What about Bob Graham of Florida for VP?

[JCMach1]

In all seriousness. If the electoral map doesn't work, change the map. Graham, in all likelihood, would put FL in the (D) column. HE is the ONE Democrat that could do that.

He is a hard-working, moderate (with some progressive cred) who could appeal to the working-class.

His biggest liability? Age. Hey, but with McCain in the race, and Obama's youth that issue is basically a non-starter.

[DerekJ]

1. How old is he?

[JCMach1]

3. 72

[DerekJ]

4. Ok, on the big issues like the war. Where does he stand?

[JCMach1]

6. Key opponent to the IWR, he basically said as Chair of the Intelligence Comm.,

that the Intelligence Estimates were BS


...Graham, who headed the Senate Intelligence Committee in the run up to Iraq, famously declared his war opposition after reading the National Intelligence Estimate, a document he thought did not make the case (and one that Sen. Hillary Clinton has acknowledged not reading). That aside, Graham noted that "experience" in and of itself was not a prerequisite for becoming leader of America's armed forces... http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:2DAEPrvrc0sJ:www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/14/bob-graham-iraq-war-vote-_n_91524.html+bob+graham+florida+iraq+war+vote&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=ae

Sorry, I had to use the cached version

[DerekJ]

8. Good. You might be on to something. Is he really loved in FL?

[JCMach1]

11. Elected in landslide every time... he has the kind of popularity

that Byrd has in WV...

[bushmeister0]

16. I used to love those Bob Graham goes to work ads!

[JCMach1]

20. Exactly... still one of the more BRILLIANT campaign gimmicks

If Obama added Graham, he could also do these...

Isn't connecting with the working class one of Obama's difficulties at the moment?


What was great is that Graham is such an even-keeled low-key guy, it didn't seem like a gimmick.

[bushmeister0]

21. Yes, it was very believable. But those were different times.

[bushmeister0]

15. No one hangs around too long in Florida. Howverm having lived there for 30 years

I can attest to the fact that he was beloved. He's a very nice guy, in the old-timey Georgia-cracker sense of the word. He's related to the Grahams of the WaPo, which might get him some good press inside the Beltway, but how far that'll take him in the real world . . .

[KittyWampus]

28. Graham actually read the NIE and told the American people up front the Iraq War was bogus.

[JCMach1]

2. Obama/Graham sounds like a chocolate bar

but victory would be sweet!

[Radical Activist]

5. He did vote against the Iraq War.

I think he could have done much better in the '04 primary if he had stayed in a little longer until public opinion moved against the war.

[JCMach1]

7. He was also highly critical of the Bush admin vis a vis 9/11

[DontTreadOnMe]

10. a DEM VP from Florida...

would indeed be sweet!

[bushmeister0]

9. He's a great choice! Executive experience and foreign policy experience. Kind of a snoozer, though.

It's unfortunate that's how we pick our candidates, these days. But, seriously, he'd put a whole room full of kids hyped up on Red Bull into a coma.

[JCMach1]

13. He is also a helluva nice guy

And way ahead of the curve on intelligence matters...

[bushmeister0]

17. Agreed! I really think he's a great choice. But no one wants competence!

Thye want flash! They want catchy sound bites.

[JCMach1]

19. We have FLASH... and Graham gave some damn good soundbites

on the Iraq war run-up. It's just that NO ONE (including Kerry and Hillary) were paying attention! The media consigned him to the same place they had for Cynthia McKinney.

[bushmeister0]

22. Again, I agree. I can see it.; Georgia-cracker with JFK credendials,

The Party ought to see it, I know Howard Dean does. He's a brainiac, after all.

[bushmeister0]

23. Again, I agree. I can see it.; Georgia-cracker with JFK credendials,

The Party ought to see it, I know Howard Dean does. He's a brainiac, after all.

[EmilyAnne]

12. I don't know, but I would sure love to see Phil Gramm run ad McCain's VP.

THAT would be a dream ticket.

[JCMach1]

14. That would be ticket way too high on Ewww factor...

I see Tommy Thompson and Kay Baily Huchison as his two top choices of the moment.

[JCMach1]

18. This would also freeze out Charle Crist as a McCain

running mate unless McCain announces well before the nominating convention.

We have much to fear from Chaingang Charlie in the future...

[stevenleser]

29. Personally, I see a Crist switch to the Democratic Party in the future...

his heart is not into any kind of conservatism. Conservatives are already painting him as a RINO and he is looking more like a Chafee every day.

[DAGDA56]

24. I was expecting all kinds of negative responses to your post..but..

nobody offered any...and I couldn't think of any. Even the semi-negatives (age, not too exciting, etc) work just fine for a VP...and he is a major plus in Florida. You may have something there!

[JCMach1]

25. Time to get Obama and Graham in the same room and see what happens...

[WA98296]

26. Love him, but he's not up to it anymore IMO.

[mmonk]

27. Good choice.

[KaryninMiami]

30. I'm liking this-- Graham is a statesman, he's always been against the war,

He has appeal to moderates and he's Southern, he's got tons of international and domestic experience, Florida loved him and he would be an excellent balance for Obama in attracting seniors - plus, he's a wonderful man (we miss him terribly here in Florida) and-- he could speak rationally and from first-hand experience on why Charlie Crist is NOT doing a good job here in Florida, contrary to the current media spin on him being a "golden boy" here. LOVE this actually-- excellent suggestion!!

[stevenleser]

31. I think he is an excellent choice and has everything we would want or need...

Appeal to working class whites, Major swing state, elder statesman with unmatched command of the issues, senior citizen appeal. Perfect.
Obama doesnt need anymore flash or soundbites. He can generate those by himself.

[lojasmo]

32. Great idea

Besides Dean, Graham was my favorite in 2003.

[KittyWampus]

33. He is the ONLY Dem who'd make Florida viable in the GE with GOP election fraud

[butterfly77]

34. No!

[HooptieWagon]

35. VP-outstanding, VP candidate-not so much

As a VP, he would be outstanding, he knows DC and the workings of government inside and out, and is also very strong on foreign policy and the workings of foreign intelligence.
My hesitation is that he's a wonk's wonk and not very charismatic. People outside of FL, especially the yahoo's that form the hillary and puke's bases, will regard him as "nerdy" and "intellectual". If he was selected as VP candidate, and the Obama campaign scheduled his appearances that played to his strengths and kept him out of bubba turf, it might work. Bob Graham is held in high regard here in FL, he would greatly help delivering FL, which neither Clinton nor Obama can do otherwise, IMO.
He definately would be a huge asset as a Cabinet secretary, which might be a better spot for him.

[Radical Activist]

39. Obama has enough charisma for the both of them.

He doesn't need a charismatic VP. If Graham delivered Florida then Obama would have this election in the bag.

[HooptieWagon]

40. Well if Obama wants a "bland" policy wonk who'll deliver FL

then Graham is definately his guy. And i think he'd be immensely valuble in getting good competent people into cabinet posts and other positions, not to mention steering Obama's policies through congress.

[truebrit71]

36. Are you mad? He's as nutty as fruitcake!

...

[Orangepeel]

43. well, not to Floridians, although I'll grant that's not a high bar

:shrug:

He's OCD (to pull a Frist and diagnose him remotely) and writes down everything he does. But it seems to me that there are plenty of nuttier possible choices.

[newmajority]

37. Apparently Graham was on Kerry's short list in 2004

Maybe Obama should ask Kerry why he didn't go with Graham?

Don't really know a lot about Graham, but his resume ain't bad.

[Skwmom]

38. Graham would deliver Florida. He was very popular in Florida.

He's a former gov. Great foreign policy experience.

[woolldog]

41. This is a very good idea.

I like it. I don't know if he's energetic enough for the long campaign. That's what I wonder about with him and Nunn. Of course that's more than offset by the advantage he brings in Florida.

[Orangepeel]

42. Bob Graham is a great idea.

An Obama/Graham ticket would have a good chance at winning Florida. At the very least, McCain would have to spend lots and lots of time and money in Florida, which would help us win Ohio.

Graham has been a governor and a senator and would help shore up Obama's perceived experience weakness. Graham's age would actually be a plus for Obama running against McCain.