If Obama gets the nomination, who'd be his best running mate ?

[Bombtrack]

For people who are pained by this type of question I sincerely apologize. The first 4 which come to mind for me are:

John Breaux (Retired Louisiana Senator)
Phil Bredesen (Tennessee Governor)
Wesley Clark (Retired 4 star General / Supreme Allied Commander / '04 Pres candidate)
Brad Henry (Oklahoma Governor

It's wrong I know but logic would dictate that he'd pick a male WASP, it's just an even higher probability than the last several elections.

[w13rd0]

1. Joe...

... Applepieman.

[Syrinx]

2. I'm not sure running mate even matters

I think an Edwards/Kerry ticket may've done better than Kerry/Edwards.

But now that I think about it, how about Obama/Clinton? (Hillary, of course.)

[historicaljoe514]

30. As bad as it sounds.......

Its one thing to try to convince America to elect teh first black president ever. Its another battle entirely to ask for a woman in the white house. To combine them? May not win any popularity contests, especially in the conservative states. We don't want conservative dems nominated, but we need ones with a serious chance if not a near guarentee of winning. Obama can win, Hilary might win, but not together.

[Eurobabe]

3. Clark, but not sure if he will go for that.

[MrRobotsHolyOrders]

4. Bill Richardson

If Obama was silly enough to storm the gates of the Democratic party and then give into having a spineless hack like John Breaux as VP, then he'd deserve the whomping he'd take in November.

Bill Richardson isn't the dynamic sounding voice of a new generation I'd like to see as our nominee, but his strengths are huge. Add to all that, that ticket would force the Republican party into the dialogue we've been unwilling to really force them into: the undeniable rascist roots that underpine the activist base of their party. Let's see the reaction in Republican circles in the deep south and the southwest to the idea of an African-American and a Hispanic running the federal government, and get the camcorders ready: it's going to expose to America who these people really are.

People might be rascist in their hearts, but they don't like it to be shown to them. Let's see John McCain run a campaign when he's apologizing week in week out for what a bunch of county chair's in the south are saying to whip the troops into gear.

[athena]

38. I agree with you.

Richardson would be a good VP in many ways, the most important of which is his experience. I've been thinking for a long time about this, and I think he would be the best running mate for Obama. I can't see Obama with Clinton, Edwards, or any of the others.

Also, the Hispanic vote is projected to become increasingly important in the next few decades.

[Hippo_Tron]

5. I think Mark Warner would be the best choice for Obama's VP

Warner could put Virginia in play if he were the number two slot. And while I'd love to see Clark on the ticket, it would highlight Obama's lack of foreign policy experience.

[TheDonkey]

6. Biden could be a likely choice

He's got a lot of foreign experience but lacks a swing state we can pick up. Breaux could be positive but Obama would need to find someone who can deliver their home "swing" state.

[tritsofme]

7. Edwards didn't make a lick of a difference in NC

Bush won by the same margin in 2000 and 2004.

Generally VPs don't change the electoral picture.

[Ninja Jordan]

8. Dick Gephardt, Wes Clark, Bob Graham, Sam Nunn

[ripple]

9. Clark, hands down

Biden could be a potential option, as well, only for the foreign policy angle. I think he and Obama would have a difficult time reconciling their ideological differences, since Biden is much more moderate.

Kerry or Gore would be good, too, but I don't think there's a chance of them accepting second billing on any ticket.

[Ninja Jordan]

10. Gore or Kerry would not be good as VP candidates

Two former presidential candidates (one of whom has already served as VP for 8 years) as running mates would look absurd PR-wise.

[ripple]

14. Good observation

I was looking at it strictly from a foreign policy experience standpoint. It would look pretty damned odd, I suppose.

Since neither of them would be likely to consider it, anyway, it's pretty much a moot point.

[Catchawave]

11. A governor

Which would be a nice balance if a Senator is at the top of the ticket. We have many good ones to choose from too :hi:

[Kablooie]

12. Jesse Owens?

[PresidentObama]

13. I don't know if Obama will get the nomination

If he does, I'll support him.

I'm for Kerry, so if Obama gets it I'd hope he'd pick John Kerry. Kerry's got tons of foreign policy experience, and well...experience in general. Something that could bring the proper balance to a Obama candidacy.

We'll see what happens in the next year!!

Obama/Kerry would be a great ticket, though I'd prefer the vice versa.

Second choice for Obama if he lasts and gets the nomination? Probably Clark.

[politicasista]

17. Judge Greg Mathis would agree with you

He wrote a commentary a while back about an Obama/Kerry ticket.

[Clark2008]

15. Well, it shoudn't be Clark.

What a waste of his particular talent set.

Clark, if not president, should be Secretary of State.

[AtomicKitten]

16. I agree.

I really admire Wes Clark and his brilliant mind and expertise will be best utilized in a leadership position.

[Auntie Bush]

27. Ditto for me!

Clark/Obama Yes!

Obama/Clark No way!

Clark has so much negotiating experience...he would make a perfect SoS if he can't be President.

I can't see Obama being in charge of Clark and the military. Frankly I can't see how the party could elect Obama over some of our more experienced and knowledgeable candidates. Obama has lots of experience to gain before he's ready to take over the job of being the decider in chief!

[Imagevision]

18. This is tough...it would have to be someone who complimented Obama

his wife...

[fuzzyball]

19. Anyone with mucho GRAVITAS?

Something Obama lacks with only 2 years in DC?
If an in-depth political experience is not a requirement,
then I would prefer Clark.

[wndycty]

20. Wes Clark

Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes ClarkWes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes ClarkWes Clark Wes Clark Wes Clark Wes ClarkWes Clark Wes ClarkWes Clark Wes ClarkWes Clark Wes ClarkWes Clark Wes ClarkWes Clark Wes ClarkWes Clark Wes ClarkWes Clark Wes ClarkWes Clark Wes ClarkWes Clark Wes ClarkWes Clark Wes ClarkWes Clark Wes ClarkWes Clark Wes Clark

[Alhena]

21. Mark Warner

[snowbear]

32. If Gov. Warner isn't running for Senator Warner's seat in '08....

I'll bet he will be considered as a top VP contender..

[LiberalFighter]

22. I've been saying this before... Senators won't get elected

unless their opponent in the General Election is also a Senator.

The only way Obama will have a chance to become President is
1) elected VP
2) elected Governor
3) a military hero

[liberalpragmatist]

28. Tell that to Warren G. Harding and John F. Kennedy

Since 1896 (first modern election), sitting senators have been nominated 6 times (incl. Bob Dole, who resigned his senate seat during the campaign). 2 won, 4 lost. The two that ran in open seat races won - Harding against a governor (James Cox) and Kennedy against an incumbent Veep (Nixon). The 4 that lost were running against incumbents, who always are more difficult to beat. And arguably, Goldwater in '64, McGovern in '72, and Dole in '96 were running in unwinnable races. I don't think a governor would have won in those climates.

What does any of this mean? Pick the best candidate, period. If the most impressive or most charismatic candidate is a senator then don't let the fact that they're a senator dissuade you from picking them. 6 examples is not enough to make statistical analyses.

[bigdarryl]

23. Don't worry he's not getting the nomination I assure you and hears why..

the democrat nomination is all but settled as who the nominee is yes you guessed it HILLARY. the DLC is supporting her already Al Sharpton and other African American politicians are on record saying even if Obama gets in they will still be supporting Hillary Sharpton is getting in the race to be the spoiler.

[beaconess]

24. How many African American politicians have said they're supporting Hillary?

And what difference does it make, anyway? Lots of white politicians have expressed support for various candidates - does that render their candidates unbeatable?

And on what do you base your claim that Al Sharpton is "on record" supporting Hillary for president? I have not seen him ever make such a statement.

[bigdarryl]

25. All the ones from NY

[ripple]

31. ALL?

Have all of the black leaders in NY really endorsed a candidate who has yet to announce she's running?

I'd like to see a link, if you have one.

[beaconess]

36. Oh, really?

ALL of the black elected officials in NY have endorsed Hillary and that means she's guaranteed the "democrat" nomination?

As I told you in another thread, you might want to refrain from trying to inject racial politics into every discussion about Obama. Not only don't you have you're facts straight, you're not subtle enough to pull it off.

[mtnsnake]

26. Clark is the perfect complement to Obama

Wisdom, age, calming effect, foreign experience, plus it's the best way to get him an office in the WH, by running with a sure winner like Obama.

[historicaljoe514]

29. I still think Edwards

Obama is a smooth talking, good looking urbanite from Chicago. Edwards is a down home southern white boy with an accent. Theyre both relatively young so they may appeal to young voters (similar to Clinton/Gore '92??). Their looks, styles, ages, races, and geographic locations should all increase their popularity.

[ellisonz]

33. Wes Clark.

[smalll]

34. Obama/Edwards '08 -

Bringing Sexy Back!

[McCamy Taylor]

35. Military experience is his best running mate.

[athena]

37. Bill Richardson, governor of New Mexico

Whatever anyone here may say, Obama is a true liberal at heart (read his first book if you don't believe me) and will be attacked as an extreme left-winger by the media and the right wing. It would help him to have a running mate who is considered a moderate and has lots of experience with foreign-affairs. Richardson is pro-gun, but also pro-choice and pro-environment and has been against the Iraq war from the start. He's also Hispanic and would bring in the growing Hispanic vote.

[ChiciB1]

39. I Have NO Clue! I Would Think He'd Have To Be VP First...

Just my opinion! I like him a lot, but needs more garlic & rosemary!

[jcrew2001]

40. clark

I thought clark was vehamatley against VP, even though i think that is his only chance of getting elected/helping the democratic party get elected.

Obama's running mate should be Al gore, or Oprah, but they are from the same state. Maybe Bayh.