Why Are Americans Waiting For the VP Pick?
Aug 16, 2008 
by Kelly Jad'on
In an uncertain time, who will we choose to be our next President?
The sleeping bear, Mother Russia has invaded Georgia, reinviting a lapse into Cold War politics. Food and oil are high. Jobs are scarce. U. S. troops bide their time (perhaps for the next 100 years) in Iraq and other foreign places. Iran is developing sophisticated missiles which can possibly reach Israel. MSNBC Military Analyst Rick Francona writes that, “The Israelis have claimed for years that Iranian uranium enrichment efforts are the first steps toward the development of a nuclear weapon, a weapon they believe may be used on the Jewish state.” And it looks like President Musharraf of our uneasy ally Pakistan, is on the way out. The pangs of birth? It’s a tense time. Who would want to be President? It is no longer a question of who will bring down the price of oil, improve the economy, or build a sustainable green environment. Though these thoughts in American minds, distracted by the patriotism of United States athletes at the Olympic Games, are not lost nor insignificant. Difficulties for the candidates in overcoming voters’ doubts are ongoing. Many women still back Hillary Clinton, though she’s not quite in the spotlight now. And John McCain just can't seem to pull Evangelicals under his Republican wing.
Both McCain and Obama are making an effort to reach out to voters, building a substantial base or coalition. But where’s it all going? To the Vice Presidential pick? Why are Americans waiting for the VP choices to be made? Will this make the difference? If you’re on Barack Obama’s email list, you can be one of the first to know and receive a text message about who has been selected as his running mate.
Perhaps this Russian invasion has given voters a surprise look at reactions by the candidates. Are we more interested in their foreign policy, healthcare plans, or in their faith forum, as hosted by Rick Warren at Saddleback Church. Did you watch that, or did you flip the channel back to the Games in Beijing?
The question is this: If Americans profess to know what they want in a Presidential candidate, why are they waiting for the Vice Presidential pick?
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Reader Comments (3)
I agree with Alex that there seems to be that "je ne sais quoi" missing element about each presidential candidate that it is tough to put your finger on. And as Alex points out I think there is the hope/illusion that the VP will complement whatever is missing in either candidate so that together the President and VP will be playing with a "full deck."
My concern is that hope for a fully functioning co-leadership is very rare in companies and even families (where often parents seem to be in disagreement much of the time).
So the hope that a VP will make us much more comfortable and confident in the President is unlikely.
I hope one of the candidates rises to the occasion so that we don't enter the the next Presidency filled with so much doubt and distrust as the present administration appears to trigger both domestically and globally. Otherwise we might have a lame duck, one term Presidency until someone we can truly believe in arrives.
If that happens I would hate to put big decisions on hold for four years given so many pressing issues.