President Barak Obama likes to make bold historical moves. The very idea of a first-term African-American Senator from Illinois with the middle name “Hussein” successfully running for the Democratic nomination for president in 2008 would have unimaginable in 2000. His nomination of Sonya Sotomayor to be the first Hispanic on the U.S. Supreme was a headline grabber and a source of pride for the second largest “group” (albeit diverse) in America. At the same time, he is an individual who seeks to create a consensus on policy when feasible. Many of President Obama’s supporters were disappointed when he did not announce that U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Diane Wood would not be his nominee. Her vocal support for abortion rights made her too controversial, disappointing those who wanted a new Supreme Justice with the personality and intelligence to stand up to Justice Anthony Scalia and his sophistic legal reasoning.
Barak Obama chose Joe Biden to be his running mate shortly after the Russian invasion of Georgia last year, recognizing his own limitations in the foreign policy area. As Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a former candidate for president, Senator Biden not only had the expertise that Mr. Obama lacked as well as a compelling personal story, he would not have any skeletons in his closet. His reputations for occasional gaffes did not disqualify him in the public’s eye — he would be no “Tom Eagleton.” Senator Biden gladly accepted the offer to be Senator Obama’s “Advisor-in-Chief.”
Senator Obama may have wanted to create a ticket of national unity, by asking Nebraska Republican Senator Chuck Hagel to be his running made. The two got on well on their trip to Iraq. The straight talking, former Viet Nam veteran Hagel was tougher on Bush administration officials tesfifying about our policy in Iraq on the Hill than most Democrats. He was not seeking re-election. Washington insiders did not overlook that Senator Hagel’s wife had contributed the maximum amount of money allowed by law to the Obama campaign. As things turned out, President Obama received the good fortune of having Bush Defense Secretary Robert Gates agree to serve his Obama administration at a critical time — Chuck Hagel will have other opportunities in the future to serve the Obama administration; he is not apparently moving back to Nebraska.
Joe Biden has served Barak Obama well. Senator Biden reassured the American electorate that Mr. Obama not merely smart, articulate and personable, he was not a radical. Furthermore, Senator Obama understood the importance of Washington and international experience. Vice President Biden is not a young man and there is no rule that a vice president automatically remains on the ticket. Mr. Biden could be an excellent U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, China, or the Court of St. James.
The U.S. has yet to have a female president even though women constitute a majority of the country’s population. Hillary Clinton sought to break that glass ceiling, but her candidacy was problematic for many. America did not want a Clinton dynasty — a Bush dynasty was a disaster of incalculable proportions. Secretary Clinton has played an important role in advancing the role of woman in U.S. political life. So much in fact, that Senator John McCain impulsively invited soon-to-be former Governor to be his running mate. She may end up as a talk show host, while Senator Kay Bailey Huchinson becomes the next governor of Texas.
How might President Obama excite a portion of the country to improve his chances for re-election? His best option would be to pick a female vice presidential candidate, who could then use the post as a stepping stone to the presidency. There are a host of attractive candidates, including Homeland Security Secretary and former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano — who not only has executive experience, but is gaining national security experience as well. In addition, she could be the first president of Italian descent as well (if she can beat out Andrew Cuomo).
Yet, President Obama has a much better option, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobachar. Ms. Kolobachar is ready for prime time. She was the chief prosecutor in Minnesota’s largest county and not surprisingly good on talk shows. She is smart and thoughtful. She is not a liability on “family values” — having fought in Minnesota for one of the first laws in the country guaranteeing 48-hour hospital stays for new moms and their babies. She is not a “blue blood” — grandfather was a miner and her mother an elementary school teacher until she was 70.
Most importantly, she will make things difficult for the one individual who would seem to be the Republican’s strongest presidential candidate, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. Governor Pawlenty was mentioned as a possible running mate for John McCain. For a Republican to be elected as governor in a state like Minnestota is no small feat. In some of his recent public speaking opportunities, he sounds increasingly conservative. As a person, he is comfortable in his skin. Yet, if Senator Kobachar were President Obama’s running mate, he would be forced to devote a lot of time and resources to carry his home state. This might even make Republicans reconsider their options and turn to Mitt Romney or some new face.
After four years as vice president, Amy Klobachar will have acquired top-level executive experience and been exposed to defense issues, foreign trade concerns, and foreign policy. Amy Klobachar may not yet be a household name, but who heard of Barak Obama outside of Illinois in 2005? A President Klobachar could become a shared legacy of Secretary Clinton and President Obama.
