The Veep Thread

He also brings some baggage and some negatives that you really don't want from your Veep.

 

I still say Richardson makes the most sense to me.

 

If I hadn't seen him during the debates, I would probably agree with you. He was absolutely awful, and because of that I just can't imagine Obama putting him on the national stage.

 

A fair point, and you may be exactly right.
Demographically, though, he makes so much sense it's ridiculous.

 

My thought exactly. Somehow the guy with perhaps the best resume in the field came across as a lightweight with no real ideas on anything.

While I think he'd be very valuable in the cabinet I'm not sure he really brings anything to the ticket. There isn't much regional value there and I'm not sure his Hispanic heritage is (a) all that well know, and (b) much of an advantage in this election.

 

Yeah, you hate to say it, but for people who don't know him, he doesn't, well, have a Hispanic name. It sucks that it has to be that way, but he might be getting more attention if his name was Bill Martinez.

 

I think he'd help with Hispanics. Don't you think it's pretty well known he held the highest office a Hispanic has had in the government?
I guarantee there'd be a lot of ads with him speaking Spanish.
Plus his foreign policy experience is awesome.
I think that's two pretty important areas for Obama.

 

Honestly? No. I'm sure they would hammer it home in Hispanic areas, but as Deskslave pointed out, the guy's name is Bill Richardson and he doesn't look particularly Hispanic. I would bet awareness is pretty low.

And as far as regional appeal, he helps in New Mexico. The Democrats aren't winning Arizona or Texas. So, eh.

That, combined with his pretty deadly communication skills make him a pretty weak running mate.

 

Yeah, he's certainly well known in certain areas of the country, but I'd bet if you asked 10 Hispanics in, say, Florida, or Tennessee, maybe three of them would have any idea who he was.

If they can get his story out there, maybe it works. But I'm not sure the benefit outweighs the potential risks.

His regional appeal might be a bit broader than those three. He'd probably help in Colorado, as well.

As I've said before, I think his role, whether as VP, SOS, maybe even ambassador to the UN, is High Ambassador of Undoing the Damage of the Past Eight Years. Clearly he's got skills in that arena, even if he's not a great speechmaker.

 

LBJ

 

If I may be so bold, why can't I be vice-president?

 

Because your ass is too supple.