Power And Dollar

Obama started looking for a VP.  A VP is supposed to complement the candidate.  One constituency that Obama needs help, as showcased by the media, is white blue collar voters.  If Obama sees this a need, then Edwards could have been a possible running mate.  However, Edwards decreased his chances by his own actions.  Or inactions. 

Had Edwards endorsed and campaigned for Obama earlier, say before the Pennsylvania’s primary, then Edwards may have been able prevent Clinton’s victory there and closed the deal then and there.  And Edwards held his cards.  Did Edwards have doubts about the race issue?  Now that Edwards endorsed so late in the game, his influence in the VP search is probably minimized.  However, Edwards has publicly said he is not interested at being a VP.  And that probably is a wise choice on Edwards’ part.  

Does Obama need help to cover the white women group, a core constituency group of Clinton?  If Pelosi sensed that could have been a weakness of Obama and that Pelosi showed any emotions of disappointment with the reporters, then she might have had hoped of being on the ticket.  

Obama may also want to have a state governor on the ticket simply because Obama is a senator who is known to be a good orator, not a debater and no inxperience in executive.  And if that is the case, then the list has 28 people.  Of those, 5 are women. 

Geographically, Obama will want someone from the South.  Yes, that comes back to Edwards again.  However, Obama knows he needs to cast a wider net and get a bigger pool. Kansas governor is Sebelius, the southern most state with a female governor. 

If Obama is concerned with the “Angry White Men”, then he would be looking for a blue collar swing state male governor.  Now, this is a short list.

Does Obama need help to cover the Hispanics voters?  Bill Richardson will come into mind.  And he is a governor who has served the federal government.  In particular, he served the Energy Department.  So he has experience with nuclear security issues.  That would boast his chances.  Since Richardson is already 60 years old, his senior age can help elevate some of the concerns that Obama is too young.

How does Clinton play in this game?  What can Clinton offer?  A Clinton was a lightning rod prior to 2008, either because of Mrs. Clinton herself or Mr. Clinton.  Clinton does not have a war chest.  Even if she has, Obama is not short of campaign funds.  Clinton does not have southern roots to balance Obama’s weakness other than her Arkansas days.  Clinton has a campaign machine.  However, the Democrat establishment is increasingly going toward Obama.  How much this campaign machine is worth will soon become a question, not too different than the value of Yahoo to Microsoft.  Is this a tactic of Obama, similar to what Microsoft is doing to Yahoo?  Probably not.  Obama may have enough chips now to move on.  Obama probably is more fearful to the damage Clinton may give to him than the values Clinton can offer.