"Go West, young man, go west" (for a VP list); Schweitzer (MT), Richardson (NM).

These two are strong candidates who would help us out west.

Schweitzer would also be extremely good at helping to rally the American Public to get behind Obama's agenda.

That ticket reinforces Obama's message of change and judgment.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/08/magazine/08governor.html

Schweitzer will deliver the rural vote.

I'll have to find the quote, but Schweitzer basically said that he likes where he is now and doesn't want to to go Washington.

the DC swamp is a far cry from Big Sky country (and I have never even BEEN to Montana).

and their minds can change if the offer is good and the chemistry between the two feels right to them.

I LOVE Gov. Brian Schweitzer and would be estatic if he was Obama's VP choice, but Schweitzer's problem is that he is running for re-election for governor of MT this year. He'd have to feel realy good about Obama's chances in the Fall and about working with Obama as a VP to give up a position he's already favored to win.

I at least hope Schweitzer is invited to talk with Obama about VP position.

He might still take the job if it's offered to him on a silver platter, but from what I read, he doesn't see himself as being a good fit for Washington, D.C. and doesn't have ambitions for the VP or the presidency.

I hope Obama talks to him though, as he'd be my favorite pick for the spot.

"Now, here are a few halts on the idea. First, I've talked directly to family members who seem to honestly be saying Schweitzer doesn't have these national ambitions. I take those things seriously, but I also know that being asked to be VP would almost certainly be accepted, as Jon Tester said last night. Things change when it's real, when it's right there in your lap.

Second, Schweitzer, for all the attention and high profile he's gotten from Stewart, Colbert, 60 Minutes, the Candy Crowleys and Joe Kleins, as well as his hero status in the Democratic political blog world, Schweitzer actually doesn't have a big resume. He's only been governor of a small population state for 4 years. As a good friend who has extensive experience with both Schweitzer and Obama has pointed out, this would not necessarily be the best way to fend off the "inexperience" charge that will be leveled at Obama.

My reaction to that argument is that I take Obama's confidence at its face value - he is looking for quality people period, and willing to do battle on the attack ground of inexperience if necessary. If the truth is that this X is the right candidate, then Obama picks X and relies on his ability to meet that argument head-on and win. Moreover, I don't think the mood of the country really cares about length of resume right now. They want people with solutions, and incumbency starts out having to prove itself as a valuable quality rather than part of the problem.

Another argument against Schweitzer, the one I have long thought most persuasive, is that while most have tended to think Montana is undergoing a blue revolution, the Democrats in Montana have a much thinner bench than most realize and his departure to run on a national ticket would hurt Montana Dems badly. Take Schweitzer out of the governor's mansion, his Lieutenant Governor is a Republican. There's no obvious replacement. If Schweitzer chooses to accept a VP offer, he knows he's going to leave a mess and some unhappy allies who are negatively affected."

MORE AT THE LINK: http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/

Best choice. IMHO

You think Bill Clinton had bimbo eruptions? Just wait...

You just have to look at the map Obama is about to run.

Winning combination