The vice presidency isn't worth a bucket of warm bleep, John Nance Garner once said. He would have known. He served in the position for two terms under Franklin Roosevelt. Had he remained for another two, he might have thought differently. Harry Truman, who suceeded Garner as Roosevelt's vice president after the Harry Wallace interregnum, was sworn in as the 33rd president of the United States. The tale of these two vice presidents reflect the paradox of vice presidential selections. They are at once the first presidential decision a would-be president makes--a decision potentially as important as the decision voters make in November--but usually the least meaningful--in terms of electoral outcome and governing policy--decision that a president makes.

Rumor has it that Barack Obama will select his running mate today. His choice will probably reflect where he thinks he is weakest. A choice of Joe Biden reflects insecurity on foreign policy issues. A choice of Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius reflects insecurity on the Hillary/woman issue. A choice of Indiana senator Evan Bayh or Virginia governor Tim Kaine reflects insecurity on white men. Of course, some selections reflect strength rather than weakness. Bill Clinton, for instance, picked a running mate that didn't bring much to the table that Clinton himself didn't bring. Clinton just chose the guy he thought most qualified.

So who will Obama pick? My pick is Joe Biden. Though it would be the first ticket of accused plagiarists, and the first senator runningmates since 1960, my sense is that Obama has the the outsider/change reputation covered and thus does not need to select a governor. He can get away with choosing a senator. I also think there is a perception, perhaps unfounded, within Camp Obama that an African American on the ticket is controversial enough; adding a woman would be too much for some to handle. Thus, I see neither Sebelius nor especially Hillary Clinton on the ticket. In addition to running twice for president, Biden has served in the senate for longer than I have been alive. In other words, there is unlikely to be any surprises with an established, thoroughly vetted politician as there would be with a fresh face. Biden is known, likable, and, at least within the left-wing caucus that the senate Democrats have become, a moderate.

Kerry. Perfect. Flip and Flop.

I doubt that Obama will pick Biden for two reasons. First, because he is too much of a loose cannon, making him a less-than-safe bet, and second because he does not improve the electoral chances more than Kaine or Bayh. This is not to say that Biden isn't the best choice for VP based on qualifications, because he is, but the best qualified don't necessarily win elections.

Regrettably, I think he will go with Bayh or Kaine. He may very well win either Indiana or Virginia if he does, which would virtually seal a general election victory. Bayh is a great pick because he would appease the whiny, self-righteous, misandry-ridden postmodern botched and bungled feminists (Bayh was one of the first-wave Hillary '08 cheerleaders) and would help court the blighted, ignorant, blue-collar xenophobic white democrats. Obama and McCain according to Zogby are dead-even in Indiana, and even a .5% tilt could give a democrat Indiana for the first time in a half-century.

His pick won't sway my vote, however. I'm voting for Ron Paul, but to be honest I'd much rather see a Vice President Biden than a Vice Panderer a la Used Car Salesman Bayh. I'm a Hoosier who's seen Bayh speak in person, who's seen him waffle, pander, equivocate, and act in a generally impotent manner for a few minutes. That's the only way a democrat can win in Indiana. Oh, and it helps when your daddy was a Senator and you're the textbook definition of a pandering, gutless politician.

i agree..

That seems to be way too much thinkin' for a person who says they're going to vote for Ron Paul.

Didn't Biden get in trouble during the primaries when he described Obama as "clean." Didn't it end his campaign? I doubt they would want to retread this controversy.

I heard an interesting take on his pick last night : Colin Powell.

Doubt it would happen though as Powell could strenthen his position with regard to defense but would help him not in any other ways.

Thirteen months ago, I announced my determination to seek the Republican nomination for the United States Senate. I entered this race because I love my country and my home state of Illinois - and because I believe that one man, living for purposes larger than himself, can make a difference.

The media has gotten out of control. The fact that the Chicago Tribune sues for access to sealed custody documents and then takes unto itself the right to publish details of a custody dispute - over the objections of two parents who agree that the re-airing of their arguments will hurt their ability to co-parent their child and will hurt their child - is truly outrageous.

The debate between competing visions and philosophies is a vital one - one the voters of Illinois absolutely deserve. Elections, after all, are about choices. But it's clear to me that a vigorous debate on the issues most likely could not take place if I remain in the race.

What would take place, rather, is a brutal, scorched-earth campaign - the kind of campaign that has turned off so many voters, the kind of politics I refuse to play.

Accordingly, I am today withdrawing from the race.

To the 234,000 Republican voters who cast a ballot for me in March, to the thousands of supporters and volunteers who have invested in our campaign the two most precious resources they have - their time and their money - I say thank you. I will never be able to properly express the depth of my gratitude for the trust you placed in me.

Ugh, I was wrong. I guess it will be Biden. Good job, Mr. Flynn!