If Obama Chooses a Female VP, it should be Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano

[MadBadger]

Janet Napolitano is 50 years old. She is a very popular two term governor who has served since 2003. Her approval rating, according to an April poll is 76% in the state. In a Aug 2007 poll, she would beat McCain for Senate 47-36. She won reelection with 63% of the vote, was named by TIME as one of the five best Governors. She was a US Attorney and Attorney General of AZ. In a recent poll by the Behavior Research Center, Obama is down 11 in AZ and I think Napolitano could have great impact. What do you think?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Napolitano

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/05/poll_mccain_not_totally_secure.php

http://www.azpbs.org/horizon/poll/2008/4-29-08.htm

[babylonsister]

1. From the little bit I've heard about her, I like her. I also hear

Obama really likes her. Could happen.

[VeraAgnes]

12. She would be a terrific choice.

McCain would absolutely loose his own state, Arizona!

[gateley]

2. He shouldn't choose a female VP --

That would be trying to break two glass ceilings at once.

Although WE here on DU think it'd be great, might not play well in Peoria. Now is not the time to make a statement -- we have to be strategic.

Which is a bummer, but I think that's the reality of it.

[MadBadger]

3. Depends on if Obama has a female problem or an appalachian problem.

[Independent-Voter]

8. It's more of an Appalachian problem. Those racist ignorant dipshits from SE Ohio, W. PA, WV, and KY

are going to be a big issue. Time to catch up with the current century folks!

[gateley]

20. He's got a REPUBLICAN problem, and that's what we need to focus on. nt

[anigbrowl]

9. He can select her on the merits - she has an outstanding record

and I think a VP who's strong on domestic issues is more politically and pragmatically important than a foreign policy type VP - in my opinion, Obama is plenty strong enough there already. If he picks a foreign policy bigwig as veep the GOP will just recycle every quote the left has ever made about Cheney and suggest Obama is no more than a figurehead.

Meantime, Napolitano brings a proven record on budgets, job creation and border security, as well as putting Arizona in play.

[gateley]

21. Yes she does have an outstanding record --

but how many voters are going to look into that?

It's not the Dems we're looking to attract here -- it's the others who might be enticed over to our side. From what I've seen, I don't think having an African American AND a woman on the same ticket is the best 'bait'. Regardless of qualifications.

[Orangepeel]

16. Nah. The people he'd lose with a female VP are mostly the same people he's already lost

not all racists are sexist and not all sexists are racists. But I think the Venn diagram would have a lot of overlap.

[gateley]

22. We haven't even begun appealing to the

Republicans who might cross over. We need to focus on THEM. And though I hate to fall into believing stereotypes, I think there are more of them that are sexist and racist. A ticket with an AA and a woman on it won't help put their concerns to rest.

[woolldog]

4. There are too many problems with picking her.

I'd prefer just about any other female VP to Napolitano. I'd even prefer Clinton.

[MadBadger]

6. I think you need to name these prolems and why you dont like her.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

10. I can't speak for woolldog but there is one thing that may be an issue.

It's heavily rumored that Napolitano is gay. Personally, I don't know what her situation is and I don't care, nor do most Arizonans apparently. But it is out there and would need to be dealt with.

[woolldog]

11. I don't like or dislike her.

It's just cold reality. I don't want to smear her so I won't be specific.

[jumptheshadow]

15. You don't want to "smear" her? (nt)

[woolldog]

19. Correct.

I'm not going to get into the many issues there would be with that candidacy b/c I don't want to badmouth her.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

24. I was. It's not like it's not out there. It has been for years.

It sucks to acknowledge it, but it is a problem. Just like Obama's "Muslim heritage" has been. America is chock full of stupid fucks, in case we all didn't know that.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

7. I can think of one big one. It's not a big deal here in AZ but it may be problematic elsewhere. nt

[anigbrowl]

13. I'm tired of this pussyfooting. Some have accused her of being a lesbian, she's denied it.

She's 50 and unmarried. Oooh, she must be a lesbian. Personally I think it has as much to do with the fact that she's had a double masectomy and her desire to follow her own road.

You know what, I'm perfectly willing to have that fight with the GOP. If they want to raise it as a question, we can just accuse them of ducking the economic issues. Those voters who would freak out over the possibility of her being gay are the sort of people who probably would not vote for Obama to begin with, although they'd make stupid excuses like saying he's a marxist or some such bullshit.

And if McCain picks Romney 9as I suspect he will), she can clean his clock: she has a much better record as governor than he does, is a lot more likeable to swing voters, and is a nice boring methodist. If the right wants to question her orientation, we can ask Mitt about his weirdo underwear.

[MadBadger]

14. So people think she is a self-hating Lesbian who doesnt think she should have the right to marry

ooooookkkk

[mrreowwr_kittty]

23. Her position on gay marriage is more a reflection of how centrist AZ Dems tend to be

You won't find too many Dem pols here calling for full marriage equity unless they are in a really safe seat. Assuming Janet were a lesbian, I doubt she would be "self-hating", just a pragmatist. The gay marriage ban that was on the ballot was narrowly defeated, but only because it included language that discriminated against all unmarried couples and there was a well-organized opposition mounted against it. This year, they're trying to get a "gay marriage only" initiative on the ballot, which may have a better chance of succeeding, unfortunately. At the same time, while the rumor of Napolitano's sexual orientation is legion, most people seem to be okay with it. She's a damn good Governor.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

5. She'd definitely make AZ competitive in the general

OTOH, our SOS Jan Brewer would become governor. She's a scary and stupid fundie. Unless we managed to pull off a lot of Dem wins in the state lege (not likely though we should pick up a few) our state will be screwn for the next 2 years. That's my big reservation about Janet being the pick. We need her as Gov to veto the Republican asshattery that comes out of the Capitol on a regular basis. I'm talking stuff like allowing guns in bars, allowing teachers and students to have guns in the classroom, and allowing National Guard troops to shoot illegal immigrants at the border, just to name a few. :scared:

[dbackjon]

18. No kidding

While AZ has a lot of progressives, and a lot of "live and let live" Republicans, the wackos are WAYYYYYYYY wacko.

[madrchsod]

17. yes she would be great !

her list of qualifications are second to none....great pick

[Hola]

25. Down by 11 (only!!)

Obama down by 11 in AZ - is that it??????????!!!!!

For a home state of a would be Prez that's amazing. It's a red state too, Bush won it by 11 in '04 and 6 in 04.

Obama or Hill would blow McCain away in their home states of IL or NY.

It would be amazing if the dems could take AZ in Nov.

[JFN1]

26. That is a fantastic idea!!!!

She is a great woman - without the baggage problem Hillary has. I hope Obama picks Napolitano!!!!

[4_Legs_Good]

27. I like her fine, but the VP this time really needs to deliver a state

and she won't deliver Arizona, and the region is already pretty set for Obama.

I'd choose someone from Florida, Virginia or Ohio if possible. Maybe Texas.

David

[MadBadger]

28. Jim Webb is my top choice already, but she is more popuar in AZ than McCain is.