Politics

Obama -Bradley, Part II

By Matt Cooper

When I blogged that Bill Bradley would be a good veep for Obama I didn't mean to overlook some of his biggest flaws. National security experience to compensate for Obama's? Zippo unless guarding the Celtics counts. Ethereal quality as the great Josh Marshall noted to me on Facebook that doesn't balance Obama's. But for sheer sanctimony , Bradley would seem to match Obama piety for piety. (Actually, Obama is more fun and self deprecating.) Bradley does, though, have a lot to commend him, as I noted. In fact, I'd look to the ranks of ex Senators more than the current crop for an Obama running make. To wit: Sam Nunn (paleo, yes, but his work with Ted Turner and trimming Russian nukes makes him more of a left hero than in the old days. Downside: Flipped on abortion and voted against first Gulf War.) Max Cleland (takes it to McCain on war hero but health and other issues could make him a nonstarter), Bob Kerrey (dissed Obama on the Muslim thing but brings a lot to the table. That Vietnam village massacre? Don't be so September 10th). I think Tom Daschle may have been one of the most ineffective majority leaders in modern times--we'll cave on the war but make our stand on union rules for the Homeland Security dparrtment--but as an early Obama man he probably has the candidate's trust. Currently in the Senate? You have to like Evan Bayh, even if he was an early Hillary backer just for sheer solidity. Ben Nelson? Bill Nelson? Same. Jim Webb is ideal: Reagan's Secretary of the Navy, hawk, military cred, swing state, etc.

Finally, allow me the fantasy: Colin Powell. This would, um, amplify some of Obama's more noticeable attributes. Gives the man from Punahou foreign policy cred. Bolsters the bipartisan case. Shocks the body politic. Sure, it alienates antiwar liberals who can't stomach Powell's (grudging) participation in the war. Oh well, with a brokered convention fading once again into a reporter's pipe dream, you have to let a blogger dream a little.

Full post as published by Portfolio.com: Capital on February 26, 2008 (boomark / email).