Just a few short hours ago, 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, make that Saturday afternoon, 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 does have experience with foreign policy and national security issues. But unlike Biden, Bayh also has executive experience -- he previously served as Indiana's governor. And the cautious Bayh 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 did not buy Bayh. Now his presidential aspirations are likely to buy the farm.
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