The Obama VP Speculation Game

We're entering the dog days of summer and with the national conventions still a few weeks away, speculation is turning to who the candidates will choose as running mates.

For Sen. Barack Obama, the speculation at the Washington Post leads to Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine, although the paper notes that Senator Joe Biden and Senator Evan Bayeh are also under consideration.

Of the three, only Kaine has any executive experience.

Obama has revealed little about which way he is leaning. And despite rising anticipation that a decision is imminent, campaign officials said an announcement is likely in mid-August, shortly before the Democratic National Convention. Obama's top aides, David Plouffe and David Axelrod, huddled yesterday in the Washington office of Eric Holder, who along with Caroline Kennedy is vetting potential running mates.

Although rumors have circulated about former military leaders and other nontraditional contenders, including Republicans, Obama's pool of prospects is heavy on longtime senators with foreign policy experience. Kaine and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius are the only state leaders believed to be under serious consideration, sources close to Obama said.

Democrats who have discussed possible choices with campaign officials and have knowledge of the vetting process said others being considered include Sens. Christopher J. Dodd (Conn.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and former senator Sam Nunn (Ga.). Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel (Neb.) and Democratic Sen. Jack Reed (R.I.) are mentioned as long shots.

Biden has a lengthy career in the Senate, but it's also marked by his extraordinary lack of knowledge, rampant plagiarsm, and general stupidity on economics, law, and policy.

Bayeh is from Indiana, and wouldn't exactly help Obama geographically, and his name recognition isn't there.

As for the long shots, Dodd wouldn't (or shouldn't) get considered because of his involvement in the Countrywide Mortgage mess. Clinton and Obama simply can't play nice. Hagel isn't going to switch parties, and wouldn't bring anything to the table for Obama, and Reed is an unknown and represents a state that Obama would likely capture anyway.

Nunn is an intriguing choice, especially since he's got significant experience on defense matters and nuclear proliferation. He also hails from Georgia, which would help Obama in the South.

Of course, it remains curious that Eric Holder remains on the vetting committee despite his ties to the Clinton pardon mess.