While most of the country is now focused on selecting the next American Idol or "Dancing with the Stars", some die-hard political junkies are engaged in the futile practice of handicapping the most important yet insignificant decision to be made this year: selection of the major party choices for vice president.
Before the ink has dried on the pundits' prediction that race and gender no longer matter with the success of Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton, both parties are scheming to find ways to both take advantage of the energy brought by the race for the Democratic nomination, and to blunt the potential impact of the race and gender demographic bump that will no doubt propell the Democratic Ticket.
Without going through all of the boring prospects (and there are many – trust me!), I have found some intriguing candidates:
The Washington Post offers a nice primer on the usual suspects, however there have been some very interesting names that have come up lately – particularly on the Democratic side. New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg has been whispered as a possible choice for Obama, as he helps to firm up the Senator’s economic gravitas; Colorado Senator Ken Salazar has also been mentioned as a surprise choice.
On the Republican side, it was revealed today that Dr. Condoleezza Rice, our esteemed Secretary of State, is now actively campaigning for the spot on the Republican ticket. Previously, Dr. Rice has shied away from expressing any interest in the VP slot, which makes this latest revelation a big surprise. Despite this reluctance, she makes an intriguing choice, providing some ethnic balance to Obama and lending some serious credentials to the Republican ticket that no other choice can provide (Note to my peeps: Do NOT sleep on Dr. Rice).
The name creating the most buzz???? Colin Powell. Yes, that’s right – Colin Powell. He is intriguing because, under the right conditions, he could actually be a good choice for either party.
No, I am not high! Read on.
Matt Cooper on Portfolio.com argues that McCain would do well to select Powell for a variety of reasons, the least of which is that Powell counters the potential impact of Obama's presence on the ticket. While conservatives are not in love with Powell, he does bring something to the table other than racial balance that can have a significant impact in the fall.
The real intrigue, however, comes with Powell as the Democratic choice. Now, before you dog me here, it would pay to remember back to 2000, when Powell actually had his pick of either party’s nomination. Desipte his Republican connections, Powell has served in both Republican and Democratic Administrations. A war hero, Powell was The Man. While family obligations kept him out of presidential politics, he could have easily earned the top spot and been the first Black President (sorry, Bill). And despite the best efforts of President Bush 43, Powell remains popular with large segments of the African American community.
If Obama wins, this scenario is Dead on Arrival for obvious reasons. However, if Hillary pulls this thing out, Powell could be the choice that appeases African Americans for defeating Obama, while helping Hillary to win over moderate Republicans and giving her candidacy real military experience that can rival McCain.
The Republicans would have no answer for Powell, other than... Dr. Rice.
Former President John Adams once said that “My country has in its wisdom contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived." You would not know it from all of the energy that goes into the selection process.
Stay tuned… this is bound to get even more interesting this summer.
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