Senator Jack Reed for Vice President?

[liberalpragmatist]

I haven't heard his name mentioned, but he strikes me as a good potential pick, especially for Obama.

He's a very intelligent senator with more than 10 years experience. He's 59 years old, is recently married and has a young daughter. He also has a solidly liberal record in Congress, voted against the Iraq War Resolution is well-liked and respected by his fellow senators, is honest and is a veteran and graduate of West Point.

On the downside, he doesn't really balance the ticket that well. He wouldn't balance a Clinton-lead ticket at all and with Obama he might make the ticket too "Northern."

But on the other hand, what other potential running mate is really going to flip a state? Bill Richardson, possibly, but New Mexico is only 5 electoral votes and in a Democratic year it's more likely than not the state will go Democratic anyway. Evan Bayh? He'd be a decent pick for Clinton but there's very little chance he'd actually swing Indiana (and he'd probably have minimal effect in Ohio). Gov. Ted Strickland's a possibility, but he has only been governor of Ohio for under 2 years (though he has many years in the House before that).

On the whole, particularly if Obama's the nominee, I think Jack Reed may come under serious consideration.

[donheld]

1. Ok for Obama, no for Hillary

Hillary needs a strong man from the south or west.

[TwilightGardener]

2. I've been mentioning him for weeks! I think he'd be a great choice.

[gaspee]

3. He'd be awesome

I love me some Jack Reed.

I am very proud to say I voted for him.

He can bring the New England states - not that any of the New England states are voting anything other than overwhelmingly Democratic - no matter who the nominee is.

There are two strikes against him -- the rest is all positive.

1.) He's short - but hello! Army Ranger - I'd like to see someone like Tweety call him short to his face!

2.) The accent. While I happen to love my local dialect... the rest of the country might not.

He's got the Bona Fides and he is a good guy with a good record.

But I don't think I'll ever see the day where a Roe'Dylinah can ever be nominated for Prez or Veep.

[liberalpragmatist]

4. How short?

Like, really short? Or Howard Dean short?

I don't think this will really matter, esp. if he's the running mate. But you're right that superficial characteristics do often factor into calculations. I mean, would he contrast poorly with 6'2" Obama?

[gaspee]

6. Pretty short

I'm taller than he is and I am 5' 8" -- I know the one time I stood next to him that I am taller than he is.

Here his biography - I would vote for Obama if Reed was his running mate.

http://reed.senate.gov/biography/index.cfm

In the photo gallery part you can see him next to other people you might know.

He looks extremely short next to Leahy...

[thevoiceofreason]

5. I had not thought of him

Interesting

[stahbrett]

7. I really see Obama going with a current or former governor, not a Senator (n/t)