Obama's Secret Weapon

An Obama surrogate
Now Daschle and Obama talk regularly – the two have had a number of quiet dinners – and Daschle will soon be playing a major role on the campaign trail, serving as a mild-mannered but well-liked surrogate among party faithful.

I can see him being especially helpful in Iowa, where the almost-too-earnest caucus culture is tailor-made for Daschle's diligent approach to the game. "Iowa is Daschle's kind of place," said Hildebrand. That might make it Obama's, too.

One other thing. If Obama wins the nomination, Daschle will be a top contender for running mate. Far-fetched? Maybe. South Dakota is a red state, and one with the fewest possible electoral votes: three. But in 2000, political novice George W. Bush chose a congressional veteran from a sparsely-populated state as his reassuringly experienced running mate. Is Tom Daschle the Democratic answer to Dick Cheney? Then Daschle would be back, big time.

© 2007