VP--does Obama need to reach out to Latinos, or to women?

[dailykoff]

Let's think state by state, which is how the GE is going to be won if it is: does Obama need to shore up his Latino base by choosing Richardson, or Hillary voters by choosing a woman?

[Poll_Blind]

1. I don't think he thinks like that. Which is why so many of us are big fans. n/t

PB

[Gore1FL]

3. Reaches out to competence.

[dailykoff]

4. He didn't win the nomination by ignoring strategy.

And the veep choice is his next big strategic move.

[Poll_Blind]

5. Yes, but "Richardson or 'A Woman'" is checkers when Obama plays chess. n/t

PB

[dailykoff]

8. Sure but I'm just looking at one part of the thinking.

There's also north-south and other considerations but at the moment this seems to be a big concern, if not the biggest.

[WA98296]

7. Agree.

[Beregond2]

2. Here's an idea:

What if he picks a VP candidate based on whether they would make a good president?

[dailykoff]

6. Well, let's assume they all would,

I mean, he's not going to put Bozo on his short list is he?

[Beregond2]

23. Yeah, I know.

It just seems like people get so caught-up in who might help in the election, they forget that the VP might well become President. That really needs to be the first consideration.

[Warren Stupidity]

9. What if Richardson gets a sex change?

[dailykoff]

10. I don't think his wife would go for it.

On the other hand I'm not even sure he's married.

[Poll_Blind]

12. Then we've hit the...bi-fecta!

:evilgrin:

PB

[Nite Owl]

11. The right person

without regard to sex or race.

[Renew Deal]

13. How about JLo

She's got all the required characteristics.

[dailykoff]

14. You know you might be onto something.

She's popular everywhere!

[dailykoff]

15. There are some popular Latino women pols in the West.

Gloria Molina and Loretta Sanchez for example... but they're pretty obscure and would probably not mean much on the East coast.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

18. I prefer Salma Hayek.

:evilgrin:

[sellitman]

16. Richardson brings experience.

Not just the Latino vote.

[dailykoff]

19. He does have that going for him.

Two-term governor, White House experience, a congressional career before that, and he's relatively young, which means he'll still be electable in eight years.

[MindMatter]

17. He should nominate a black, Spanish-speaking lesbian with strong roots in Ohio, Florida, Missouri,

and Iowa, who is strong on defense. But one who won't offend hard working white people.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

20. We'll call her "Voltron."

[dailykoff]

21. How about Whoopee

she can fake whatever's missing.

[dailykoff]

22. Well, here's my thinking:

He really needs to nail down Latino voters in the south and west. I don't think he'll lose them but they can help him sweep the house in November if they get on board. Having Hillary campaign for him might help marginally but I really don't think she would, and putting her on the ticket would be suicide.

Women Dems on the other hand I am pretty sure will vote for Obama whether there's a woman on the ticket or not, and there will be lots of women in other races.

So unless Richardson has major bimbo problems, I think it's pretty clear he'll be at the top of the list.

[OzarkDem]

24. Is a VP choice enough to convince them? n/t

[Hola]

25. VP is a strategic choice, not tactical

He needs to pick someone who can balance out the ticket, not just pander to one demographic.

[dailykoff]

26. I kind of think of strategy and tactics as being the same.

Counting votes in other words, as opposed to policy positions or grand plans.