Larger Editorial: Michelle Bachmann vs. Hillary Clinton, Who Will Be Our First Female VP?

In the past few weeks there has been a phenomenon that is so far unexplained and unlikely to ever be explained. I’m not talking about an alien invasion (although since it’s in half this Summer’s movies that now seems more likely). No, I’m talking about Minnesota congresswoman, Republican rodeo clown, and avid bat shit enthusiast Michelle Bachmann picking up serious momentum for her party’s Presidential nomination.

In the space of a month, Bachmann has gone from a dead last pretender to a likely contender. Most polls now show her second only to Mitt Romney who has been the front runner since there was a front runner. In addition, legit political voices like Bill Clinton (“She’s a serious candidate”) and Chris Matthews (“I think she wins the nomination”) have said she’s not only no longer a laughing stock candidate, but perhaps the one to beat.

It’s easy to dismiss Bachmann. For one thing she’s an idiot. For another thing her ability to appear crazy eyed usually makes her look nuts. Also, she makes Sarah Palin look like Machiavelli in terms of pragmatic political solutions. I don’t even think her own party likes her very much as several high profile Republicans practically begged her not to run. [And only a season ago, they thought Palin would be the bimbo they’d have to deal with.] But there she is anyway, nipping at Mitt Romney’s heels as the frontrunner for the GOP nomination.

Now in all likelihood this is just temporary smoke that won’t turn into serious fire. It’s probably a “scare ’em” tactic by the party to try to get ANY other nominee besides Romney. Still, whoever wins the GOP nomination might have to pick Bachmann as a running mate if she raises enough hell.

Which makes me wonder if the Democrats will be smart enough to counter. The word this week is that Obama has sent feelers out to NY Governor Andrew Cuomo to replace Joe Biden as Vice President. A smart move since the most notable thing Biden has done since being VP is losing a golf match to Obama. If we’re being totally honest, Biden should have never been VP in the first place, and only was to deflect attention away from the candidate everyone (but Obama) wanted: Hillary Clinton.

Hillary has said she won’t stay on as Secretary of State because she’s exhausted with the job’s travel schedule. Luckily, VP doesn’t travel as much (or do anything as much) so she could catch a slight breather before gearing up to run in 2016. Having Hillary as VP brings money, support, voters, and sets up a clear successor in 2016 which the Democrats need in order to avoid the 2008 situation (no VP candidate or incumbent President) that let Obama walk away with it.

After losing to Obama by a narrow margin in 2008, Hillary SHOULD have been chosen as the country’s first female Vice President. But it isn’t too late. A female Vice President is long overdue and I would like to see this Jackie Robinson moment sooner than later. But I’d rather see Hillary become the nation’s first female VP over Michelle Bachmann.