Biden for Obama, Who for McCain?

Election 2008 (USA)

Barack Obama selected Joe Biden to be his Vice Presidential running mate, come November. It ends a lot of speculation by the die hard Clinton fans, but let’s be honest. She was the last person he would pick, given who she is married to, and her own baggage. Least Joe Biden brings some experience, some down home earthiness that isn’t faked or dripping with crocodile tears, which Hilary would have brought.

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama named Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his vice presidential running mate early Saturday, balancing his ticket with a seasoned congressional veteran well-versed in foreign policy and defense issues (source - MSNBC News)

I don’t really think too many were surprised by his choice of Biden. Myself I would have liked to have seen him reach out, and maybe grab someone not from the main stay political arena. I can’t think of her name, but she was one of his leading surrogates, from the Midwest I think. She was pretty good in dishing it out, and you know, his entire campaign has been about change. Reaching for Biden, well, its more of a smart political move than anything else. Certainly isn’t showing Change.

Naturally the focus now shifts to John McCain and who he will select.

There has been a lot of speculation that Mitt Romney is a front runner, which would be too bad. The man clearly showed that he is about money, not about substance. He flip flopped on so many issues, no one can really define what Mitt Romney truly stands for. Then there is his promoting hate, which really shouldn’t be a worthy trait for any leadership role. I mean come on, hasn’t eight years of Dick Cheney proven that?

Then there is the idea floating around that McCain is considering Colin Powell, who was Bush’s Secretary of State, and Bush Sr. Chairman of Joint Chiefs. Frankly, a lot of people seem taken by General Powell, but for myself, I think he sold America out. He should have sided with Schwartzkoff and let the troops take Baghdad at the end of Gulf War One. Might have saved a lot of grief today, and who knows, might even have prevented 9/11. Unfortunately Colin Powell advised against it, for pure political reasons, or so they say. IF true, it makes him less favorable, in my estimation.

Powell was among the possible vice presidential choices the Arizona Republican senator was thinking of when he said he would not rule out a supporter of abortion rights, a key adviser said. (source - Politico Com)

Then too, there are some who have their heads in the clouds. I mean come on, McCain may be old, bit confused on how many homes he owns, but I don’t see him taking on the man who spear headed Bush’s drive to invade Iraq, as his running mate. I mean talk about giving your opponent a bevy of free pot shots. Taking Colin Powell on as Veep would be just that.

So it looks like he is back to Romney, which also is rather sad. I mean I don’t quite get how any Winner of a Campaign, like the one for Presidential Nominee, can choose a rival in that race. I mean everything they said about you, they suddenly no longer believe? Every negative they tried to use against you, no longer counts? I mean that is just plain stupid. It is cannon fodder for the other side, but it seems to be the way of American Politics.

Ian @ August 24, 2008