Vice-Presidents for Hire

For a moment, let's pretend that we are in the general election phase and it is down to John McCain and Barack Obama. Who will (or rather who should) they pick to be their running mates?

Let's start with Barack. Even though his choice has received the most attention and probably will continue to do so, it may have the lesser impact of the 2 selections. Let's start with the first name on everyone's mind...Hillary Clinton. If he chose Hillary to be his running mate, I believe it would be game, set and match. The only areas that John McCain can move are in making Obama out to be inexperienced, elitist and soft on international affairs. Hillary on the ticket wipes out 2 of them and softens the third. It also eliminates women and many white male Democrats from switching which lever they pull in November. It would be over. The election...and Barack Obama's ability to lead as President would both be over. True, there have been 'odd couples' as running mates such as JFK and LBJ (at least they were both known by their 3 initials) and Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush ('Voodoo Economics' anyone). I actually think that Barack and Hilarry could figure out a way to co-exist in a workable situation. I just don't think Bill Clinton would fit in an Obama presidency (or any other person's presidency with the possible exception of Hillary). Obama's best choice is someone who either pulls in Clinton supporters like Evan Bayh of neighboring Indiana, or shore up his military credentials by choosing someone with major cred, like Wesley Clark.

John McCain invited a few VP candidates to visit with him over the Memorial Day weekend. Although Charlie Crist of Florida will get a lot of attention because of his possible ability to land the battleground state. However, there was one name the this time really jumped out when I heard it in contrast with the others. Mitt Romney is young, conservative and has the ability to win or at least cause significant battles in several New England states that Democrats normally think are a lock. I don't think John McCain has a lot of places to go to get an edge on his Democratic opponent, but I think Romney has the most potential to give him a shot. At least it will spread the Democratic ticket thin trying to hold onto some of its base electoral votes and give McCain a chance to lock down Florida, Ohio and Michigan.

In reality, most of the action and excitement about the VP mates are before they are selected. They can be a much bigger problem than they can be a big help.