What qualities do you like to see in a top notch VP pick?

Delivers their home state in the general election.
It would be great if it was a swing state.

The last was LBJ I don't think JFK would ahve won it on his own. You could make a case for Gore too but Clinton won Kentucky and other states similar to Tennessee so I think he would have won it anyway.

Maybe that's just because most nonimees are not from "critical swing states" but I still doubt the impact. People don't vote for VP. It would be foolish to choose someone just because their from say Ohio. Everyone would know that was the only reason they were chosen. A good person who would make a good President should be chosen, regardless of state.

I think electoral considerations will be paramount this time around.
Look for a southerner or a westerner with a long resume.

First it would be nice to have a presidential candidate with ANY resume.

For example, Obama doesn't have foreign policy experience--so someone who is a foreign policy expert would be a plus.

Someone who represents a specific group, such as women or Hispanics, would help bring in voters.

Someone from the South could help bring in Southern votes.


Bill Richardson fulfills the first two criteria. Wes Clark fulfills one and three. Either would be my pick for VP.

And for a western governor, one would think he could pronounce "Orygun" like the natives do.

A tough choice requiring integrity.

Only the people from Oregon say "O-re-gone."

Bill Richardson and Joe Biden come to mind in those regards.

My choice would be CA Senator Barbara Boxer, who of course doesn't hail from a swing state, but, with the exception of Bob Graham (who has background BOTH as a GOVERNOR {executive} and SENATOR (foreign policy), and voted NO on IWR back when) is arguably THE best candidate to help Obama carry Florida.

She has many positive attributes but few negatives from NON-RWers and no serious baggage AFAIK. She would unify the party like visine getting the red out, and stoke enthusiasm among many new Democratic constituencies. Across the country (eg the suburbs of Philly) my guess is she would help sway possibly millions of suburban women swing voters or nonvoters.

She is also 1 of the LEADING people
in Congress on Greenhouse (though NONE of them seem to be sufficient in their demands).

On a short leash.

Will do and say what the President is not permitted to say or do.

Not in a Cheney break the law sort of way, but in a legal way, the kind that frightens the GOP.

:rofl:

I think he can take the working class white vote from Hillary and deliver it to Obama. Seeing a white man work for a black man will scare the hell out of the racists. That's just a bonus.

But I don't think that is likely. More likely Edwards will get AG.

The characterstic I'd like to see --- someone who doesn't assume they will get the same kind of power Cheney has had.

experience. Specifically, in defense. That's why I like Biden.

that is their primary job for Obama during the general campaign.

The VP has to be able to do what the President cannot.

The President isn't just the guy (or gal) in the office, it is the office.

So, the President has to be above all that petty crap.

The VP on the other hand...

Though Edwards has grown tougher through that experience and his recent primary run, he certainly was reluctant to lead that fight at the time, no matter what revisionists prefer to believe.

He is by FAR a better campaigner now - especially after he shook off all the centrist leanings he had as senator that were never really a comfortable fit for Edwards, imo. I think he was always much more liberal in his head and heart than some of his votes and many of his associates.

I'd be happy with that.

BHN