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Austhus said 02/21, 07:05 AM
I'm not implying that there is a large degree of acrimony between these two candidates. Instead, I imply that, based on the rhetoric they've thrown at each other, it would be too easy politically to attack either an Obama-Clinton or Clinton-Obama ticket. Instead of making each other stronger, they open themselves to attack from McCain's camp.

Additionally, both candidates have many other viable options for a veep. Hillary, if she wants to solidify her minority and immigration credentials, could pick up Bill Richardson. I also could see her picking up an attack dog in Joseph Biden.

Obama has a few options, as well. If he wanted a woman veep, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebilius has been on the short-list for some time. He may also choose to shore up his bipartisan credentials in Michael Bloomberg or a different moderate Republican, such as Chuck Hagel.

No matter what, though, there are too many options for either candidate to open themselves up for a political attach by choosing the other.

Austhus said 02/22, 06:55 AM
It's not about "you were rivals and now your campaigning together." Instead, arguments could be made to look something like: "Well, even your running mate acknowledges your plan for health care isn't possible." It opens up a weakness.

And I would hardly call the contest between Barack and Hillary "civil." Yes, they've had their moments of civility, but these two have been jabbing at each other fairly consistently since Iowa. They've tried to undercut each other too much, and it creates an unnecessary opening for attack, especially given the number of other viable veep options.

They do compliment each other when given the opportunity, but that, I feel, is more of a recognition that they cannot let their contest rip the Democratic party apart.

Austhus said 02/25, 06:53 AM
Even by all accounts, Hillary has no interest in playing "second fiddle" to Obama. Obama could take some serious credibility hits to his credibility as a "uniter" by taking one of the most divisive figures in Washington as his running mate.

At the recent Governor's Meeting this past weekend, everyone seemed focused on who would be the vice presidential candidates. Everyone at the meeting seemed convinced no candidate could possibly have the option of NOT choosing a governor for a running mate.

Kathleen Sebilius: ???Fourteen of the 28 Democratic governors are serving in states won by George Bush in 2004. Having governors on the ground who know how to turn out the vote and know the right messages for their states can be enormously helpful to a presidential candidate.???

The list goes on for comments in that same vein. Finally, I would like to point out that this will be the first time in more than 50 years that neither party has run a candidate from the sitting White House (either Pres or VP). It would seem foolish to attempt to run a Presidential campaign for the Democrats with absolutely no executive experience whatsoever.