Could Ted Strickland shatter the "dream ticket"?

Pardon us for demurring from the hot and heavy speculation over a Democratic "dream team" (Hillary Clinton, for the second time this week, fueled speculation about such a pairing today; so did one of her prime supporters, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell).

Ultimately, unstoppable momentum may build behind a Clinton-Barack Obama ticket -- or vice versa -- as only way to achieve anything close to party peace. Blogger Big Tent Democrat posited that the other day, sparking a lively discussion.

What strikes us, though, is that the prospects of another politician -- at least if Clinton prevails as the nominee -- received a major boost this week.

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland -- who already had been the object of Veep conjecture, back when Clinton looked to be gliding to the nomination -- laid it on the line for her in his home state. And Clinton's 10-percentage-point victory in its primary had to boost his stock within her camp.

Traditional rules may well not apply ...

in this historic race. But if they do, Strickland would seem to merit serious consideration as a running mate for Clinton (and perhaps even for Obama).

He is absolutely without flash -- plodding is more like it. And most Americans have no idea who he is. Indeed, were he to be picked, the initial reaction -- even among party activists -- likely would be disappointment.

But none of that would matter if the Democrats, thanks in part to Strickland, carried Ohio in November. The Buckeye State's track record as a leading indicator of the outcome of presidential elections may not be quite what Clinton has claimed, but it's close.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Callimaco]

Never mind Strickland.

Obama just shattered the "dream ticket".

(And the news is right here on The Ticket:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/03/obamasays-novp.html )

[Tom J]

Considering Clinton is all tactics and no actual philosophy, I think choosing a VP candidate based solely on his state would suit her perfectly well.

The only downside is we'd never know how it would work out because McCain would be elected.

[remus]

i voted for Ted strickland because there were no viable alternatives.
The Ohio Superstar may have delivered Ohio to the Clinton's but that is the only successful accomplishment of his tenure.
Ohio can not land major industry. Look at Toyota building in Mississippi, Honda building in Indiana. The tax structure is an obstruction to growth.
Thak God Micigan is next door, it makes Ohio look a little better.
Strickland has increased the cost for a new teaching certificate to $600.00, yet the quality of the current union backed and Clinton Zombie teachers in most urban areas is horrible. Tenure and longevity without updating skills are more important to the Senior teachers. The children are an inconvenient afterthought.
After the Taft debacle, Ohio was looking for a leader not a Clinton toadie who cares more about the Clinton Campaign than the state of Ohio.
The Clinton's deserve this clown as their V.P. nominee

[newageblues]

A popular and competent governor of Ohio could be a big asset to a Dem ticket in November. Whoever the nominee is. At this point, the election is the Democrats to lose, that's for sure.

[PMC]

I am voting for Hillary no matter who she puts on her ticket! GO HILLARY! We need someone that stands up and fights, if that is what it takes to get something done in Washington. We elected a democrat congress and they have been so busy trying to "cross the aisle" they have accomplished nothing! We sure do need a roll your sleeves up and get to work President!

Hillaryspeaksforme.com

[anee]

You can't win the presidency without Ohio, Strickland is a fantastic choice for Clinton's VP. Obama cannot win the big states and that tells us he will not win the presidency over McCain.
Obama should graciously concede the race, this will make him look good and give him the chance to build the needed experience, get his issues straightened out because apparently his advisers and he are not on the same page. Then he can run again in eight years, maybe I would vote for him then but never now.

[John B]

I live in Ohio and I am a democrat. Strickland is an incompetent governer. He is unpopular and he will loose reelection in the state for governor's office. For 2008 general election, because he brought Ohio to Clinton's column it may look now he may be a suitable candidate for VP. But he is a wrong choice. If Hillary wins the nomination, Edwards perhaps. I do not think Obama will go for her. In any case Hillary-Edwards or Hillary-Strickland is a loosing combination.

[Jake501]

I live in Ohio and Governor Strickland is a perfectly competent governor. He was handed a terrible Ohio by Governor Taft and every state problem he can deal with he works very hard on and works for Ohio.

[Beverly Giannoni]

Considering the condition of the state of Ohio, Strickland needs to get back in his office and stop following Clinton all over the country.

[humblesage]

After a brief euphoria about the dream ticket, I decided that it does not work! Obama rejects the VP as ticket, and I agree it really defeats the point of "making change", and frankly, Hillary being the VP will create the fear of her running the country as a government within a government as she claims to have been running under Clinton. Her experience shows! It cannot happen under Obama!

[Bob Tucker]

I am schocked that Ohioians are saying Ted Strickland has been bad for Ohio. I am an ex Republican...benn voting Demorcrat 20 yrs. We love Ted. And we love Hillary. Some of us like McCain.

[Victoria]

Although I think that Ted would be an excellent choice for veep, he needs to stay here in Ohio because we need him here. If Ted appears as plodding, that's great because he is actually doing his job instead of playing golf like his predecessor, Bob Taft. There is lots of just plan drudge work to state government. I often have to drive by the Statehouse after six and his light is often the only one on. I like that he is there doing his work. He recently obtained an expansion of Netjets here in Columbus and is attempting to reestablish rail travel in Ohio. He's only been in office for a year.
There is also a reason why Ted won Ohio for himself and for Hillary. He is a stunning campaigner, especially one on one. Ted is the master of the touch and the glance. That is really important in activating the core Democratic base that does the campaign work. I t's really impressive. It would just be a question of how much he could use this skill for a wider audience than us Buckeyes.

[BBar]

I live in Ohio. I was skimming some comments and saw a post by someone claiming to be a democrat that Strickland was not popular in Ohio. ARE YOU KIDDING? Strickland demolished Blackwell and continues to have a 60 some% approval rating according to a poll taken not long ago. It was Strickland who gave Clinton her crushing victoy here.
I am a teacher and I have been somewhat disappointed in some of the problems in the state not being solved yet and it seems more problems are on the way. However, there is a Republican run legislature and judiciary in the state so it is give and take here now. Remember, Republicans had COMPLETE control here for 16 years, it will take a little longer to stop the bleed that they created with a one-party system.