Obama's VP: Take this to the Bank:

[denem]

I have no idea who Obama will choose, but I am sure he will want to strengthen, not dilute the cornerstones of his campaign. Off the top of my head, that means:

1. Not a Washington insider: Obama's meassage: change Washington.

2. Did not support the Iraq War 2002 -2003: Obama: A War that should never have been authorized or waged.

3. Not a Rottweiler attack dog: : Obama - A campaign of hope, change, ending division towards what we can achieve together. (The Democrats already have great attack dog with more gravitas than any VP: Chairman Dr Howard Dean)

4. A straight shooter : Obama - Old politics means promising people what they want to hear to get elected. Obama: ith the challenges that confront us, at this moment in time, we need to tell the truth.

5. Not too close to Big Money or special interests: Obama - It's the people who own this campaign.

Beyond that, its political calculations:

A) Someone reasonably well known enough who can dampen the anxiety of a leap into the unknown, without obvious swiftboats.

C) Someone who is rock solid on LGBT / Pro Choice / Civil Liberties / Civil Rights. ( On a personal note, I have always seen LGBT rights as the canary on in the coal mine. Obama should leave behind the shadows of October)

B) Someone who can fill a hole in the resume : Administrative / Business / Military .

C) Someone who adds to Demographic appeal: Hispanics, 'working (hard working ) class', Women, Older Voters, Catholics, Jews.

D) Someone who can appeal to a state or a region: ( I discount this somewhat - its the 20+1 strategy, but you can hardly be ignore it)

E) Someone who can at least say nice things about Hillary Clinton with conviction.

I am not advocating anyone, but a set principles and policies and positions. Serious compromise would dilute and detract from a successful campaign, which above all, has championed a consistent message.