HEIR APPARENT

Lately, radio talk show hosts, political pundits and TV commentators are all talking about how Republicans are so unhappy with the current crop of Presidential candidates. So, why isn’t there a candidate every Republican can happily support to be the next President of the United States? The answer is George W. Bush… No, I am not talking about two wars, trillions in borrowed money, big tax cuts to super rich, budget deficits, etc. etc.. . There is something else…

When George Bush accepted the nomination of GOP in 2000, he chose Dick Cheney as his running mate. Born on January 30, 1941, Cheney was almost 60 years old when he was sworn in as the V.P. in 2001. When 8 years of Bush Administration ended in 2009, Cheney was about to celebrate his 69^th birthday, too old to run for President. As a result, he couldn’t be the heir apparent to the GOP dynasty. Should Bush has opted for a younger V.P in 2000, not only GOP would have had a better change at keeping the White House against Obama in 2008, but would have established a protocol of succession in Presidency.

Fast forward to 2008. Obama chooses Joe Biden as his running mate to be the next V.P. of the United States. Biden who was born on November 20, 1942 will be 72 years old this November. If Obama gets re-elected and stays in the office till 2016, Biden will be 76 years old by the time the elections of 2016 are held.  This also means, there will be no heir apparent for the Democrats in a stunning similarity with GOP.

Enter Hillary Clinton, former First Lady of the United States. Born on October 26, 1947, current Secretary of State is going to be 65 years old this year. If she replaces Biden and becomes a V.P. for Obama, she will be the heir apparent for the Democratic ticket in 2016 at the ripe age of 69. Add 8 years, she will be 77 years old by the end of her second term if she holds the office for two terms. Can she wake up to answer the phone at the White House at 3 o’clock in the morning towards the end of her second term?

There are however exceptions… John Kerry selected John Edwards in 2004, 10 years of his junior, as his running mate. Born on June 10, 1953 Edwards was only 51 years old in 2004 and would have been 59 after 8 years of Kerry Presidency. By the end of his second term, Edwards would have been 77 years old, just one year younger than Ronald Reagan at the end of his second term.

So, who should Obama elect as his running mate in 2012 to insure an heir apparent for Democrats in 2016? The answer is someone who would be in his 50s in 2016, someone, for example, who was born on March 26, 1960. That hypothetical person will be 56 years old in 2016, perfect age to lead the nation with already  4 years of experience in the White House as an apprentice under Obama.

Enter Jon Huntsman, born on March 26, 1960. He clearly has strong support among Independents, something Obama desperately needs but doesn’t have after 4 years of his monumental Presidential miscalculations. On the other hand, Huntsman has already dropped out of the Presidential race. Nevertheless, he has in depth understanding of China, our mightiest current competitor and a major challenge to our economic wellbeing and geopolitical future.  He has leadership qualities since he served as the Governor of Utah. He is no Wall Street shark like Romney. He understands global economics. So, can he be snatched off from GOP to create a national ticket for 2012? Obama/Huntsman for 2012? This might be a good time to think outside the box…