Plouffe: Obama wants “qualified” Veep
An uber-presser with journalists by Obama adviser Plouffe produced a key nugget of intel on the mindset going into Obama’s decision on a Veep. No names popped up, but Plouffe gave an indication of the direction that the candidate and his selection committee will be going in searching for a running-mate.
Responding to a reporter’s question, Plouffe said that Obama would choose someone “qualified to be president and someone who’ll be a partner in governing.”
“We certainly don’t want to pick someone who will hurt,” he said.
He then referred to President Bush’s choice of Dick Cheney as any example of a pick that didn’t help Bush politically but didn’t hurt him either.
And he noted that the pick of Al Gore didn’t help Bill Clinton win Tennessee in 1992; without Gore, Clinton would have won anyway.
So no outright regional panders like Bill Nelson or Tim Kaine (VA’s Webb is still in the mix on those “qualifications”)? Interesting to see if almighty Hillary is seen as something more than just a help in some of her states.
One name coming to mind that fits both a regional/state/demo draw and a “qualified” VP consideration is Evan Bayh. While his blatant willingness to accept the job is a bit unseemly (asked if he would accept a hypothetical Obama offer, Bayh flatly said “yes”), Bayh brings a solid and likable moderate to the ticket and would likely cement Indiana for the Dems.
Keep watching…
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Evan Bayhoo would be a good compromise if the Virginia VP contenders bow out for whatever reasons. He’s youthful, conservative enough without being too alienating to the (pseudo) left, white male, and I could see an interesting VP debate with Gov Pawlenty. Speaking of the gracious governor, Mrs. Pawlenty might be a bit embarassed by his (sex) joke-telling skills…
I guess Bayh is about as good as Obama could do, but he seems no match to McCain’s likely pick, Alaska Gov Sarah Palin.
If McCain select Gov Palin, wow, that may be a tough judgment call upon Obama (Clinton, hmmm……). The Conservative base would surely like that so they can rail against both in one fell swoop. As long as the polling show most registered Dem women siding with the Obama campaign, Obama may have extra wiggle room and take a closer look at the polling of Indepentent voters. As I noted in past, Independents, Undecideds, and Clinton Democrats (formerly Reagan Democrats) will probably decide the November election.