Obama's Vice President Choice Will Come Down to Geography
Norman Ornstein thinks Obama will choose someone from a delegate-rich state that he lost in the primary and McCain could look for wealth
Should Barack Obama clinch the Democratic nomination, his choice of a running mate most likely will be governed by geography—where he stands to gain the most votes. That might make him tap someone like former Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia. Or he could turn to delegate-rich states where he lost primaries and go with Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, or Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana. So says election-watcher Norman J. Ornstein, who pointed out that these men, as Hillary Clinton supporters, bring extra benefit because they could help Obama unite the Democratic Party.
John McCain, on the other hand, is likely to be at a significant disadvantage to Obama in raising campaign cash, so a megarich running mate might be in order, Ornstein said. "When I look at the short list of vice presidential candidates for John McCain, I've got 450 million reasons to put Mitt Romney at the top of that list. Several billion reasons to explain why he (McCain) had breakfast the other day with Mike Bloomberg, and why Carly Fiorina is not the woman on his list, but Meg Whitman."
Bloomberg, the mayor of New York, made his fortune by founding a financial news and information company. Fiorina is the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, and Whitman is the former CEO of eBay; both are prominent Silicon Valley supporters and fundraisers for McCain. Why Whitman, not Fiorina? "The eBay money," Ornstein observed, "is a whole lot more than the Hewlett-Packard money." Ornstein spoke Thursday on a panel about elections at the American Enterprise Institute, where he is a resident scholar.
Reader Comments
VP
Jim Webb made it clear he did not want to be the VP. Obama and Jim Webb would have been a "Wonderful Team" for the people and our country, unfortunately Webb said he was not intrested in this position. I will stand behind Obama regardless of who he chooses, I hope you will as well, "AMERICANS" can not withstand another 'FOUR YEARS' of Republicans robbing them blind.
vp for Obama
Obama is a force all his own, and if he chooses an individual he thinks American famlies can relate to such as Evan Bayh of Indiana he can not go wrong, he will need a no non-sense V.P. to sercure his win. I will vote for him regardless of who he chooses, stand by him and "OUR COUNTRY" will succeed!!!
Obama/Nelson
Florida can be won by Democrats but the Senator from Indiana would not help, Hillary Clinton had her chance, Senator Obama could win Florida by simply selecting Bill Nelson. (about one year ago Senator Obama visited Bill Nelson at his home)
Don't be surprised by an Obama/Nelson....I would be shocked if Obama/Clinton ...and I would leave the 48 states if Obama/Gore happens....I would rather shovel snow until the Globe warming happens.
If McCain selects Lieberman it means McCain feels weak and is afraid he will lose Florida. (a Republican state)
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