In 1992, Bill Clinton chose a fellow southerner as his running mate. The Governor of Arkansas went with a Senator from Tennessee, and they won.
Sixteen years later, the country faces an enormous election that makes all others of recent memory pale in comparison. Yet the strategy of Clinton in '92, that of complimenting existing strength, is what would be ideal for 2008.
For candidate to be Vice-President, Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana would be the best choice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/...
First off, Senator Evan Bayh is a former Clinton supporter. He was no minor supporter, he campaigned and lobbied vigorously for her during the Indiana primary and throughout this contest since it began.
Secondly, Senator Evan Bayh is also a former governor. In fact, he served two terms as governor in a red-state(well, formerly red..) with the reputation of a fiscally-conservative Democrat.
Thirdly, his overall experience is impressive. Eight years as the governor of Indiana, two years of Indiana's secretary of state before that, and now he's past half-way into his second term as a United States Senator. From a red state. He has degrees in public policy and business economics
Fourthly, he is very electable. He won the election for Indiana Secretary of State by 8, governorship by 6 and then 25 for reelection, 29 for United States Senator, and 24 for reelection in 2004.. a year Democrats dread to remember. He did this in a red state. With Evan Bayh, Indiana is unquestionably in play for the Democrats in the fall.
Perhaps most importantly, Senator Bayh is from Indiana while Senator Obama is from Illinois. Just as Clinton/Gore, two candidates from Arkansas and Tennessee waged a battle from the south for the Presidency, Obama/Bayh could make the Mid-West ripe for flipping Democratic. Competing in the general election to be the President of the United States of America would seem easier if done so from the middle of those united states.
Last but not least, Evan Bayh is a white man(sarcasm) and a neighbor of Ohio.
He's not mentioned nearly enough as a potential VP.