When I think of a candidate cleaning up in Pennsylvania this fall—Obama isn’t the one doing the sweeping. But a new poll shows that it might just be a possibility.
Survey USA pinned McCain vs. Obama and asked 600 PA voters which candidate they’d vote for. Here’s what they came up with:

Obama 48%
McCain 40%

At a time when most analysts wouldn’t even bet five bucks on Obama winning Pennsylvania by a landslide, the survey has really got me thinking. Just what will it take for Obama to seal the deal in PA?

Well, Survey USA also tested a number of vice presidential possibilities for each candidate. Surprisingly, John Edwards came out as Obama’s strongest pick. Maybe that’s it. Perhaps Obama just needs an experienced sidekick that Pennsylvanians know and trust. Obama’s got the money. Charisma? Check. But it’s experience and name recognition that the Senator lacks. And he needs it in order to gain our older white voters. Edwards will also help Obama appeal to the working-class whites and Hispanics. At a time when Obama is all but declaring himself the nominee, he has to do whatever he can to bring Clinton supporters into his camp. And maybe, at least according to some PA voters, John Edwards is just the guy to help him do that.