Barry at the bar in Reno, yesterday…EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
So, here we go. One week until the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Obama is expected to announce his running mate this week, and I’m gonna rank my top choices. Since I’m still not sure America will vote for a black dude named Barack over a honky named John, my VP picks are based on national following, potential honky attraction, and voter trust value .
1. John Kerry
This was floated by WBZ Boston Friday and picked up by Drudge this weekend. I think Kerry supplies everything Obama needs to win undecided voters’ trust. Kerry’s been a Senator for decades. He’s fought the GOP in a Presidential election—and won more votes than any Democrat ever. He served in Vietnam, with honor. He’s a national brand who’s been uber-vetted. Obama-Kerry is a sure win.
2. Hillary Clinton
George Stephanopoulos says she’s a “50-1″ shot. Still, Obama-Clinton is another can’t lose option. No one hates Republicans more than Hillary (they tried to ruin her family, dammit!), and she got 18 million votes in the primary. I disagree that the Clintons’ “baggage” would really affect Obama. Even post-Gore and Cheney, the VP is still a relatively weak office. Clinton as VP would neutralize her.
3. Joe Biden
As much as I love Biden, he is a bit of a loose cannon and may wind up as a liability in the general—kind of like a smart Dan Quayle. But the guy has the Washington and foreign affairs experience Obama lacks. I don’t know if it’s a sure thing, but Obama-Biden is a great ticket.
4. Sam Nunn
Nunn’s a fine peacenik, but after three decades in Washington, he’s hardly a changenik, and if you’re gonna forgo the whole “new politics” thing you mine as well pick an established national candidate like Kerry or Clinton. Nunn might be able to deliver Georgia, but he won’t help much in winning voter trust nationally.
5. Kaine, Bayh, Warner…
Yes, each brings a potential swing state victory, but none are nationally known, meaning the O Team will have to sell two personas instead of just The One.
Whatever happens, Obama better not pick a Republican.
TAGS: Boston, Denver, election, georgia, GOP, Hillary, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, John Kerry, Nas, NATO, obama, Politics, Republicans, war
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August 18th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
The Kerry option is interesting, because he’s been running these “Feel Good about me, I’m John Kerry” ad’s on NESN showing how he supports the troops and got this injured Iraq war vet to throw out the first pitch on Patriots day of all days while giving him his Purple Heart (Sox victory BTW - Sox support troops too, apparently). They seem somewhat arbitrary, but have a whole new meaning with this VP concept.
Great photo too - the neon Budwieser ‘radical guitar’ in the background give’s him a Basquiat-esq crown.
August 18th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
I started writing about how I didn’t think Kerry was a great choice…but you know what…why not Kerry? Yeah, he lost in 2004, but the Republican brand isn’t what it was then, and I bet some swing voters are wishing now that they’d voted for him ‘04. It seems like a risky choice, if only because it could dredge up the Swiftboat attacks. Although McCain denounced the Swifboaters in ‘04, in ‘08, he has shown a willingness to laugh off Corsi’s recent attack-dog book about Obama, telling people they should “keep their sense of humor” about it. His spokesman will say that they can’t control people not affiliated with the Campaign. Jersome Corsi will be an overnight sensation, spreading the same lies that he did in ‘04, but this time with an update ‘08 edition. The question is whether people will fall for this again. I gambled on that in ‘04 and lost.
I like Biden. The dude’s middle name is Robinette. That’s perfect for the Dark Knight. He’s got his own baggage with the plaigiarism accusations, the lost primaries, and the tendency to actually say what’s on his mind, but he’s a guy who can hit back hard for Obama. McCain’s celeb ads took hold and have dented Obama’s lead. He’s controlled the message, even if his message is sometimes insane and dishonorable. Biden’s the guy to take McCain on in that role of counter-puncher. Sure, he’s got to be smarter in his remarks sometimes, but like you said, he brings a ton of foreign policy experience to the table.
August 19th, 2008 at 10:20 am
I can’t believe these assholes are even floating Bayh and Kaine. I like Biden a lot too but can’t figure out why they’d want to risk it and not just put an LBJ-type on the ticket.