538: Tim Kaine For Obama’s VP?

538 made an interesting post early this morning (late last night?) about the possibility of Virginia Governor Tim Kaine as Obama’s VP selection.

He makes the point that Kaine makes sense for a number of reasons but that he’s not very popular in Virginia so it’s unlikely he would be of much help in winning the state. Current polls indicate that Virginia is one of the tightest states in the nation and there is some chance (if the election is very close) that the entire election could come down to Virginia (this year’s Florida?)

Because of this, it’s understandable that the Obama campaign may want to select Kaine or former VA Governor Mark Warner (Jim Webb has already taken his hat out of the running.)

Kaine makes more sense in that he’s not currently running for anything and he can’t run for re-election as Governor (due to Virginia law.) He also doesn’t appear to have a Senate opening any time soon with Democrats Mark Warner & Jim Webb likely in place for quite some time.

But Mark Warner makes mores sense in that he’s extremely popular in Virginia. The problem with Warner is that he’s running for Senate this year (and he’s heavily favored to win the seat against another former VA Governor, Republican Jim Gilmore.)

2008, Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Vice Presidents