Possible Obama Vice-Presidential Picks

The names are flying as fast as the rhetoric. Whom Obama will bring to the dance this fall is a huge unanswered question. With the Democratic Convention less than a month away speculation on who will be number 2 is on everyone's minds.

The Frontrunners

Even Bayh

Evan Bayh, the Senator from Indiana is on everyone's short list, even Obama's Vice-Presidential vetting team, Caroline Kennedy and Eric Holder. The biggest reason that Bayh would be considered for the Vice-Presidential spot is to help deliver the Midwest vote. The last time a Democrat carried Indiana was in 1964. Since Bayh has popularity in his home state with blue collar workers, a demographic that Obama failed to attract, he can help in this voting block. A knock against him though is his liberal voting record in the Senate, almost as liberal as Obama's.

Jim Webb

Jim Webb, a Democratic Senator from Virginia is another front runner for Obama's Vice -Presidential spot. A U.S. Naval Acadamy grad, highly decorated Viet Nam vet and secretary of the Navy under Ronald Regan brings a trump card to McCain's military service to the ticket. His extensive background as a combat veteran and in the Washington bureaucracy is a feather in the cap. He has been an outspoken critic of Bush's handling of Iraq. His voting record in the Senate tags him as a left-leaning moderate. One big knock against him is that he can be his own man, set in his views. He resigned from the Regan Administration over a clash to cut the Navy. Though this can be an asset in some circles, one has to wonder whether this would bode well as Obama's Vice-Presidential candidate.

Dark Horses

Michael Bloomberg

A pick from New York, no, not Hillary but Michael Bloomberg, New York City's mayor, can possibly be Obama's pick for his Vice-Presidential spot. Bloomberg brings deep economic credentials, not only because he is a billionaire, but also for what he has done for New York City considering the fiscal restraints of a big city budget. Like Obama, he brings the appeal of a Washington outsider. His name was even thrown around as a viable third party candidate. The knock against Bloomberg as a Vice -Presidential candidate is how would he play to the blue collar, heartland voters that Obama had trouble with in the primaries.

Tim Kaine

Tim Kaine, Governor of Virginia was one of Obama's earliest supporters. Kaine can help in a state and even throughout the South where conservative, Republican politics play well to the voters. Kaine believes strongly in the Second Amendment, an issue that plays well in the heartland. He opposes abortion and is tough on crime. A more conservative Democrat than Obama, he would be a good choice to balance the ticket.