Okay, I will play this game. Please, please put Condelezza Rice on the ticket. I want her on the ticket because her time in the current administration is just the reminder that we need to motivate Democratic voters, Independents and some Republicans to get out and vote for the Democrat.

If she was on the ticket and I was sketching out a commercial, I would use the 9/11 commission hearings where she pretended she didn't know or she didn't want to know about the Presidential Daily Briefing.

Kathleen Sebelius should be Obama's VP. She brings a red state with her to go blue, and can put a bunch more in play for Barack in the center of the country, like Nebraska, Oklahoma and Missouri. With Barack, they might even turn Idado, Wyoming, Montana and the Dakotas blue.

Elections are won in the center of America. Their electoral votes are small, but there are a LOT of them.

Some other names I'm seeing tossed around:

Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota
Gov. John Huntsman, Utah
Gov. Rick Perry, Texas
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, New York
Sen. Lindsey Graham, South Carolina

Sebelius for Obama. Either that or Brian Schweitzer. Obama needs to add a further element of grandeur to the ticket that doubles down on the grandeur he brings himself. Sebelius brings a competent managerial appeal to the ticket, with the added bonus of being a white woman, the forming a dynamic "Ticket of Destiny" that shall not be stopped.

If Obama doesn't pick a female VP, Rice is a possibility, as he'd reap the bitter female vote. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins would also fit the bill in this regard.

I posted this about the dem. VP in another thread:
"Am I the only on with the feeling that if she were named Secretary of Homeland Security, Clinton would kill all 18 people between her and the presidency?

My list (which I formulated in the last minute) for good VP candidates is, in order from instinctively best down, William J. Fallon (imagine the look on McCain's face if Fallon actually accepted), Kathleen Sebelius, Janet Napolitano, Bill Richardson, John McCain (he's old enough that he probably remembers when the vice presidency went to the runner up), Olympia Snowe, and Susan Collins. These last three would also help cement the Democratic majorities in the legislature."

Oh yeah, would you please show some respect for Rice guys? There have been much worse than her, she seems to be the most moderate in the administration (I suspect she only trows the party line so she can keep some moderating influence), she has a story almost as inspirational as Reid, and she's famously intelligent.

Let's think truly outside the box for McCain:

Christine Todd Whitman:

a) woman

b) up on the environment and energy (Cabinet post)

c) resigned for disagreements with GWB

d) centrist

e) executive experience (1st female gov of NJ)

f) hails from a blue section of the country

g) hails from the mid-Atlantic, geographically balancing things out

What more could you ask for? Anyone worrying about McCain not living through his term would end up with a woman president -- and one who doesn't have a husband already in politics.

Gen. Wesley Clark. No mention of him here. Does this mean he's a no-go? I happen to think he's absolutely not helpful to Barack. I just don't see the guy as relevant. I used to like him, but he's missing that certain something... That je-ne-sais-quoi or the, how should I say... That "I don't know what."

Dick Cheney

I think for McCain any talk of Whitman misses the point.... McCain is going to be trying to shore up his base and CTW doesn't do that for him. I think you will see someone like Crist for McCain.

As for Obama-- I think Sebelius is all wrong for a couple reasons- one- she has the charisma of a dead fish.... I don't think she brings a lot that way (and doesn't make up for it is electoral math) But in some ways I think Obama needs to go White male... we can't have too many firsts (with a woman technically second) on a ticket. He is going to have enough trouble with being exotic without adding another factor. I would be careful of a black man/white woman pairing as well in this culture. I don't think it is an image that will make some all that happy....

But even more so- I think Obama needs someone who is young enough to underline a new generation thing- but experienced enough to assuage doubts about him. (which is tough-- Biden is great on knowledge but too old).

The talk of Hagel, Webb or Casey is wrong too. Remember-- this is more than just a balancing act-- Charismatic presidents are targets-- I think Obama's VP needs to be ready to be president if something happens to Obama (crazies everywhere)....So Hagel, Webb and Casey all too conservative because we HAVE to remember the court. I'd look at Strickland, Bayh, or Shweitzer.

What I think doesn't matter much, but if I were to consider the criteria of who to consider for the best candidate it would be someone with:

1. Uncanny intelligence.
2. Strong foreign policy knowledge.
3. Name recognition.
4. Appeals across party lines
5. Will be a viable candidate in 2016.
6. Exceptional speaking ability who can think fast on their feet.
7. Values shared by the Obama campaign for a new way of taking the American people forward.
8. Uncorruptable!!!
9. A strong appeal to the women voters who feel inclined to vote Republican to punish Obama.
10. last, yet sadly, military exerience and sound knowledge of tactics and diplomacy.
11. Most importantly credibility with the international community.

I am sure the list Obama has is much more extensive, I just hope it is not weighted too heavily on the political considerations.

I don't see Richardson being able to bring Hillary supporters to Obama's side after Carville called him a traitor.

Based on Webb's very public stances for veterans I feel confident he will be able to hold his seat in Virginia. If anyone doubts this, then this alone says he would not be a good VP choice.

For a myriad reasons Biden would be a good choice but for the lack luster campaign he ran. I think he would be a very important advisor to Obama.

I am very impressed with Kathleen Sebelius. I fear she would not be able to provide Obama's need for military and foreign policy experience.

Wesley Clark is a very poor choice, one he backed a corrupt candidate, two as a commentator on cable he was never taken seriously. I hate what I am about to say, but he always appeared whimpy to me.

Obama has a real challenge as to who to name as his VP.

On a side note, it would be great if McSame named Rice as his VP choice as she has been a total and utterly abject failure with foreign policy. Especially with her so called knowledge of Russia and seeing what is happening with the possible renewal of the cold war.

Rice would not be a good choice for McCain as her baggage as NSA during 9-11 would be re-explored. I just don't see how she helps McCain. A good choice for McCain would be Colin Powell, although I doubt he'd be interested. They'd have a strong claim on the "moderate" and "national security" voters (although McCain may already have that advantage). McCain could also select a Republican with some economic credentials, although I can't think of any now. As for the redefinition of the role of VP under Cheney, I doubt we'll see that with either of the candidates this year. Cheney's influence was a unique combination of (a) a lazy and incompetent President with little interest in, or inclination for, governing, and (b) an extremely devious, power obsessed operator with a consistent agenda ruthlessly pursued.

If Rick Santorum were still in the Senate, he'd be a slam-dunk for McCain. So much so, I wouldn't be surpised if he's on the list anyway. Ditto for George "Macaca" Allen. Tom Ridge is another possibility, perhaps even a more credible one.

At this point I'll be surprised if it isn't McCain/Romney. Given McCain's age, the voter is going to want a known entity as his VP. Romney got out of the way rather quickly, and I think it's safe to assume there was some back room deal making. Either that or the GOP figured they're likely to lose this year and trotted out McCain as the sacrificial lamb (though one who has the best shot of possibly pulling off an upset given his story).

Now given that McCain is running stronger than expected, due in part to the long Dem primary season, GOP might be thinking that they could very well win and will look to put a strong VP candidate on the ticket.

For Obama's VP, keep in mind his own criteria. He expressly doesn't want someone with military/foreign policy cred because it would undermine his own and reinforce the meme that he needs help in that area. I think he wants someone who knows DC inside and out, but isn't considered a K Street flunky. Someone who knows Congress well, and also the Fed beauracracy. I don't have any specific people in mind, but I think that will be his criteria.

I've thought about Tom Daschle along those lines but don't really know enough to consider his pros and cons. But someone like that who knows DC inside and out, but can be independant of the power brokers.

Well perhaps not Daschle. Bill Richardson fits the mold, but I don't know about him as a campaigner. Bob Graham?

Personally, I believe McCain's choice is going to be Pawlenty. As a Minnesotan, the thought of VP Pawlenty sends chills up my spine. Pawlenty's basically known for his tax policy, which is why McCain would pick him (that and, of course, the Repub Convention is in St. Paul). The base would love his no new taxes and cut the ones you do have approach. Anyways, Pawlenty is known for his absolute stubborn refusal to raise taxes and instead increases every fee possible. Fees will be coming out of our ears, not that they come close to making up for the loss in cut taxes and refusal to raise them, even slightly. I'd also like to note that this stubborn refusal to not raise taxes has grossly underfunded some key areas in MN, like say infastructure. Remember the bridge falling into the river? Yeah, we could expect more of that. Even after that horror he still wouldn't raise taxes to fund our crumbling infastructure. Bridges continue to close in MN, but no new revenue. Nope, nope, nope. Just the occasional fee that doesn't make up for crap. Pawlenty is dreadful! I'd also like to add that Pawlenty can and will cut programs that could make money, lot's of money (say the St.Paul-Minneapolis lightrail) in the long run, only to save money in the short term. Pawlenty only cares about appeasing his base, stubbornly following his agenda (no taxes), and has no long term agenda at all for MN (no growth). He will stonewall and use every once of his executive power to get what he and his base wants. He only cares that the budget is maintained with out trying to increase revenue through taxes (appealing to Repubs, but as we Dems know- very short-sighted). He's all status quo, which in actuality is a net regression.

I watched Sebelius' endorsement of Obama on YouTube yesterday, and the two of them just look great together -- silver and black are a hot combination! I'm also impressed by her authenticity, which is one of Obama's chief characteristics.

Everyone keeps saying putting another woman on the ticket would be such an affront to Clinton and her supporters, but must that necessarily be so?

As far as McCain, I've also seen lots of mention of Jindal, but I really suspect lots of the base that's already holding its nose to pull the lever for McCain would really blow a fuse if some "farner" was on the ticket.