Two Directions for Obama's VP Choice

Once Obama returns from his trip abroad the VP sweepstakes will be in full swing. Obama will more than likely announce his choice before the Olympics in China and Senator John McCain will probably make his announcement sometime after Obama. Obama has two directions in which he can take this pick, he can continue with his theme of change and select a Washington outsider such as Virginia Governor and early Obama supporter Tim Kaine, or he could select Kansas Governor Kathleen Sibelius. These are indeed two very qualified candidates that have won in Republican leaning states, and Obama has identified Virginia as a battleground state by opening 20 offices in the Commonwealth. But I do believe that these picks would not give Obama the credibility that many moderate undecided voters feel that he needs when it comes to National Defence and Foreign Policy issues.

Obama needs to go with someone that provides some knowlege and experience on National Defence and Foreign Policy Issues. Here are my top three VP choices for Senator Obama

1.) Senator Evan Bayh - Bayh is a Junior Senator from Indiana and the former Governor of the State. Bayh has served in the Senate since 1999 and is fairly young at the age of 52. Bayh is respected by his Senate Colleagues and many political pundents say that he would defiantly pass the VP vetting process because of his squeaky clean image. Senator Bayh's experience on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Intelligence Committee would defiantly provide the Obama campaign with some credibility when it comes to military issues. But although he is respected by his colleagues some wonder if he will be able to go out on the campaign and be the forceful force that Obama will need to hammer away at the McCain campaign.

2.) Senator Jack Reed- Is a Senior Senator from Rhode Island serving since 1997. He has been in Congress since 1991 serving first as a Congressman. Reed is a former Captain in The United States Army and this will definitely provide the Obama campaign with some credibility on Military issues. Reed also serves on the Armed Services Committee and the powerful Appropriations Committee. Jack Reed has accompianing Obama abroad on his trip to the Middle East and many feel that this will be a time for Obama to become comfortable with Jack Reed. But some questions whether Senator Reed would be open to accepting a VP nod.

3.) Former Senator Sam Nunn- Is a former United States Senator from Georgia serving from 1972-1997. Nunn is the former Chairman of the Armed Forces Committee and is well respected on Military matters. Some of his major accomplishments include the Department of Defence Reorganization Act which he co-sponsored with Senator Barry Goldwater and the Nunn-Luger Cooperative Threat Reduction which reduced the spread of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. But there is a huge downfall for Senator Nunn. First he was big supporter of the Don't Ask Don't Tell Military policy which has fallen out of favor with many in the Democratic Party and Gay community. Also Senator Nunn has been out of politics since 1997. Many in the gay community feel that is Nunn is selected for the VP spot it will be a huge slap in the face.

These are my picks for VP, more than likley I will would support the appointment of Governor Tim Kaine and Kathleen Sibileous over Senator Sam Nunn. Choosing Sam Nunn (69yrs old) would make it hard for Democrats to gripe about John McCain's (72 yrs old) age. I'm a big supporter of all the people that have been mentioned and I feel that even if there not selected as a VP nominee then they could indeed play a crucial role in a Obama Administration. But I do hope that Obama will choose someone that will bring some Military / National Security experience to the ticket.