Becoming a VP Candidate

What does is take to be a Vice Presidential Candidate? Clearly you have to be selected by the Presidential Candidate and his party. So, what are they looking for? To select the most capable person as their candidate's second in command? Hell no. They might want you to think so, but let's face it, it's all about getting enough votes to get elected. The selection of VP is always secondary and tactical ... to strengthen their voter base and/or weaken their opponent's. To sway those swing voters who matter.

Obama may have made the weaker choice there. He picked a known name with a long track record to scrutinize. Maybe too well established in the status quo for his "change" message. Plus, when it comes to "change" some people are fixated on the ultimate big change: getting a woman into the White House. Joe Biden is very qualified, if that matters... Yes, Obama may have fared better selecting Angelina Jolie as his vice presidential candidate.

On the other side, I wondered (as many people did) what was taking McCain so long to announce his running mate. It is clear. It was tactical, as we should expect it to be. Obama announced his VP candidate and McCain was able to tactically react. It is obvious that Palin wasn't chosen for her extensive experience. Or her knowledge. Hell, all of the kids on Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader have a better grasp of history and world events than Palin. Too bad none of them are old enough to nominate.

McCain's tactical advantages:

McCain picked a woman. An obvious grab at Hillary Clinton sympathizers. Apparently it is working so far. Without getting into the grit of it, some people will vote for a candidate just because she's a woman who is challenging the status quo. McCain's people are investing in the emotional "Moms can do it all too" vision and seem to be gaining with that. An impressive vision to build around a woman with so much negative baggage. This tactic may backfire.

McCain picked someone from obscurity. Palin is not well known which made her a harder target. We are distracted by this period of discovery. It was clear that Obama and party didn't know how to react to her selection. McCain caught them off guard by choosing someone not on the lists of people they were prepared to face.

McCain picked an ultra conservative. Anti abortion and pro gun. Someone who wants to establish her strong religious beliefs as law for the masses. Strengthening McCain's conservative base. A tactic that was used quite successfully to get Bush elected into his second term was playing on fears of liberalizing abortion, gay marriage, restricting belief based education, etc.

McCain picked a good looking woman. I'm not trying to pass judgment here. It is well understood that since the introduction of television people are more likely to vote for better looking candidates. Man or woman. It is a quirk of our human nature to want to like a better looking and more pleasant looking person more. Palin's success in politics after coming in 2nd for the Ms Alaska beauty contest... You make the call.

All said ... time will tell. But when I run for President I hope that Kathy Ireland is willing to run as my VP. She could take on Palin any day! I'm saving cabinet spots for Angelina and Arnie!