Barack Obama's Running Mate

As Barack Obama battles Hillary Clinton in a fight to the finish for the Democratic Presidential nomination, speculation is already arising over who might be Senator Obama's running mate. Newsmax is reporting that two possible candidates are being mulled. They are Senator Jim Webb of Virginia and Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio.

Senator Webb is being touted because, even though he is a virulent opponent of the Iraq War, thus agreeing with Obama, he is seen as strong on foreign policy and national defense, two subjects that Obama is weak on. Senator Webb might also bring with him the state of Virginia, a red state that generally votes Republican.

The disadvantage of a Obama-Webb ticket lays in the mercurial personality of Senator Webb, which includes a massive temper. Senator Webb once opined that he would have liked to punch out the President of the United States. President Bush's offense? He asked Senator Webb about how the Senator's son, serving in Iraq, was doing. George Will, a columnist who is no friend of President Bush's, pronounced Senator Webb to be a boor. The potential for embarrassing gaffes and other spectacles on the campaign trail would have the media drooling with anticipation,

Perhaps a better alternative for Barack Obama would be Ted Strickland as a running mate. He is a popular governor of a swing state, Ohio, that Obama must win if he is to beat John McCain in the election. Strickland's signature issues are health care and education. He is also a Hillary Clinton supporter, thus choosing Strickland would be a way to reach across to the Clinton wing of the Democrat Party.

There are, of course, a number of other possible candidates for a Obama headed ticket. One possibility would be governor of Arizona Janet Napolitano, whose appeal would include being a woman, and thus perhaps attractive to Hillary Clinton Supporters, and being from John McCain's home state, thus a gutsy, bold move to choose her.

Other possibilities include Senator Bill Nelson of Florida, Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, a swing state, Governor Phil Bredesen of Tennessee, and Senator Mark Pryor of Arkansas. An outside the box choice, however, would be to go for someone who is not currently and office holder, but is well respected. An example might be a corporate CEO or a former cabinet member.

As always with a Vice Presidential pick, Barack Obama has to balance the possible gains with possible embarrassment. It's a truism that a running mate can't help very much in a general election, but can be very damaging. A good running mate, though, can be a great asset in governing in the modern Presidency, where a Vice President is often a kind of Chief Operating Officer. Dick Cheney in the current administration is a prime example.
Sources: Obama's Top VP Choices: Jim Webb, Ted Strickland, Newsmax
Webb conveys the message of a boor, George Will, November 30th, 2006