Hillary doesn’t need a veep, she needs a sock puppet.
Via The Hill
Speculation has already begun as to whom Hillary Clinton might pick as a running mate if she becomes the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in 2016.
Clinton was asked point-blank about the issue during a recent public forum in New York City, with a Massachusetts senator and President Obama’s nominee as the next Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) posited as contenders.
“Were you to run for president in 2016,” ABC News’ Robin Roberts asked, “would you consider Elizabeth Warren or Julian Castro for your running mate?”
Clinton wouldn’t concede she was running, but she did praise Warren and Castro.
“They’re both extraordinary leaders and great political advocates for a lot of what needs to be done in our country, and I admire both of them greatly,” she said.
There are almost two-and-a-half years to go before Election Day, but Warren and Castro are only two of several clear players who have already emerged as possible running mates for the former Secretary of State.
1. Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley
Many Democrats believe O’Malley will run for president if Hillary decides not to do so. If she goes ahead, O’Malley is seen as a strong contender for the Number Two spot on the ticket.
“Given all of the press he’s generated over the last six months or so, he is obviously aiming to raise his profile,” said strategist Jim Manley, a former spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).
O’Malley is described by supporters as a charismatic and strong executive. But he also offers some drawbacks.
One: Doubts over whether he is truly willing to play second fiddle. Another: he is from Maryland.
“What he doesn’t bring to the table is a swing state that might otherwise not be in play,” noted Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.).
Others say that geography gets too much attention in the media.
Phil Singer, who worked for Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign, said that executive or legislative accomplishment would be top factors in Clinton’s pick, if she were to run and win the Democratic nomination. Race, gender and region would take a secondary role, he suggested.
Singer noted that Vice President Biden comes from Delaware while his predecessor, Dick Cheney, hails from Wyoming. “Hardly big swing states,” Singer said.