Picking Barack Obama's running mate

Claire McCaskill, Senator from Missouri because she is a tough, but folksy moderate Democrat. Some have called her Harry Truman in a skirt. Although she has only been in the Senate for a year, she had considerable experience in Missouri as State Auditor and the Jackson County Prosecutor (Kansas City). She is probably light on foreign policy experience. McCaskill just pointed out an earmark hidden in the 700 pages Farm Bill that belonged to Rep. Nancy Pelosi; therefore, her support probably dropped substantially. http://primebuzz.kcstar.com/?q=node/11782 She would also be excellent at reaching female and older voter. In Drew Westen's book, "The Political Brain, the Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation.", he said, “Personally, I think if Hillary Clinton is not our first female president, my money is on Claire McCaskill, who has a wonderfully folksy way about her — along with a very sharp mind — and who manages to blend traditional femininity with the toughness of a prosecutor, in a way that allows us to activate both of our models of womanhood: the more unconscious ones that come from (most of) our experiences being raised by a woman, and our more conscious values, which are more egalitarian.” http://blogccp.blogspot.com/2007/12/president-claire-mccaskill.html

Obama cannot win the November election without the support of those who voted Clinton. Obama is performing poorly with the majority of voters who represent average Americans; older, elderly, rural, blue collar workers, the poor and especially women. A majority of those people are white and lean conservative. Although trailing in the primaries, Clinton is the stronger and more electable candidate. Without Clinton on his team, somewhat doubtful Obama can win the presidential race. Should McCain pick Mitt Romney as his running mate, which is very possible, there is no chance Obama can win the November election without Clinton as his running mate. Mitt Romney will prove as popular with swing voters as does Clinton. Swing voters are in the pocket of Clinton, currently. Obama is in a very tough predicament; no matter how hard he works, Obama cannot win over the working class, cannot win over the salt of the earth, least not without Clinton. Okpulot Taha Choctaw Nation

yada, yada, yada pearl girl, the same ones you and hrc keeping saying obama needs in her vile words 'the white vote' have not voted for democrats in years in a presidential election, and, are voting not because of her but because he is black. keep it real and do a google search, its all out there for open minds. if the 'swing' voters are in her pocket, why isn't she the nominee and why is she still begging for votes with divisive words? bet you won't answer this question, will ya now?

I think Hilary would be a good choice. She still has the supprot of a large part of the democartic party, and more name recognition than ANY other dem.

Tandy expresses an opinion, "I think Hilary would be a good choice. She still has the supprot of a large part of the democartic party." Julie mentions Claire McCaskill as a running mate for Obama. McCaskill certainly has the right attitude and much of her agenda is in keeping with Obama. However, McCaskill does not enjoy name recognition and she is a junior senator like Obama. McCaskill very narrowly won her senate seat over a republican. She was defeated by an equally narrow margin during her governor run, by a republican. I am not sure McCaskill can pull in enough swing voters to push Obama over the top. I agree with you, Tandy. Clinton clearly holds about half of the democratic vote. More important, Clinton holds significantly more swing voters than Obama. Swing voters are needed to win a presidential election. Obama simply has not won over swing voters and it is very clear he never will. Obama really has no choice but to pick Clinton as a running mate; she has him over a barrel. This will not change. There remains a long shot Clinton will take the nomination. Should Obama make a major blunder over the coming weeks, he is out of the race. Obama is already causing harm to his campaign. He is behaving as if he has already won the nomination. There are those who are viewing this as reaffirming Obama's elitist arrogant attitude. Political pundits are beginning to rip him for this. Obama is being hurt by his flip flop on this question of "appeasement" of terrorists. McCain and republicans are ripping Obama a new one on this issue. Currently, a majority of Americans, regardless of political party affliation, greatly favor McCain on this issue of national security. Obama has annouced a plan for massive tax increases for lower class and middle class Americans. This is hurting him, greatly. Raising taxes during an economic recession is viewed as simply stupid. Our failed economy is the number one issue today. Obama's plan to raise taxes for working class Americans will, by itself, probably defeat Obama's run for presidency. This is not a good time to take money away from Americans. Another problem developing for Obama is there are those who fear Obama will appoint people to his administration who are viewed as radical, as too extreme. Obama is tied to some very radical people. A similar fear is Obama will appoint one or more radical liberals to our supreme court. Greatest problem is Obama simply cannot win over the working class vote. America is a conservative society, leaning slightly republican. Obama is out of touch with the majority of our society. If a fantasy presidential election, Obama running against Clinton, rather clear Clinton would win with such strong swing voter support. These are votes not well reflected in our democratic primaries. McCain can easily win against Obama. McCain only needs to align himself at center between liberal and conservative. McCain only needs to present himself as an Arnold Schwarzenegger, our republican California governor. Muscle head Arnold is very popular here in California and our state is well known for being populated by liberal democratics. Arnold being republican and being elected confirms even those considered liberal democratics actually border on liberal conservatives. McCain is a known maverick, is known for fiscal responsibility, is known for fighting against pork barrel spending and government corruption. McCain is already very popular and very respected. McCain only needs to swing a little bit more to the left to defeat Obama. The republican party only needs to create another blowup like Wright and Ayers, only needs to cause doubt about Obama being strong, to defeat Obama. We all know the republican party will rip Obama apart once our democratic primaries are finished, assuming Obama emerges as the winner. McCain enjoys a lot of political clout. Clinton enjoys a lot of political clout. Obama is the new kid on the block. Obama cannot win the presidential election without Clinton as his running mate. Obama really has no choice but to bring in Clinton to his team; Clinton has sealed this deal through her continuing to run for nomination and through her strong showing. Clinton is in control although lagging in the primaries. Clinton can endorse Obama, Clinton can campaign for Obama, but this will not move Clinton's supporters over to Obama; her swing voters will not stand behind Obama. Clinton is a dark horse this election year, and she may just yet prove to be a true dark horse. Okpulot Taha Choctaw Nation

Interesting current Gallup poll results. On a national basis, Obama leads Clinton by 11 points. Clinton leads McCain by 2 points. McCain leads Obama by 1 point. http://www.gallup.com/poll/107329/Gallup-Daily-Obama-Leads-Clinton-Points.aspx --- Obama is the democrats' darling but Obama is not America's darling. This blind obedience to Obama may very well lead to a McCain victory. Chances are fair Obama will lose the November election unless Obama pulls a Clinton rabbit out of his hip hop hat. Okpulot Taha Choctaw Nation

LOL, Purl Gurl, you must be HRC posting or one of her cronies, you have trired every trick in the book to bash and disparge Obama and his chances, its a hoot, since his are about as equal to her's with all her major BAGGAGE and gimmacks to the dimwitted voters. Funny thing about voters, they pick who they think can help them and win, and, for the most part the voters have spoken and they rebuked her, and, funny how you forgot the poll about Indiana, LOL! You aren't going to vote for Obama and never were, your right, but, child, please find something else to talk about, or start singing how great McCain will be at the WH.

Edwards. Edwards will attract the Hillary Clintonites, and may pick up the Republican south. He will balance the ticket, and has the experience of having been the Democratic vice presidential nominee, 2004. I always wanted Edwards for pres. just slightly over Obama, but now that Obama's almost the surefire nominee, we need Edwards at #2.

I'm Givejohnasecondchance, I just have a new name. The war is stupid, the economy is stupid. Purl Gurl, Obama will lower taxes.

if anything HRC has done by clinging on to the race is at least guarantee herself a possibility of vice president. How do you ignore a hillary clinton now? Welldone to her strategy.