Obama VP Poll: How About Obama-Gore?

RKR UPDATE NOTE: While the analysis below from 3/17 is still valid, the poll discussed is closed.  If you want to participate in a new poll that’s still open, click here.

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Here’s a status report on the voting thus far in the poll on “who should be Obama’s VP should he win the nomination”:

As you can see, there’s a strong interest in Gore serving as Obama’s VP. Interestingly, nobody wrote-in Hillary Clinton (the write-ins were for John Edwards).

As I see, these would be the benefits of Obama-Gore:

(1) Gore, as a former congressman, senator and VP, and son of a senator, is probably the most experienced Democrat in America (not named Bill Clinton). With his experience, he could single handedly eliminate this alleged vulnerability of Obama’s that both Clinton and McCain have emphasized.

(2) After receiving the most popular votes in history in 2000, Gore has been an excellent “ex-VP” for the last 8 years. His work on climate change, in the technology sector, cable television and venture capital sectors have cleansed him of his “inside the beltway” status and restored his ability to represent change.

(3) His role as a working VP has now become the established model for the position. Obama could delegate significant policy matters to him to take advantage of his experience.

(4) Now that Gore has replenished his bank account and his kids have grown, returning to the public sector might be of interest to him again. After eight years in the private sector, he may now see the limitations on making change from the outside of government. Campaigning and governing with Obama could be an opportunity to truly make history.

(5) Who else could as effectively unify the Democratic base behind the ticket? As Nancy Pelosi has said repeatedly, it’s highly unlikely Obama will pick Hillary. Picking Hillary would contradict the central argument of his campaign: change. It would also mean tossing red meat to the right wing attack machine — nothing would help GOP fundraising more than Hillary on the ticket with Obama. Obama needs a ticket that can unite the Democratic base – i.e., get Hillary’s supporters to become enthusiastic supporters of his nomination. Obama could pick a woman, but this runs the risk of seeming too much of a calculated “identity politics” decision, which Obama has said he wants the Democratic Party to move beyond. Besides, what woman would he pick? Kansas Governor Sebelius? Unknown and boring, she would not provide any help on the “experience/commander in chief” issue. Arizona Governor Napolitano? She’s not well known outside of Arizona and wouldn’t even carry that state for the Democratic ticket — not with McCain leading the Republican ticket. Michigan Governor Granholm was born in Canada and is therefore constitutionally ineligible. Gore, however, is still beloved among Clinton supporters, including among women over 50 that are Hillary’s most loyal supporters.

(6) I suspect Gore is already pulling for Obama. I can’t imagine he’s in favor of the Clintons’ divisive, scorched Earth “do and say anything to get elected” election strategy. Gore and his team grew disenchanted with Clinton after his many ethical lapses. By the time of the 2000 presidential race, it was apparent that Gore didn’t even want to be seen with Clinton at public events. Obama recently noted that he talked to Gore recently. To my knowledge, Hillary has not reported having a recent conversation of her own with him. Many of Obama’s advisers, formal and informal, are former Gore folks.

(7) The obvious question is, would Gore accept the VP role again? After all, isn’t that a step down? Depends. If Obama persuaded Gore (and Gore believed) that he could help ensure victory in 2008 for a historic ticket, while without him McCain might prevail, the opportunity might be too much for Gore to pass up. In addition, Obama could frame the opportunity as a working partnership in many respects to make it more attractive. I’m sure Gore believes that there is more to be done on a variety of policy issues — the environment just being one of them. In addition, Gore still isn’t very old – he will turn 60 on March 31. In any event, if Obama-Gore were elected to two terms, Gore could still run for president afterwards if he wished and be four years younger than McCain would be if he is elected in 2008.

Thoughts?

UPDATE 3-20: Final Results of Poll (note that the “Other” category was occupied by John Edwards and there were no write-ins for Hillary or anyone else).