Obama 's Running mate

The elections are 100 days away and we have no idea who is going to be the running mate of either candidate yet. The advantage Obama has is that he would not need to be worried about getting media coverage when he announces his running mate. McCain is reported to make a "pre-emptive strike" the bad news is that unlike McCain, he can't change his mind. I do not think McCain wants to do that though.

Candidates that I think Obama would most have in his shortlist: James Webb, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, Wesley Clark. Obama's shortlist is much easier and shorter to make than Obama's. Why? Because, I feel that a lot of the candidates are not suitable for Obama. Most are too low profile for Obama. Obama needs to have a candidate that is not going to give him excessive baggage, therefore Clinton Edwards and my favorite, Chuck Hagel are out. Lastly he needs a candidate that gives off the dynamism that he carries.


If the choice is to be made up to match characters, Jim Webb would fit the bill for Obama perfectly. He is dynamic and have military record that could match McCain. The sad thing about him is that he cannot turn the tables like say, Biden or Richardson can. Furthermore, he is young too and the Reps would smell blood.

Biden would be the person that people would turn to for experience. Only a fool would not put him in some position in the next administration. He is good friends with McCain too is very likely to get a place in his administration too if McCain is President. The question is what position he would receive? He has the steady appeal that would help Obama steady some states like Minnesota, Ohio and Michigan. The best part is, even McCain acknowledges that Biden would trump him on foreign policy, which is what McCain usually profess as his strength. He would also help soothe the raging Clintonites. His draw backs are that he would definitely take the fight away from Obama in states like Kansas and Arkansas. That would make Obama lose crucial electoral votes.

Bill Richarson would be a flip of a coin. He would definitely help in NM and Colorado. But how much can he help in Florida? Can he swoon enough Latinos to make what I feel is the most important state Florida, blue? He also would not help in making leaning red states blue either.

Wesley Clark is the man that can put McCain in his place on national security. He would also help secure the most number of states for Obama. I believe that the North-East would turn blue with Wes Clark. That is a cool 105 votes!. The disadvantage is that majority of the North East would be blue anyway, and the real battle ground is the battle for middle America. That is where the real tie is and I am afraid that Clark can't make them Blue.

The candidate that can is Chuck Hagel. He is similar to Obama on ideology on the real issues, not nonsense like Roe V Wade or Guns but real issues like economy and foreign policy. The thing that would disqualify him is that he would steer a lot of leaning blue states neutral. These carry too much electoral votes to be discounted.

When all said and done, McCain's VP would and could have more impact on his campaign than Obama's VP pick. Obama got to pick wisely. Obama advantage is that he can carry states on his own, states like Washington and Nevada.

In my opinion, the person Obama would pick is Wesley Clark. But he should pick Chuck Hagel. What do you think?