Mindless Speculation

...at least I really hope so. The latest name to emerge in the VP guessing game is that of Mass. Senator John Kerry- all because there's a 'veterans theme' for the night that the VP nominee is expected to address the convention, and Kerry's a former Vietnam Vet. I think the Obama Campaign has already gone on the record saying that it could just be a coincidence- veterans are important, after all- especially in America today- but still, Kerry's emerged from the pack in recent day and is scaring a lot of people absolutely shitless. Me included.

It's not that I don't like John Kerry (I don't- I thought he was a lousy candidate in 2004 and voted for Badnarik because I could stomach voting for anyone else.) it's that Obama is under a tremendous amount of pressure. Vacations are necessary, I know- but neither he nor McCain has had a good summer, but while Obama was in Hawaii, McCain had the advantage by making somewhat bellicose and occasionally intelligent pronouncements on the crisis in Georgia.

Make no mistake: this choice is the most important choice Obama will make. Period. If he screws it up, it could cost him the election- especially given how tenacious McCain is appearing to be. This one is shaping up to be a close one- unless someone makes a VP choice or does something to change the dynamic- the next big thing would be VP choices.

I think some Senators could be tempting for Obama- Biden has lots of FP experience, for one- I don't know what people are thinking with Evan Bayh- and then there's Hillary Clinton. But, at the same time I know that this country doesn't elect Senators. The last Senator to get elected was LBJ in 1964 (which makes this election kind of historic again- because either way, that's a dry spell for the Senate that ends this November.) And it's for that reason I think that Obama could be well-served by a Governor. Rendell of PA, Bresden of TN, Kaine of VA, Strickland of OH, Sebelius of KS, Napolitano of AZ would all be fantastic choices. I know with the latter two, the danger is that Hillary supporters would bolt in a fit of... I don't know- sour grapes? I do think the argument that there's no other woman qualified for VP except Hillary is one that I find to be insulting and degrading to women- and someone should have shouted that particular bit of idiocy down a long time ago.

McCain has some advantages that Obama does not: he can wait to see what Obama will do and react to it. That'll be key. If it's perceived that Obama has made a totally disastrous choice, then McCain might be able to play it safe (Romney)- but if it's perceived that Obama made a good choice, then the pressure's on. There are tempting targets for McCain too- Pawlenty of MN, Huckabee of AS, Palin of AK would be a trifecta of Governors that would be interesting choices. But McCain has a bit more pressure, because his VP choice has to be ready to take over on Day 1- that's a question for most VP candidates, but an especially important one for McCain.

But anyway- hopefully this will be over soon. But please no to Kerry.