2008 On The Democratic Side

Hillary Clinton. She's it.

Others who will play for national exposure and higher speaking fees are:
Joe Biden
John Edwards
John Kerry
Evan Bayh
Barack Obama

Others who will run, perform well and are really vying for the VP slot are:
Bill Richardson
Mark Warner

Hillary has everything a shell candidate needs to win in this media crazy age but whoever wins in 2008 will be inheriting some very serious situations which will result in, or one would like to hope, the electorate, demanding heavy experience in both. In other words, Hillary needs help and she needs it in two main areas--substance and softening.

Obama would compliment Hillary fairly well. He looks good. He sounds good and he would very possibly increase black voter turnout. However, the Democrats have always won, and will continue to win, decisively, the black minority vote. This bloc already delivers for Hillary and while a female/African American ticket would certianly spike interest, Obama would not necessarily help her in the experience department.

In order to win in 2008, the Democratic nominee is going to have to hold the solid states and flip a few that went red in 2004. With Hillary's national profile, fundraising ability coupled by the support of countless 527s who can raise unlimited soft money and Bill Clinton by her side, she should be able to do this no matter her running mate. However, Hillary does lack experience in some of the major areas that will, pesumably, be of concern to voters come 2008. For this reason, Bill Richardson would make an incredibly strong running mate for Hillary. He has endless experience and Bill Clinton like personal political skills. He has also been praised for alternative energy development plans.

Hillary/Richardson. Thoughts?