I was doing some thinking about this earlier while watching Dean address an event concerning African-American history. Listening to Dean talk reminded me of his 2004 primary season campaign. This guy is really good! So, that got me all nostalgic and thinking "hmm.. maybe instead of trying the old 'get a Southerner to win a Southern state,' maybe we should try to get someone who can continue the Obama change movement beyond 8 years.
I originally said we should have John Edwards for VEEP, but he really brings nothing to the table that Obama doesn't, imho. Then I said maybe we should have Wes Clark, because he brings the so-called 'experience' that a President would need, plus he's a Clinton supporter (which could bridge the gap without having Clinton herself on the ticket!)
But now I've come to the conclusion that we definitely need a progressive democrat, someone who embodies change as VP -- for the long-term. Maybe that's Edwards because of his populism, it's certainly not Clinton - she's an undercover centrist very much like her centrist husband. So who then?
I think it's Dean.
Let's take a closer look into possible V.P. candidates for the Obama ticket.
All the talk of Clinton for V.P., especially by the media is very disconcerting. Hillary Clinton would make for a disastrous Obama Presidency imho. Think LBJ/JFK. They hated each other, and we all saw what happened with that love-hate relationship. I'm not too comfortable with Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton in the #2 position, standing behind Barack Obama. But hey, that's me.
John Edwards, eh.. I supported John Edwards before Obama won Iowa - and I supported him all the way in '04. But I really expected Edwards to help consolidate the vote for Obama and end this prolonged primary season. He deliberately aligned himself with Obama for good reason, because he knew Clinton was the antithesis of everything he claimed to stand for. She's all about, as Edwards likes to say, "PAC-money, and lobbyist money." So I naturally expected a quick endorsement. Never came. It's his right, but I think, like Richardson, he was trying to play for a larger role in a possible future Administration. So..
Wesley Clark. Well, he brings military experience and a previous presidential primary run to help Obama on the national security and foreign policy credentials. He's a Clinton supporter, but not a rabid one (although borderline). I think his being a Clinton supporter is the primary reason I'm putting him in the list. On 3/5 there's going to be plenty of dispirited, disillusioned Clinton supporters waiting for her to be named VP. If Obama doesn't pick her, which I couldn't imagine he would, I think Wes Clark is a good consolation prize.
And then there's the rest, the Governors of Kansas, Arizona, and Virgina all get mention. A female gov. would be nice, but the diary is primarily about: Howard Dean. I think Dean started the concept of a "change movement." I mean, I remember Dean pioneering the energetic youth voters, the internet, the cynical progressive liberal who figured all politicians were dirty so "whatever." Dean inspired people. Not as well as Obama has been able to do, but very much in the same spirit. I wouldn't be surprised if Obama borrowed the concept of his campaign from Dean's primary run.
Just my opinion's, I'd like to hear yours.
p.s.
I don't mean to bash Hillary, I just can't stand her style of politics. Her scorched earth tactics just make me think she's in this for herself and not the democratic party or the American people. So if I came off a little anti-Hillary, just consider it pro-Obama, sorry.