Here's a very nice couple of posts on the VP slot. Neil Sinhabau actually makes a good case for Edwards and a good case against Webb, I'm sorry to say. I'm starting to think that Edwards may be the best choice, but last week I thought it was McCaskill, so who knows with me. Check it out.
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Thanks for linking! Veepstakes is the kind of issue where everybody has opinions, so it's quite flattering when someone thinks my opinions are worth linking to.
Hi Neil,
I loved your veep list.
Personally (not that my opinion matters to anyone important), I'd dig any of the picks you have up there on your shortlist, except Edwards. I don't think he's all that, and it's too much of a "safe" choice. Every time we Dems make the "safe" choice, we lose. Also, he's tied to Kerry's failed run.
I think Sebelius, Brown and Schweitzer are all really interesting choices. I also think Webb is a great choice in several ways (tho I don't know his comments on women in the military ... I'm afraid to ask...if he said something sexist I think that might make it harder to bring HIllary supporters back into the fold.) Napolitano would also be a fun choice. How entertaining it would be if Arizona was in play.
I think picking an unknown veep is a plus. Makes it more interesting. Which would then fuel some media profiles + water cooler talk, if the Veep has an interesting bio like your picks do. And Obama was unknown until 4 years ago -- part of his appeal, people are fascinated that he came out of nowhere. I think his veep should be as fresh of a voice as him. The country's ready for some new faces to get acquainted with.
Who do you think McCain will pick? I'd guess Charlie Crist of Florida. Though I still pray for Mittens. Pleeeze, pleeeze pick Mittens, John! That would make the debates even more awesome than they're going to be now. Can't wait to see McCain lose his temper on camera.
Regarding the issue of safe choices, I agree that strategic timidity has been a big problem for us in the past. But "Don't do the safe thing!" is as bad a principle as "Do the safe thing!" The game is all about taking good risks and avoiding bad ones.
And if you want a bold Democrat, I'd offer Edwards as a great example. Here's the guy who came out with a crazy awesome health care plan that moved the debate to the left, and lots of other bold policy proposals throughout the past campaign. Strategic timidity is not his problem.
I really don't have a good sense for how things work on the GOP side, since I don't have as clear a view of the candidates. But I agree that Romney would be a delightful VP pick.
You laid out the cases very well--though I'd love to have seen your take on McCaskill. I'm assuming her resume is just too thin. Breuk, I'll post the Webb comments later--they're quite frightening.