1. He brings experience to the ticket.  Inexperience is Obama's greatest weak point.

2. He represented a southern state, so he would broaden the geographical base of Obama's campaign.

3. He would rouse the Democratic base, stoking their desire for revenge for 2000 and increasing the turnout on the Dem side.  This would allow Obama to concentrate on swing voters.

4. He would bring lustre to the ticket, which could be important if facing John McCain.  The Republican will not be able to boast a VP candidate who has won both an Oscar and a Nobel prize.

5. He is a good debater with an excellent track record in the VP debates.

6. He would push climate change up the agenda during the election, exposing Republican weaknesses.

7. He would bring the Democratic establishment behind Obama without him having to select Hillary.

8. He served in Vietnam, volunteering even though he opposed the war.  This remains an issue and would certainly be one if McCain was the Republican candidate.

9. His record on terror and Iraq inside the Clinton White House was a good one.  He would be able to deploy this to help Obama when foreign policy comes to the forefront.

10. His re-election would be exciting for the media and another first, helping the Obama bandwagon roll.  No VP has run for a third term.  But there is no law against it.

And wouldn't it be fun if Obama chose him and McCain chose Joe Lieberman?