I agree that the N&R’s Mark Binker ‘beat a dead horse’ —– and I mean beyond recognition —– with his post on the Kay Hagan for VP story. Strangely enough, I agree with Binker that it was everything but Hagan’s communication skills that got her elected. Hagan has never outwardly shown me that she grasps the issues. She didn’t impress me during the Senate primary debate, and she employed a pretty strong mouthpiece to handle the media during the campaign.

The debate over the story’s shelf life didn’t stop the N&R from expressing its strange affection for Hagan:

It’s only idle speculation, with no substance behind it. But, since it’s not such a bad idea, here goes:

President Barack Obama should ask Sen. Kay Hagan to join his 2012 re-election ticket, replacing Joe Biden.

……He could do worse. With Hagan, he’d get a smart, energetic woman with 10 years of state legislative experience and a business background, who keeps in touch with constituents and rarely misspeaks or goes off message. If he has a vacancy, he should give her a look.

I was ambivalent about Sarah Palin being a heartbeat away from the presidency, and I would be equally —if more so —- with Hagan in that position.