Salazar for VEEP? Yes.

Sources inside the Beltway have told Inside Edge that the selection of US Senator Ken Salazar as Vice Presidential nominee isn’t out of the question and has in fact been floated in some Democratic circles.

“He’s Hispanic and he’s from a state that really counts in the general election,” says one DC consultant about Salazar’s chances.

Adding to the intrigue is speculation that the previous favorite to take the second spot in the ticket, New Mexico’s Governor Bill Richardson, is on the outs with the Clintons and has never been trusted much by the Obama camp.

Bill Clinton has apparently taken issue with Richardson’s lack of endorsement of Hillary’s candidacy even though Clinton appointed Richardson to two high-level spots in the Clinton administration.

“What? Two cabinet spots wasn’t enough for him?” Clinton has reportedly said in disgust.

Adding to the speculation is the fact that Salazar will have something of a home court advantage when Denver hosts the Democratic convention in August.

“If the Dems in Colorado are smart,” said our DC source, “they’ll start organizing a boom for Salazar, because that could really make a difference.”

Colorado is considered a crucial swing state that any candidate must win in order to win the presidency. The inclusion of a Colorado favorite son, Ken Salazar, could help the Democrats move Colorado into the win column.

“It probably wouldn’t be as big a deal for Obama as it would be for Clinton, but, Salazar would help either candidate. For Obama, Salazar would be a more conservative voice, for Clinton it would help her win in a state she doesn’t match up as well in with McCain.”

New Mexico, he adds would be a nice state for the Democrats to have, but they can lose there and still be fine. But it will be very hard to lose Colorado and go on to victory.

Negatives that Salazar would bring to a ticket would be that he’s still in his first term and he comes from the US Senate, while Richardson serves as Governor. The public has generally expressed a preference for candidates with executive level experience like that gained by governors.

As the exception proving the rule, McCain, Clinton and Obama all are US Senators.

“Do we really want another US Senator in the race?” concluded our DC source. “That’s the biggest question.”           

Neither Obama nor Clinton will likely make a decision on a running mate until August, even if one of them wraps up the nomination before then. 

So all the Dems from Colorado better get to work.  There is a lot to do.