I have to disagree with my friend on a few points. First, the VP can actually end up playing a major policy role in a Presidential administration. It's indeed true that, since VP number 1, John Adams, first complained of the weakness and unimportance of his job, almost everyone has confidently repeated the charge; and it's also true that constitutionally the VP is a weakling; but Dick Cheney may have changed the Vice Presidency for ever.
I doubt that VPs in the future will have as much power and influence as Cheney; but we'll never unlearn what Cheney has taught us: that a VP can in fact run the show. John Adams was a rather imperious fellow, and I can imagine that if he had Cheney's precedent, he would never have said what he did about the Vice Presidency - instead, he would have said (to himself this time) something more like: "So, that's how it's done!" And that's exactly what many VPs will say in the future - their personal feelings towards Cheney aside. Let's remember that the vast majority who end up in the VPs office were actually looking for the more ovular office nearby. These are men - and, as Hillary may show us, women - who very much want to be President (and believe they deserve to be).
My point is that we should consider the Vice Presidency in a different light than has been traditional. We have to think of it as much more than a tool to help in the election, especially since there are questions about McCain's age and - as much as I hate to even think about it - Obama's safety. That's my problem with Tim Kaine: I don't think people would feel comfortable if he were suddenly president. Romney is better in this regard - but he can't bring Massachusetts with him, and McCain is desperate for some swing state help. Moreover, the religious right has a problem with his Mormonism - and they're already unenthusiastic about McCain himself.
My choice for McCain is Rob Portman - he could help a lot in Ohio; he brings a lot of economic intelligence and know how; he is well liked; and he's young but still has lots of Washington experience.
For Obama, Sam Nunn - he is almost universally well-liked in Washington (and Georgia); he knows Congress very well (literally, in many cases); he knows more about nuclear proliferation than all but a handful of people in the world; he has the foreign policy credentials (and tons of FP experience); and he could very possibly turn Georgia blue - the large African American population, the third party candidacy of Georgian Bob Barr, and a lot of enduring love for Sam Nunn would put a very big, otherwise very red state seriously into contention. Moreover, Obama likes and respects Nunn - as do a lot of moderate Americans, especially those who used to be called 'Reagan Democrats' and are now called 'Unconvinced White Men'.
I doubt that VPs in the future will have as much power and influence as Cheney; but we'll never unlearn what Cheney has taught us: that a VP can in fact run the show. John Adams was a rather imperious fellow, and I can imagine that if he had Cheney's precedent, he would never have said what he did about the Vice Presidency - instead, he would have said (to himself this time) something more like: "So, that's how it's done!" And that's exactly what many VPs will say in the future - their personal feelings towards Cheney aside. Let's remember that the vast majority who end up in the VPs office were actually looking for the more ovular office nearby. These are men - and, as Hillary may show us, women - who very much want to be President (and believe they deserve to be).
My point is that we should consider the Vice Presidency in a different light than has been traditional. We have to think of it as much more than a tool to help in the election, especially since there are questions about McCain's age and - as much as I hate to even think about it - Obama's safety. That's my problem with Tim Kaine: I don't think people would feel comfortable if he were suddenly president. Romney is better in this regard - but he can't bring Massachusetts with him, and McCain is desperate for some swing state help. Moreover, the religious right has a problem with his Mormonism - and they're already unenthusiastic about McCain himself.
My choice for McCain is Rob Portman - he could help a lot in Ohio; he brings a lot of economic intelligence and know how; he is well liked; and he's young but still has lots of Washington experience.
For Obama, Sam Nunn - he is almost universally well-liked in Washington (and Georgia); he knows Congress very well (literally, in many cases); he knows more about nuclear proliferation than all but a handful of people in the world; he has the foreign policy credentials (and tons of FP experience); and he could very possibly turn Georgia blue - the large African American population, the third party candidacy of Georgian Bob Barr, and a lot of enduring love for Sam Nunn would put a very big, otherwise very red state seriously into contention. Moreover, Obama likes and respects Nunn - as do a lot of moderate Americans, especially those who used to be called 'Reagan Democrats' and are now called 'Unconvinced White Men'.
2 comments:
I think Nunn is too conservative on social issues, gays, abortion, etc... which is why I think Obama will pick Biden over Nunn.
also, see my response to ike's first VP post
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