I like Richardson immensely, but I agree with an earlier poster that the great unwashed would probably choke on a ticket that has two brown faces.
Likewise, I’m not sure if Sibelius would be any more advantagous in that regard…black man and a woman? One or the other would be a huge advancement on so many levels…but both may just be overkill and too much to expect of the less-than-tolerant electorate.
Hillary, IMHO, is just not a consideration, the woman factor aside. I don’t think she’s cut out to be a second banana, nor do I believe she brings any more significant experience to the table. Her history in re: universal healthcare would have some screaming socialized medicine and high taxes while, in reality, at this point, she would be the least likely of the two to bring meaningful reform of the system to bear. I also think it’s been evidenced that the populace either loves her or hates her, and I would bet a good number of swing voters fall into the latter category. Btw, I voted for her in the primary. Just tryin’ to keep it real. And could you just imagine a HObama bumper sticker?
Kaine, pro-life?..meh. Edwards–if, in fact, he’s been slinking around with a mistress and subsequently lied about it, he’s history. Otherwise, credibility already suspect…meh. Lieberman? Militantly pro-Israel. May as well just paint a target on the Executive Office Building.
I like Ed Rendell and believe his talents have been greatly underestimated or underreported. A former DA, when he was elected Mayor of Philly (also dubbed America’s Mayor by a major media publication–I believe it was Time mag), that City could not get so much as junk bond status. What he did there was nothing short of miraculous: balanced budget, improved services, spurred the creation of a privately funded business improvement district for Center City with wonderful results as well as the building of a state-of-the-art convention center, negotiated brilliantly with City unions, and brought new business into the City including a European ship-building firm that brought back manufacturing jobs to the Philly Navy Yard shut down by Congress. Now, as Pennsylvania’s governor, he runs the only state that continues to have significant job growth. The man is truly an economic development whiz–and, the war aside, it really is about the economy, stupid. Oh, and his wife is a well-regarded federal judge. Sure doesn’t hurt. Also can’t factor out the importance of Pennsy bringing in a win in for the dems.
On the downside, much like the brown/brown and black man/female issue, Rendell is Jewish and someone who could be regarded with fear by the same demographics that fear women and people of color. Since Obama has made his position on Israel clear, I don’t know that Rendell would add anything there. Also…and it’s unfortunate that this even matters…he also does not look vice presidential. While he has tons of charisma, the bad hair and rumpled suits give a very skewed impression of the man. And he also has a history of shooting from the hip in re: the media and tends to be very outspoken (as Chairman of the DNC, he had a few foot in mouth moments, and as noted below), and rumors of his dalliances have circulated locally for years. He wouldn’t lie a la Clinton; he’d probably say, it’s no one’s fucking business.
But since choices are made based upon political considerations even more than the potential candidates capacity to get the job done, I’m calling it Richardson as the potential veep with the fewest “nay” factors.
In an ideal world, Gore would change his mind.
