Now that it seems like we can finally all agree that the nomination has been decided, user dsantos got the ball rolling over in the forum on the next, big, political parlor game. Who is Obama going to pick as his VP?

dsantos offered a suggestion of Arizona governor Janet Napolitano. She certainly has a lot going for her. Executive experience; red state popularity; female reproductive organs. I think it'd be a strong choice that is a non-starter because of the near-certainty that McCain will carry his adopted home state and more glaring flaws in the Obama campaign.

What do you think? The most intersting question right now is whether or not Hillary Clinton will be considered. You should check out avowed Obama cultee Andrew Sullivan's case for a unity ticket if you haven't already. I'll run down a few of the contenders and their pros and cons after the jump.

Katherine Sebelius (Kansas govenor): She has many of the same positive attributes as Napolitano. Despite Obama's links to the state and recent Democratic successes, I don't get the sense that many strategists are pegging Kansas as a potential Dem pickoff in '08.

A larger question with both Napolitano and Sebelius is if Obama is really compelled to pick a woman for the ticket to assuage hurt feelings among females. Whatever you want to say about the larger dynamics of gender in this race, Obama has not made it an issue. I don't think there's a risk that women might stay home in droves out of disillusionment the way African-Americans might have (especially since a black candidate would have been denied the nomination by overwhelmingly white superdelegates). Will pro-choice voters really vote McCain over Obama out of disappointment? Obama has much bigger gaps to shore up.

Hillary Clinton: This probably deserves its own post. I just can not see it happening and pray that it doesn't.

Jim Webb (Virginia Senator): He probably has more going for him than anyone else in the field to counter Obama's weaknesses. A distinguished military career. Cabinet experience, in the Reagan White House no less. The ability to be taken seriously on the war (one in which his son, like McCain's, is serving). Hawkish tendencies. The potential to pick up a populous swing state that is trending Democratic. And most importantly in light of the past month, a demeanor and background that no one will be able to dismiss with cheap, meaningless references to arugula. Unfortunately, he seems forever on the verge of creating a campaign nightmare. I think there would be serious doubts about whether he could be an effective, on-message surrogate day in and day out through the relentless grind and glare of a national campaign. That's long way of saying he seems a little crazy.

Joe Biden (Delaware Senator): Much of the above (especially the crazy part) will be said about Biden, but, after a rocky start, I think he proved he could handle the spotlight. For all the talk of him being long-winded, he was the most compelling debate presence for much of the campaign and definitely owned the most memorable soundbites ("a noun, a verb, and 9/11" absolutely devestated Giuliani). He has strong support with Catholics (an Obama weakness) and probably the strongest foreign policy bonafides of any potential candidate. He will always be at risk for embarassing gaffes and has no electoral map upside but he would be my personal choice.

The Field: Mark Warner (need that Senate pick up), Al Gore (not happening), Michael Bloomberg ($$$), Tim Kaine (appears to be trying to hypnotize people), Chuck Hagel, Bob Casey (PA needs to be in play), Jon Tester, Sam Nunn, Bill Richardson

Who am I forgetting?