The Search for Barack Obama's VP

Separating the Most Likely Candidates from the Rumors

Jun 4, 2008 David Boston

It looks like Barack Obama will be the Democratic candidate, but who will be his running mate? It's time to pick out the most likely candidates.

Though there are many variables that come into play when considering Vice Presidential candidates, when they are all combined there are a few candidates who come out on top. They are listed below in order from most to least likely.

People with a High Chance of Being Picked

Bill Richardson – Governor of New Mexico

Pros:

  • Richardson has freed American servicemen through successful negotiations with unfriendly countries, which greatly reinforces Obama’s foreign policy plans to speak with leaders of both our enemies and our allies.
  • He has a vast amount of foreign policy experience, which is an area in which John McCain has called Obama weak.
  • As Governor of New Mexico, he would have political sway in a proven swing state.
  • A lot of the Hispanic vote would come with Richardson, since many would love to see a Hispanic in the White House.

Cons:

  • Richardson may scare away some Independents and Republicans for Obama, who would deem the pair too liberal for their taste.

Kathleen Sebelius – Governor of Kansas

Pros:

  • Sebelius endorsed Obama early on January 29th of 2008
  • She would help bring in votes from Clinton supporters who want to see a woman in the White House
  • As the Governor of Kansas, she would help bring Southern voters and moderate Republicans to Obama’s side.

Cons:

  • Sebelius is against gay marriage.
  • She signed a bill that allowed Kansas civilians to own machine guns.

John Edwards – Former Senator from North Carolina

Pros:

  • As the third most popular Democratic nominee, Edwards would bring a lot of supporters to Obama’s side.
  • Edwards is very popular among Southern states, a place that pundits have recognized as a weak spot for Obama.
  • Edwards has also been an advocate of change for a long time now.

Cons:

  • Edwards would not make up for Obama’s lack of political experience, having served only one term in the Senate himself.

Hillary Clinton – Senator from New York

Pros:

  • As the second most popular Democratic nominee in a long primary season, she already has a huge group of supporters to bring to the ticket.
  • Many women see her as a candidate that broke the glass ceiling for future women candidates who wish to run for President.
  • Her platform is close to identical to Obama’s platform.

Cons:

  • Obama could lose a great number of supporters that he already has by picking Clinton due to the way the primary was conducted.
  • The closeness of Bill Clinton to the White House if Hillary were to be elected VP may spur many more Republicans to action.

Others with a Medium Chance of Being Picked

  • Chuck Hagel – This Republican from Nebraska has often times criticized the Bush administration. He has offered himself up as a possible Democratic VP, and may be a good choice if Obama truly wishes to cross party lines and unite America.
  • Lincoln Chafee – Another Republican, though one of the most liberal Republicans to ever serve. Another choice for crossing party lines, but many Republicans may not even consider Chafee one of their own.
  • Janet Napolitano – Napolitano is the current Democratic Governor of Arizona, and she may be just who Obama needs to win the South.

Notables with a Low Chance of Being Picked

  • Ted Strickland
  • Ed Rendell
  • Jim Webb
  • Joe Biden
  • Wesley Clark
  • Michael Bloomberg

The copyright of the article The Search for Barack Obama's VP in American Affairs is owned by David Boston. Permission to republish The Search for Barack Obama's VP in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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Comments

Aug 18, 2008 8:59 PM
Guest :
i hope obama won't pick gov. tim kaine of va., he did nothing to help southside,va.-martinsville and henry county when they lost all their furniture and textile plant because of whoever voted for nafa. bassett, va. the world's largest manufacturer of wood furniture is now simply a ghost town. is there anyone who can help southside, va. to prosper again. gov. tim kaine didn't. i will cast a republican vote if gov. tim kaine is on the ticket. he doesn't care about virginia.
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