The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn is telling friends he may be busy in August, so they should make vacation plans without him:
The paper then discusses Nunn’s presence on Obama’s ‘short-list,’ and the credibility he would reportedly add on national security issues. They also provide some detail on what Nunn has been up to since he left office in 1997:
So let me get the picture straight: young, inexperienced presidential candidate with no foreign policy credentials picks as vice president a retired and seasoned (if somewhat dour), party pro with defense portfolio, currently serving on corporate boards. Weaknesses include age, lack of recent campaign experience, and inability to deliver a swing state. Does this remind anyone of Bush picking Dick Cheney? And if Obama picks Nunn and wins, isn’t it guaranteed that Nunn will eventually be seen as the evil ‘power behind the throne’ (at least by the Netroots) when Obama completes his flip-flop on Iraq? It’s easy to envision Nunn as a Cheney-esque influence in an Obama administration, blamed whenever Obama takes a stand at the center rather than the fringe. Still, while party activists are outraged at the thought that the chief architect of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ might be Obama’s vice presidential pick, it’s unlikely that the selection will cost Obama many votes on the Left. The MoveOn crowd will likely grit its teeth and support any Democratic ticket. However, wouldn’t a Nunn selection merely serve to emphasize Obama’s youth and inexperience — especially if McCain picks an older/more experienced running mate? I suppose Obama merely figures that if it worked for JFK, it’s good enough for him.
