Centerfield

VP Sweepstakes

With the increasing likelihood of a Dean candidacy, Kevin Drum has swung into full-tilt VP speculation. He's got a thread with over 150 comments on the ideal VP choice for Dean.

Over here, we tend to have more of a maverick, independent streak. That being the case, we should come up with some unusual suggestions.

Here are mine:

1. Former Gov. Roy Barnes (Georgia)

The obvious problem with Roy Barnes is that he lost the 2002 governor's race. Of course, it's an event that can be "spun" in some ways due to his principled stand on the state flag issue and the role that changing the flag may have had in the election (his opponent promised a referendum to bring the old flag back).

I don't have any direct exposure to him, but I've been told he's an excellent politician -- personable, funny, intelligent, etc. He has a distinct (and unusually accomplished) record as a centrist southern governor.

2. Sen. Blanche Lincoln (Arkansas)

The problem with Sen. Lincoln is that she's just finishing her first term in the Senate. She is remarkably strong politically -- with expectations that she will be reelected easily. What I've heard about her is that she's a real self-made politician. It's her smarts and communication skills that have gotten her where she is. In general, I think that's what we need to be looking for in a candidate -- people who are strong in their own right, rather than folks with family connections or other advantages that helped get them where they are.

3. Sen. Tom Carper (Delaware)

This would be one of the strongest choices in pure leadership terms and bring some real seasoning to the ticket. Carper was a very popular governor of Delaware before becoming Senator. While in the executive, he implemented a remarkable mix of policies that were innovative and forward-looking. His 1995 welfare reform program was a pre-cursor to the national program. He's a true fiscal conservative, having cut some taxes while increasing his state's "rainy day" fund. His education policy combined public school choice with standards, testing, and charter schools.

Carper is also a Vietnam War veteran -- with obvious advantages that brings this season.

The significant problem, of course, is that he's from the northeast and doesn't balance the ticket geographically.

4. A Moderate Republican

My final suggestion ought to be taken seriously, but won't be.

The quickest and most dramatic way to change the dynamics of this election would be for Dean to choose a moderate Republican to run with him. Pick someone with strong foreign policy credentials, and someone with a commitment to success in Iraq.

Such a selection would be an obvious opportunity for Dean to clearly define his Iraq policy and to stake a solid claim to the "stay and win" strategy.

Back in 2000 this same suggestion was made by President Clinton to Al Gore. He told Gore he should pick Bill Cohen -- the moderate Republican from Maine who had served as Clinton's Defense Secretary.

Excellent idea. Definitely thinking outside the box.

Posted by William Swann at December 9, 2003 04:12 PM