So, who's likely to be Barack Obama's VP? With him leading in superdelegates and the donkey party kicking Hillary to get out of the race, we've got to pay attention now, to the names being thrown around to be his running mate for November.

Keep in mind that in order to beat John McCain, the Democratic nominee must win swing states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Michigan, Iowa, New Hampshire and New Mexico. Exit polls and primary results show that Obama still hasn't secured the over 65 voter, the rural/Appalachia voter, the faith voter, and the less-than-college educated/blue collar worker voter. They dominate in swing states and Clinton has beaten Obama and in nearly all of them. Whomever Obama's VP, he or she will have to carry this water if the Dems are to make the White House blue!

A recent Washington Post VP shortlist includes my former boss Governor Tom Strickland of Ohio, as well as Governors Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas and Tim Kaine of Virginia, Senator Clinton and former Senator Sam Nunn of Georgia.

So who are these people and why them, right?

Rumor has it that 2nd term Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas tops Obama's shortlist. With, on average, a 9% lag behind Clinton in woman voters, Sebelius may bolster Obama among single professional women, especially. Sebelius could also deliver cross-over Republicans from her state as well as Independents. Kansas has been known over the years as a Republican Party strong hold. Like Obama, Sebelius has managed to build consensus across the aisle consensus--an important factor if, as VP, you're to be President of the Senate.

Number two: 1st term Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio. Obama needs to find an olive branch and smoke a peace pipe with loyal Clinton supporters if he wants Strickland, 66, to even consider the VP seat. This former minister and US Congressman ended 16 years of Republican rule in Ohio by carrying the poorest parts of the state: rural/Appalachia and areas neighboring West Virginia and Pennsylvania. He knows the over 65 voter, the less than college educated voter, the faith voter, the blue collar white voter, and the unemployed voter better than most.

Strickland also appeals to the "younger voter" (49% of his administration is under 40 years old and in key positions). His team is diverse and he's been able, like Sebelius, to bring unity to both parties and turn Ohio around.

A very loyal Clinton supporter, Strickland is a party loyalist too and he could bring up Obama's slack among key constituencies. But the question is: would Strickland consider being Obama's VP?

Senator Clinton might be the disaster in waiting. She's thrown so much mud, can these two really heal? The reality is, Hillary has the woman vote on lock. She's also proven that she can beat John McCain in key swing states. And it's not so bad for Obama to have a President of the Senate who has already spent seven years in that body. But the question remains, can they bury the hatchet? Or is there more mud to be thrown?

Another man of faith Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia might be a good choice. A devoted Catholic, next to governing Virginia, he and his family spend a lot of time helping his Church. He appeals to neighbors in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the Carolinas, which would help Obama. During Governor Kaine's tenure, Virginia has been recognized as the most business-friendly state in American, the top-performing state government in America and the state where "a child is most likely to have a successful life." These are great credentials to help build upon Obama's economic plan as well as education reform. The Governor who once was a missionary would even rock the evangelical voter too--and give McCain some trouble in the Bible Belt.

And last on the VP shortlist, preeminent foreign policy and defense strategist former Senator Sam Nunn of Georgia could be the total package that Obama will need to finish off McCain. Nunn, who represented Georgia for two decades, chaired the Armed Services Committee and now heads Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), a nonprofit that works to reduce global threats from nuclear or biochemical weapons. Obama, who wants to pull the troops out of Iraq, could use the advice of Nunn, who voted against the first Gulf War. And geographically, Nunn can help Obama lock up Tennessee, Oklahoma, Kentucky and Texas and add to Obama's base in Georgia, Alabama, Missouri, and Mississippi. Nunn, having been a former colleague of McCain's, knows his weakness and is better recognized for his command of foreign affairs.

Obama has a tough choice ahead. All of the above are a good supporting cast. The bottom line is, whomever he chooses, that person has to strengthen signifcant weaknesses in the Obama camp.

And as far as Clinton's VP picks go, we can't look at that until after the May 31st meeting when the party decides on seating the Michigan and Florida delegations. OH BOY! That might tell another story.

Angela Woodson is co-founder of Blacks United in Local Democracy (BUILD) Ohio and is the former political director for Ohio governor, Ted Strickland.