Is there political value in Candidate A or Candidate B asking someone to be their VP Now?

[Perky]

It just occurs to me that both the leading contenders have problems. Clinton needs to prove she can appeal to independents in the General and Obama need to prove that the base loves him enough for the nomination.

Given the positively byzantine Path both need to navigate to survive Super Tuesday....two stump speeched depending on geography and whether indies can vote in the primary is actually very tricky....that announcing a VP now would be potentially inspirational and momentum building in terms of adding the elements each candidate needs to make the case to Super Tuesday voters.

It certainly would be unprecedented but given the underlying dynamics it might a an interesting strategy particularly if Bloomberg, et al is waiting to jump in.

[TwilightGardener]

1. No--it exposes the VP pick to scrutiny and attacks WAY too early

and the other nominee will get the excitement all to himself/herself at convention time. I'm sure the VP picks are already being worked behind the scenes, though.

[Perky]

2. But haven't some already obvious choices been vertted already?

Edwards, Biden, Richardson?

[TwilightGardener]

4. Yes, I'm sure they have been--

however, revealing who you're considering this early tips your hand, and lets your eventual Repub opponent have an advantage in seeing your strategy, so I think it will be kept mum until the convention.

[Perky]

7. This is a unique election

Both nominees will likely emerged battered from a bloody nomination fight. They are not going to have time to focus on what the other camp is doing. Both conventions are wrapped around Labor day this year so the nominees will be decided very late potentially and there will not be much time to campaign in the fall.


The challenge both may have is pulling their party back together. So there might be more strategic advantage in trying to pull the party together now and scoring big gains among independent voter while driving the Repuke nominee more to the right.


Example. If Ob ama takes independent votes away from McCain and he taps someone like a Dick Gephardt, sure he opens himself up for more attack; but at the same time, fewer indies available hurts McCain and that in turn winds up pushing the candidacy of a Huckabee to the fore while solidifying support within the Dem Base

Just an example and I am NOT suggesting that particular combination for Ob ama

[AlGore-08.com]

3. Only if there's something major causing the candidate to loose ground

For example, if the idea that Candidate X was too inexperienced was gaining so much traction that Candidate X was in danger of becoming noncompetitive, it would be to Candidate X's advantage to pick an "elder statesman" type running mate early.

But if the candidate is competitive, there's no need to do it. It has the potential to backfire in the primary - - running mates are often chosen to balance the ticket ideologically, and in most primaries, feelings about "other" wings of the party is usually not very charitable.

[Perky]

5. You don't think that would allow a candidate to Gain new ground

where they are weak. Hillary could make an appeal to independnt voters by sofening her "too liberal" image with a moderate

Obama could improves his standing with union voters and other deep blue element by selecting a populist who has voiced loudly his support for NAFTA.

I am not not suggesting any particular combinations lest I start a flame war. It hust seems to me that there is sume bump value rather than trotting out endorsers each day which might grab the new cycle for the moment and raise some money but has no real value in gaining voters where you are percieved as weak.

[Perky]

6. Dupe

where they are weak. Hillary could make an appeal to independnt voters by sofening her "too liberal" image with a moderate

Obama could improves his standing with union voters and other deep blue element by selecting a populist who has voiced loudly his support for NAFTA.

I am not not suggesting any particular combinations lest I start a flame war. It hust seems to me that there is sume bump value rather than trotting out endorsers each day which might grab the new cycle for the moment and raise some money but has no real value in gaining voters where you are percieved as weak.

[Perky]

8. .

[rinsd]

9. VP selections before one is the nominee (at least assured of being) would be not be received well.

[Perky]

10. Because of the perceived arrogance?

Ordinarily I would agree. but this is a unique election cycle as I mentione in ab above post

[rinsd]

11. It is unique. I just think it would be a foolish manevuer tactically.

Especially in an election when people have rejected candidate coronations thus far.