Best Realistic VP Candidate for Barack Obama?

[MarkWarner08]

Now that Obama looks like he could possibly win the Democratic nomination, who do you think would be his best realistic VP choice? (I left Al Gore off the list on purpose).

This is a tough one, but here are a few names I think he may consider:

Sen. Joe Biden
General Wesley Clark
Gov. Bill Richardson
Gov. Phil Bredesen (Tennessee)
Gov. Brian Schweitzer (Montana)
Former Gov. John Kitzhaber (Oregon)
 Gov. Tim Kaine (Virginia)
Sen. Jim Webb
Mayor Mike Bloomberg

In my opinion, the most likely running mates are Joe Biden, Phil Bredesen, or Tim Kaine. Opinions?

Sen. Joe Biden: Good pick, but I doubt he's interested.
General Wesley Clark: He's a Hillary supporter.
Gov. Bill Richardson: Gaffe machine
Gov. Phil Bredesen (Tennessee):
Strong pick who could  put West Virginia and Virginia into play.
Gov. Brian Schweitzer (Montana): Would help in Colorado...
Former Gov. John Kitzhaber (Oregon): I know Governor Kitzhaber and he's assured me that he has zero interest in moving to Washington D.C.
 Gov. Tim Kaine (Virginia): Good pick: Kaine's term limited and has nowhere else to go on the political ladder.  The eyebrow twitching  may be a problem, though.
Sen. Jim Webb: Unlikely Webb would say yes.
Mayor Mike Bloomberg: VP? That's a demotion for Bloomberg.

[MarkWarner08]

Gov. Janet Napolitano (AZ), I think.

I don't see Obama picking a woman, but who knows? Napolitano would bring endless rumors and jokes of her being a lesbian the whole campaign season I bet.

Possibly, but aside from not being married, there's no evidence for her being a lesbian; it would just be in poor taste. In any case, I find it unlikely that very many people who'd refuse to vote for an unmarried woman would consider voting for Obama.

I do think he is likely to choose a woman, and there are no other woman governors who would make good VP candidates. Perhaps Sen. Blanche Lincoln (AR) could be his VP candidate instead.

What about Gov. Kathleen Sebelius? She's a tough-talking, competent Governor from a plains state -- ironically, the same one Obama's mother was born in.

[MarkWarner08]

Gov. Tim Kaine (Virginia): Good pick: Kaine's term limited and has nowhere else to go on the political ladder.  The eyebrow twitching  may be a problem, though.
Sen. Jim Webb: Unlikely Webb would say yes.
Mayor Mike Bloomberg: VP? That's a demotion for Bloomberg.

Kaine would be the perfect pick if not for the fact that he's only been governor for 2 years now. Obama would ideally pick someone with a good amount of executive/legislative experience.

I do think Jim Webb would say yes, but I'm not sure he would be a good pick.

You really don't think Bloomberg would accept a VP slot?

Why would Bloomberg end his reign as mayor of America's largest city for a job with significantly less power and convenience to him?

[MarkWarner08]

yeah, i'm going to second robert byrd

Obama had a lot of very kind words for Byrd in his book...

Clinton also praised Byrd in her book.