When it comes to Vice-Presidential picks, my opinion is just one of millions and we all know that the only opinions that count are John McCain’s and Barack Obama’s. But as an avid follower of politics, I want to get my thoughts down and on the record, you know, for posterity’s sake. I will probably be wrong about them but I am really only saying that if I were them, this is who I’d pick.
Let’s start with McCain. Here’s what we know about him: he’s old, he doesn’t know much about the economy, he is a terrible chief executive, he’s a war hero and fancies himself to be a foreign policy expert. To me this leaves him with two obvious picks to choose from, Tim Pawlenty and Mitt Romney. Both were/are governors, both have chief executive experience and both are seasoned but still relatively young. Which will he select? Which would I select for him?
Obama’s pick is much more difficult. It looks like he is running a 50 state strategy with paid operatives all over the country. This is unusual because most Democrats toss in the towel early on the “Red” states where they believe they have little chance of winning. Not so for Obama. He thinks Georgia is in play as is Virginia, to point out two examples. There are some obvious choices like Tim Kaine, Governor of Virginia or Evan Bayh from Indiana. I used to think Kaine would be the choice but upon reflection, I think adding Kaine’s youth to Obama’s youth is an unelectable ticket. I think Sam Nunn from Georgia makes a lot of sense but my pick for Obama is slightly off the reservation.
And you will have to peer behind the My Picks tab to find out.
John McCain should pick Governor Tim Pawlenty from Minnesota. Pawlenty is immensely popular in his state, has an excellent record of conservative fiscal policy, he’s young at 48 years old and he’s an Evangelical Christian. His resume is spotless and McCain likes him. This should be a no-brainer. Pawlenty gets the nod over Romney because Romney’s religion, Mormonism, may ultimately turn off a part of the electorate that McCain needs to have in his column. It’s sad but it’s true.
OK. Obama’s pick.
If I were him, I would pick one person, General Wesley Clark. Clark isn’t a safe pick because he may be perceived negatively by Obama’s installed base. But Clark is just what Obama needs. A former valedictorian of West Point and a Rhodes scholar, Clark’s resume is unassailable. In a 50 state strategy, Clark wins Obama many more votes than he loses. He grew up in the South, originally endorsed Hillary Clinton but switched over quickly to Obama after the Democratic primaries, he’s a foreign policy expert and while he has a military background, he is hardly perceived as a hawk. His call out of McCain’s lack of credentials to be the Chief Executive says that Clark is willing to get nasty if necessary. Obama has yet to show he has the stomache for that type of politics. Personally, I like the fact that Clark thinks force is always the last option and it fits perfectly with Obama’s thinking.
So there you have it. Will I be right about either? Probably not. But that’s politics. McCain’s and Obama’s selections will be scrutinized to no end. Mine are now part of my permanent record too. Fingers crossed.
What do all of you think?
Here’s someone who more elegantly makes the case for General Wesley Clark (Even though it looks like we will both be wrong).
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- Aye Wonder Tuesday, the Inauguration Special
- The Cat is on the Roof
- The Prez and the Hocker
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