The Perfect Ticket: Barack Obama's Running Mate

As this year's democratic presidential primary enters April without a clear nominee, many columnists and prominent party officials are jumping ahead and speculating on matters which are usually not discussed until after a clear nominee emerges. Almost every news agency has run at least one article on possible running mates for either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. However, as it becomes more and more likely that Clinton will not catch Obama in delegates, the media is turning their attention to Obama's running mate--though many different Democrats have been mentioned as a vice-presidential candidate, five individuals stand out as the strongest running mates for an Obama ticket.

Bill Richardson is by no means an ordinary politician. He is the nation's only Hispanic governor, and many of his positions are far from the norm. Some say that Richardson will be viewed as unfaithful because he endorsed Obama after such a long relationship with Bill and Hillary Clinton, and yet others believe that a ticket with two "minority" candidates will find it hard to win in November. However, these disadvantages are small in comparison to the many benefits of an Obama-Richardson ticket. Richardson has much that Obama needs--he can draw in Hispanic votes, and after serving under Clinton as Ambassador to the U.N., he has more foreign policy experience than either Hillary Clinton or John McCain. Richardson's long political career as a state representative and later as New Mexico's governor make him one of the most experienced potential running mates. Most opponents would find it very hard to argue that an Obama-Richardson ticket lacks experience--this would be a welcome change for Obama, after the recent doubts of his foreign policy experience.

Not unlike Richardson, General Wesley Clark has extensive experience in the area of foreign policy. His military experience even surpasses that of McCain--he served in the military for over thirty years, and eventually became a four star general, winning numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Clark is a more conservative Democrat, which would help Obama win the crucial swing voters in states such as Ohio. His ties to the southern states and Baptist church would help Obama in his weakest areas. However, the fact that Clark has little experience in holding elected office, and the fact that he has endorsed Hillary Clinton are potential stumbling blocks.

One of Obama's most recent and important endorsements came from Senator Bob Casey Jr., making Casey a viable vice presidential nominee. Casey has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and as various positions in Pennsylvania state government, most recently as Treasurer. However, his experience is limited compared to most other possible nominees, and would most likely be used against him in the general election. Despite his lack of experience, he is able to attract votes from groups which Obama desperately needs to win over, such as white working-class citizens and blue-collar workers who, unlike young voters, have not flocked to Obama. Most importantly, Casey is conservative by Democratic standards--he opposes abortion and same sex marriage, which would definitely help to counter Obama's more liberal nature and help to deflect attacks from opponents.

Symbolically, his campaign ended in one of this nation's poorest and most devastated areas, Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans--John Edwards is a candidate of the people. Before dropping out of the race, he had the support of many rural voters and those hit hardest by the downturn of the nation's economy. Having a candidate on board who in fact won second place in Iowa's caucus, defeating Hillary Clinton, would help Obama win over that group of supporters, giving him an edge in the general election. Edwards has experience as a Senator from North Carolina and as a successful trial lawyer; however, he has less experience in government than Obama, which would only justify the claims that Obama is not qualified to be president. Edwards will, however, help Obama to win some souther, religious voters who typically vote for the Republican nominee.

Finally, one of the most likely vice presidential candidates, if Obama does indeed win the nomination, is none other than Hillary Clinton. As the primaries have shown, Clinton is immensely popular, surpassing every other possible running mate in both popularity and name recognition. Such an Obama-Clinton ticket would unite the Democratic party like no other, and would help Obama win over three groups crucial to his election as president: Hispanic voters, senior citizens, and blue-collar workers. Choosing her as a running mate might negate much of the claims she has made about his limited experience and sometimes questionable ethics and judgment. A ticket with not one, but two very strong candidates might be a once-in-a-century occurrence, and should certainly be considered because it could easily make the Democratic party stronger than ever in the midst of a troubled election year. However, the fact that Hillary is part of Washington's past which Obama is so sharply trying to distance himself from would force him to either change his campaign message of change, or risk being attacked as a hypocrite. Despite this, however, Hillary could help Obama with her experience in both domestic and foreign policy, and her appeal to a wide range of voters.

If Obama wins the nomination, as he most likely will, he will be faced with the dilemma of choosing a vice presidential nominee. A variety of factors will need to be considered, and he will most likely be choosing between politicians and leaders such as Bill Richardson, Wesley Clark, Bob Casey, John Edwards, and Hillary Clinton. These candidates will have the ability to fill in the gaps in his resume, and make him a strong candidate against John McCain in the general election. Though Obama is an inspiring, intelligent, and likable candidate, he will need a boost of momentum and influence, which will be provided by a strong vice presidential nominee.

Sources:
"John Edwards", Wikipedia.
"Bob Casey, Jr.", Wikipedia.
"Wesley Clark", Wikipedia.
"Bill Richardson", Wikipedia.
"List of Barack Obama presidential campaign endorsements", Wikipedia.