We need Clark NOW!

WaPo reports that Independent voters are split between McCain and Obama. The article is quite telling as to how much Obama appeals to all people and most of all, just how much he needs an experienced military running mate, like Wes Clark.

"In the first Washington Post-ABC News poll since the Democratic nomination contest ended, Obama and McCain are even among political independents, a shift toward the presumptive Republican nominee over the past month. On the issues, independents see McCain as more credible on fighting terrorism and are split evenly on who is the stronger leader and better on the Iraq war. But on other key attributes and issues -- including the economy -- Obama has advantages among independents."

As I have been saying, there is not a single issue that McCain is "better" on than the issue of military matters. Even so, this poll says that McCain is "more credible on fighting terrorism", but independents "are split evenly on who is the stronger leader and better on the Iraq war". If I were John McCain, I would be seriously worried. He is not testing better on who is a stronger war time leader.

Take that stat and then factor in...

"...Obama has significant advantages. He leads by 34 points as the candidate who would do more to bring needed change to Washington, by 18 points on empathy, by 15 points on standing up to lobbyists and special interests, and by 13 points on better representing people's "personal values."

Still, there seems to be a large amount of Dems who want Hillary on the ticket. But would Hillary on the ticket give Obama a boost in any way?

"As Obama considers possible vice presidential running mates, Clinton remains atop the list: Unprompted, 46 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents pick her as their top choice, and no other Democrat breaks out of single digits. But it is unclear from the poll whether Clinton would help or hurt Obama's chances." About two in 10 said her placement on the ticket would make them more apt to support the Democrats, but about the same proportion said it would push them toward the GOP. Most said it would not make much of a difference either way."

As the article says, it might get a few of those women who swore off Obama to come back to their senses, but it would not help him against McCain. He does not need her help on domestic issues (on the front end). He needs help in an area that she does not offer anything: foreign policy and military affairs.

One option: Wes Clark.

Obama needs to get Clark in there as soon as possible. The sooner he defines the full image of what he offers for the fall, the sooner he can start framing McCain as the military lightweight he is.

My question: Are the two camps waiting for the other to announce a VP choice so they can respond with an announcement and dominate the news?

Change the story, win the election.