Tim Kaine is getting major play for the Democrats, and perhaps Charlie Christ is fading a bit for the Republicans. We know so little, but a few thoughts down the home stretch:
1. Virginia is a giant state for the Democrats, and they have Jim Webb, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine to look at as VEEP nominees.
2. Evan Bayh makes the case for change in some cases, a young, fresh face. But, he is also a former Indiana Gov, now Senator, with a family tradition in politics.
3. Mitt Romney has been purely vetted but lacks the WOW John McCain may need. And, does he help shore-up the conservative base.
4. The Republicans have several young unknowns who could add excitement to the ticket, such as Tim Pawlenty. However, is the country ready for an unknown to complement McCain? Wouldn't the country feel better on a familiar face?
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AP reports Senator Obama is looking at John Edwards and Sam Nunn. A few thoughts:
1. Obama and Edwards were electric on the stage together. A strong "brand" message of youth, momentum and chemistry. Edwards needs no national introduction. He has been in that role of VP nominee before. Many feels he is qualified to replace Senator Obama in an emergency. But, in 2004, Senator Edwards was difficult to manage. And he and Senator Kerry did not tie-in well together.
2. Sam Nunn will be 70, has stature, experience, a strong influence. He is the mature presence. He has been out of public life for nearly 10 years. A modertate Democrat, differs with Senator Obama on social issues. Could be a steady influence and may help with the deep south.
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Now that Senator Obama is the presumptive nominee, we turn our attention to the races for VEEP.
1. No way can it become Hillary Clinton. Having "3" Presidents in office would make the White House a carnival of fun (Barack, Hillary and Bill). Senator Obama needs to demonstrate his strength, and allowing Senator Clinton and former President Clinton to campaign alongside him (or all over him) during the campaign is a stretch. Can you imagine message management during the campaign? It does not sing the change brand, nor does it help Obama much in November.
2. People love Jim Webb. The Senator from Virginia-Southern, Conservative, Low Key, Experienced, Former Military, Former Republican. But Senator Webb is a bit of an unknown, and Mr. Obama is also an unknown. Can the Democrats afford to introduce two new players on the national scene? That has been done before--in 1976 Carter/Mondale were relative newcomers to the national stage. Mr. Webb has the credentials. His more thoughtful, analytic approach could help him stay in the shadows when campaigning from August-November.
3. The selections will happen in August. This selection should happen 2-3 weeks before the conventions. This allows both McCain and Obama serious time to introduce themselves more fully to the public and iron-out their campaign strategies for the fall. Any sooner, and the candidates themselves lose time to introduce their meaning. With a 2-3 week entry to the convention, it allows the media plenty of time to review the VEEP candidates and their credentials and also allows time for the campaigns to roll-out the two VEEP nominees and their partners as they head to the conventions. (Bus tour, anybody?)
4. The excitement of the selections are far more important than the selections, themselves. The funny part of this--more excitement and conjecture around the choices, and, after they are picked, it all dies down. Once the election is over, it trickles to a stall, and the VP goes behind the scenes and the President and his team takes over. We love gossip, and that is where we are now. Who many it be? TBD.
5. John McCain has the tough choice. Mr. McCain needs to find somebody articulate and exciting to drive the message home: The Republican party is alive and well, innovative with opportunity. Woops. Nobody in the GOP quite fills that bill.
-Dan Coen, VicePresidents.com, VicePresidents1@Yahoo.com
