Obama will be making a big mistake picking his VP based upon what states he/she may "deliver."

[onetwo]

Don't forget that he'll have to live with his pick for eight long years.

[Pirate Smile]

1. He is smart. He will make a smart pick. Don't worry about it.

[Blondiegrrl]

4. I totally agree. I have the utmost confidence that he'll make a smart, informed choice. n/t

[BlooInBloo]

2. Your concern is noted.

[mcctatas]

3. Dually noted...

;)

[TexasObserver]

5. First, he wants someone up to the job of president, and second, he wants someone trustworthy

After that, competency, and after that, ability to help Obama win some states.

[TahitiNut]

6. Don't forget "no drama."

I get the distinct impression Obama won't sell out in this one.

[TexasObserver]

8. definitely No Drama for Obama

The VP cannot be a distraction or a threat of a distraction.

[Genevieve]

10. Agree -- absolutely "no drama". nt

[JohnnyCougar]

7. When was the last time a VP actually helped deliver a state?

I think that's a myth. Cheney, Edwards, Lieberman, Gore, Kemp, Quayle, Bensten, Feraro....

None of them helped deliver a state, and I don't think anyone even expected them to deliver a state. I mean, I guess you could say Mondale helped Carter win Minnesota in 1980, but that's the last time anyone has tried that and it worked.

I wouldn't put someone on the ticket just to help win a state. Put someone on the ticket that makes the ticket strong nationally.

[Beregond2]

9. I agree completely.

When has a VP pick ever delivered regional votes? He needs to choose someone who shares his goals and values, and who would make a good president. Period.

[muryan]

11. He's going to pick based on the same reasons any future president picks a running mate

How they help shape the electoral map is part of the process.

[onetwo]

12. IMO, if he picks the right guy/gal for the job, votes will follow.

The fact of the matter is that, barring people like you and me who pay insanely close attention to this stuff, most people don't know a thing about any of these VP short-listers. Obama is being held to a higher standard than the usual presidential candidate -- it is especially important that he get someone that effectively reinforces his message rather than select his VP based upon an electoral map strategy.

I posted a thread yesterday about coming around to the idea of HRC as VP, but that was based primarily on "18 million votes!" and not actual compatibility. Because of the near-unanimous negative response to the idea, I spent some time researching the frontrunners. Webb gets a decent amount of love here (we want VA), but he has a potential misogyny problem and he left me cold after watching him on Youtube. Sebelius seems like a good alternative to Hillary; she would be my #1 if she were not so... bland on the stump. Kaine is another who didn't quite pass the charisma test. I stumbled upon Brian Schweitzer on this forum, and, well, he has to be the guy! Excellent ideas, simple and straightforward where Obama can sometimes be elaborate and professorial, reaches demographics with whom Obama currently struggles, AUTHENTIC and CHARISMATIC. But only 3 electoral votes in his home state, and he might not even "deliver" them! ;)

If I were on that 3 person Obama VP search-and-vet team, Schweitzer would be at the very top of the list. Is someone out there listening???

[cooolandrew]

13. I think Clark has shown regret and Napolitano was already a surrogate. The senate is a no, no as...

change is through senate seats. The more senate seats the more change we can expect.