VP speculations

August 20, 2008

I just want to go publicly on the record in saying that I think tomorrow Barack Obama is going to surprise all of us with his VP announcement. Increasingly, I am thinking he needs to dramatically alter the narrative trajectory of this race before story lines begin to harden. In order to do that he needs to choose a VP who will create waves. Announcing Hillary or Gore would certainly do that although I’m not sure how realistic either of those possibilities are at this point in time. I am underwhelmed by Bayh, impressed by Biden, and skeptical of Kaine’s inexperience. I am increasingly thinking Hillary wouldn’t be such a bad political move. Remember all that talk of being like Lincoln and seeking peace with your enemies? This might not be a bad place to start. I think questions about Obama’s inexperience are becoming more daunting which potentially neutralizes the “hope and change” element of his candidacy. The real strategic challenge is to counteract the inexperience charge with a VP choice who possesses the diplomatic/international experience to shore up the ticket without undercutting the message of transformation. This is why Gore or Hegel would be an interesting choice. Being overly conservative and choosing Bayh, I think, would be a real strategic blunder and a lost opportunity. But we shall have to wait until tomorrow, me thinks.

Posted by MATT Posted in Bi/Partisan Politics, Current Events, Posts by Matt