Should Obama cross over for V.P. pick?

I was beginning to wonder if Hillary Clinton would ever concede. Her people now say she will, but I'm not sure -- it could be a trick.Think about it: After she gets Barack Obama to say all those nice things about her, she could take the stage and announce that he's convinced her to stay in the race.Clinton ran a tough, historic race, but it's over. She'll reportedly concede Saturday and even say some nice things about Obama. But she's still running. The word now is that Clinton wants the vice presidency,
Clinton is a terrific campaigner who would be an asset in the general election.But what would be a strong ticket for winning in November looks like a shaky and wrongheaded one for governing in January.Clinton isn't a natural for a supporting role. In her mind, she's the main event.The only reason for Obama to choose Clinton is if he absolutely needs her to win in November. That's not the case.Obama is right to take his time and not be rushed into anything.

A dozen or more Democrats are being touted as likely vice presidential picks for Obama. None jumps out as the clear choice.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is on many short lists, although I'd be surprised if she gets the nod.True, her popularity in a solidly red state fits with Obama's theme of expanding the Democratic map. And her background and interest in health care reform fit one of Obama's major policy goals.But Sebelius doesn't bring many other chips to the table as far as Electoral College strategy or national experience. And she's never been accused of being an electrifying speaker.There are other strong contenders: Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico. Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia.But if Obama really wants to send a bold signal that his words about "change" and "unity" are more than catchphrases, then he should consider a long-shot choice -- Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.It could be an inspired choice.

A crossover strategy worked for Sebelius, who tabbed as running mates John Moore in her first term and then former state GOP chairman Mark Parkinson in her second term, deft moves that appealed to moderate Republicans and helped pad her victory margins.It could work for Obama, too. Lots of disaffected Republicans and independents are looking for an alternative this year.
Hagel, who is retiring this year, could be just the ticket.He's a good friend of John McCain. Like McCain, he's a Vietnam veteran who has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He's widely respected for his no-nonsense, pragmatic views and McCainish straight talk. But Hagel has also been one of the most outspoken critics of the Iraq war -- and lately of McCain.
In recent months, he has praised Obama effusively for his foreign policy vision and his willingness to talk with America's enemies. At the same time, he's been harshly critical of McCain's shallow, bellicose rhetoric on Iran and other foreign policy challenges."If you engage a world power or a rival, it doesn't mean you agree with them or subscribe with what they believe or you support them in any way," he said. "What it does tell you is that you've got a problem you need to resolve. And you've got to understand the other side and the other side has got to understand you."

Hagel's experience and hard-nosed pragmatism could help Obama counter charges that his foreign policy is naive.
It also helps that Hagel was one of McCain's biggest boosters during the 2000 run of the Straight Talk Express.
Hagel, better than anyone, could offer a devastating critique of how McCain the maverick of 2000 became the Bush apologist and captive of lobbyists and neoconservatives.An Obama-Hagel ticket would send a powerful message that a bipartisan -- even postpartisan -- era is possible in Washington, D.C.Is there any precedent for a bipartisan ticket?

In 2004, John Kerry seriously considered McCain as a vice presidential pick.Some point out that the V.P. choice rarely delivers states or elections. That's true. The last time a running mate made a difference was when Lyndon Johnson helped deliver Southern votes for John F. Kennedy.Then again, a dramatic, surprise pick like Hagel might galvanize and help seal the deal with independents and moderate Republicans flirting with the idea of voting for Obama.And it would underscore that Obama is the change agent and unifier in this election.Is it likely? No.Many Democrats probably wouldn't abide a Republican on the ticket, especially one who, like Hagel, is a social conservative on abortion and other issues.But a unity ticket, precisely because it's improbable, might be the best way for Obama to show he's serious about bringing real change to Washington.

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