VP game continues, this time for Hillary

By Jay Warren
WSLS10 Anchor
Published: February 15, 2008

Okay, it’s time now for a look at the Democrats and the possible VP nominees. Since there are still two candidates with a realistic shot at the nomination in the race, I’ll give my thoughts on who would be best for each individual candidate. Today, I’ll outline the possibility for Sen. Clinton. Tomorrow I’ll tackle Sen. Obama’s list.

And as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

In my opinion Sen. Clinton needs someone outside of Washington, DC as her running mate. She has a fairly long DC resume, so a governor would likely be her best bet (and you’ll notice a lot of governors on my list). Given her experience message, she doesn’t have to have an “old hand” to provide credibility on her ticket. So, I would expect to see a younger politician possibly from the Southwest or Midwest. Also, Sen. Clinton would make history as our first female president. As such she is highly unlikely to pick a woman as her running mate. But her participation in this process might make it more likely that either Barack Obama or John McCain would pick a woman.

Here’s her list:
- Former General Wes Clark: He’s an early Clinton backer and would carry instant credibility on military issues.
- OH Gov. Ted Strickland: He has DC experience but is currently the highly popular governor of a swing state that the Democrats will likely need to win the electoral college in 2008. He backed Hillary early on and has been a loud voice on her behalf in OH and surrounding states. If he delivers OH by large margins, look for his stock to rise.
- FL Sen. Bill Nelson: He comes from a swing state, backed Clinton at a critical time, and would help with moderate/independent voters
- IN Sen. Evan Bayh: He has won five statewide contests in a deep red state including two terms as its governor. Further, he was once a candidate for president, but endorsed Clinton after he dropped out and has been a vocal supporter since. He looks good on camera, would help with moderate/independent voters, and might help win over some of the Midwestern states like OH and IN
- Former IA Gov. Tom Vilsack: He carries some of the same plusses that Bayh does including having endorsed Hillary after dropping out of the presidential race, coming from a swing state, helping with moderate voters, executive experience and no DC hit on his resume. But, he is lacking in charisma and name recognition.
- NM Gov. Bill Richardson: Richardson is well known to the Clintons having served in former President Clinton’s cabinet. He has one of the best resumes around and now carries the special distinction of not living inside the Beltway. He’s Hispanic and lives in a key, swing state. But, he has yet to endorse Hillary after dropping his own presidential bid and there are reports that his hesitancy is angering Bill Clinton. Plus, he didn’t do very well on the stump or in the voting booth while running for president.
- WV Gov. Joe Manchin: He has executive experience, is popular in a state that has been trending red in presidential races, and can appeal to other Southern states. Most importantly, he may be able to deliver a state and its electoral votes.
- PA Gov. Ed Rendell: He was an early backer of Hillary and if he delivers his state in the must-win PA primary for Hillary, he may just save her campaign. Plus he lives outside the Beltway and has executive experience. Finally, PA is a swing state that is almost always close. It’s voted Democrats in the past few elections, but not by much.
- MD Gov. Martin O’Malley: He endorsed Clinton in the important MD primary. While he didn’t deliver the state, he is still a popular governor who is young, charismatic and doesn’t live in the Beltway. He’s a long shot, but shouldn’t be overlooked.
- Longshots to keep an eye on: OK Gov. Brad Henry, TN Gov. Phil Bredesen, NC Mike Easley, CO Sen. Ken Salazar, CO Gov. Bill Ritter, former NE Sen. Bob Kerrey, MT Gov. Brian Schweitzer, NM Sen. Jeff Bingaman.