The easiest answer would be- seek out the backing of one who has been there in your stead. And that may well be what Dem Presidential Candidate Barack Obama is doing at present moment. In this time of consistent military action in the Middle East, and with the ever looming threat of escalation always casting a shadow on the future, Obama has a mighty disadvantage against a far more experienced war vet such as Rep Presidential Candidate John McCain.
North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad told The Associated Press said the team asked him about potential candidates from three broad categories — current top elected officials, former top elected officials, and former top military leaders.
Conrad would not disclose which names they discussed, and the Obama campaign has been keeping the process a closely guarded secret.
‘‘We talked about many names,’’ Conrad said, including ‘‘some that are out of the box but I think would be very well received by the American people, including former top military leaders.’’
Many former military leaders have been involved in the 2008 Democratic presidential campaign. Some of Obama’s most prominent campaign advisers have been Gen. Tony McPeak, who was Air Force chief of staff during Operation Desert Storm; Maj. Gen. Scott Gration, who flew repeated combat missions and has worked with Obama on a range of military issues since before he began his presidential campaign; and Richard Danzig, who was secretary of the Navy under President Clinton.
He might also look at some of former rival Hillary Rodham Clinton’s top military advisers in a gesture of unity, retired generals who include Hugh Shelton, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; or Wesley Clark, who led the war in Kosovo and ran in the presidential primary four years ago. Virginia Sen. Jim Webb, who served as Navy secretary under President Reagan, has also been frequently mentioned as a possible running mate.
In an area where Obama has been seen lacking, picking up a veteran could bring a great hand to the table.
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