This is the year of the "VP", the selection of the VP will determine the election.

IMO, The VP selection for both parties will account for at least 25% of the total vote in the Nov GE.

This will be the first real test of whether Obama can unite the party by inviting his strongest Democratic rival to be on the ticket, to show her supporters that he cares about them, too.

we've now got a new concept to introduce to the clinton supporters

1) your candidate will not be the democratic nominee (we've known this for what, 2-3 months?)
2) your candidate will not be selected by obama for the vp slot. (we've been saying this for what, 1-2 months?)

sorry guys, clinton got beat bad early in the campaign. she lost. she won't be on the ticket. it's sad but one of them had to lose. clinton lost.

But it's obvious that many Obama supporters here don't care about that -- they'd rather lose the GE than have Clinton on the ticket.

She didn't get beaten badly, either, and if the situation were reversed, Obama's supporters would be insisting that he should be on the ticket. Not that they'd need to insist, because she's smart enough to recognize the importance of a coalition, and strong enough not to feel threatened by his popularity and strength. And mature enough to look beyond heated campaign rhetoric.

If he ISN'T wise enough to ask her to be the VP, maybe it's best if she's clear of what could turn out to be a train wreck.

Though it's obvious from this forum that many of his supporters would whine that she caused him to lose, even if he disses her and her supporters by not asking her to be on the ticket.

hillary wins pa, wv =/= hillary wins GE

She needs to make some overtures, like say 'I would be honored to serve if asked' or some such thing.

If Obama does ask her, and she rebuffs him - it will be a huge sign to her core supporters not to back him. So far she's not mentioned anything about wanting the VP slot, so it's risky for BO.

Not so important for McCain as long as he picks someone mainstream. I hope he picks Romney, by the way. I've heard so many moderate republicans and independents say they won't vote for McCain if he picks Romney. They think he's too conservative and don't like him. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

and his perceived health issues.

I forgot about that. He's not exactly a "traditional" candidate either. ;)

Ironically then I think Clinton's VP would have been the least significant our of the 3. She would've had a lot of freedom to pick someone.

Back to the Talking Points Barrel with that one, Hill

Inquiring minds want to know.

which is why the V.P. selections will be based upon certain swing states, not an overall national appeal.

Dems win in landslide