Print ArticleThis weekend we learned that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama had selected Delaware Senator Joe Biden as his running mate. I don't want to seem like a Monday morning quarterback, but I think he made the wrong choice. With all due respect to Biden, Indiana Senator Evan Bayh would have been a better selection.
While Bayh has not been in the Senate as long as Biden, he has been in the Senate for nearly 10 years and does have experience with national security issues. He has served on the Senate Armed Services Committee, including the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities and the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support. But unlike Biden, Bayh also has executive experience -- he previously served as Indiana's governor for eight years.
Another factor that Obama should have considered is the fact issue that favored Bayh is that he has avoided major gaffes because he can control his mouth, something that has proved difficult for Biden during his years as a public figure. In addition, Bayh, who had endorsed Hillary Clinton during the primaries, would have brought Obama many of her most ardent former supporters, who are still holding out. Finally, Bayh would have given Obama a serious shot at winning Indiana, a state that has been solidly Republican in presidential races for decades. Obama was going to win Delaware anyway.
I bet Al Gore regretted not taking then-Florida Senator Bob Graham as his running mate in 2000. Graham, as is the case with Bayh in Indiana, had also served as the governor of Florida. No doubt Graham would have delivered Florida, and consequently the presidency, to Gore. Instead, he selected Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, who proved to be of no real benefit to him. Likewise, Obama wasted a great opportunity to shore up his chances for victory when did not select Bayh. Now his presidential aspirations are likely to "Bayh" the farm.
While Bayh has not been in the Senate as long as Biden, he has been in the Senate for nearly 10 years and does have experience with national security issues. He has served on the Senate Armed Services Committee, including the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities and the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support. But unlike Biden, Bayh also has executive experience -- he previously served as Indiana's governor for eight years.
Another factor that Obama should have considered is the fact issue that favored Bayh is that he has avoided major gaffes because he can control his mouth, something that has proved difficult for Biden during his years as a public figure. In addition, Bayh, who had endorsed Hillary Clinton during the primaries, would have brought Obama many of her most ardent former supporters, who are still holding out. Finally, Bayh would have given Obama a serious shot at winning Indiana, a state that has been solidly Republican in presidential races for decades. Obama was going to win Delaware anyway.
I bet Al Gore regretted not taking then-Florida Senator Bob Graham as his running mate in 2000. Graham, as is the case with Bayh in Indiana, had also served as the governor of Florida. No doubt Graham would have delivered Florida, and consequently the presidency, to Gore. Instead, he selected Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, who proved to be of no real benefit to him. Likewise, Obama wasted a great opportunity to shore up his chances for victory when did not select Bayh. Now his presidential aspirations are likely to "Bayh" the farm.
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