10 Reasons for Barack Obama to Pick Bill Richardson for VP
I'm starting to think Bill Richardson is the best choice for Barack Obama to pick as VP. I really like John Edwards, Claire McCaskill, Jim Webb, and other folks who have been mentioned recently, but there are just so many positives to picking Bill Richardson.
Here are 10 reasons off the top of my head favoring Richardson:
1. Serious foreign policy credentials and credibility.
2. He can say that he's negotiated with dictators and the Earth didn't melt.
2. Governor not a Congressman (although a former Congressman).
3. From a swing state.
4. From the important Mountain West region.
5. Helps with Hispanic voters.
6. Optimistic and upbeat campaigner.
7. Hopefully well vetted from his presidential campaign.
8. New face (for the public), so helps reinforce Obama's message of CHANGE.
9. First Hispanic VP, so reinforces how HISTORIC the Dem ticket is.
10. Stood up to Clintons and endorsed Obama!
He has good credentials and experience, and he would probably make a good VP. But I'm concerned that he might have trouble during the campaign. He seems a bit lackluster in debates.
May 16, 2008 5:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Supposedly he has some skeletons in his closet that scared Kerry away. Of course there was also a rumor that Hillary was so irate about Richardson's defection because he was going to be her Veep choice.
Also if you don't pick Hillary and then pick her "Judas", that would be just like rubbing salt in the wound of her and her supporters.
May 16, 2008 5:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your #10 reason, that Richardson stood up to the Clintons and endorsed Obama goes a long way in my book. I wish more in the party had the backbone to do that.
May 16, 2008 6:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like Richardson, he's upbeat, very charming, and a reasonable guy. But I'm more sold on his as Secretary of State than as VP. He has proven his skills as a negotiator, and SoS seems a great fit.
But of course, happy with any VICE President to PRESIDENT Obama.
May 16, 2008 9:56 PM | Reply | Permalink