My Analysis of Obama and the Coming VP Coverage

Over the next few weeks, we're going to begin to see more and more coverage of potentials for Obama picking a running mate. It'll be wall-to-wall coverage on MSNBC and CNN, as all of the news organizations have now come to the conclusion that this race is over. You will have a lot of noise out there about who Obama should chose.

My personal opinion is that Obama needs someone with executive/political experience to go against the talking point that he has NO experience. That means I think he needs a Govenor more than another Senator. As some may know already, my personal favorite is Kathleen Sebelius, the very popular two-term Govenor of Kansas. Make no mistake though, the MSM will either push for a White male or a moderate Republican. I will not be surprised if the media begins pimping Chuck Hagel or Anthony Zinni (I still don't know who the hell threw out this guys name). The only woman I think people will support in the MSM is Clinton because of obvious reasons. There will be talk that Sebelius or Napolitano is "too much change, too soon." One of the links posted on DU about potential VPs already said this. You can also throw Bill Richardson in there with the "too much change" meme that I'm sure will come up a lot.

Then, you will have Clinton supporters pushing Obama to put her on the ticket. I still think there are many Washington insiders who don't trust Obama. They want someone to keep an eye on him (someone they know) and make sure he doesn't get carried away with his CHANGING things.

Lastly, as I said above, there will be an elusive voice out there putting pressure on Obama to chose some Republican. Many people are jumping on this idea of working across the isle and use it to say that Obama should chose a moderate Rethug. I don't think that's going to happen, but it'll be out there.

Ultimately, Obama will chose someone he feels he can get along with. Obama doesn't seem like the type of person to "put up" with someone. He needs a better enviroment, and the friction between him and Hillary Clinton I think is irreparable right now. He'll talk with Clinton as a simple formality...but I don't see him realistically choosing her. Jim Webb I notice is very popular on DU and is rated high in the new VP articles, but I have a real problem with his only being around for 18 months. I don't see what he brings to the ticket other than the fact that he was once in the military. The same thing goes for Claire McCaskill who was also recently mentioned. Again, how do you balance the experience argument when your VP has less experience than you do?

.....George Mitchell.

Im not sure if I like that or not, but this seems to be gathering some momentum in the DC power circles.

and that "republican idea" of Hagel (only because I've read his recent book and have become comfortable with him). That being said, Sebelius brings more to the table than many critics will admit.

The advantages of Boxer -- she has a LONG record, including on foreign policy, in the Senate; she's VERY popular and well-known, strong on the Greenhouse Effect.

Like Sebelius she does not have the baggage of HRC and would very much help to unify the party.

I definitely DISAGREE with those pushing Hagel or Clark. I know Obama may go that way to try to strengthen himself in an area of McCain's perceived strength.....

I think she'd make a strong VP.