I recently said Obama should pick Clinton as Vice President.

Later that same day, Clinton make a controversial remark relating this campaign and RFK’s assassination.

This… raises some doubts, along with what I feel has been an increasingly combative campaign by the Clintons, as to whether the unity ticket was possible. I, perhaps naively, believed that Clinton would drop out after the Montana / South Dakota primary. Her recent language leads me to believe this may not be the case.

So here is a list of who I think SHOULD be the vice presidential candidate, in top five standings. I’ll keep this updated.

1. Evan Bayh

I look at the electoral map a lot. The way I currently read things, Obama will need to win Michigan and one of the following: Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, Wisconsin. He’s been polling pretty close in Indiana, and I think Bayh would deliver the state as well as help in the general midwest, including Ohio.

2. Chuck Hagel

I’d rank him number one, but Hagel has shown too much apprehension at the concept and perhaps disagrees with Obama on too many issues. If he is willing to play second fiddle and not disrupt the campaign, I think he’d be ideal. And I’m not sure he would deliver any state. He might help in Virginia, though.

3. Ted Strickland

Among the list of states that Obama needs to win one from, Ohio might come the most easily. Especially with their popular governor on the ticket. Some people seem to believe selecting a Hillary supporter would attract Hillary’s supporters, but I disagree. Anyone but Hillary will alienate them further.

4. Hillary Clinton

This would be the most winning choice in terms of electoral votes. But Hillary has to make it happen. She keeps digging the “not-getting-picked-as-VP” hole deeper. It’s time to put away the shovel if she wants a chance on the ticket.

5. Bill Richardson

Although it seems like Obama’s people may not be too keen on this strategy, going after Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico is another viable path to the Presidency. Richardson would help there.