So Excited I Could vP Myself
As my good friend Adam pointed out, VP is something that everyone gets fired up about but after it happens no one cares anymore. I have to admit, I am one of those people fired up about it because I have a horse in the race (see here).
McCain's pick: I have no stinking clue. I have to think his pick will be one or more of the following: young, a minority, and a woman. McCain will want someone of the youth movement but probably very conservative (to appease the far right wingnuts).
Obama's pick: Now things get interesting. I previously stated I thought Edwards was a good choice. Based on politics, I still feel this way. However, because this country cannot separate the personal lives of its politicians from their job as politicians, Edwards is screwed (pun intended). The three leading candidates (with my personal thoughts on them) are as follows:
1) Joe Biden. I think Biden leads the pack right now.
Why he's a good choice:
a) LOTS of experience in foreign relations.
b) LOTS of experience in politics and in Washington (something Hillary and McCain have and will beat to death).
c) Though not his represented state, Biden has strong ties and support in Pennsylvania, a swing state.
Why he's a bad choice:
a) He is a Senator, like Obama. Typically, Senators pick governors as their VP
b) Delaware has only 3 or 4 electoral votes that ALWAYS go democrat. He brings no votes for Obama (other than -maybe- Pennsylvania).
c) He is a bit of a fiery character that can spew at the mouth. That could be troublesome for the calm that Obama gives off.
d) As noted above, he has LOTS of experience in Washington. He is old politics. That does not represent "change" in my opinion.
2) Tim Kaine
Why he's a good choice:
a) He's a Governor
b) He could bring a very important battleground state (Virginia) and alot of electoral votes.
c) Not old politics
Why he's a bad choice:
a) No foreign policy experience
b) No experience dealing with war/military/etc.
c) NO EXPERIENCE. This does not save Obama and the questions that people have. McCain would beat this to death too.
3) Evan Bayh. My personal choice, but then again I am biased.
Why he's a good choice:
a) Could deliver a historically Republican state (Indiana) and its 11 votes. We Hoosiers like to back our own. He was elected as Sec. of State, Governor, and Senator (twice) in a very, very red state.
b) He has experience on the Armed Services Committee and Foreign Trade and Economy Committee in the Senate.
c) He is only 55. He's not "old politics" and he's not "new politics". He has experience, but he's not green.
d) Hillary people -love- him. His selection could go a long way to "healing" the party.
Why he's a bad choice:
a) He's a Senator too
b) He backed the war initially and maintains his stance that an absolute and abrupt pullout would be a disaster (I agree, btw). He wants to pull troops out ASAP but not without a plan and not at the cost of a complete meltdown in Iraq (though that may be inevitable... that's for a different post). Though this seems like a sensible approach, the doves seem to disagree.
c) There are some questionable business dealings by his wife. Not sure what they are, but she may wreck it for him.
d) He too is calm and confident. Obama may want/need someone with some fire.
SO WHO WILL IT BE? Weigh in! Perhaps you think it will be Kathleen Sebelius (Gov. of Kansas), Hillary Clinton (Sen. of New York), or Gen. Wesley Clark. Maybe someone else altogether! I can't wait to find out.
McCain's pick: I have no stinking clue. I have to think his pick will be one or more of the following: young, a minority, and a woman. McCain will want someone of the youth movement but probably very conservative (to appease the far right wingnuts).
Obama's pick: Now things get interesting. I previously stated I thought Edwards was a good choice. Based on politics, I still feel this way. However, because this country cannot separate the personal lives of its politicians from their job as politicians, Edwards is screwed (pun intended). The three leading candidates (with my personal thoughts on them) are as follows:
1) Joe Biden. I think Biden leads the pack right now.
Why he's a good choice:
a) LOTS of experience in foreign relations.
b) LOTS of experience in politics and in Washington (something Hillary and McCain have and will beat to death).
c) Though not his represented state, Biden has strong ties and support in Pennsylvania, a swing state.
Why he's a bad choice:
a) He is a Senator, like Obama. Typically, Senators pick governors as their VP
b) Delaware has only 3 or 4 electoral votes that ALWAYS go democrat. He brings no votes for Obama (other than -maybe- Pennsylvania).
c) He is a bit of a fiery character that can spew at the mouth. That could be troublesome for the calm that Obama gives off.
d) As noted above, he has LOTS of experience in Washington. He is old politics. That does not represent "change" in my opinion.
2) Tim Kaine
Why he's a good choice:
a) He's a Governor
b) He could bring a very important battleground state (Virginia) and alot of electoral votes.
c) Not old politics
Why he's a bad choice:
a) No foreign policy experience
b) No experience dealing with war/military/etc.
c) NO EXPERIENCE. This does not save Obama and the questions that people have. McCain would beat this to death too.
3) Evan Bayh. My personal choice, but then again I am biased.
Why he's a good choice:
a) Could deliver a historically Republican state (Indiana) and its 11 votes. We Hoosiers like to back our own. He was elected as Sec. of State, Governor, and Senator (twice) in a very, very red state.
b) He has experience on the Armed Services Committee and Foreign Trade and Economy Committee in the Senate.
c) He is only 55. He's not "old politics" and he's not "new politics". He has experience, but he's not green.
d) Hillary people -love- him. His selection could go a long way to "healing" the party.
Why he's a bad choice:
a) He's a Senator too
b) He backed the war initially and maintains his stance that an absolute and abrupt pullout would be a disaster (I agree, btw). He wants to pull troops out ASAP but not without a plan and not at the cost of a complete meltdown in Iraq (though that may be inevitable... that's for a different post). Though this seems like a sensible approach, the doves seem to disagree.
c) There are some questionable business dealings by his wife. Not sure what they are, but she may wreck it for him.
d) He too is calm and confident. Obama may want/need someone with some fire.
SO WHO WILL IT BE? Weigh in! Perhaps you think it will be Kathleen Sebelius (Gov. of Kansas), Hillary Clinton (Sen. of New York), or Gen. Wesley Clark. Maybe someone else altogether! I can't wait to find out.
posted by MD at
9:17 AM
4 Comments:
i'm still thinking it might be Evan Bayh...
i've heard a few McCain people say they hope he picks Biden because that will help McCain (not sure why).
me? i'm just waiting for my text message from Obama.....and waiting, and waiting, and waiting...
I truly cannot figure out how Biden is a good choice. The talking heads sure think he will be the guy. Strategically, it makes little sense to me. Yes he has some valid qualities to make him a decent VP candidate, but so do alot of other candidates that ALSO can bring a state or other benefits. Time will tell.
On a side note, CNN.com is reporting that the media is camped out at Bayh's place to track his every move. Perhaps they know something we don't.
well, i've been carrying my cell phone w/ me (room to room) all day while at home! haha. i guess Obama called his "short list" and told those who weren't chosen that they can go back to their real jobs. haha.
he just HAS to announce tonight, right? i mean the person has to get to Illinois tomorrow.
geesh.
My guess is the person already knows and has already made travel arrangements. Hence the stalking of lead candidate homes.
Apparently tomorrow is the great unveiling. My guess is you will find out just before or AS the announcement is made.
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