Reply #38: Obama is better off with a war hero, or someone who can carry a big state [View All]

Personally I'm torn right now between 2 'ideal' VP picks for Obama.

-Ted Strickland, Governor of Ohio.
Pros: If you look at the polls, Obama has been up and down in PA by a few points over the last few months, and we won PA the last like 4 presidential elections. Ohio however, I don't think I've ever seen Obama ahead of McCain in, but he is very close to McCain (behind by 1 or 2 percent), and an Ohio native on the ticket could help win us 20 electoral votes, and rob McCain of those 20 votes. Plus no Republican has ever won the Whitehouse without Ohio.

Cons: I don't know much about the guy, so I'm not sure about what drawbacks he could have, other then the fact that he was just elected like 15 months ago. Also it could put the governor's mansion in danger for us in Ohio, but I think we all agree that the presidency is more important then a governorship. Another problem to picking Ted is that I don't think he really helps protect Obama on any issues by bringing a bunch of experience on it with him.

-Any war hero/general (maybe Wes Clark)
Pros: Helps shield Obama from the argument that he's inexperienced in a dangerous world where evil terrorists might attack us at any moment.

Cons: Most war heroes and generals don't have much (if any) political experience, and experience campaigning. It's also hard to say if a guy who has never run for statewide office can carry their state.

I've noticed a few people here have suggested Bill Richardson, I can see the pros to that, he'd carry New Mexico (where Obama is behind by a few percent right now), and would help with the Hispanic vote. The only cons to it are that New Mexico isn't worth a lot (only 5 EVs), and I don't think he can protect Obama from charges of stuff like weak on defense (or other charges) with his political experience.