by Vengrai Parthasarathy

Created on: June 04, 2008

There are two vacancies for the Veep post, one on the Republican side and one on the Democratic side. McCain had said that he would be a one-term president.No one knows whether he still holds the view. Anyway, he has to choose someone who will replace him, if necessity arises. More importantly the Veep has to be on all fours with the president on all issues, because there cannot be dissident voice from his own Deputy. He has two choices to make, whether the Veep should be a He or a She.McCain is perhaps playing the waiting game, waiting for Obama to come up with his choice.And, the next step will have to be someone who will satisfy all view points on conservativse issues.He has to go about this warily. Before his nomination was approved there was a concerted effort by some to downplay his eligibility.

As for Obama, a thorn on his side is Hillary. Obviously she wants the veep job, firstly, to remain in public view with an eye on the future and secondly. to stake her claim for the Top Job in 2012. After knowing which way the wind is blowing she has stuck to her claim and has till not endorsed Obama. There is no doubt that over 17 million voted for her. But if she tries to use them as bargaining chips for her own advancement, no one knows, which way her supporters will go.It is a moot point whether all the 17 million will reject Obama just because Hillary says so. There are many, many who have the Party's interest at heart and may go their own way..

Obama has to think quite a deal before offering the Veep's post to her. She brings with her a lot of baggage. Bill is one. Her attack machine,made up of advocates like Ferraro and Maculiff is another. Moreover, she has stark differences with Obama on crucial issues. Most importantly, Obama will look a weak President if he is going to succumb to her veiled threats. One wonders what the so calleed 'Seniors' of the Democratic party are doing to rein in Hillary.

Hillary is taking away the gloss of Obama's history-making victory. The fact that or the first time in the Nation's history, an African-American is being nominated by a Party for the most powerful job in the world is being obscured by her stand, which is not doing the Democratic Party any good. McCain may be the ultimate gainer in this unseemly last-ditch fight put up by her.

One hopes that ultimately good sense will prevail and we can expect a clean contest between two well-qualified candidates. May the better person win!

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