With John Edwards in tow, Barack Obama has less need to install Hillary Clinton as his running mate in order to win less educated white voters in November. His Achilles heel has been amongst these white, working class voters. The fear is they will switch en masse from voting Democratic for Hillary Clinton in the primaries to voting for McCain or not at all in November. The John Edwards endorsement helps there. But, it is not enough.
In 2004, Edwards was on the Democratic ticket with Kerry as VP and didn’t help Kerry win even in Edwards’ home state. The fact is that John Edwards just doesn’t have enough pull. Moreover, the VP slot is much less important in voters’ decision-making process. So, Edwards’ support can’t do the job putting Hillary Clinton in the VP slot would.
That said, Obama would do well to choose Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius or Ohio Governor Ted Strickland as a running mate. These moderate Democrats may make the difference in a close election, where Hillary Clinton’s high negatives might have the effect of increasing Republican turnout.
The Washington Post offers some thoughts on best VP candidates for both parties.
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