Check back later today for posts from Gabby and me on this historic day!  In the meantime, send Joe Biden a welcome note here!

Since I was first elected as a Delegate in January of this year, the constant question I have been asked is “Are you excited?!?!?!?”. I usually respond by smiling and saying “yea, I’m really excited”, but really I just wanted folks to quit asking me that. Don’t get me wrong, I was thrilled and grateful to be representing NW Ohio at the Convention, but it was just so far off and I was so focused on so many other things(ie, graduating from College), that I couldn’t truly get excited.

BUT——

I am now officially EXCITED!!!!

I am so excited that I woke up at 5:00am this morning and couldn’t get back to sleep because I was thinking about what shoes I would wear and figuring out what the best game plan was for me to meet Michelle Obama. I honestly tried to go back to sleep, but I could not. My mind was racing with all of the caucuses, rallies, and receptions that would take place next week and trying to decide how to split up my oh-so-precious time. I was so focused on Denver, that I ended up leaving my Blackberry at home, which of course, was the worst thing I could have done.

But in any situation, I thought I would let everyone know, that I am indeed EXCITED!!!!

This is me….

……except I’m black with an afro…and better shoes of course!

WTOL Reporter Rob Wiercinski just did a story on the Noon news about local delegates that featured Gabby and me.  They’ve also linked this blog in their Big Red Box feature.  Check out the story again tonight at 5:00, 6:00, and 11:00 pm!

Vice Presidents typically do one of four things for a ticket:

1)  They make history.

Think Geraldine Ferraro.  If Obama wanted to go this route, there’s nobody more ready than Hillary Clinton to make history again for a Democratic ticket.  But, I think it’s always easier to tell your story if the people around you tell the same story.  Hillary Clinton made a historic run for the White House and came very close.  But, she also ran a very different campaign than Barack Obama, and I just don’t see how you square that circle with the electorate.

2)  They make news – in a good way.

Think Al Gore.  When Bill Clinton picked Al Gore, he didn’t look for balance, he looked for amplification.  The country was resistant to old-school Democrats, and two fresh, centrist, Southern faces were a reassuring ticket for the electorate.  If Barack Obama wants to amplify his own message and his own background, he’ll go in this direction.  Tim Kaine (Gabby’s favorite) or Kathleen Sebelius (my favorite) would meet this criteria.

3)  They make no news.

Think John Edwards in 2004.  John Edwards was an exciting pick for John Kerry’s sleepy campaign in the last election cycle.  Of course, that fateful day in July was about the last time that John Edwards made any news at all for the ticket.  His off-message internal issues with the Kerry people and his losing debate performance against Cheney made sure that nobody remembered his VP performance.

And given what happened this year, maybe that’s a good thing.  Barack Obama should stay away from this option.

4) They make news – in a bad way.

Think Dan Quayle.  Of course, even Dan Quayle’s timeless blunders and major-league debate romping by Lloyd Bentsen couldn’t sink the Bush ticket in 1988.  So, in this way, whatever Barack Obama does, it probably doesn’t matter that much.

Whatever the pick, I can assure you, it’ll make for a fun Wednesday night at the convention.

After much prayer, meditation, and deliberation, I have come to the conclusion that our next Vice President will be………..Governor Tim Kaine………or Senator Joe Biden. Yes, like Obama I can’t decide. Though my heart is quietly chanting, Tim Kaine-Tim Kaine-Tim Kaine, my head is yelling Joe Biden-Joe Biden-Joe Biden.

This is not the first time my head and heart are at odds. This morning when deciding what shoes to wear, my heart said to wear my favorite red, black and white four inch heals that I absolutely adore. My head was telling me to wear the patent leather black heels that were a little bit more sensible, given I will have to walk a bit today. This was a very tough decision for me. Should I go with the shoes that are exactly me, or the shoes that will compliment my activities for today?

Much like me, Obama has a decision to make between a good head choice(Biden) and a good heart choice(Kaine). So, let’s consider them both.

Joe Biden has been in the Senate since 1972 and has earned the respect of both Democrats and Republicans. He is recognized as a Foreign Policy expert and knows the workings of Washington backwards and forwards. He also chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee for 12 years and became keenly aware of all things criminal justice. Although he is a Senator, he has this gruffness that allows him to connect with “real” people, a quality that many in Washington lack(ie, John Kerry, circa 2004). Obviously, Biden’s foreign policy expertise would be the biggest asset to a President Obama. Senator Obama has often said that his VP would have an active role in his administration and he would certainly consider him a close adviser. So, a VP Biden would be a good choice. However, Biden has been is Washington for over 25 years and works against Obama’s “new type of politics” message. He also lacks any appeal to any core constituency or geographic area. Delaware is Democratic stronghold and only holds 3 electoral votes.

Tim Kaine on the other hand, appeals to all sorts of constituencies. He is a pro-life, Spanish speaking, Catholic Democratic Governor of a state(Virginia) that is in play big time this year. Kaine has only been Governor for three years, but he has gained the respect of Democrats and Republicans throughout the State. Like Obama, he was a Civil Rights attorney before going into public service. He even served as a Missionary to Honduras in his 20’s. He has a strong commitment to community and to improving the quality of life for all people. He could definitely deliver the state of Virginia and those crucial 13 electoral votes to Obama. Kaine is also a part of the “new type of politics” that Obama will usher into Washington. He is an intense campaigner and a moving orator. However, Kaine has no foreign policy experience, an expertise that our country critically needs.

So in the end, who will Obama choose? The sensible man who has the qualities you need at this time, or the man who personifies all you stand for? Unfortunately, the Senator has not texted me his final decision. But if it is any consolation, I have decided. The two best decisions I made today are………

Tim Kaine

My Shoes

My heart gets me everytime.