Obama appoints team to help find running mate

[ballsalicious]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) - Barack Obama has asked a three-person team, including Caroline Kennedy, to help lead the vetting of a prospective vice presidential candidate. Kennedy has begun managing the process with high-profile Democratic insiders Jim Johnson and Eric Holder.
Johnson is the former CEO of Fannie Mae who also oversaw the vice presidential vetting for John Kerry in 2004 and Walter Mondale in Holder was deputy attorney general in the Clinton administration and has been a senior legal adviser to Obama's campaign.

Said Obama spokesman Bill Burton: "Senator Obama is pleased to have three talented and dedicated individuals managing this rigorous process." Also today, Obama spoke directly with his vanquished rival Hillary Rodham Clinton on Wednesday and expressed optimism they could achieve party unity after their bruising battle for the Democratic presidential nomination. He also accused Republican rival John McCain of supporting a "plan for staying, not a plan for victory" in Iraq.

As he traded jabs with McCain over national security policy, Obama visited the Senate where Democrats and Republicans shook his hand and congratulated him. The Illinois senator disclosed he had spoken with Clinton, who was not in the Senate, earlier in the day after he claimed the nomination and she stopped short of conceding.

"I just spoke to her today, and we're going to be having a conversation in coming weeks. And I'm very confident how unified the Democratic party's going to be to win in November," Obama told reporters as he left the Senate.



Read more: http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D913DOS02&show_...

[Starbucks Anarchist]

1. "Vanquished rival."

That's gonna leave a mark.

[aquart]

19. Why? It's not an Obama quote, is it?

I mean, he's spiteful, but not stupid.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

31. How is he spiteful?

I know you don't like him, but please inform all of us what is so objectionable about the man.

[hisownpetard]

32. OMG - "he's spiteful"? "HE" is spiteful? I have never seen a LESS spiteful individual involved in

politics in my life.

It's too ludicrous for words.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

34. No kidding.

He bends over backwards to be nice to Hillary, but she has to chew glass before she truly compliments him.

[hisownpetard]

35. Yes. And when she does, it's as though she's paying for each letter in the sentence and is trying

to save money.

[GodlessBiker]

2. Does that mean that the leader of the search team, Caroline Kennedy, will be his VP choice?

As Cheney did?

[Blaq Dem]

3. That would work, but....

She wouldn't have the experience. She has one helluva name recognition though.

[Baby Snooks]

26. She does have the experience!

Most people really do not realize the level of involvement of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg in setting public policy on various levels as an advocate not to mention her work through the John F Kennedy Library.

She is not just living off the money so to speak. She is a true Kennedy. And quite honestly, probably would make an excellent vice-president. She is both her mother's child and her father's child. She shares her mother's desire for privacy but also shares her father's commitment to public life. And so far seems to have balanced both quite well. She speaks at times as a mother. Other times as an attorney. The former with regard to someone who respects the need for society to protect and to nurture our children as well as those who cannot protect themselves. The latter as someone who recognizes the danger of allowing constitutional matters to become matter of political agenda rather than matters of rule of law. As we have seen for eight years, without rule of law, there is no law at all. She knows how many children have indeed been left behind. Who will become adults who will also be left behind unless this country returns to its constitutional foundation. She, like Barack Obama, is a road to the future. As her father was. As her father in many ways still is.

I actually hope Barack Obama considers it. And that she does as well. Once Ted Kennedy is gone, there will be a need for someone to carry on her father's legacy. Who better than Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg?

[speedoo]

4. Who says she is the team leader?

The only reason her name is featured so prominently is that she is so well known. I think either Johnson or the other guy will lead the team. They are the political insiders.

[stillcool]

7. Caroline Kennedy?

I can't think of a person less likely to take such a public position. Nice that you compare her to Dick Cheney though.

[aquart]

17. Genuflecting for the endorsement.

An inappropriate appointment.

[stillcool]

23. Are the Kennedy's still under the bus?

or is this directed at Obama? Is there a reason why you think Caroline Kennedy is not capable of exploring possible VP's?

[OneBlueDotBama]

9. It would be an awesome choice

If that's the only thing Obama takes from the Bush years, I'm very good with it.

[madaboutharry]

5. I think she made a mistake the

speech she choose to give last night.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

6. ...unlike Cheney, who simply chose himself...

Back to the real world at last. I like it.

[Jemmons]

24. Im just happy that they didn't make Hillary the head of the team nt

[IndependentDem]

8. "and we're going to be having a conversation in coming weeks"...

it looks like she has no plans of conceding for at least a couple of weeks.

[hisownpetard]

33. And like the possibility of a meeting between the two of them today or tonight

has been ruled out.

[DinahMoeHum]

10. Considering there's no love lost between the Kennedys and the Clintons,

I'd be surprised if HRC makes it to the finals in terms of the VP choice.

[iamahaingttta]

11. Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg most certainly remembers...

Lyndon Johnson.

Her choice for this team almost reads like a statement to me.
It practically jumps off the screen and says to me "there is no way in hell that Hillary Clinton is going to be Obama's VP choice."

[stillcool]

12. wow..good point..

I hadn't thought of that.

[aquart]

18. What a surprise.

Obama supporters continue to insult Hillary Clinton.

Who'da thunk it?

[iamahaingttta]

27. What the hell are talking about?

Your brain is at least aquart low.

[IllinoisBirdWatcher]

13. WOW. A Kennedy, a businessman, and a former Clinton person

Thank you, Senator Obama - A well-rounded group representing change, representing the public sector, representing tradition.

Couldn't be better.

Ready on Day One and the Clintons have input into the process along with the rest of us.

"Let the healing begin?"

Nah, the healing has begun

[onehandle]

14. VP is already selected. I guarantee it. nt

[Bette Noir]

15. We should be safe.

Caroline won't approve Hillary, after what she said about Bobby.

[Tab]

16. This just in - Cheney appoints himself head of search committee

Breaking news - Cheney decides Cheney would be the best choice for VP

[LiberalFighter]

22. Search committee shoots Cheney in self defense.

[ckramer]

20. Caroline Kennedy means Hillary is out!

Cat fight is not allowed.

[LiberalFighter]

21. Fannie Mae? Haven't they been involved in problem situations?

[stillcool]

25. I don't think Fannie Mae has been appointed..

here is what I read...

Jim Johnson and Eric Holder.
Johnson is the former CEO of Fannie Mae who also oversaw the vice presidential vetting for John Kerry in 2004 and Walter Mondale in Holder was deputy attorney general in the Clinton administration and has been a senior legal adviser to Obama's campaign.

sounds like they are Democrats to me. Go figure!

[Blue State Bandit]

29. Jim Johnson has been out of FNMA since 1998.

He's not involved with the latest financial problems.

[ckramer]

28. Why not Caroline Kennedy?

Being the VP is not like you have to know everything.

Plus all the consultants surrounding you, I can be doing that job too.

Caroline Kennedy first tries to do the VP job, then runs for the P!

It's a good personality match between her and Obama too.

A wonderful combination.

[Name removed]

30. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Buns_of_Fire]

36. Obama/Kennedy '08. Yeah, that'd work.

And think of all the "OK!" bumper stickers we'd be seeing!

But then, there's no way Caroline would be as crass as DICK!. Simply because there's no way ANYONE can be as crass as DICK!

[ballsalicious]

37. Isn't this how Bush picked Cheney? He was head of the VP selection and he picked himself?

[DesertRat]

38. Caroline Kennedy To Help Obama Pick VP

Source: CBS/AP

(CBS/ AP) Barack Obama pivoted quickly to the general election campaign for the White House on Wednesday, naming a three-person team including Caroline Kennedy to lead his search for a running mate while expressing confidence that the Democratic Party would soon unify after a bruising battle for the presidential nomination.

"I'm very confident of how we're going to be able to bring the party together," Obama said after a brief conversation with Hillary Rodham Clinton, his vanquished rival.

Campaign officials said Kennedy, who is the daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy, as well as former Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder and longtime Washington insider Jim Johnson have already begun compiling information on potential running mates. They disclosed no names.


Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/04/politics/main...

[lumberjack_jeff]

39. She's a good choice

In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights In Action was one of the best books I've ever read.

[polichick]

40. Caroline is both the perfect symbol of the passing of the torch...

...and a smart level-headed believer!

[Dover]

41. Maybe Caroline should be VP...n/t

[Octafish]

42. Her cousin would make an excellent Attorney General.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. would drain the swamp, clean house, and lock up the crooks.

[mac2]

43. The Trilateral Commission helps pick the VP?

You can bet they already have one picked out.

[defendandprotect]

46. Where did you see Trilateral Commission . .. I looked quickly . ..????

[defendandprotect]

44. Caroline Good; even better as VP -- or RFK, Jr. Meanwhile, NO DLC members for VP -- !!!

[sallyseven]

45. Carolyn Kennedy is not a good choice.

She married Schloshberg. He is a terrable person. What does she know about Politics. She has never been interested. He is going to need a lot of help from wise people in order to suceed.

[defendandprotect]

47. HRC has a PETITION DRIVE to put her on the ballot . . . ?? !!!

Allegedly not "cordinated with the campaign" . . . ??? !!!

On Tuesday night, he launched -- without, he said, coordination with the Clinton campaign -- a petition drive aimed at persuading Obama to tap her as his running mate. The effort officially begins today at a new website, womenforfairpolitics.com. And here's a missive Davis sent to Obama:

"We write you because we believe it is very important for the Democrats to win back the presidency in 2008. To do so, we must field the strongest possible ticket for the Democratic Party. We believe the 2008 election could be close. And your selection of a vice presidential candidate may make the difference between victory and defeat.

"We write to urge you to select Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton to be your choice for vice president because we believe that she would be, by far, the most qualified and strongest candidate to be your running mate.

[bluesmail]

48. I'm liking Obama more and more

[Jefferson23]

49. As long as she steers him away from Clinton, fine with me that she is assisting.

[katerinasmommy]

50. Classy Move By a Classy Guy n/t

[goclark]

51. My take is that she is a stand in for her uncle Ted

Signaling that the Kennedy family will have an important say in the decision.

Love them.

[Earth_First]

52. Please at least consider Dennis Kucinich at a cabinet level position. n/t

[DesertRat]

53. Absolutely!

We need Kucinich to have a top level position in the new administration.