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The most important thing that Obama needs to consider when looking for a VP is foreign policy experience. Obama was attacked during the primary for not having enough experience and he will be attacked for this in the general election even more. However, if Obama picks a VP that has a ton of foreign policy experience, but voted for the war in Iraq then it would totally undercut Obama's message that judgement matters more than experience.
It would be helpful for the VP to put more states in play. A quality VP choice should give Obama a chance to win a few states in the Mountain West or Southwest or the mid-Atlantic regions.
It would be a plus for the VP to be viewed as a Washington outsider, as it would strengthen Obama's message of changing Washington.
Knowing that it would difficult to find a VP candidate that meets all of those, I think there are 4 names that bring the most to the table...
- Joe Biden
- Wesley Clark
- Bill Richardson
- Jim Webb
4 comments:
Joe Biden voted for the war
Biden did vote for the Iraq War and he would definitely be a Washington insider. Those are his 2 drawbacks. I do think he brings a lot to the table.
best choice, if he'll accept it, is Colin Powell -- can you say 'G-R-A-V-I-T-A-S' -- and he needs to restore his tarnished (but still respected) name since the Repubs tossed him under the bus.
Thanks for the series. I look forward to your thoughts.
I have been mulling Biden for VP for quite a bit. He was my number 2 choice to Obama in the caucus. He did vote for Iraq, but I think something that vindicates that wrong vote is his commitment to developing a post-war strategy. Electorally, I don't know if Biden strengthens Obama in particular places, but if you put him on a rigorous caucus-like campaign schedule in a place like NV, NM, NH, I do think it would be helpful. He is funny and good man, he would be a good support for Obama and I'd trust him as President.
I am open to a lot of people. We will see what scraps for speculation we are given over the next few months.
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