Vice Presidents

The VP speculation continues to increase.  With less than a month until the Democratic convention (and the Republican Convention shortly after that), everyone wants to know who Obama and McCain will pick for their VP’s.

Along with Tim Kaine, The Washington Post reports that Evan Bayh (Indiana) and Joe Biden (Delaware) are on Obama’s shortlist.  Of the three I think Biden is the least likely pick.  As much as he is respected as a foreign policy mind, and an experienced Senator, I think his long (very long) Washington career somewhat clashes with Obama’s message of change and a new kind of politics.  I wouldn’t mind Biden as VP, I just don’t think it helps the ticket.

As for Evan Bayh, he’d be my pick out of the three.  He’s a likable guy, and he’s very popular in Indiana.  He’s been a Senator for a while, but he’s not well known nationally to the extent that it hurts Obama’s change message.  He also just might be able to deliver Indiana which would be a nice boost for Obama.

On the Republican side of things, there has been more and more talk about Mitt Romney.  He really does seem to be the favorite right now.  Romney is a businessman and will help McCain where he is weakest - the economy.  Further, polls indicate that Romney gives McCain a good shot of winning Michigan.  With 17 Electoral Votes, that’s a big deal for the McCain campaign.  Romney was very popular among conservatives in the primaries.

Of course he does have his drawbacks.  Many in the evangelical community are concerned about Romney because he is a Mormon.  They were already not pleased with McCain as the Republican nominee; if McCain picks Romney as VP, they could very well revolt (or at least sit this one out, which would be just as bad for McCain).  The Washington Times today says that evenangelical leaders are telling McCain not to pick Romney.