VP Pick Will Seal or Sink The Deal for Obama or McCain
The rule of thumb in picking vice presidents is that they must do three things. They must balance the ticket, make up a real or perceived deficit that the presidential contender has, and hopefully help him win the presidency, or at the very least don't help him lose it. This rule of vice presidential thumb applies more than ever to presidential contenders Barack Obama and John McCain.
If Obama or McCain had been able to widen the poll gap comfortably over each other, the vice presidency would still be important, but not as crucial. That hasn't happened and isn't likely to happen. So this election the VP will do something that seldom happens, he will help seal or sink the deal for Obama or McCain.
Do you really believe the race is that close? I think the polling numbers we are seeing are either demonstrating how flawed current polling techniques are today, or something else. What is that something else? Oh, I'd rather not say because, I'd like to think numbers are never intentionally skewed, and I really hate conspiracy theories. Let's just say that this "something else" might have something to do with boosting revenues in the broadcast media.
I have much more faith and confidence in the data available at https://www.intrade.com/.
Whoever Obama picks will probably be greeted with "that's what we expected", unless he picks Hillary. Picking Hillary would excite her following, but she also brings enough baggage to keep every skycap and TSA screener at LAX busy for a month. And I say that as someone who voted for her.
McCain's choice is probably more important, because that person probably stands a stronger chance of ultimately becoming president. McCain's age is an issue, and he has said that he only plans to serve one term.
I have to admit there is a semi-evil side of me that wants to see Obama select Hillary, and McCain select Lieberman. The only problem with that is that hospitals everywhere would be flooded with people complaining about intense skull pressure.
(Yes, my tongue is planted firmly in my cheek; however, the above does reflect my opinion.)