Obama Veepstakes Conjecture Post

Posted by Seth Kramer on Wednesday, April 9th 2008 at 3:45pm




It's pretty clear to all but the Clinton campaign that Obama will be the Democratic nominee. So I'd like to throw out my top 10 VP candidates.

1. Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) - Hagel wants it like a dog wants a bone, and he very possibly delivers Nebraska and maybe a handful of traditionally red square states. It's very "out of the box" and I think it'd win over Independants like you wouldn't believe. It could be a hard sell to the base, but lets face it as long as your guy is at the top of the ticket does it matter? I don't think it's likely since I suspect he's going to have to kiss up to the women who feel it was "Hillary's turn".

2. Gov. Janet Napolitano (D-AZ) - Mollifies the more reasonable disaffected women. I don't think she wins AZ since it's been McCain's turf for longer, but she definately puts the west in play. Colorado and New Mexico turn purple.

3. Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) - Shores up any perceived foreign policy issues, and he's a beer-drinkin' good ole boy from Virginia. He may deliver on those downscale white male voters that have been so difficult to win over. Again, contingent upon whether women become a big problem for Obama after Clinton inevitably loses.

4. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D-PA) - Popular moderate son of a popular moderate Governor. Pro-life Catholic easily delivers a purple state. Doesn't answer the experience issues terribly well, and an all-male ticket may put off some of the Clinton ladies if her exit is not, shall we say gentle.

5. Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D-MT) - Dem. Governor with the highest approval rating in the nation clocking in at over 70 percent. I know he's going to deliver all 3 of Montana's electoral votes, whoopdie-doo, but again. Western, moderate, appeals to the voters Obama's struggled with. Downside: women, experience

6. Sen. Russ Feingold (D-MN) - I don't know that anyone's talking about Feingold, he's an incredibly principled leader, could stem the tide on any Jewish vote loss thanks to Pastor SaysSomeCrazyShit. He's probably too far to the left, but it'd make my little heart go pitter pat.

7. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS) - Probably can't swing Kansas. She does have appeal to former Clinton voters, and Independents, but I don't see where she adds much value to the ticket.

8. Gov. Ted Strickland (D-OH) - This would be a base political move. Delivering a key swing state, but the guy is an inexperienced lightweight in my not so humble opinion.

9. Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) - Delivers a swing state, and again could bring women angry that Clinton isn't the nominee into the fold, but she's only been in the Senate since '06 so she really doesn't help him when it comes to experience. Plus 2 points for being a moderate.

10. Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM) - Will win NM, and could put other western states in play, and should deliver Latinos. He's a bore on the campaign trail, and he only further aggravates Obama's issues with white downscale voters (who lets be honest about aren't voting against him for "policy reasons". I'll leave it at that and let you fill in the blanks.)

What about you? Hate my picks? Have some of your own ideas throw 'em down in the comments.

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