In his Monday New York Times column, Bill Kristol gives the McCain campaign some advice on “How to Pick a V.P.”
Kristol discusses four “competing theories” in the McCain camp on this weighty issue. They are:
1. We’re going to defeat Obama straight up.
2. We need to accentuate Obama’s key vulnerability — inexperience.
3. Don’t fight the public desire for change; co-opt it.
4. The public is really sick of politics as usual in Washington.
I am no expert in such matters, but the one that appeals the most to me is, of course, #3, “Don’t fight the public desire for change; co-opt it.” However, “co-opting,” from Barack Obama, sounds a little shady to me, and (of course) Republicans would never do anything so underhanded.
That only leaves #4, “The public is really sick of politics as usual in Washington.”
Using this “theory,” the following are a layman’s suggestions on “How to Pick a V.P.”
McCain should pick as his Vice President a person who:
–Will work with Congress and the Courts, rather than hold these institutions in utter contempt.
–When called to serve his or her country, did not find that he or she “had better things to do.”
–Will show better judgment when urging his or her president on taking our nation to war.
–Will not say “So?” when told or asked about how the American people feel on an issue.
–Will not expose and endanger our CIA operatives in order to discredit a political opponent.
–If a hunter, can shoot straight. If a politician, can talk straight.
–Will not lead secretive task forces and withhold information from Congress and from the American people.
–Will not flout international Conventions, treaties, agreements and law.
–Will work with Cabinet Secretaries, Agency and Department Heads, rather than undermining them and blowing them off.
–Will not try to continue or re-invent the “unitary executive,” or insist on making the Vice-Presidency the fourth branch of government.
–Will enforce the laws, or work with the Legislature to change laws instead of going around them or ignoring them.
–Will work with the scientific community, environmentalists, etc., instead of ridiculing them.
–Has more compassion than gravitas; is more visible rather than stealthy.
–Finds idealism a little more important than ideology
–Will remember important statements that he or she has made to the American people.
–Most importantly, will respect our Constitution and the law of the land.
Any non-similarity to present or past Vice-Presidents is purely coincidental.
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.