A Democratic Bucket of Spit

So we're off with Democrats. With no real no-brainer here that will seal the deal, who's the person that will go down in flames in November? Here's my random list, probably none of who will be nominated.

THE DELIBERATIVE FELLAS
There are a number of folks in the world's greatest deliberative body that may have a chance for the no. 2 spot. In a meritocracy, to make the trains run on time, Joe Biden is probably a strong choice. He knows foreign policy, would be a strong speaker on the use of smart or soft power, etc. But he brings you Delaware. I'm unsure if Delaware is a big deal in the electoral math. He's also a little bit goofy. Bayh is another guy I'm sure on many pundits short lists. I honestly don't know much about him. An authentic midwestern guy with strong Democratic bloodlines, former chair of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council and well regarded Governor of Indiana, yeah so he will play to all 837 independent, undecided centrist voters who vote on good management and free trade all across the country. None of these guys fit into the electoral math.

JOHN'S MONKEY BUSINESS
How the somewhat mighty have fallen. If you believe the tabloids, John Edwards "Two Americas" consist of a girl friend on the west coast and his lovely wife back in North Carolina. It's a good thing the endorsement of the Angry Middle didn't carry Edwards to the nomination. John may have taken his RFK mantle just a little two seriously. John won't be the VP candidate whether his hands were in the cookie jar or not, but I couldn't help myself in making an RFK and Gary Hart reference in the same paragraph.


THE THIRD VIRGINIAN
Jim Webb would have probably been the most interesting of VP candidates, providing a cache that a Navy Cross winner, former Republican with a Iraq vet son could provide. As a hot head, the debate would have been something, I like Jim Webb, but I like him in the Senate a lot better. Mark Warner also seemed like a strong Virginian, but along come Governor Tim Kaine. I got no problem with Kaine, no one is ever going to confuse him with John Edwards and the $400 haircut. Kaine is part of the movement that is turning Virginia blue, a key state in the election. He is also one of the Democrats that will piss off the liberals in the party with his pro-life views and ironically may bring some non-Democrats to vote Democratic because he pisses off a few liberals, nothing make people vote Democratic more than a Democrat that pisses off liberal. Also as a Governor he brings that executive experience that will likely balance out a Governor that will be nominated by the GOP.

THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE
If the Democratic Party machinery really just wants to throw 2008 away and save some money for 2012, nominate HRC for the vice presidency. This way people who are sexist or racist will both have a reason to vote the other way. Hillary was likely the most polarizing political entity in recent history until George W. Bush's recent escapade to run the country into the ground. Honestly despite commentary to the contrary, there are about 17 knucklehead Clinton supporters that are going to stay home or vote for McCain in November if she is not on the ballot. There are very few candidates who will elicit bumper stickers that say Defeat Hillary when she is no longer even running for anything. Again I don't really know what it is, what really pisses people off about her. A powerful woman? An opportunist? A feeling that being the wife of a former two term President doesn't necessarily entitle you to the Oval Office? The selection of HRC as VP is a sign of surrender, not just for this election but for the entire Democratic party, if this is the choice just fold up the tents because you have become totally out of touch with America.

THE GENERALS
With Senator Obama's short national security resume in a time of a Global War on Terror, the Generals become a very interesting choice. I'm a Wesley Clark guy, hard to put anything past a combat vet who's a Rhodes Scholar who was head of NATO and ran a war in the Balkans. He is often slandered "for almost causing WWIII", which in this time would just be considered some posturing and toughness with the Ruskies. In a campaign that's just stupid, even commenting about someone else isn't allowed unless it's a personal attack on someone, so his comments about Senator McCain and national security were just seen as a personal attack instead of reflecting on someone's real credentials. So it's difficult to see if Clark is a front runner. General Anthony Zinni is another attractive if not hidden candidate, if in fact he would want to give up the fat jobs of corporate directorships and teaching at Duke. Zinni was an early anti-Iraq war general referring to it as the "Bay of Goats" If not as VP, Zinni would be an outstanding NSC chief, as another combat vet with an incredible mind, not appealing to his patriotism to serve again in a post-Bush America for either party would be a loss.

THE ELDER STATESMAN
You know what this ticket is missing? An old white guy from the south. I had kind of forgotten about Sam Nunn. Always knew him as one of those hawkish Democrats. His nomination would be considered to be "the adult in the room" nomination, similar to the selection of Dick Cheney in 2000, and that worked oh so well. I'm not comparing Nunn to Cheney but that was the initial intent way back there at the turn of the century. I like Nunn, why he would give up teaching at a school that's named after him is beyond me, to do the real hard work of redefining Executive power in the post-Bush years. But maybe he's the adult we need.

THE OTHER WOMAN
In any other election, Kathleen Sebelius, the Governor of Kansas would be an interesting candidate. Democratic governor of a red state, known for working bipartisan angles, likely a good VP to work across the aisle. I'm not sure if the country is ready for search a "diverse" ticket. And the fact that she too is lacking in national security cred does not work in her favor. Barry and Katie leading the US into a post 9/11 world may not resonate with middle America being that on 9/11, Obama was a state senator and Sebelius a state insurance commissioner, not exactly the two jobs that inspire you in a war against Islamic extremism. Sexism is sexism and a guy is always going to appear tougher.