April D. Ryan

The Democratic and Republican presidential candidates are still working on finding a running mate.  Sources close to Senator Barack Obama say he will be making his decision official next week.  If that happens, Obama will make the announcement while on vacation in Hawaii, about two weeks before the democratic national convention.  The Obama shortlist includes, Senators Joe Biden and Even Bayh and Governor Tim Kaine.  Meanwhile, Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings is not disclosing details of the process but does say the media is on the right path when they are highlighting Senator Even Bayh and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine.  Cummings says he likes the dark horse in the Vice Presidential search, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius. 

Senator John McCain is said to still be working on his Vice Presidential pick too.  No word on when an announcement will come from that camp.  With that said, what should both candidates be looking for in a running mate?  What issues should be considered in making the selection?  And who is the best choice for Vice President for each political party?

John McCain’s presidential campaign ad mocking Senator Barack Obama’s celebrity status is being spoofed by Paris Hilton. In the original McCain ad, paparazzi are snapping shots of both Hilton and Brittney Spears. The new Hilton ad has received over two million internet hits.   In it, Hilton makes fun of the Arizona Senator’s age.  She also says if elected she will paint the White House pink.  The highlight of the ad was her energy reform plan.   Now, the McCain camp is responding with laughter.   They are saying Hilton has better energy reform ideas than Senator Obama.   What do you think about pop culture being infused into the presidential race? What do you think of the Paris Ad?

If the presidential elections were to happen now, Barack Obama would be the victor according to an Electoral Map from NBC.  The results:

Likely Obama states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, The District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington (190 electoral votes)

Lean Obama states : Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin (27 votes)

Toss-up states: Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia (132 votes)

Lean McCain states: Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota (53 votes)

Likely McCain states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma , South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming (136 votes)

Here are the changes from last month according to NBC.  All of the changes are moving in Obama’s direction:

1) Iowa moves from toss-up to Lean Obama;

2) New Jersey moves from Lean Obama to Likely Obama;

 3) Oregon moves from Lean Obama to Likely Obama.

Obama total: 217, McCain total: 189, Toss-up: 132

Pollsters, not associated with the NBC Electoral Map, caution there will be more  voter shifting from now until November 4, 2008.  Those same pollsters predict this election will not be decided by one state, like the 2000 election.   They say more traditional republican states are in play for democrats for this election.   What do you think about the numbers and the polling assessments?