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Taking another look at the VP list, though not much has changed. Interestingly, those who appear to want the job generally seem to be less worthy of being picked than many of those who don't. Only a few in the top 10 seem open to being chosen, though it's possible others are just playing it safe and would accept if asked. As for the Republicans, I'm sticking with Romney. The only way McCain wins, barring a huge Obama collapse, is to play the electoral map well and he needs to at least take the shot with Romney for New Hampshire, Michigan, and the Mountain West.
10. Wes Clark (General, Arkansas)- He's a tough one. There is of course the military background and lack of Washington stain which is a good combination. However, there's also his uninspiring 2004 campaign and the comment about McCain that got blown out of proportion last month. It could work but I'm not sold either way.
9. Sherrod Brown (Current Senator, Ohio)- He opposed the war as a Congressman and has the right home state but his protectionist leanings may paint the Democratic ticket as too anti-trade. I'm not really sure what the country's mood on NAFTA is at this point. He also seems to be unwilling to take the position.
8. Jack Reed (Current Senator, Rhode Island)- One of those guys where you wonder if it'd be a good idea given he looks like a blatant "Look I got my own Dick Cheney" but who knows. He doesn't seem to want the job but he and Obama do seem to get along well.
7. Brian Schweitzer (Current Governor, Montana)- He's cruising to re-election and probably wouldn't take the job but he's a good governor and has the kind of folksy John Edwards charm without all the baggage. Of course, they'd try to tag him like Obama as inexperienced and lacking foreign policy credentials but frankly it's either going to be that or "how is he an agent of change?" anyway. McCain's campaign surely has their dual press releases ready to attack whoever the pick is as a bad one.
6. Russ Feingold (Current Senator, Wisconsin)- I don't think he wants the job and has had a few too many kind words to say about McCain lately but I think he's a good Senator who has an independent streak that overcomes partisanship. He probably wouldn't play as well electorally but I think he's qualified.
5. Phil Bredesen (Current Governor, Tennessee)- I haven't mentioned him much before but there would be some value in picking a popular Southern governor. If Mark Warner won't do it, Bredesen appears to be the best choice among the rest of the Southern states. He has a more impressive record than Tim Kaine though obviously in a less competitive state. He's been governor for 5 1/2 years and founded HealthAmerica Corp, a successful company. In the mold of Mike Bloomberg, he doesn't accept a salary as governor because of his wealth accrued in business which is a nice talking point for his character. His "openness and accountability" governing style would play well with Obama's message. Of course, the negative is no foreign policy experience but nobody has it all.
4. Evan Bayh (Former Governor/Current Senator, Indiana)- He's the safe pick of the bunch in terms of rocking the boat but a lot of liberals dislike him and perhaps there's a reason why he's always considered for VP but never picked.
3. Joe Biden (Current Senator, Delaware)- Has generally had his gaffes and rambling under control and offers a solid voice on foreign policy. He's at the top of my list of people who appear to have a realistic chance of being picked.
2. Ted Strickland (Former Congressman/Current Governor, Ohio)- He has never showed a hint of interest in the job but given his opposition to the war, swing state home, and current position outside Washington, he'd be a good choice. One negative is that I believe his approval in Ohio is not exactly high at the moment.
1. Mark Warner (Former Governor, Virginia)- It appears he's still unwilling to be the pick and there have been no rumblings about Obama currently considering him but I still think he's the easy #1 choice. Obviously his perceived flaw will be lack of foreign policy experience but it's hard to argue with a very popular governor with a good record in business and on the economy.
10. Wes Clark (General, Arkansas)- He's a tough one. There is of course the military background and lack of Washington stain which is a good combination. However, there's also his uninspiring 2004 campaign and the comment about McCain that got blown out of proportion last month. It could work but I'm not sold either way.
9. Sherrod Brown (Current Senator, Ohio)- He opposed the war as a Congressman and has the right home state but his protectionist leanings may paint the Democratic ticket as too anti-trade. I'm not really sure what the country's mood on NAFTA is at this point. He also seems to be unwilling to take the position.
8. Jack Reed (Current Senator, Rhode Island)- One of those guys where you wonder if it'd be a good idea given he looks like a blatant "Look I got my own Dick Cheney" but who knows. He doesn't seem to want the job but he and Obama do seem to get along well.
7. Brian Schweitzer (Current Governor, Montana)- He's cruising to re-election and probably wouldn't take the job but he's a good governor and has the kind of folksy John Edwards charm without all the baggage. Of course, they'd try to tag him like Obama as inexperienced and lacking foreign policy credentials but frankly it's either going to be that or "how is he an agent of change?" anyway. McCain's campaign surely has their dual press releases ready to attack whoever the pick is as a bad one.
6. Russ Feingold (Current Senator, Wisconsin)- I don't think he wants the job and has had a few too many kind words to say about McCain lately but I think he's a good Senator who has an independent streak that overcomes partisanship. He probably wouldn't play as well electorally but I think he's qualified.
5. Phil Bredesen (Current Governor, Tennessee)- I haven't mentioned him much before but there would be some value in picking a popular Southern governor. If Mark Warner won't do it, Bredesen appears to be the best choice among the rest of the Southern states. He has a more impressive record than Tim Kaine though obviously in a less competitive state. He's been governor for 5 1/2 years and founded HealthAmerica Corp, a successful company. In the mold of Mike Bloomberg, he doesn't accept a salary as governor because of his wealth accrued in business which is a nice talking point for his character. His "openness and accountability" governing style would play well with Obama's message. Of course, the negative is no foreign policy experience but nobody has it all.
4. Evan Bayh (Former Governor/Current Senator, Indiana)- He's the safe pick of the bunch in terms of rocking the boat but a lot of liberals dislike him and perhaps there's a reason why he's always considered for VP but never picked.
3. Joe Biden (Current Senator, Delaware)- Has generally had his gaffes and rambling under control and offers a solid voice on foreign policy. He's at the top of my list of people who appear to have a realistic chance of being picked.
2. Ted Strickland (Former Congressman/Current Governor, Ohio)- He has never showed a hint of interest in the job but given his opposition to the war, swing state home, and current position outside Washington, he'd be a good choice. One negative is that I believe his approval in Ohio is not exactly high at the moment.
1. Mark Warner (Former Governor, Virginia)- It appears he's still unwilling to be the pick and there have been no rumblings about Obama currently considering him but I still think he's the easy #1 choice. Obviously his perceived flaw will be lack of foreign policy experience but it's hard to argue with a very popular governor with a good record in business and on the economy.
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