Another day and still no early morning text message veep announcement. I'm almost losing my patience. But I'm taking a deep breadth. This is not another veepstakes diary.
By now, Barack Obama must recognize the transformative and symbolic nature of his candidacy - the message his presidency would send to the world about our values and what it would signify to millions of Americans without a privileged background, without a great name, who grew up without a father or who don't look like everyone else around them.
He may not talk about it much, but Barack Obama is a politician who likes symbolism. He was endorsed by Caroline Kennedy, daughter of JFK who called him "A President like my Father"; he's giving his acceptance speech at a stadium - just like JFK; he wanted to give a speech infront of the Bradenburg gate - just like JFK. It wouldn't surprise me if like JFK, he picks his toughest rival for the nomination to be his running mate. Forget everything you think you know, hate or like about Hillary Clinton.
Close your eyes and imagine a former first lady and 2 term US Senator, who can wake up early every morning, roll up her sleeves and campaign for 19 hours a day, has proven she can get 18 million votes and raise $240 million, a seasoned debater and campaigner who has inspired millions of voters who want to be part of history, is passionate about providing healthcare to millions of Americans and solving the problems of the middle class, has a broad range of achievements, enjoys the full support of at least half the party establishment and is associated with one of the best Economy in American history. When you open your eyes, the person you see is a perfect running mate for Barack Obama - a great governing and campaigning partner. See, JFK was not naive when he defied conventional wisdom and chose his fiercest rival, Lyndon Johnson to be his running mate.
You say what about her high negatives? I say what about her 18 million votes. People with high negatives don't get 18 million votes in a primary. How many among us called for the release of her tax records and her White House records? When she did, there was no smoking gun.
You say, she's going to upstage Barack Obama. Anyone who's followed Barack Obama for years, know that he's humble but he's no pushover. It is not a coincidence that he's already staffed his future running mate. But that aside, this is not about Barack Obama. It is about the future of America. And that future will slip further away if Democrats don't retake the White House.
Maybe, just maybe Barack Obama will give folks in the media something to talk about for a long long time. Maybe we will have the first woman vice president and first African-american president - it's a double winner. While the media has been camping outside Joe Biden's house, no one is asking Hillary Clinton where she will be on Saturday.
Or perhaps Barack Obama will pick like Bill Clinton. A lot of people have compared him to Bill Clinton in 1992 - young, charismatic, inspiring and Hope monger. In 1992, Arkhansas Governor Bill Clinton tapped the Senator from Tennessee to be his running mate. Bill Clinton and Al Gore were about the same age, they were good looking and came from neigbouring States.
Barack Obama (D-Il) and Evan Bayh (D-In) are both young, good looking, about the same age and they come from neighbouring states. Senator Bayh would add executive experience to the ticket, haven been Governor of the State of Indiana for 8 years.
Or maybe Barack Obama would just surprise us and name former Supreme NATO Commander, retired four star General Wesley Clark. As I wrote in this diary, if Republicans are praying for anything at all, it is not for rain on August 29. It is that Barack Obama does not pick General Wesley Clark. Pull a JFK, a Clinton or whoever the hell it is, just name it, Barack. The suspense is killing me!