Sunday, June 29, 2008

VP rankings Arkansas

Arkansas Democrat
Wes Clark: Former General, Ranking: 10, Clark is my #1 choice for Obama's vp. He highlights Obama's strong points and offsets his weaknesses. Clark is an outsider never being elected to office, but at the same time has good experience especially in defense which could be Obama's weak point. Clark may not flip any specific state, but he fixes a lot of voter's concerns about Obama.
Mike Beebe, Gov, Ranking: 5, Beebe provides a shot a Arkansas and a Southerner, but there are better options that give Obama the same thing.
Jim Guy Tucker, Former Gov, Ranking 1, He is associated with the Clintons, but in a bad way. ie Whitewater.
Blanche Lincoln, Sen, Ranking: 6, Lincoln is a solid all around choice, woman, young, experienced, southern, and centrist. Lincoln could help with Clinton supporters, and put Arkansas into play.
Mark Pryor, Sen, Ranking: 6, A male version of Blanche Lincoln.
Marion Berry, Rep AR-1, Ranking: 4, Provides a ballance to liberal Obama, but is an unknown and could be mistaken with the other Marion Berry.
Vic Snyder: Rep AR-2, Ranking: 5, Has represented a southern swing district for a decade, and has a very strong anti-Iraq war record.
Mike Ross: Rep AR-4, Ranking: 4, Ross is pro-life and pro-gun which is both a positive and a negative. Other than that he is a fairly undistinguished Congressman.

Arkansas Republican
Mike Huckabee, Former Gov, Ranking: 5, Huckabee is a risk-reward candidate. Positives: high name recognition, good social conservative credentials, southern governor, telegenic. Negatives: Has made damaging comments, fiscal conservatives don't like him.
Tim Hutchinson, Former Sen, Ranking: 4, Conservative former senator who has fallen out of the political picture since his defeat for reelection.
John Boozman, Rep AR-3, Ranking: 5, The only significant current Republican elected official in Arkansas has to be worth something.
Asa Hutchinson: Former Rep AR-3, Ranking: 4, Was once among the top Republicans in Arkansas and may still be popular with social conservatives. His political career seems to be over with his defeat in the 2006 Gubernatorial election.

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