I don't put much stock in Robert Novak's claim that Michelle Obama has nixed the VP chances of Hillary Clinton. However, his claim that Democratic Party insiders are pushing the candidacy of Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland is intruiging.
http://www.townhall.com/...
"Support is growing in Democratic ranks for Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland as vice president. He would bring to the ticket maturity (66 years old), experience (six terms in Congress) and moderation (rated "A" by the National Rifle Association). He is very popular in Ohio, a state Republicans must carry to elect a president."
Strickland would bring great balance to the ticket without destroying Barack's core narrative of change, new politics and a higher minded appeal to voters and problem solving.
While in Congress, Strickland voted against the Iraq war resolution.
Strickland's appeal goes far beyond the Appalachian states where he was born and now governs. He will appeal to older voters all across the country.
As I've written in other diaries, I don't think Barack should give up on older voters just because McCain is old.
Old people do not want to vote for McCain. The old people I know think he's too old -- and they say they know from personal experience. At this point, most of them like Hillary Clinton because she is part of the Clinton family and is safe and familiar.
They want a younger candidate, but they still want experience and familiarity. Barack Obama epitomizes change in numerous positive ways. But, older people normally don't gravitate toward the change message candidate unless they are really unhappy with the status quo. This year, I think older people are unhappy with the status quo and they are concerned about the country and world they are leaving their grandchildren.
Obama's youth, fresh ideas and post-partisan message will play well in the Mountain West and West, as well as Wisconsin, North Carolina and Virginia regardless of his veep choice. Strickland would do nothing to diminish that appeal.
Obama could definitely choose a Tim Kaine, Jim Webb, Bill Richardson, Janet Napolitano, etc. to shore up those states. That would make perfect sense, but I think Strickland deserves serious consideration.
Find out more about Strickland below:
http://www.ontheissues.org/...
Let me know what you think.