Veepstakes

In the video below, NDN President Simon Rosenberg talks about what both U.S. Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain are looking for in their Vice Presidential pick. Check out the two minute video below, and feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section. Is Simon right or wrong? Let us know what you think.

Today in the Washington Post, columnist Al Kamen, summarizes in his article Let's Just Say Obama's the Nominee. So, Who's the Running Mate?, what many pundits have been saying "that a victory for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) is at best improbable at this point". Well, one could assert that the punditry and the press have been writing Sen. Clinton's political obituary since Iowa, and some perhaps more full-throatedly than the decorum of an impartial press or an unaffiliated political commentator would honestly allow. I think it is still safe to say (the pundits aside) that you cannot count Senator Clinton out prematurely (as has been proven more than once so far in this campaign) and that the race isn't over till its over. But, Sen. Obama has run the table since March 4th and has (as the article points out) a healthy margin in the aggregate of the popular vote so far, combine this with the increasing pressure to diminish the independence of the Super Delegates and Sen. Obama's supporters heavy lobbying of the same, with the unlikeliness that Michigan and Florida's delegates will have much sway (here and here for Simon's comments on this topic), and Mr. Kamen's hypothetical assertion doesn't seem that improbable. (Though a Clinton comeback is still possible.)

So, who's the running mate? For either Sen. Obama OR Sen. Clinton, as well as Sen. McCain? If you want some handicapping on the Veepstakes before you pick, including Sen. McCain's possible choices, as well as another slant on this topic, then check out the Washington Post's politics blog by Chris Cillizza here. After checking the line, you can send your entry to the Washington Post for a chance to win a t-shirt, or post your Veepstakes pick (for any of the 3 candidates) here in our comments section for a chance to gain our readers regard for your prognosticating ability.

02-28-08 Update: The University of Virginia's seer, Larry J. Sabato, gazed into his Crystal Ball and delivers his analysis of McCain's potential Veepstakes winners: Veep! Veep!