Obama, Clinton, history, the question of who should be VP

I've been reading some interesting commentary all over my friends page about last night's historic end to the Democratic primary season. See, e.g., comments by sleigh, or comments by merimask. The New York Times did a good break down of the arguments pro and con for Obama to tap Clinton for the VP spot.

As I said to sleigh, I think it might possibly be a good idea for Obama to tap Clinton for Secretary of State rather than Vice President. As to whom he should name for VP, I'm not really sure. Thoughts?

The other news reports I've been reading say that the race between McCain and Obama will be very close. sleigh points out the remarkable contrast in the effectiveness in McCain's and Obama's speeches last night, which makes me think (hopefully, but perhaps over-optimistically) that Obama should clobber him. But as merimask has pointed out, the GOP has been very effective at using wedge issues (gay marriage, abortion, etc.) to persuade people to vote against their own interests, especially economic. Will that be the case in this election? California's recent gay marriage decision is an added factor, perhaps--a measure just made the ballot to overturn that decision. But that might not carry as much water for the Republicans this year. I believe all the Republicans that supported the Arizona Defense of Marriage measure (which was the first measure NOT to pass) are no longer standing. Schwartzenegger is still in office--and he's come out against the California ballot measure.

Barack Obama vs. John McCain Victory Speech Mash-Up

The contrast is almost downright painful.