Will a Republican be a Running Mate to a Democrat?

YAB Lim Guan Eng did almost that by appointing a former Gerakan leader to a high position in a Penang investment arm company recently. Such appointment is rare especially in a conservative country like ours. Transcending political ideology is something very new. And I believe when Guan Eng appoints this former Gerakan leader, he is at risk in inviting new criticism not only from his own political party but that of Pakatan and also from the other side. But nevertheless it is a good decision for the rakyat as it shows commitment to change by the present state government.

I read with much interest this news recently, not ours but on the United States. The title of the news reads "Obama veep team floats GOP name". It is definitely not a populist decision if it is a Malaysian local political idea. Just imagine, a deputy prime minister from an Opposition party THAT will definitely blow the heads of Najib. He probably quit UMNO and form 'UMNO terbaru'.

So there will be many first if Obama wins the Presidency. Not only that he will be the first African American to be President of a white majority state but also the first President that has a Vice President who is a Republican. AND if Ann Veneman (former Agriculture Secretary) is chosen as Obama's running mate, she will be the first woman Vice President who is from a Republican Party. However my gut feeling feels that Chuck Hagel (another Republican Senator from Nebraska) may be the choice of a running mate, as he seen moving around with Senator Obama in his recent tour to Iraq and the middle east.

But if Ann Veneman is chosen then it will be a shocker to all as it was reported that "the low-profile Republican was close to food and agriculture industries but clashed with farm-state Democrats and environmentalists during her tenure, which lasted from 2001 to 2004." under Bush first administration. She is definitely not a popular figure amongst Democrat lawmakers compare to Chuck Hagel who was not only seen together with Obama during his tour, but was described as a good friend and he opposed the war in Iraq.

He even went further to say in his much-publicized statement: "To question your government is not unpatriotic — to not question your government is unpatriotic." He was referring to the lack of open debate in Congress regarding the Iraq War, and in defense of his assertion that the United States should withdraw its troops. So with all these similar opinion with Obama, he may be a classic running mate made in heaven for Obama this November.

Be that as it may, and whether it's Ann Veneman or Chuck Hagel, the race to the White House this year will be definitely a very interesting run.