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Records in history have already been set by this year’s Presidential nomination race. Now, it could also be a one-of-a-kind struggle for vice president. Why? Because rarely have the presidential candidates been decided this early; usually, the rival factions are scrappin’ and snarlin’ right up to convention time. This time around, it’s still open season for VEEps, with no obvious party faction (except maybe one) claiming the choice.

But who really wants to be vice-president? Nobody publicly. All the Presidential candidates always say the top job is all they are interested in (but then coyly wait in the wings until they can accept the offer “because my leader needs me.”) Also, people like to make fun of vice presidents. You may have heard the old story about the mother who had two sons: When they grew up, one went off to sea and the other became vice president of the United States. Neither one was ever heard of again.

That attitude has faded lately, and actually, being vice president has become a weighty office and even opens the door to President itself — as it did to Dick Nixon (1968), George H.W. Bush (1988), Harry Truman (1945), Lyndon Johnson (1963) and Gerald Ford (1973). Even Hubert Humphrey (1968), Walter Mondale (1984), and Al Gore (2000) got to TRY to be President.

We’ve had some pretty good VP candidates (some might say better than the Presidential ones), and we’ve had some odd balls. Walter Mondale tried to break the gender barrier (24 years before Hillary almost made it) with Geraldine Ferraro, who has not been heard of since. Barry Goldwater dipped into pool and came up with Rep. William Miller, whom no one had heard of then or since.

What To Do With Hillary

So now, we have almost an even playing field for VP candidates except, as I indicated, maybe one. And of course, that is Hillary. She got so many votes and came so close in the run-up that her troops have laid claim to the VP seat for her. Or more likely, as common in politics, a powerful faction, if it can’t get the spot for its own candidate, will hold back money or votes until it gets to choose the open seat. Should Obama choose Hillary for his running mate? O.K., here comes the opinion: Hillary as VP with Obama would be mistake. It would be bad for Hillary, bad for the party and bad for Obama’s chances for election. For one thing, Hillary (even if she deserves it) should come out even stronger for Obama and then return to the Senate where she will have real power if he is elected. If she were elected as his VP, she would immediately become a rival or seen as leader of a rival power block. He would have to hire a battalion of live-in loyalists to watch his back. And where is Bill Clinton supposed to go — rent a motel room somewhere? He’d be roaming the West Wing looking for you-know-what, or at least that’s how the stories would go.

Now, the Clinton loyalists might say: O.K., if you aren’t going to pick our girl, honor our cause by selecting another woman. Some commentators are already floating names of two female governors. Wouldn’t that be great! — knocking down the lead girl and raising one of the second choice girls as her substitute. No way. When all’s said and done, most politically assertive women are not going to switch over to John McCain, who has voted against women’s choice on abortion and women’s rights legislation.

So where does that leave us? Well, why not Bill?

Oh, you think I’m referring to William Jefferson Clinton, often called Bill. No, not that Bill. Obama should consider (roll of drums)….BILL RICHARDSON.

What Do You Know About Him?

I know you have heard of Bill Richardson, because anyone reading this web site is of superior intelligence. But just in case you haven’t, here’s a brief run-down on who he is and why Obama should choose him.

Richardson is now in his second term as governor of New Mexico. He has had an extensive career in all levels of government, but his most interesting attribute is that he is part Hispanic. He was born Nov. 15,1947 in Pasadena to Maria Luisa Lopez-Collada Marquez who married Bill’s father, William Blaine Richardson, when he was a banker in Mexico City. Just before he was born, his father sent his mother to live with his sister so Bill would be a U.S. citizen by birthright. Although he spent his childhood in Mexico City, he was sent at age 13 to a Massachusetts prep school and later graduated from Tufts University. As far as his family background goes, there’s never been a VP candidate like him.

But don’t think he’s an ordinary ethnic politician. Consider a few highlights: He served 14 years as a Congressman, then U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and later as U.S. Secretary of Energy before being elected governor. He has always had a special interest in foreign affairs. Early in his career, he worked for the Henry Kissinger State Dept. during the Nixon administration. As congressman he visited Nicaragua, Guatemala, Cuba, Peru, India, North Korea, Bangladesh, Nigeria and Sudan.

Obama Needs Foreign Expert

There are other credits to his foreign affairs involvement, but enough already. What I’m trying to point out is that Bill Richardson seems to be not only a public servant of notable accomplishment but he has what Obama needs — a running mate who is experienced in foreign affairs, which is generally acknowledged to be Obama’s major deficit. And he is a governor, not another senator. Also, he is partly Latino, which is one of Hillary’s core support groups. Imagine, just for variety, if nothing else, having a presidential ticket composed of two persons that are products of interracialCualquier sala de online poker linea que el jugador de poker en línea escoge debe considerar la conspiracion (estafa) con mucha seriedad. marriages: one part African American and one part Latino.

About a week ago, David Broder, one of the most respected national commentators, observed that in recent weeks Barack Obama has been “slowing down,” and it is time for him to “regain the initiative — starting with a clear assertion of his absolute right to choose his own running mate and not be pressured into a decision by the Clintons or their friends.” Do you suppose he might decide to choose the “right” Bill and allow the other Bill to escort his wife to her secure position back in New York state?

Vic Jose :: Jun.15.2008 :: Uncategorized ::

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