Veep in the Middle

This won't be nearly enough for the gay and lesbian community and other liberals, for whom a controversial position of 15 years ago is still fresh. But, contrary to what many assume, this constituency does not have a veto over Obama's choice. And after pleasing gay rights groups by expressing his opposition to a California ballot initiative that would change the state constitution to bar gay marriage, Obama has some room to maneuver.

The blunt political truth is that Nunn's history on this issue might actually help the Democratic ticket in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania. While gays would protest loudly if Nunn is the nominee, his selection would show Obama's independent streak in standing up to a powerful Democratic interest group.

On the stump, Nunn wouldn't be exciting, but he doesn't have to be. The Democrats have plenty of excitement at the top of the ticket. In fact, it's exactly Nunn's dull and staid persona that could help voters leery of too much change overcome their misgivings about Obama. He's white, Southern and comfortable.

The flap over his being forced to quit the Augusta National Golf Club because it doesn't admit women (inevitable if he's nominated) might discourage a few voters for a few days. But Nunn is pro-choice and strong on the environment and other core Democratic issues. His conservative Senate votes are mostly on 20-year-old tax and budget issues that aren't likely to be relevant. Overall, the advantages of an unthreatening moderate with strong national security credentials, a disciplined mouth (not true of Joe Biden or Jim Webb) and a calming mien outweigh any loss of liberals.

The last argument you hear about Nunn is that we don't need another Dick Cheney. But that reflects a lazy-minded comparison between George W. Bush and Obama, who is hardly going to give Nunn or any other vice president the run of the White House. Besides, Cheney's reputation on national security was helpful in getting Bush elected in 2000.

First, you have to win. General elections are fought in the middle, which is exactly where Sam Nunn sits. They are fought over independents and moderate swing voters, who would like Nunn. Above all, he would help lift his party's presidential nominee over the threshold of credibility that, for all the positive polls for Democrats, still stands between Barack Hussein Obama and the presidency.

© 2008