Daily VP Discussion: Kathleen Sebelius

[Ogre Mage]

It is unwise to make assumptions at this point about what Clinton's supporters will or will not do.   If it was done right, Hillary's most ardent supporters might view a Sebelius selection as an important step for women's rights.  But it could also easily be seen as tokenism and a diss of Clinton.

Like it or not, a Sebelius selection is inevitably going to draw comparisons to Clinton.  On one hand, she has the executive experience which neither Clinton or Obama has.  She comes with far less apparent political baggage than Clinton and reinforces Obama's "change" message in a way that Clinton doesn't.  However, Obama is criticized for a lack of foreign policy experience.  Sebelius does nothing in this area.  Clinton served on the Senate Armed Services Committee for 6 years and has been praised for her work there by fellow committee members on both sides of the aisle.  She also has established relationships with many international leaders from both her time as First Lady and Senator.  Furthermore, Hillary did very well with other crucial voting blocs resistant to Obama -- the white working class, seniors, Hispanics, Jews.  There is no evidence Sebelius would help Obama with those demographic groups.

All in all, Sebelius is a name worth keeping on Obama's short list.  We will see where this goes.