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August 22, 2008
Kaine, Bayh out of the Veepstakes
It seems everyone is weighing in on who Barack Obama will/should choose to be his running mate in this November's election. I've remained rather quiet on this topic to my friends and colleagues, and not spoken at all about it here. For the most part I've been soaking in everything the news networks' talking heads and my politically-savvy friends have been saying. It seems fitting I comment on the apparent eve of Obama's long awaited announcement.
The AP wire reports this evening that an anonymous source close to Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine said the Governor announced to associates today that he is not Obama's choice. The Politico has a little bit more on this.
Also, the Politico is now reporting that Bayh is out
After speaking with a friend earlier today, it appears Biden's stock is on the rise. I must admit this isn't a possibility I would have imagined just a few weeks ago. But when you actually look at Biden's record, you can check off most of the boxes Obama leaves blank. My main concern with Biden would be his supposed role as a gaffe machine. And I'm not sure if that label is truly fitting, or if it's something the talking heads have created. I have come to appreciate Biden's bluntness during this primary season. I heard some talk that his inability to filter some comments might have something to do with his brain aneurysm. Be the cause medical or not, I'd like to think Americans would find some blunt truthfulness a little refreshing.
Clinton seems to be one of the more controversial choices talked about these past few weeks. Just as Hillary was the presumed nominee, it seems she somehow became the presumed VP (at least in some circles). I can't blame Obama personally for not wanting to give her the nod. After going up against presumptions of the primary and defying the odds, why should he now cave to the same presumptions from the same group of people? I suspect therein lies most of the hesitation amongst Obama supporters in a Clinton nod. But I do think Clinton would be a smart choice, despite all of the above. The analysts have been making a big deal today about the fact Clinton was apparently not even vetted by the Obama Campaign. But I have to agree with Wolf Blitzer, as he quickly pointed out today, when he said, "she's been vetted for 30 years!" I agree with that statement. The VP search team, and most Americans for that matter, already knows everything about Hillary they need. Her dirty laundry has been aired over and over, and by now her strengths and weaknesses as a campaigner are obvious. I say her strongest point is that she's been tested in a way Biden, Bayh and Kaine have not. I think I would consider Clinton the "right" choice.
I think Kaine is a fine choice, but I feel Obama is looking for a running mate with a little more experience under his belt. It wasn't too many years ago Kaine was maneuvering the Richmond City Council. When you line Obama and Kaine up, a voter interested in experience and a long list of accomplishments is likely to pass them up for McCain.
Bayh has a strong record of accomplishments, including executive experience as governor of Indiana and a distinguished career in the U.S. Senate. To Hoosiers (aka the people of Indiana), Evan is a Bayh first and a Democrat second. The Hoosiers apparently love the Bayh family, which transcends party lines. If a VP candidate could ever deliver a red state to the Democrats this year, it is probably Evan. I would consider Bayh the "political" choice.
That pretty much wraps up my thoughts concerning the veepstakes. I just hope Obama actually chooses one of the four I mentioned in this little piece so I won't have written everything for no reason.
I guess I'll find out along with everyone else... via txt message.
elections | By hpadam | 10:39 PM
