Obama's VP?

[Prophet 451]

So, having decided the Florida and Michigan mess (unless Hillary decides to sabotage the GE by running a take-no-prisoners campaign right up to the convention), it seems that barring an act of God, Obama will be the nominee. So the question now becomes, who should he pick for his running mate (and no, Hillary is now out of the question)?

Genuinely interested in hearing opinions here since I can't think of anyone who springs to mind. Obviously, everyone has their own criteria, my own is that since Obama's inexperiance is his only major weakness, his VP should be someone with a wealth of experiance.

[KittyWampus]

1. who is the guy with the great looking dog?

;)

[tokenlib]

15. Brian Schweitzer--Montana Governor and intriguing VP prospect...n/t

[Skwmom]

20. This combination would deliver a landslide. Plus Schweitzer would be very effective

in pushing through Obama's agenda.

[TexasObserver]

2. Richardson

Helps us win some states. Doesn't hurt us in any state. Up to the job. Got a great resume.

Will make a great presidential envoy, to carry the president's messages to, say Iran.

[Rambis]

3. Joe Biden

straight talker who calls BS on * and his cronies

[TexasObserver]

8. Biden is solid, but probably won't help us win some states Richardson might.

I like Joe for Sec of State or Defense.

[Rambis]

26. I don't know

We need to find posts for these people...
General Clark
Edwards
Dodd
Richardson
Hillary
Feingold

[TexasObserver]

35. with these

Edwards - AG
Dodd - Sec of Labor
Richardson - VP
Hillary - Sec of Health et al.
Feingold - leave him in the senate

[LakeSamish706]

4. He probably needs to have someone on the ticket that has a vast military...

background in order to offset McCain. Seems stupid, but that will probably help him...

[NJmaverick]

7. Jim Webb would fit that bill

So would Clark.

[LakeSamish706]

10. Lol... I was just going to update my post to mention both of those fine men...

I would hate to lose Webb from the Senate, but he would do very well as VEEP.

[NJmaverick]

13. I also wish that he could serve both roles

Still, I think an Obama/Webb ticket would be virtually bullet proof.

[Prophet 451]

17. Wouldn't being VP make him head of the Senate?

I'm British so I may be getting confused but isn't the veep also the tie-breaker in teh Senate?

[cbayer]

21. Yes, it would make that person the presiding officer of the senate

and the person who could break a tie.

Even though you are British, you are not confused at all! :hi:

[NJmaverick]

31. Yes, but other than breaking ties, the role is largely cerimonial.

[newmajority]

5. Richardson

[harun]

25. Richardson w beard would be my choice :-)

[NJmaverick]

6. Jim Webb would make plenty of sense

He has tons of good experience, better military credentials than McCain and he is a white male from the south (which will help ease concerns of voters that feel uncomfortable with change). Plus with him on the ticket, VA should be a lock for the Obama column.

[Hola]

9. Clinton

ya whatever...

[Skwmom]

19. Love Webb but Clinton's bogus sexism charges has made that impossible.

[NJmaverick]

28. I used to think that as well. Then I realized that the GE is a long way off

Hillary's nonsensical charges will have long been forgotten. Better to deal with what is coming up, which is another nasty GE. Best to have a ticket that is solid against GOP attacks, not one that could handle attacks from a long forgotten war.

[XemaSab]

11. I could make a strong argument for Webb, Richardson, and Schwietzer

Three different men with three very different backgrounds, from different parts of the country. They've all got different experience and bring different things to the table. I'd be happy with any of them.

I also would not object to Biden. :D

[Phoonzang]

12. He should wait for McCain to pick his VP

then make the decision. I personally think either Brian Schweitzer or Kathleen Sebellius would be the right choice. Preferably Schweitzer, though that depends on how much Obama needs a female VP.

[newmajority]

33. Might not be possible.

If McCain doesn't announce until the 'Puke convention.

What we DO know about his pick though, is that he's looking at a governor. And Obama will have to do the same. Two senators on a ticket is suicide.

I look at all the names that have been mentioned in this thread and the dozens of others on the VP subject, and I keep coming back to Richardson as the best choice. And from a neighboring state, he might even help us flip Arizona.

[Shakespeare]

14. I like Webb.

REALLY like Webb.

[DevonRex]

16. Richardson for VP. Biden for Sec of State. nt

[Skwmom]

18. The VP will play an important role in defining Obama. Schweitzer will

reinforce all of Obama's postives:

1. Change - their combined image will be like a breath of fresh air.
2. NOT another typical politician.
3. A problem solver who wants to tackle our huge problems and change the world.
4. Likable
5. A unifier.
6. He cares about the working class. Schweitzer is known as a prairie populist.

Plus Schweitzer will appeal to the voters in PA, OH, and WV (and a lot of other places). He has the ability to hammer opponents without coming across as another slimy politician. I think his witty zingers will have McCain blow a gasket.

As far as national security goes, his mere presence and ability to communicate makes you feel that he will keep this nation safe. National security is far more about image than resume.

Here's an article about him.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/08/magazine/08governor.html

[Yukari Yakumo]

22. Brian Schweitzer

1) We need a Governor on the Veep side of the ticket.

2) Anything Richardson can offer this guy can trump it. Richardson appeals to Latinos, but what good does that do at this point? Cali and Texas are solidly blue and red respectively. NM is likely in our camp, and it'll take much more than Richardson to flip Mc:nuke:'s home state of Arizona. Meanwhile, Schweitzer can appeal to western voters, swing voters, and possibly even Appalachia voters.

3) He does have experience with foreign policy and energy policy.

[knixphan]

23. Smokin' Joe.

Although he ALSO happens to be the perfect SoS,

Obama/Biden is

Unbeatable in the GE.

[Norwood]

24. Clark or Webb

Although Richardson is starting to look good too

[FlaGranny]

27. I'm not certain, but

I trust him to pick the right one 'cause a dummy he is not, so I leave that to him. I hope it is not Clinton, but even if it WERE Clinton, I'd know he had an excellent reason for it. He has shown himself to be one shrewd dude.

[WA98296]

29. Clark if he feels desire to dress up foreign/military OR Edwards to concentrate Populist message

[Clark2008]

30. Wes Clark is win/win.

Picking Clark would do several things:

* He's not currently serving; therefore, the Dems wouldn't lose a senator/governor/representative (also shores up that Washington outsider style).
* He has tons of FP experience, including brokering peace treaties, winning a war and serving in Vietnam (off-sets McCain).
* He could bring many of the Clinton supporters back into the fold.
* Being from Arkansas, he will help with the Southern and mid-Western white voter "problem" Obama may or may not have.
* The only alleged "skeletons" in his closet are the same ones that could be said of McCain (i.e. he served in 'Nam, so he must be crazy, etc.). It's hard for Republicans to lob that one when they've got their own veteran running.
* He's handsome, which, sadly is important in this day and age.
* He's not ever been divorced or, as far as we know, cheated on Gert.
* He lobbied Congress, directly and through formal testimony, that going to war in Iraq was a bad move - and that we should be focused on our efforts in Afghanistan and the hunt for bin Laden.
* Was actually one of the most populist candidates in 2004, with policies designed to help the middle class. He knows what it's like to live off less than $50,000 a year during most of his adult life.


Finally, if anyone thinks that, just because he supported Clinton and said words to that effect that it nullifies his being on Obama's short list, then I'd direct you to study VP choices more stringently.

Kennedy chose Johnson, Reagan chose Bush 41 and Kerry chose Edwards: all had less than kind words to say about one another during primary runs and/or while supporting someone else. Politics isn't about loving your running mate - it's about winning.

[Prophet 451]

36. There's an interesting thought

Quite apart from the other qualities you mention, Clark might go some way to healing the divisions in the party. Hillary herself is out of the question but a strong supporter of Hillary might well help smooth ruffled feathers.

[MNDemNY]

32. "act of god", or act of Michelle. You forgot that one.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

34. Since McAuliffe gave bold insight into Barack's Hispanic problem, looks like

Richardson is the gift that keeps on giving and I'm cool with that! ;)

[Steely_Dan]

37. Biden For President n/t

[Prophet 451]

38. Too late n/t

[Think82]

39. Biden is the best, but I think he'd rather be SOS. Richardson is a lousy debater.Maybe Tom Daschle?

[damntexdem]

40. Kathleen Sebelius.

And this time, a woman actually would be elected VP.

[JJfromGoodTimes]

41. STRICKLAND!

(forget that he said he won't accept it— OF COURSE he will)

To be elected, Barack MUST win 2 of these 3 states: FL, PA, OH. He probably wins PA, regardless.

STRICKLAND DELIVERS OH. Helps in MI, PA and VA, an ordained Methodist minister and gun-rights friendly. Puts to bed a lot of Obama's religious/cultural mistrust baggage.

Also:

— Is 66, a senior citizen
— Has executive experience
— A staunch Hillary supporter

Clark delivers a whole lot of nothing. Obama/Clark wouldn't even win Arkansas (Clark's home state). Military people don't trust him either.

Richardson would make a GREAT Secy. of State. As VP choice, he would help in the Southwest and West, but not in the Rust Belt.

Edwards delivers only the support Obama already has.

i don't think Sebelius or Napolitano will assuage the angry, older white woman vote anyway.

The other choices are (in order):

2. Rendell
3. Hillary
4. Bill Nelson
5. Mark Warner

[Prophet 451]

42. Oh, she hadn't occured to me

An ordained minister would be a big help with the "secret Muslim" meme and the experiance counters Obama's lack of same.