I've made up my mind for VP...

[RiverStone]

Obama/Richardson 2008!



:applause: :woohoo: :applause: :pals: :applause: :woohoo:

[benddem]

1. agree

and the repugs are scared stiff of the combo.

[gateley]

44. Yes - and they would head to the polls in droves

to ensure this combo doesn't make it into the White House.

[FlyingSquirrel]

76. I like Biden or Clark. nt

[newmajority]

2. I believe that's the ticket.

:kick: :woohoo: :bounce:

[WinkyDink]

47. Same here. And, Lord help me, I think BR looks hot! :)

[polichick]

3. That's such a cute picture of them - full of mischief!

[butterfly77]

4. WRONG!

[smoogatz]

58. Why?

I think he'd be a great choice.

[nichomachus]

5. Not -- gonna -- happen n/t

[smoogatz]

59. Why not?

Richardson would be terrific.

[nichomachus]

60. You're new at this, aren't you?

Elections are 20 percent platform and 20 percent appearance.

When you're candidate is black and you're afraid of how racists will vote, you don't balance the ticket by adding someone who is darker than the top guy you're worried about.

Sorry, but that's a fact of life. And don't think the corporate media won't be photoshopping both of them to look like Willie Horton with a haircut.

[RiverStone]

61. Your logic fails

If some racist idiot will not vote for Obama because of his skin color, then they would not vote for Richardson anyway.

On the flip side...

If someone votes for Obama because he will make a damn good president, then why would they not too vote for Richardson? Bill would bring a wide-ranging depth of experience both domestic and international; additionally, his Clinton ties may serve to help unify (even though in the end, he endorsed Obama) - he did work in a Clinton administration.

And since you raised the race issue, how do you think Richardson will effect the Latino voting block? MUY BIEN!

[smoogatz]

64. Anyone who won't vote for Obama because of his skin color

will continue to be a racist asshole no matter who his running mate is. The best way to compensate for that is to draw votes from a new constituency: either, say, national security-minded indies, or Latinos. Webb would be an excellent choice for the former, but Richardson would likely draw even larger numbers of Latino voters who might have stayed home otherwise.

You might want to check your math, by the way. Last time I checked, 20 percent plus 20 percent does not equal an election.

Oy.

[populistdriven]

74. afraid of racists? no one here i hope!

[TexasObserver]

82. YOU appear to be the one new at this. Ever hear of Clinton-Gore?

You're simply wrong about how Richardson will be assessed. First and foremost, Obama wants someone who will be ready to be president. Secondly, he wants someone he LIKES for the position. Thirdly, he wants someone he TRUSTS for the position. Fourthly, he wants someone compatible to him and his themes. Lastly, he wants someone who will help him win a few states.

Richardson can meet those requirements. He could help Obama win California, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, and Florida, among others.

[nichomachus]

83. No idea what Clinton-Gore has to do with it at all

You are talking about the first black man to run for president. Leaving racists aside -- you can't please them anyway -- that still makes some people nervous. You don't soothe that nervousness by putting another minority candidate on the ticket. In fact, Richardson may make it worse, because the Lou Dobbs campaign against Hispanics has been so pervasive.

Just as Hillary couldn't run with another woman on the ticket. The ticket needs balance.

And, for the record, I'm far from new at this. My first political campaign was Ike vs. Adlai.

[TexasObserver]

88. Clinton from Arkansas. Gore from Tennessee. Destroys your argument.

Clinton-Gore flies in the face of your argument. We ran two white guys from the same region of the country, neither a big state.

If your first campaign was Ike v. Adlai, then you haven't learned much along the way. Time doesn't help those who don't learn by experience. Just because you've been around a long time doesn't mean your observations are any more sound today than they were 50 years ago. Look at Hillary. She's 61, has terrible judgment, and seems to have learned nothing. McCain is 71, and hardly has enough sense to come in out of the rain. People over 60 are the biggest problem in today's political scene BECAUSE they are largely out of it. So you'd better come up with a new argument other than "I've been around for a long, long time."

Sure, the rednecks and the aged will look at Richardson and hyperventilate, but they are not voting for Obama anyway.

If we win 90% of the black vote, 70% of the Hispanic vote, and a little over 40% of the white vote, we win.

[NC_Nurse]

6. That would be my pick too!

:toast:

[anonymous171]

7. Imagine, once Hillary is gone, all of us will fracture into different camps based upon our VP picks

[billyoc]

10. Eventually we'll be locked in mortal combat over the head of the

Bureau of Weights and Measures. :rofl:

[FrenchieCat]

12. At the end it will be Obama's decision......as he has earned it.

I will go with whomever he believes will do what he feels is required. Obama has much been underestimated.

So, I will not put myself in any Veep camp.



Instead, I will let the nominee decide.

[Shae]

15. I feel the same . . .

I think he'll make a better, more informed choice than I could.

[rebel with a cause]

22. Me too

:thumbsup: to Obama's pick unless he picks an unnamed person who I don't want. ;)

[TBF]

34. I really like Richardson alot - but Obama has been doing a great job

with his campaign so I will be happy with whomever he chooses. OK, I wouldn't be thrilled with Mrs. Clinton. But if he were convinced that was the way he had to go, I would of course accept it.

[WinkyDink]

49. The nominee will decide whether we opine or not!

[RiverStone]

13. The difference is, I trust Obama will pick right...

He knows more than I regarding who would be best for him (and the country). If not Richardson, he has my 100% support anyway.

I'm sure our VP banter will be far friendlier and easier then what's been going on here the past few months.:)

[IDemo]

16. Bidenoids vs Doddites vs Sebeliustrons vs...

[anonymous171]

17. YOU BIDENOIDS DON'T UNDERSTAND REALITY!

I can see it now.

[IDemo]

23. Typical Richardsonista!

:hi:

[Warren DeMontague]

45. Don't get me started on the RAVE act.

But Biden's smart- just keep him away from domestic policy.

[anigbrowl]

71. Yeah, I have a problem with that one too. Terrible terrible piece of legislation.

[Muttocracy]

92. Bidenites or Bidenistas thank you very much

:D

[chknltl]

19. You know what? That might not be so bad.

The raw emotions and divisiveness might be gone by then. Can you imagine a DUer saying: "Well if Wes Clark doesn't get picked for VP I am voting for mCcain!"??? I think the VP squabbling will be a fun time for DU when compared to what we currently are going through with the Obama/Clinton schism.

[blonndee]

38. I won't. Unless it's someone completely outrageous *coughHillarycough*

I can't imagine anyone I'd object to. I'm sure Obama will pick the right person.

[Warren DeMontague]

48. I'll be happy with anyone, as long as they're not some anti-choice GOP goober like Hagel.

That might be a deal-breaker for me.

[JerseygirlCT]

56. Yeah, that one would be really, really hard to deal with. nt

[JerseygirlCT]

55. Nah. I trust him.

I don't think he'd do something stupid - like Hagel or Nunn.

I think he'll make a choice we can all feel comfortable about.

[cbc5g]

8. He's one of my favorites for the position -- 2 senators on a ticket may not work well n/t

[chknltl]

9. Not my first choice but a choice I could get quite enthusiastic over

I would like to see Edwards there...but then again I would like to see Edwards as AG...but then again I would like to see Edwards on the Supreme Court. I guess I am an Edwards man first but I promise you I would get VERY enthusiastic over seeing Richardson as VP... if Edwards doesn't get that slot. (Obama/Richardson...they DO look good together in your photo though don't they!)

[rebel with a cause]

25. Edwards has already said no to VP

he doesn't want to do that twice. But he didn't say no to other positions. Maybe over Labor?

[chknltl]

29. I know, I know...Edwards did indeed say that...

:cry: Like many others here, he has not dropped off of MY short list for the job. If only we could draft him into the position. Truth be told, a career on the Supreme Court for Mr. Edwards could bear our nation some sweet fruit for many many more years than that VP slot.

Richardson, as suggested by the OP would absolutely be a great pick. I confess to a bit of bias here but I would like to see Senator Patty Murray-(D-Wa.), as Senator Obama's VP pick.

[rebel with a cause]

35. Don't know much about Senator Murray

but I really don't have any preferences for VP. I just wish this primary would get over.

[tokenlib]

42. He's young enough to influence the Supreme Court for a long time..

Whereas the VP or Attorney General spot is only 4-8 years..

[RiverStone]

50. I'd love to see JE on the SCOTUS or as AG

In either position, John would bring boldness, fairness, and equal representation for the working folk.

And BTW, as a Washingtonian myself - Patty has been way too quiet on answering the question: Since WA voted/caucused 68% to 32% for Obama, will you change your endorsement to reflect the will of the electorate? All I've heard from her is crickets chirping. Maria Cantwell (who I don't like as much) has at least said she believes the candidate with the most delegates at the end of our primary season should be our nominee. Both Sens. endorsed Clinton.

[chknltl]

52. Now that you mention it...Sen. Murray throws me for a loop on occasion too.

I suppose I am biased because I am a veteran. She has been an angel of mercy for our VA hospitals keeping them safe from closures and making sure that their needs get met. Considering that we have sooooooo many military retirees up here it makes sense that she would want to keep us happy.

That said, I was none too happy with her response to me on the impeachment issue and she DID vote against getting prescription medications from Canada a while back. Overall, I would give Senator Murray an A-. I want to believe that she would make a fine VP BUT upon reflection and including what you just said regarding her support for the known corporatist Sen. Clinton, I now have some reservation as she may have corporatist baggage of her own.

[cascadiance]

51. And Edwards also said he wouldn't endorse earlier too...

I think his arm could be twisted on this.

For me, Edwards or Richardson would be great! If Gore or Feingold would consider it, I'd like either of them too. But other than that, I think one has to be careful not to get someone to "DLC aligned". I think getting a DLC VP selection would be poison! We need to get them out of the white house period!

[rebel with a cause]

53. I agree about the DLC

And I love my Senator Durbin too, but....

[ossman]

11. Only if he keeps the beard. I am fucking serious. I will comprimise on a goatee.

[RiverStone]

18. Ummm, what if Bill goes with the Jesse Ventura look?

[Donkeykick]

14. He'll lose if he does that.

[Johnny__Motown]

20. That has been my dream ticket since Dec. '06. But I am not sure the delegate math supports

it now.


We may need to go with Strickland to lock down Ohio and help in Michigan if Romney is McCain's choice.

[Swamp Rat]

21. ¡Si se puede!

¡Vamos a ganar!

[Inspired]

24. I don't know about that. I heard some ugly rumors about Richardson.

I was around a lot of political insiders during the campaign season in Iowa. It seems I was the only one in the dark about the rumors that were floating around about Richardson and some past 'indiscretions'. The word 'groper' was used by several folks.

I don't always put a lot of faith in the rumor mill but everyone just acted like this was actually very well known.

Does anyone know anything about this?

I will trust Obama to make the right decision.

[IDemo]

26. My neighbor's dentist's daughter-in-law's friend's husband heard that too

And if anyone would know, he would. :eyes:

[Inspired]

28. The people I heard this from aren't so far removed.

Snark noted but I'm serious about this. I just don't want Obama to choose someone with this kind of baggage.

[blonndee]

39. Yeah, those rumors are rampant.

New Mexicans love him anyway (including me)or just don't give a flip about it. There are other rumors too, but I have no idea how true any of them are. Just that they exist.

[sharesunited]

27. A sitting governor of a western state with cabinet and ambassadorial

entries on his resume, who also happens to be Hispanic?

Likable even while being partisan?

Telegenic?

Not beholden to the Clintons?

I'm just not feeling it.

[cboy4]

30. No, he should secretary of back-stabbing

:puke:

[anonymous171]

31. I wish he was Judas, since everyone knows what happened to the person he betrayed.

:evilgrin:

[blonndee]

40. Don't you mean TREASON against the QUEEN? A much worse offense.

[scarletwoman]

41. Man, sour grapes much? What did Richardson do, break a blood oath?

Never before in the history of politics has one politician shifted from one faction to another until Richardson did it?

Eventually you Clinton supporters are going to have to get a grip and suck it up. To everything there is a season. The season of Clinton is over.

sw

[cboy4]

72. It's not sour grapes .. I just can't stand him, especially after

his little comment about how he thinks homosexuality is choice.

It's unbelievable how idiodic he is.

[newmajority]

54. Are you still pretending to be an Edwards supporter?

Just wondering......

[cboy4]

70. I am an Edwards supporter (I voted for him ) ---- I am a

Hillary Clinton defender because she's not the monster all of you drunken Obama fans make her out to be --- and I'm a future Obama voter (if he's the nominee), because I'm a loyal Democrat.

See how easy that is to understand newmajority?

[newmajority]

73. Drunken Obama fans?

That's a rather broad based generalization, isn't it?

Hell, I haven't been drunk in years. Or any other substances, for that matter. But no, Hillary isn't the monster I make her out to be, she's the monster she makes herself out to be. And it's endangering this party and this country.

Now let's talk about the monsters you make Obama and Richardson out to be. You speak of both of them as if they regularly picketed funerals with the Phelps gang, when nothing could be further from the truth. Richardson's actual record on LGBT issues is far better than the Clintons (DOMA/DADT). Obama doesn't attend Donnie McCloset's church. He invited the guy to one event, and disavowed the homophobic statements McCloset made afterwards. More to the point, Obama has spoken in other African American churches, and specifically addressed homophobia. And in his stump speeches, often mentions "fear of gays" as one of the many fears which are holding this country back.

Richardson didn't stab anybody in the back. He saw what any sane person could see by now. Bill and Hillary Clinton are not acting in the best interests of this country, and definitely not the best interests of the Democratic party. Whatever good that people like Richardson and John Edwards (and Howard Dean & Al Gore, for that matter) once saw in the DLC is long gone.

[cboy4]

77. Newmajority, you should just be satisfied with my

commments that I plan on voting for Obama if he's the nominee.

Yes, there will be some clean up needed at the California voting precinct where I vote because I will throw up voting for Obama.

But it's a vote, vever-the-less.

And I bet 75 percent of the Obama fans on this board aren't as loyal of a Democrat as myself, because they would not vote for Hillary if the roles were reversed.

And yea, Richardson did stab someone in the back.

But in his defense, there are probably a lot of people who would pull out the knife if they knew they could mooch another White House job.

[PM7nj]

78. You sound bitter.

:)

[femmocrat]

32. My choice as well!

I think they complement each other very well.

[shadowknows69]

33. I think I'm leaning that way too

Besides it would be a nice little extra fuck you to the Clintons, so there's that.

[tokenlib]

36. With the beard---DEAL!

Without the beard--I'll get used to it...LOL!!

Actually there are a couple of good choices--but I would be happy with Richardson. We need to go west of the Mississippi. And I think reaching out to Hispanics is important.

[scarletwoman]

37. I'd love it, but I kind of doubt it will happen.

I have a feeling that with all the strategic calculations that will go into making Obama's VP pick, that he might not make the cut.

But it's a lovely picture, and a cool idea.

sw

[Warren DeMontague]

43. Yeah, that makes sense on a lot of levels.

Richardson has got to be at or near the top of the list.

[greenbriar]

46. I like Obama/Biden

with Edwards as ATtorney General

[smoogatz]

57. He'd be a hell of a good choice, IMO.

So would Webb. Both men would bring enormous extpertise and breadth of experience to the ticket. I'd be happy with either. But not Hillary.

[Jersey Devil]

62. I'm cool with that

He'd be terrific, perhaps the most experienced of all the candidates

[osaMABUSh]

63. Jim Webb

He'll pick the Appalachia vote (Hillary's uneducated whites) plus the military and gun owners.

[Neshanic]

65. That is one scary picture. A ticket to loserland.

[Douglas Carpenter]

66. Larry Sabato:Republicans told him privately"if Richardson gets the nomination, it is all over for us

Larry Sabato:Republicans told him privately"if Richardson gets the nomination, it is all over for us .

This Post by Derec J:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6111441

Link to Article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-abrams/for-a-change-turnout-new_b_103206.html

" For a "Change-Turnout-New Voter" Election, Bill Richardson Should Be VP Choice

He easily passes the first test. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson would be a very effective president if something happened to Obama. Before bitterness, James Carville called him, "the most qualified person ever to run for president". Larry Sabato, Professor of Political Science, said that Republicans told him privately, "if Richardson gets the nomination, it is all over for us".

--snip--

History tells us that few people vote for a ticket because of the vice-presidential candidate. All of the others mentioned -- Biden, Bloomberg, Brown, Clark, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Hagel, Nunn, Rendell, Sibelius, Strickland, Webb -- would be excellent candidates and VPS, but, if history is correct, would not change the outcome significantly.

That is not true, however, if that VP candidate uniquely drives new voter registration and turnout. Richardson could change the electoral map -- now, and for two generations.


There are 3 under-registered, under-voting groups for whom an identity politics can trigger massive increases in participation: youth, Afro-Americans and Latinos. It is true that the poor and lower middle-class constitute a fourth group, but they have been relatively difficult to reach and congeal to increase their electoral participation in part because they have a variety of different interests, and thus, since Robert Kennedy, have not had a single iconic figure around which to rally.

Barack Obama's persona and message have galvanized the first two, and legions are going out to increase their participation this fall.

The third group is Latinos.


Governor Richardson has been nominated 5 times for the Nobel Peace Prize, is loved by labor, is highly experienced in foreign policy having negotiated successfully with the worst regimes, has been an extremely successful Governor of a red-state growing jobs/improving education/raising teachers' salaries/raising wages and re-elected with 68% of the vote, is a former Energy Secretary -- one of the critical issues for at least 2 decades to come -- is pro-2nd Amendment, hails from the West... and, he also happens to be Latino. "

links:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6111441

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-abrams/for-a-change-turnout-new_b_103206.html

[RiverStone]

84. "Richardson could change the electoral map -- now, and for two generations."

Per your article link...

Thanks! :hi:

[closeupready]

67. Richardson has homophobia issues. I would not be comfortable with him on the ticket.

Especially when set against the McClurkin controversy.

Just my opinion.

[Neshanic]

69. But he's our homophobe.

[PM7nj]

79. What "issues" does he have?

I know he gave that messed up answer at that debate, but what other homophobia "issues" does he have?

[Alexander]

81. He used the word "maricon" which is Spanish for "f*ggot".

He did this on Imus.

[closeupready]

87. See the other responses.

Despite these indiscretions, I like him, it's just that personally, I just think Obama needs to send a big tent message.

[dana_b]

68. I like RIchardson but someone needs to dress that man.

That tie with a checkered shirt? jeez, how could I support him now?? ;-)

[Eurobabe]

89. Who cares what he's got on, look at the FLAG PIN

that's what's important. :eyes:

[smalll]

75. Quixote/Panza 2008!

[lastliberalintexas]

86. LOL

Not sure if you meant that the way I took it...

[OneBlueSky]

80. not bad . . . but I'd also consider RFK Jr. or Bill Moyers . . . n/t

.

[Mme. Defarge]

85. Love it! n/t

[AlinPA]

90. Yes.

[thewiseguy]

91. And which state would he deliver for us in GE?

NewMexico? :shrug:

No thanks.