Possible Barack Obama Running Mates

Not much press has been given to the potential candidates of the Democratic frontrunners in this primary season, possibly due to all the press given all the dirt being flung by reporters and candidates alike. Who could get a word in edgewise through that swirling mudstorm? About the only mention of running mates has been by deadline-driven reporters and euphoric Democrat-oriented bloggers of a "dream team," the quintessential matchup of Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, a suggestion that has been relegated to an argument over one candidate's marginalization and fealty to the other.

But who would make a good running mate for Barack Obama, if he holds on to his delegate lead at the Democratic National Convention in Denver and becomes the party choice for president? Who is best suited to be his vice-president and a potential replacement? Who would make his candidacy for president stronger by their inclusion on the ballot in November?

The first name that emerges, of course, is that of Senator Hillary Clinton. Having resorted to attack politics to remain a very close second in the delegate count for the Democratic presidential nomination, some see Clinton as Obama's only real choice as vice-president to heal the divided party. Senator Clinton brings with her a lifetime of political experience and that awesome Clinton political machine, not to mention Bill Clinton, who is still a much beloved figure among Democrats. She would also bring with her considerable baggage (scandals and controversies and, well, her husband, the former president) that might become a problem for Obama when the Democrats go head-to-head with the crushingly brutal GOP spinning machine. And given the bitterness with which many conservatives view the former First Lady, she may be more of a distraction and political liability, costing the Illinois senator precious votes with moderates and independents, than the Obama campaign can handle. Still, Senator Clinton would be a powerful ally if Obama is elected president.

The second name that appears without too much prompting is that of John Edwards. Edwards is probably Senator Obama's best bet for vice-president simply due to the fact that he appeals to the white male blue-collar American, a demographic that Obama has been failing to swing his way. Before he dropped out of the race, Edwards had garnered considerable union support (and unions are excellent campaign machines themselves), not to mention plenty of attention for his programs to help the poor (which align nicely with Obama's platform). The former North Carolina senator does not bring with him all that baggage that Senator Clinton would, either. And his wife, Elizabeth Edwards, is immensely popular with women in her demographic, which is the single most largest voting bloc going into the elections in November. Edwards is probably the only person that Obama could choose that would potentially nearly heal the racial rift that has grown in the Democratic Party in the past several months. About the only thing detrimental to the Obama campaign that Edwards might carry with him is his association with the unsuccessful campaign of the John Kerry-John Edwards Democratic ticket in 2004. (But, since most people, look at that election as a colossal misjudgment on the part of the American voting public...)

Third on the list would have to be New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. Richardson has the most diverse and extensive public service record of any of the former candidates for president, having served as ambassador to the United Nations, a congressman (14 years), the Secretary of Energy under President Bill Clinton, and chaired both the 2004 Democratic National Convention and the Democratic Governors Association (2005 and 2006). There is little to no baggage associated with Richardson, although his stance on immigration could be a target for Republican spinners (but Obama's stance is nearly the same). Richardson could also possibly lock in the Hispanic vote (Richardson himself is Hispanic), which has become increasingly critical in southwestern states and several urban populations throughout the nation as well. After telling Melissa Etheridge that being gay was a choice, he might have to go on Ellen a few times to curry the gay vote, but if that is the least of Obama's worries, November should be a lock for an Obama-Richardson ticket.

Senator Joe Biden would make a good choice for vice-president as well. The Delaware senator would give the Obama campaign that much-needed experience credibility, especially with regard to foreign policy (he is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee), an area for which Obama has taken some criticism. Biden has represented Delaware since 1972 in the U.S. Senate, so has considerable political leverage. He is also on the Senate Judiciary Committee and chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs. On the downside, Biden is also considered a hothead and has been involved in a few gaffes and minor scandals, which could give the Republican spinners some ammunition.

Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd is also a strong possibility for Senator Obama's running mate. Dodd was the first of the former Democratic candidates to endorse Obama. Dodd would bring to the Obama camp a quarter century of foreign relations work (he is currently a senior committeeman on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee). Known as the "Children's Senator," Dodd has done extensive work promoting education, especially education geared towards the very young. He has been named the "Senator of the Decade" by the National Head Start Association and helped enact the Family and Medical Leave Act. What Senator Dodd would bring to the Obama camp is years of experience and no baggage. The problem might be Dodd's relative low profile over the years. But, given the high visibility (and not necessarily good visibility) of some of the potential running mates, this might be exactly what the Obama campaign might want.

And there are others. Former candidates and long-term senators and congressmen. But these five politicians have to be at the top of Senator Obama's list of potential running mates. All of them would give Obama credibility in the experience department (except maybe Edwards, who might be able to make that up in charisma alone), which many of his detractors often touch upon as reason to not nominate or elect him. Of them all, Senator Clinton would probably hurt Obama more than help but might become his only option through political maneuvering at the Democratic National Convention.

This writer would love to see Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel chosen. Being a moderate Republican and a having decades of experience in government, Hagel could potentially pull many of the conservative voters who are unhappy with the John McCain candidacy. Hagel would also be the perfect solution to those Democratic Party voters who say they will desert the party if Obama gains the nomination. There would be those who would call it a gimmick, but it must be remembered that this nation began with a president and a vice-president who were the top vote receivers and, most likely as not, political enemies. Hagel's extensive knowledge in foreign affairs (he is also on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee) would answer Obama's foreign relations and experience critics. The Senator has announced that he will not seek reelection as Nebraska's senator but he might reconsider public service if the position were important enough. This would also lend credence to the Obama claim that he is a diplomatic "uniter."

Barack Obama will probably be the Democratic Party's nominee for president of the United States. Given this, his running mate must be someone that does not distract from his message of unity, diplomacy, change, and domestic and foreign policy realignment. His running mate will also have to be someone whose political and personal past will not distract or detract from his campaign. In a presidential election that looks as if it might come down to the wire, where every vote will become a major vote, Senator Obama's decision is not a light one. It could be the most important decision of his political career and the difference between whether he becomes the next president of the United States or remains the junior senator from the state of Illinois.

Sources:

billrichardsonforpresident.com

HillaryClinton.com

johnedwards.com

biden.senate.gov

chrisdodd.com

hagel.senate.gov