Obama's running mate

ARTICLE: Kaine in 'Serious' Talks With Obama, By Michael D. Shear and Shailagh Murray, Washington Post, July 29, 2008; Page A01

For electoral college-winning reasons, seems like Kaine will be the best Obama pick, but does that address the various "risk" issues for him, or is the choice too narrow?

Comments

[Brent Grace]

I think being a V.P. is a lot like being a doctor; you must first do no harm. Kaine is a solid choice who does no harm, he's not known for being prone to gaffes and/or controversial statements and he has a reputation as a capable govenor. I think Obama's smart to avoid the temptation to take a riskier choice such as Hagel or Webb even though those guys make better guests on Meet the Press.

At the end of the day, Obama will have to answer any questions the public has about him. He'll have to stand next to McCain and win the argument. My sense, after seeing his performance overseas, is that he dosen't need a lot of help and all he has to do with his V.P. pick is choose a competent politician. If he looses, it won't be because he picked Tim Kaine.

[William R. Cumming.]

Kaine is smart tough political operative but not really fully successful in dealing with the opposition in VA. He is my governor and voted for him. Proof is in the pudding with a POL and not much pudding here. Needed for Obama someone with rich foreign policy and national security experience who regardless of past is not a militarist. I still like Hagel for background and ability to reason through issues during his time in Senate. Calm cool and collected even under fire probably the result of that Combat Infrantry Badge.

[Mystery Meat]

My money is on Dennis Kucinich.

[Anonymous]

Mystery Meat: i'll take that bet. how much are we talking about? ;-)

[Michael]

I agree with Brent's statement about doing no harm, but there are a couple other considerations that I can see.1) How would the potential VP candidates do as President of the Senate?2) If something happens to Obama (or to McCain if we looked at that side of the equation), would this guy be an adequate President of the USA?