Everyone knows that commanders who are "men of culture" go straight to look at skill #1 when they look at battleships.  What we're looking for is a barrage, and a powerful one to boot.  Arizona can get you started, but eventually you're going to want Hood levels of artillery carnage.
Also, I feel like Oklahoma is really underrated.  Not in terms of power (she's just okay) but rather in terms of cuteness.  Very cute picture, voice, and mini-sprites.  I have her in my "Pearl's Tears" self-resurrection themed fleet with the rest of that crew and Yorktown just due to how cute she is.