and both their tendencies to wonkiness, integrity, and love of country, they could "go forward quickly," as we need to do.

Here's a snippet from an article in the Guardian from April:

Gore's years in the Clinton White House appear to have taught him a vital lesson about modern democracy, a lesson that is omitted from most textbooks and news coverage: being president, like being right, is not enough. The only way to beat organised money is with organised people, lots of them. Gore is now helping to build that grassroots pressure, even though it means giving up on the presidential dream he has harboured since childhood. As much as any specific policy advice he might give president Obama, it is this energised public opinion that will do the most to help save the US and the world from the climate change catastrophe that threatens to engulf us.

Obama/Gore '08 would be unbeatable. That is my personal fantasy. :)

[goldcanyonaz]

4. Not popular around here, but either candidate will pick the other as Veep

Bookmark it.

[Hawkeye-X]

8. Ain't gonna happen.

We'll pick someone from the Clinton side though, but it won't be Hillary herself.

Hawkeye-X

[oviedodem]

9. You are correct; they don't have a choice simply because

each on of their faults is the others strengths.

Second, both bases are going to be needed to win the election.

[goldcanyonaz]

15. Exactly, it is the only way to bring us together. Those who do not see it are in the minority.

[Deja Q]

36. Agreed.

[gateley]

11. I think that would work (maybe) to unite the Dems,

but how about the Republicans? I don't see them rushing to toss aside their abysmal candidate to vote for an Obama/Clinton combo.

[TheDoorbellRang]

39. Either candidate will need a white male veep

in my cynical opinion.

[goldcanyonaz]

44. i do not see it. Without the other on the ticket one side will stay home.

[TheDoorbellRang]

53. Some will stay home, I imagine

But more votes will be gained by subtly "reassuring" America that there will be a white male (read "responsible!") in the background. Case in point: I know a lot of people who were able to vote for Bush in 2000, despite him being obviously incompetent, because good ol' Dick Cheney -- Mr. Experience -- would be there to help him out.

I'm not saying this because I think the same way; I'm saying this because I'm a cynic and think there's just so far you can push our fellow Americans out of their preconceived comfort zones.

[gateley]

60. With both on the ticket,

the Repubs might bury us.

We have to worry about more than the Dems who will stay home -- and I'm honestly hoping that when it comes right down to it, most will reconsider and show up.

I have faith in both Obama and Hillary that if they don't get the nom, they will sincerely work hard to bring their followers in line, and help to mend the rift.

[gateley]

59. I agree and I don't think it's cynical -- it's pragmatic.

We will have to overcome resistance regardless of who our nom is, so a safe white male would be the best to attract voters from most demographics, I think.

Once Obama or Hillary are in office, I think THEN, when people who they threaten see that everything is really okay, we can move forward in introducing more of those we feel are the best, regardless of race/gender. But at this crucial time, we have to think STRATEGY.

We have to stop thinking that everyone feels as we do -- that's what we thought the last two elections and we need to learn our lesson so it doesn't happen again.

[kwenu]

10. Richardson, Edwards, Clark anybody but Hillary.

[PoliticalAmazon]

31. ITA: anybody but Hillary, but I'd prefer not Wes Clark...

...He has been such a loyal Clinton supporter, and the fact that he switched from supporting Republicans to registering as a Democrat right before the 2004 primary, IMO makes him very untrustworthy, and with compromised loyalty.

[Jim Lane]

42. Yes, he's "a loyal Clinton supporter" -- that's a plus, not a minus

I don't think the division in the party will be fatal in November, but it is a problem that has to be addressed. Ruling out all Clinton supporters as possible Obama running mates is the wrong way to go.

My biggest concern about Clark is that he's never won an election and hasn't campaigned (AFAIK) beyond his 2004 presidential run. Can he be effective as a national candidate?

Other things being equal, though, I'd definitely prefer a Clinton supporter as Obama's running mate.

[PoliticalAmazon]

48. !! Have you seen the ethics of Hillary supporters?!? That kind of shit is the LAST thing...

Obama needs.

[Jim Lane]

58. Each side has some unethical supporters, but I reject guilt by association

If there's something Wes Clark himself has done that disqualifies him from the ticket, I'm willing to listen.

[PoliticalAmazon]

93. Anyone who supports Hillary Clinton is not in tune with Obama's efforts to ....

...change politics in D.C.

Indeed, if Obama was to bring on a Hillary supporter as VP, it would indicate hypocrisy and the willingess to sacrifice his ideals for political expediency.

[Larry in KC]

75. I can think of no more honorable, ethical political figure than Wes Clark

I'm also strongly in Obama's camp. I think it's an excellent way to begin the healing in the Democratic camp.

[PoliticalAmazon]

92. Why do you think he is honorable? What has he done since he's been in politics...

...that show his reliability?

I am concerned over his apparent willingness to do what it takes in politics. Not even 2 months before he launched his 2004 campaign, he was praising the Bushes at a very public dinner. He registered Democrat seemingly so he could run as a Democrat: the timing is just too suspicious.

Finally, he has been a loyal supporter of the Clintons, including during this campaign. To support the kind of pig-slop politics the Clintons have used, IMO, shows a lack of ethics and integrity.

I think Obama would be ill-served to consider ANYONE who was a Hillary supporter as a VP candidate. Hillary and her campaign stands for everything Obama is standing against. To add one of Hillary's supporters on the ticket would undermine Obama's claim to be trying to change politics in Washington.

[PoliticalAmazon]

95. A Hillary supporter as a VP would show Obama as bing a hypocrite and....

...willing to do anything if politically expedient.

THat is exactly what Obama is working against.

No, I think we need to take a stand here: Not this type of politics, not this time.

Hillary supporters who are politicians need to experience the repercussions of their actions. They embraced pig-slop politics, and they are unsuited for a country that wants real change in D.C.

[BlooInBloo]

12. Though you said it in dogwhistle code, he doesn't necessarily have to choose a white guy....

.... Though that would be a good way to go, for sure. Another good way to go would be to choose a hispanic guy. Either way, the veep choice had better be from a western state (AZ, CO, MT, etc.).

EDIT: Personally, I think Schweitzer (sp?) would be an excellent choice. But there are others.

[Neshanic]

13. Epic. Massive. Gargantuan. Understatement.

[sfam]

14. Kathleen Sebelius would be my choice...

This sort of heals the women who feel disenchanted with their loss of a potential president, and at the same time gives Obama some terrific executive experience on the ticket.

[gristy]

19. Info on Sebelius here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathleen_Sebelius

She looks quite good. Kansas sure loves her.

[kwenu]

21. Sebelius would be good.

[jaxx]

22. I think she's on the short list too.

A woman and a red state. Very good possibilities there.

[The Ghost]

26. I agree

She would be very strong on many levels.

[Gore1FL]

61. I've been pulling for her as well

A Dem gov of a red state in the midwest. That cracks open a few more states. The more states in play, the more coat-tails, and the more McCain has to spend limited cash trying to hold what is considered to be red.

[JerseygirlCT]

77. I agree that's a good idea. nt

[Qutzupalotl]

18. Biden underscores Obama's foreign policy positions

since their positions are nearly identical, but adds his own gravitas and many years of experience. I would trust him to take over should the worst happen.

IMO, Clinton does not offer enough of a difference to balance the ticket, and too many of her votes are indefensible.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

23. agreed. he is a class act, and would work well with obama.

sibelius would work. then again, we have a load of riches, come to think of it.

just PLEASE not billary.

[blinkingidiot]

24. I agree on Biden, for the most part

I think he's got a great handle on foreign affairs and he'd be a great attack dog. But he is a bit gaffe-prone at times, which is a much bigger deal now than it used to be. Still, I think he'd be a great VP.

[Qutzupalotl]

38. He had a gaffe about Obama the day he announced

(clean, articulate) and it got more play than the announcement. He was complimenting Obama, but it came out sounding wrong. Obama did not take offense; they're friends with a lot of respect for one another. I think the symbolism of Biden in the number 2 slot will put to rest any rumors of racist intent in Biden's words.

He does shoot from the hip at times, but when he completes a sentence :-), he makes a lot of sense.

[Jennifer C]

52. Remember the debate (Iowa, I think)...

when the moderator asked Biden about it, and Obama's response to Biden was wonderful. The entire exchange between them was beautiful. I'll never forget that moment.

[faithfulcitizen]

40. I like Biden too, also like Wes Clark or Bob Graham

[SoCalDem]

57. Biden has a fatal disease

foot-in-mouth disease.. And Dems are not noted for taking on "former losers",,and Biden has tried & failed at least twice that I know of.. same with Dodd..

Those two are about as exciting as a moldy soda cracker..

Richardson-hey-did-you-know-I'm-Hispanic is a nice guy, but not for vice president

Obama should go for the gold, and pick Janet Napolitano or Sibelius..Napolitano COULD deliver us Arizona.. I think they would prefer a winning ticket with a "favorite daughter" as vice president vs a "favorite son" LOSER.. At this point I think they vote for Mccain as a habit..like biting your nails..

Picking a military person undercuts his position on diplomacy and the anti-war message..

This might be the BEST time ever to have a woman as vice president.. McCain loses if Obama's our candidate..his vice president might as well be a woman..if not now..when?

Napolitano would be 58 after two terms, and Sibelius is about the same age..so why not "tee up" a woman vice president to run and win when Obama retires?

[JerseygirlCT]

78. I think Biden's terrific, but I really think we need him more in the

senate. He can do more from there than as VP.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

20. Hopefully, someone progressive to balance his centrist stances.

Barbara Boxer comes to mind.

[Neshanic]

27. Nunn. Nunn. Nunn. Only hope.

[ruggerson]

33. Nunn is Mr. No Gays in the military

not a viable plan.

[flpoljunkie]

43. Still, in this day? How tragically short sighted!

[Neshanic]

45. Me short sighted? You are the one wanting Obama for president.

[flpoljunkie]

56. What does that have to do with Sam Nunn's position on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell?'

[Terran]

99. I think he was calling Nunn short-sighted

not you.

[Neshanic]

46. IF Obama is the nom, only a Nunn will help him, or a Clark.

[donheld]

51. Nunn is nunn on gays

Does that matter to you?

[Neshanic]

55. I have to vote for Obama, so taking one hit for the team compared to 20?

What the fuck is the difference as long as the nitwit gets in the WH?

[JerseygirlCT]

80. For McCain's VP?

Please.

[RainDog]

41. Wesley Clark

white
southern
military background

he will help draw another sector to the campaign.

[TheDonkey]

66. I think his chances are ok just because he is a Hillary supporters and may look like an olive branch

if Obama picks him to calm the clintonites down.

[RainDog]

82. Yes. he covers a lot of bases

He definitely makes waaaaaaaay more sense than Hillary. It would be a mistake not to put a white male on the ticket to help the white male 'fraid of women and blacks feel better.

[andym]

47. He'll need someone who can play both agressive offfense and defense

He'll need someone who can play both aggressive offense and defense, but with impeccable credentials to lend weight to his/her word.

[4themind]

54. If it's not hillary

he needs to announce who it is as soon as humanly possible after he gets the magic number, If she wants to take it all the way to denver, he can just say that he's moving to gain an ally in the fight against McCain, and try to focus on him.

[intaglio]

62. There are a lot of things needed from a VP

What might Obama want tho'?

Someone who reinforces his message of "Change you can believe in". This message is the most important part of the campaign because it frees him from the partisan, locked in structure of voter party preference that other politicians need to consider. If a "machine" politician (eg Hillary) were his VP choice it would undo the key point that Obama means change. So who is in contention? Firstly because Obama is from a minority it is probably asking the electorate too much to go for another "minority" unfortunately this would remove the Hispanic Democratic Political group and would also end a "unity" ticket with Colin Powell. That pretty much leaves "white" male or female politicians.

Webb would fit in with this and additionally has the advantage of military experience.

Dean would also be a good fit - but would he do it?

I suspect that John Edwards would decline though I think he might take another post.

But, out of left no-where I came across this name, Claudia Kennedy - or more properly Lt General Claudia Kennedy. She has endorsed Hillary but that would make her a "Uniting" VP choice. Obviously she is known in the Military and would be invaluable for mending fences.

So what do people think? VP Claudia Kennedy?

[TheDonkey]

67. Would need to know more about how much of a politician Claudia is

but I like the idea of seeing Obama/Kennedy signs!

[malik flavors]

63. Wesley Clark brings the party together, he's patriotism personified, and is a foreign policy wonk

He's also from the south. I can't think of a better VP choice.

[Bensthename]

65. He is one smart mo fo..

Last election I watched him on TV, he was at some college and for fun a college kid said he heard he was very smart and asked him a tough trivia question and he nailed it quick. Then they went around the room asking random tough trivial questions on all kinds of bs and he knew every answer from science to literature.. And of course nailed all the political questions..

With his military experience he would be the best choice in my view too.

[adoraz]

68. a white man, nobody else.

Personally, Richardson is my favorite.

However- I don't want him on the ticket.

We can't risk this. I feel if anyone other than a white man is VP, he won't win.

You people are crazy to believe our country would elect a black and a hispanic/woman/etc at the same time when neither have been elected before.

[Bensthename]

70. That would be a culture shock to most.. Though Im sure most here

wouldnt mind it..

[adoraz]

73. yeah, but most here are more understanding than the typical person

who isn't nearly as informed and votes based on things they hear such as "Wright" and "muslim".

If some whites hear "black" and "Hispanic", well, I really don't want to take that risk.

[JustAnotherGen]

69. Not Edwards

I want him to be Attorney General. If he can't be the President then I want him in there overturning every single stupid hateful law Bush and Co enacted. I want someone with his cahoneys calling Bush and Co to the floor of the house next February.


I like Biden, Bayh (sp?) and Clarke.

[newmajority]

71. OK, first of all, NO SENATORS NEED APPLY

I see the Biden fans in this thread, and I can agree that there are things Joe might bring to a ticket. But we're pushing enough historical reality here just by having a Senator leading the ticket. The fact that the Repukes are also running a Senator makes that an even match on that one factor. Two senators is just asking for trouble we don't need, and you can bet that Grandpa McLoon is looking at a governor for his running mate. Mittens, the Huckster, or possibly a sitting 'Puke governor.

Richardson has been the name I keep coming back to. A bit more conservative than I would like, but at least he seems to be breaking away from the DLC way of thinking in recent years. You can't beat the guy's resume, especially in the areas of energy and international diplomacy. Of course I always forget that Richardson is Latino, and that this would represent a "ticket with no white guys on it" which doesn't mean a goddamn thing to me, but might scare people in other states, as stupid as that sounds in the 21st fucking century. :(

I have reservations about Clark, because he's obviously loyal to the Clintons. A lot of people believe Clark's campaign in 2003-04 was a Clinton strike against Howard Dean. If that's true, would he act in a similar capacity to cripple Obama's campaign, allow a McLoon win and set Hillary up for 2012?

The female governor angle, be it Sebelius, Napolitano, or whomever, also has its merits, but that would be a "double glass ceiling" just like an Obama/Richardson ticket would be, and given that reality, Richardson brings more to the ticket at this particular time.

Just my two cents. About the only ideas I'm truly opposed to is Hillary on the ticket, or another senator, for the reasons stated above.

[harun]

84. Agree, it has to be a white male that isn't a Senator (n/t)

[nolabels]

87. Bill Moyers

A good speaker, understands the relationship between M$M and government plus could help bridge the generational gap :shrug:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Moyers

[CK_John]

72. IMO, he has outsourced that decision to Mayor Bloomberg. n/t

[nsd]

74. What about Evan Bayh?

A moderate senator and former governor popular in a red state. Older than Obama but young enough (and boyish-looking enough) not to step on Obama's appeal as the candidate of youth and change.

I know he's campaigning for Clinton, but has Bayh done or said anything that would disqualify him as Obama's running mate?

[NorthCarolina]

76. Feingold...

he's a populist and would pull in the jews who might be fidgety about a guy named BHO, the LGBT community would support this ticket because it would give them assurance they wouldn't be thrown under the bus like they were with the Clintons, and he's a honest guy that pretty much tells it like it is which fits Obama's style perfectly.

[MirrorAshes]

79. Feingold or Jim Webb would be my choices

They bring different advantages to the table but i think both men have extremely good character and hold that sense of gravitas.

[NorthCarolina]

81. Isn't Webb DLC though?

I could be wrong, but for some reason I seem to recall that he was. That in itself would be a deal killer for me as I won't vote for a DLC member for any office.

[MirrorAshes]

89. I think so, but he's proven to be an independant thinker.

There are several votes of his I don't agree with, but there are also many good things he's done. The main benefit would be that he's a tough-as-nails military guy who can take on McCain on that level while Obama gets to stay on his more wordly message.

[NorthCarolina]

91. Being DLC is enough for me to never vote for him

A DLC member on the ticket would probably cause me to do a write-in vote, as I made a personal vow to never vote for a DLC member again. DLC=Republican infiltrator and corporatist whore and I will not promote the DLC within the Democratic Party in any capacity.

[sfam]

94. Webb will never be chosen. He has a major negative woman issue...

Here in VA, all of his 80s articles against women in the military were discussed constantly. The last thing Obama needs after this fight with Hillary is to choose a person most see as anti-women's rights.

[blinkingidiot]

85. Senator Sherrod Brown?

He's from a key swing state (Ohio) and he's incredibly popular with unions/blue collar voters. And he has spent enough time in Washington to be considered experienced but not enough to be deemed an "insider." Plus, he's a really good guy. I live in Ohio and I've seen him speak a few times, and he's very intelligent and seems down-to-earth.

[Jim Lane]

90. I have a high opinion of Brown, but I have one concern about him....

My concern is similar to that of newmajority (post #71 above). The electorate seems to like governors (Carter, Reagan, Clinton, Shrub). Add in candidates who have executive experience as President or Vice President (Johnson, Nixon, Bush 41, Gore) and you have all the winners in the last 11 elections.

This year the race will almost certainly be between two sitting Senators, neither with executive experience. Each of the three leading contenders would benefit by having a running mate who could fill that gap.

The most obvious choice would be a governor, preferably from a swing state. It's not surprising that Richardson is often mentioned on the Democratic side, and Crist and Pawlenty on the Republican. I had Clark in mind because his experience as a general commanding a major operation would probably translate to being the equivalent of a governorship. It could conceivably be even better, if McCain shrieks enough about terrorism to make voters worry more about national security than about economics.

A ticket of Obama-Brown (or Clinton-Brown)? I dunno. It's tough enough for a sitting Senator to get elected. I think only Harding and Kennedy have managed it in the last hundred years. A ticket of two sitting Senators isn't doomed (see Kennedy-Johnson), but it gives me an uneasy feeling. I'd rather see McCain be the one to try that experiment. Among Ohioans, even Strickland, though he hasn't been governor for very long, might be a better choice than Brown. In addition, he's endorsed Clinton, which makes him a good choice for Obama's ticket. Brown is still officially neutral.

[invictus]

98. I agree. It must be a governor. n/t