Will Obama Have Complete Freedom to Choose His Own VP?

Just a thought that popped into my head.

Due to the closeness of this race and the entrenched party bigwigs on both sides of the equation, it seems like the Clinton faction of the party may try to impose their VP pick on Obama's ticket, leaving Obama's campaign less than free to choose its own pick.

Obama will most likely win the nomination, but Hillary will walk into Denver with a boatload of delegates, and they will want their voices heard.

I'm just putting out the possibility that this year will not necessarily be like 2004 when the nomination wrapped up early and Kerry was pretty much able to pick who he wanted without opposition from within the party.

It won't necessarily be imposed on him, but he will do it to win back Hillary Clinton supporters.

it must be someone who is not seen as a Washington insider (so as not to negate the "change" message)

it must be someone with foreign policy experience.

it must be someone with years of leadership experience.

preferably someone with military command experience.

Someone that Barack could be comfortable with.

Ideally a woman.

Someone who represents a geographically distant place from Obama (east coast or west coast)

I can't think of anyone that fits all those who is also a Clinton associate.

My list is Wes Clark... and, possibly, Bill Richardson.

If he chooses a woman, there are many fine choices, but I can't think of one that is currently a Hillary supporter and meets any of the other criteria.

There are other influential people who will expect to be heard. Remember that Edwards only suspended his campaign. That may not mean that he wants to be VP, but he wants and deserves a say. So does Clinton, of course.

And what about Florida and Michigan? Will some appeasement be offered? Will it be a voice in the selection, or something else?

He is already beholden to the people who put him where he is. That's the way the kingmakers and handlers get repaid. It's largely out of his hands now.

it isn't his decision. its the party that will decide, real quiet-like. ok, sure they'll pretend it was his idea.

Remember, his 1.5 million donors make him his own party.

But he's a politician and so he will choose the VP that will give him the best chance to win as well as make the most people in the party happy and cooperative with his agenda.