OK – time now for a return to some silly, far-fetched speculative speculation which is neither here nor there, but it will give me quiet pleasure if I’m proved right.

So how about this?

Obama wins the Democratic nomination – and then chooses Joe Lieberman as his running mate. Totally ridiculous of course, especially as those who know about these things think it impossible. Not least because Lieberman is only just a member of the Democratic Party. But get this:

  • Obama is on the left of the Democratic Party; Lieberman is very much to the right. Together they could bring the whole party with them, as well as build a national consensus. Of course, their contradictory positions on Iraq could be the deal-breaker here though.
  • Obama is the new kid on the block – he’s the ‘Change we can believe in’ etc. But Lieberman would bring the years of experience he lacks. Quite a combination I’d say

But this is the most intriguing aspect of their potential pairing:

  • Obama is half white American Christian and half Kenyan Muslim, (ethnically if not religiously). Lieberman is Jewish. Just think of the statement that could make for the intractable problems in the Middle East. Could this not bring a brand new credibility to the process, which the current administration could only dream of, let alone that of ‘our man’ out there, Blair?

_______________________________________________

Thanks to Andrew Burkinshaw for this link. But it seems that the West Wing similarities observed before are not so accidental. Check out Jonathan Freedland’s article from yesterday’s Guardian. I mean, just check out this photo:

This is how Freedland sums it all up:

Barack Obama v Matt Santos

Barack Obama

  • Young, handsome and charismatic member of Congress, attempts to become America’s first non-white president.
  • Began political career as a community organiser in a big city (Chicago) before winning first election at local level. Married, with two young children.
  • Faced stiff opposition in Democratic primary against occupant of the White House during previous Democratic administration (first lady Hillary Clinton)
  • Rivals attack him as inexperienced after just four years in Congress, but triumphs through grassroots support, inspiring speeches and message of change.
  • Republican opponent is veteran moderate senator from a western state, unpopular with conservative base (John McCain of Arizona).

Matt Santos

  • Young,handsome and charismatic member of Congress, attempts to become America’s first non-white president.
  • Began political career as a community organiser in a big city (Houston) before winning first election at local level. Married, with two young children.
  • Faced stiff opposition in Democratic primary against occupant of the White House during previous Democratic administration (vice president Bob Russell).
  • Rivals attack him as inexperienced after just six years in Congress, but triumphs through grassroots support, inspiring speeches and message of change.
  • Republican opponent was veteran moderate senator from a western state, unpopular with conservative base (Arnie Vinick of California).
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This Post Has 6 Comments

  1. Mr. Roach

    I’m sure the suicide bombers will just be so delighted, considering they kill plenty of Muslims when they’re not killing decent Christian people and the occasional Israeli occupier. Get a clue.

  2. Adam

    Interestingly, the ticket on which Lieberman would be more likely to appear is actually the Republican one, especially as he has already endorsed and campaigned vigourously for McCain. Now there’s a unity ticket for you unparalleled since 1860!

  3. Adam

    Huh, yeah, I’ve seen that criticism a lot on message boards and blogs but hadn’t read about it in the mainstream press. I think Obama is obviously the favourite out of the three to go all the way, but I do think things are going to get much tougher for him once the general election starts. We’ll see. And it may not appear it over there, but that NYT piece has MASSIVELY helped McCain over here. It brought all the whiny conservatives fully into his camp and into attack mode. I really can’t imagine anything else (including picking Mitt as his veep) that would have brought them around so suddenly and completely. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to learn in twenty years that there were some McCain backers on the NYT staff behind this.

  4. Raquel

    So… which one is the real one, Obama or Santos? They are so similar that I feel like in The Matrix, not sure which one lives in a virtual reality and which in a real world… By the way, I just came back from the Consulate to vote for Spanish elections. What can I say? Candidates are not so carismatic and handsome. And they definitelly don’t have a show on tv, everything is really real on those lands. But now that I’ve done my duty as a good Spanish citizen, I can focus on the exciting one… Obama or Santos? I mean… Obama or Clinton? 😉

  5. Ross

    Two words on the VP ticket – Al Gore!
    Of course he may not want it, but Obama will need a southern white experienced unifier. Al may feel as if he can do more good outside the system at the minute, but it would be an interesting and, if I may blow my own trumpet, wise choice come DNC.

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