Now that the Democratic presidential race is all but over, everybody’s attention turns to running mates.

Will Obama pick Clinton? Or Edwards? Or Rendell, to carry Pennsylvania? Or Richardson, to appeal to Hispanics?

Or does it matter?

Myth has it that running mates deliver states – or constituent groups. But John Edwards didn’t make North Carolina closer for John Kerry. Lloyd Bentsen didn’t deliver Texas for Michael Dukakis. No running mate can deliver Ohio or Florida this year. Voters vote for President – period.

It does matter what the decision says about the candidate for President. Bill Clinton looked bold when he picked another young Southerner to run with him. George H.W. Bush looked silly when he picked – and stuck with – Dan Quayle. Walter Mondale and George McGovern looked weak when they fumbled their selections.

Often, nominees pick the second-place finisher just to placate his (or her supporters). That’s what Reagan did in 1980 and JFK in 1960. Kennedy’s pick also had the genius of getting LBJ out of the Senate, where he could have been a thorn in the young President’s side. That’s the only reason for Obama to pick Clinton this time.

But a tough, articulate running mate can help. That’s why Obama should pick Senator Jim Webb of Virginia.

A combat-decorated Marine who can make the case against the Iraq war. Reagan’s Secretary of the Navy. He can take on the charge that Obama is somehow un-American.

Like Obama, maybe not so coincidentally, Webb is a good writer. He even wrote a book about those Scots-Irish whites like him who Clinton says Obama can’t get. And he is an articulate advocate for the argument that the middle class got the shaft from Bush.

Write it down: Obama/Webb.

Click Here to discuss and comment on this and other articles.