Compelling Choices for Vice President

With about one month until the presidential conventions, both major party candidates (Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama) have yet to announce their running mates. Both candidates are non-traditional in their own right and Box Free Thinking believes both should look beyond conventional wisdom for his choice as a running mate. Here are BFT's choices....

BFT believes Senator John McCain's choice for vice president needs to be a creative choice. There are a number of big questions about Senator McCain and his vice presidential choice must answer at least one of them. BFT's ideas:

1 - Jody Rell, Governor - Connecticut: Governor Rell offers the ultimate in non-traditional choices. A Republican woman from a northeastern state, Governor Rell is not a limelight grabber and is quite popular in Connecticut. She covers the question of Senator McCain's age as well as the "what if..." question. Governor Rell has taken over the executive offices of Connecticut mid-way through a term after the indictment of the then sitting governor. She managed her state so well that her popularity soared. Also she locks up Connecticut for McCain and brings New York and New Jersey into play. To BFT she is the ideal Vice President for a President McCain.

2- Sarah Palin , Governor - Alaska: Governor Palin's reputation is quite unique. She is a reformist Republican Governor in a male dominated state. She knows a bit about the environment and energy exploration (pretty much what Alaska is). She adds a youthful vigor, is attractive, and (from what has been read) she can throw on a pair of boots and hang with the guys anywhere; anytime. While Alaska is not large in electoral votes, and there are no immediate coattails, Governor Palin solidifies Senator McCain's environmental and energy stands and offers a youthful and down home contrast.

3- Michael Bloomberg, Mayor - New York City: Immediate economic and education credibility. There are no two bigger issues on the election plate (except for maybe Iraq). Mayor Bloomberg's work in New York City post 9/11 and his creative approaches towards education were nothing but mini-miracles. His credibility is unmatched and he brings New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut into play.

4- Colin Powell, former Secretary of State: There is no need to go on too long here. Secretary Powell's reputation is exceptional. He crosses all lines. While he will take heat for Iraq, he also rises above the fray. He says he has no aspirations to run for president on his own. If true, this would give Senator McCain great credibility as a do something now president.

Since Senator Barack Obama is the non-traditional candidate, BFT believes he will be more than likely to look at a moderate established "grey haired" statesman. There are a lot of names floating around and they all have credibility:

1- Sam Nunn, former Senator, Georgia: Senator Nunn is a well respected moderate with a strong military and foreign service background from his days in the U.S. Senate. He is well respected by both parties and might be a big help in creating coalitions for important bills. BFT believes that the choice of Senator Nunn could actually lock up the election for Senator Obama. Nunn's credentials and moderate views would clearly counter anything the Republicans toss into the fray.

2- Bill Richardson, Governor - New Mexico: OK, not a very creative choice, but he has all the international background Senator Obama should seek in a vice president. He also gives Hispanics a candidate to root for and treads into the western states.

2- Joe Biden, Senator - Delaware: We have seen much of Senator Biden on the Sunday morning talk shows and in Senate hearings where he is tough and partisan. We have also seen him speak at neutral locations (like the LBJ Library) where he was much more thought provoking and intuitive. At the LBJ Library his arguments were well thought out and convincing. It is this out of Washington-Biden that makes him so compelling. This Joe Biden would solidify an Obama candidacy.