The Short List Gets Shorter

CNN is reporting that Virginia Senator Jim Webb has officially removed himself from VP consideration. With former Senator John Edwards committed to debating Karl Rove at least once in late September and Senator Webb removing himself from consideration, do you think that this increases the likelihood we will see an Obama-Clinton ticket?

I am leaning toward thinking that it does for two reasons: unity and star power. On the unity front, we seem to be drifting in the direction of continued division according to this poll. We're going to need all the Democrats we can get to the polls in November and I think an Obama-Clinton ticket has more potential to do that than an Obama-"anyone who is left on the shortlist" ticket.

On the star power front, I think Jim Webb was the last national name in play at this point in time. I was hoping for Wes Clark as a VP (and I still hope, albeit now I hope against reality), but I think his sharp elbows with regards to John McCain have probably made him a bit too controversial for the Obama campaign's liking at this time.

No offense to former Senator Sam Nunn or Governor Kathleen Sebelius, but there's no one left standing who has any kind of national name recognition that compares to Senator Clinton's. There's also no one left standing who can bring disenchanted or disgruntled Democrats back into the fold the way that Senator Clinton can.