Spring Break
And on to the Running Mates…
Issue date: 1/8/08 Section: Opinion
With the presidential race winnowed to essentially three contenders, pundits have commenced speculatory musings over potential vice-presidential possibilities. The much-coveted position, which by popular maxim "nobody wants and nobody turns down," will undoubtedly be the source of heated national debate as we inch towards the general election.
For Senator Hillary Clinton, most experts believe her latitude of choice to be severely constrained by the success of her opponent Senator Barack Obama. Indeed, a ticket with Clinton at the top will necessarily entail Obama as a running mate, according to some, in order to repair and unite a party that has become more and more fractious as of late. There appears to be a greater choice for Senator Obama, who, as the present frontrunner, could little afford to accept a Clinton running mate and remain consistent in his message for change and deviation from the status-quo. Some oft-cited names in his corner include Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, Senator Jim Webb of Virginia, and even Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City. The Kansas Governor offers tremendous appeal and possibility for delivering a state that went solidly to Bush in 2004, and the new Virginian Senator Jim Webb boasts a remarkable military record including years as Navy Secretary, which may allay many concerns over Obama's national security credentials when juxtaposed with McCain's (Former NATO Commander General Wesley Clarke would contribute similarly on a Hillary ticket). Mayor Bloomberg would offer years of experience and knowledge in the national and global economy, boosting Obama's appeal in a time of economic uncertainty, not to mention a war chest of billions that could literally finance the entire campaign.
On the Republican side, pundits have fractured along the choice of whether to select a staunch conservative to ease the fears of the party's far right (though perhaps at the expense of attracting independents in the general election), or whether to focus more on an experienced veteran with strong name recognition given McCain's age and the real possibility of tapping into the line of succession. Some names currently being tossed around include Governor Sanford of South Carolina, Governor Crist of Florida, or perhaps rival candidate Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas.
For Senator Hillary Clinton, most experts believe her latitude of choice to be severely constrained by the success of her opponent Senator Barack Obama. Indeed, a ticket with Clinton at the top will necessarily entail Obama as a running mate, according to some, in order to repair and unite a party that has become more and more fractious as of late. There appears to be a greater choice for Senator Obama, who, as the present frontrunner, could little afford to accept a Clinton running mate and remain consistent in his message for change and deviation from the status-quo. Some oft-cited names in his corner include Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, Senator Jim Webb of Virginia, and even Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City. The Kansas Governor offers tremendous appeal and possibility for delivering a state that went solidly to Bush in 2004, and the new Virginian Senator Jim Webb boasts a remarkable military record including years as Navy Secretary, which may allay many concerns over Obama's national security credentials when juxtaposed with McCain's (Former NATO Commander General Wesley Clarke would contribute similarly on a Hillary ticket). Mayor Bloomberg would offer years of experience and knowledge in the national and global economy, boosting Obama's appeal in a time of economic uncertainty, not to mention a war chest of billions that could literally finance the entire campaign.
On the Republican side, pundits have fractured along the choice of whether to select a staunch conservative to ease the fears of the party's far right (though perhaps at the expense of attracting independents in the general election), or whether to focus more on an experienced veteran with strong name recognition given McCain's age and the real possibility of tapping into the line of succession. Some names currently being tossed around include Governor Sanford of South Carolina, Governor Crist of Florida, or perhaps rival candidate Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas.
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