obama's running mate

With the two major parties having chosen their presumptive nominees, the attention is now shifting to the choice of their vice-presidential candidates. Both Barack Obama and John McCain were considered at best long shots for winning the nominations of their respective parties a year ago. Consequently, much of the attention was centered on their capacity to win the nomination. In the case of the Democrats, the closeness of the race between Clinton and Obama preempted any talk of a potential running mate. Occasionally, and with greater frequency in recent weeks the possibility of an Obama-Clinton ticket surfaced, but until the final outcome was determined, no one knew for sure who the nominee would be.

Last week’s results in Kentucky and Oregon failed to produce any real change in the race between Obama and Clinton. Obama is still moving closer to the nomination and is closing in on the magic number of 2026. Mrs. Clinton continues her determined effort to seek the recognition of Florida and Michigan delegations, win the overall popular vote as a result, and make her case to the remaining super delegates. Both Clintons have hinted strongly that they are willing to force a vote on the floor of the convention, scheduled for late August in Denver, Colorado. That such a scenario might take place is creating much concern in Democratic circles.