PA Primary Could Determine Obama’s VP PickRandy Shawbyline‚ Apr. 07‚ 2008The six weeks between the Mississippi and Pennsylvania primaries has left the media desperate for new story lines. There is a point—which I reached last week—that one cannot bear to listen to another discussion of whether Hillary can win, the impact of Reverend Wright, the fate of the superdelegates, or when the nominee will ultimately be decided. Obama’s speech on race and poor bowling skills, and Clinton’s false account of Bosnian snipers and her releasing of tax returns have helped pass the time, but most outside future primary states likely feel “Enough Already!” One feature of the Pennsylvania primary that I have not seen much discussed is whether a stronger than expected showing by Obama among white voters will push Senator Bob Casey into the top-tier of vice-presidential picks. Obama’s vice-presidential choice should be able to both win the ticket a key major state and help secure white working and middle-class votes—something Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown is clearly positioned to do and that Casey—who joined Obama on the recent bus tour through Pennsylvania—may also get credit for after the April 22 primary. |