Yesterday was an exciting day. I got to see David Wu (my congressperson), Barack and Michelle Obama give speeches in the same day. Something that both David and Barack touched on got me thinking, and I wanted to share that.
Many of the superdelegates in Oregon have been waiting until after the primary (this Tuesday!) before they endorse anyone, but Wu decided on Obama a while ago, pretty much before anyone thought Obama had a chance. It would have been much easier for him just to wait. He talked about the reason he decided on Obama. It wasn't about who had the best chance of winning, or whether endorsing someone would be good or bad for Wu's political career. He endorsed because he was convinced that Obama was the best person for the job.
The reason this was interesting to me is that lots of people are talking about who Obama should pick for his VP, and much of the discussion is about who would help Obama win the general election -- who would bring in the such-and-such vote, or should he pick a woman VP, or should he pick a more mainstream white guy, etc. I have been thinking the same way. But hardly anyone is talking about who would be the right person for the job. It is so easy to think only about the election and winning, but the whole point of picking someone is not about winning, but (as Obama would say) about governing. The important thing is what happens after the election. Who would be the best person for the job.
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