Edwards opens door wider to veep bid

[babylonsister]

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2008/07/08/edwards_obama/

Edwards opens door wider to veep bid

Escaping for a few moments from the tyranny of the War Room and my laptop, I happened to hear a portion of NPR's "Talk of the Nation" show, featuring an interview with John Edwards.

Asked, predictably, about his willingness to serve as Barack Obama's running mate, Edwards clearly said he'd do it -- or anything else -- if Obama asked him.

It was couched in the usual "don't expect it, haven't pursued it" disclaimers, but unless I'm missing something, this represents a change from Edwards' previous line that he'd "seriously consider" an offer if tendered.

The audio and transcript of the interview aren't available yet, but I'm sure others heard what I did, and reached similar conclusions.

Unless I misunderstood (always a possibility), or Edwards subsequently backtracks, you can expect some serious pressure on Obama to go with the North Carolinian, particularly now that fellow Southern populist Jim Webb has taken himself out of the running.

[Triana]

1. I love JRE - dunno that he's be the best choice - but he'd be a good one...

...I'll vote for that man any chance I get!

[Danger Mouse]

2. No thanks to Edwards

[saracat]

3. He got smacked with a question today on his college tour about Obama s

pull to the right. He said this election shouldn't be about candidates but issues. While outwardly being "polite" about Obama I doubt he really wants VP.He can do so much better than that.If he would be anything in anyone's presidential admin, I think he should be Attorney General.

[AllentownJake]

9. Agreed

Other than the fact he could be President in 8 years VP is a waste of Edwards legal talent and organizational skills. One of the top 3 cabinet post would be best suited. Justice the most because he could be independent.

[midnight]

11. As much as Edwards would help Obama by being his

running mate, I have to agree having him as Attorney General would be the most important place to put him.

[totodeinhere]

40. If JE still wants to be president than he should accept VP if asked.

After all, five out of the last nine VP's have eventually gone on to be president (counting Al Gore.)

[beachmom]

43. He has no prosecutorial experience. I don't see him as A.G.

And I see we still have not one kind thing to say about our nominee. Which to me means you should stay off this forum, which is about SUPPORTING our presidential nominee.

[saracat]

45. He certainly has trial experience and knows how to nail defendents to the wall

and I said nothing about Obama at all.The kid in the audience asked a question and I said Edwards was polite. I said I didn't think Edwards "wants" VP.Get over yourself please.

[TexasObserver]

4. I think it's down to Richardson, Biden and Edwards.

Just my feeling about it.

[Cleita]

5. Edwards will not be the choice of the DLC who are apparently advising

Obama's campaign now. Unless Obama wakes up and notices that their advice didn't help Gore and it didn't help Kerry, I don't think Obama will ask Edwards to be his VP although I think it would be the smartest thing he could do.

[DevonRex]

6. Why would you say the DLC is advising Obama now? Got a link?

Anything to back this up?

[babylonsister]

8. Thanks for asking; I've been out of the loop and would also like to know. nt

[DevonRex]

12. I think that is news from an alternate reality, myself. So I don't

expect any such link to be provided.

How's it goin' bablylonsister? Hope you had a marvelous Fourth!

[Cleita]

15. How sad to have such low expectations.

However, I would prefer people do their own search first before challenging someone's opinion. You really should and you probably wouldn't challenge after connecting a few dots.

[babylonsister]

26. 4th was great; was out of town visiting friends and relatives.

Maybe it's perceptions, not alternate reality. And to be honest, there are lots of people trying to connect dots, I just don't know if they exist.

[Cleita]

13. Start with the Hillary kudos on his website.

http://www.barackobama.com/index.php We know the Clintons are DLC

Here's a little item from Salon about Governor Kathleen Sibelius addressing the DLC (could she be a member?) and the possibility she could be his running mate. I hope the link opens up for you. Salon is well difficult at times.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/07/07/sebelius/

Here's a bio of his campaign manager David Plouffe who was formerly Richard Gephardt's chief of staff. Isn't he DLC?

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

Oh, and Thom Hartmann said so today on his radio show and we know Thom does do his homework and doesn't just throw out shit unless it's pretty well documented.

[DevonRex]

19. Still nothing that says Obama is taking advice from the DLC.

Saying nice stuff about Hillary does not mean he's taking advice from the DLC. And just because there has been "talk" about Sebelius being VP doesn't mean that he's a taking advice from the DLC. And I have no idea what Thom Hartmann said or what his sources are for the mystery quote. And I have no idea if Gephardt was DLC or not. But it's a stretch to say that because Plouffe was formerly Gephardt's COS that now Obama is taking advice from the DLC.

Hard facts are needed here, not six degrees of separation between somebody Obama knows and the DLC, or says nice things about, etc., to prove that he is taking advice from the DLC. Otherwise it's just kind of a nasty rumor.

[Cleita]

23. How about this article of praise from Chairman

Harold Ford, chairman of the DLC?

http://www.newsweek.com/id/138511/page/1

Something about the company you keep? How would I have hard facts if I don't have access to his meetings? However, going through his website is pretty much DLC corporate triangulating thinking. Compare it to what they stand for.

[babylonsister]

25. From June 30: Obama Snubs Once-Powerful DLC

And I've heard Harold Ford; of course he's going to support Obama, as is Emanuel, Clinton, etc. I would hope they're Dems first. How much disdain would we have for them if they pulled a lieberman?


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/30/obama-snubs-once-powerful_n_110005.html

Obama Snubs Once-Powerful DLC

Politico | June 30, 2008 12:58 PM


Obama skipped the Democratic Leadership Council's "National Conversation" this weekend, even thought it was a block from Obama's Chicago campaign headquarters. The centrist group helped Bill Clinton get elected in 1992.

"Obama, who had time to get a haircut and shoot some hoops on what passes for a down weekend on the campaign trail, didn't make it by," the Politico reports.

Political Insider concludes that the DLC has "lost its mojo":

Even though the Illinois senator has moved to the center on so many issues in recent weeks, he's not willing to incur the wrath of liberal Democrats by speaking at the convention of the group described by many as "Republican-lite."

With none of the Democratic presidential candidates in attendance at last year's meeting either, it's fair to say the DLC has officially lost its mojo.

[Cleita]

32. Whatever.

I was offering an opinion of why I don't think Obama will choose Edwards and incidentally many people feel like me, so it isn't something I pulled out of a hat. So I'm out of this food fight. I really don't give a shit anymore. I hope Obama picks the right guy and becomes a great President because he's his own man and doesn't make the same mistakes others before him have by letting them pull him away from what he truthfully stand for.

[babylonsister]

35. That wasn't an opinion; you claimed the DLC was advising

Obama. I wasn't trying for a 'gotcha', just recalling what I'd read.
I too have faith in Obama and his choice; he'll know who will be the best vp choice for him given all the distractors.
I can't wait til next year myself (and remember when I couldn't wait til the primaries were over-sigh).

[Cleita]

36. Omg!

Do I have to precede everything with IMHO? This is a damn discussion board not a court document. Other people, public people, have said the same thing. It doesn't mean he is going to take all their advice. I do believe though that he won't ask Edwards to be VP though because Edwards is not to the center. Politically, centrists believe this is unwise. I don't think it's unwise but centrists think so and many have publically said so in our wonderful MSM.

[babylonsister]

37. Omg! Maybe you do instead of stating something with no backup

that's either true or false and has nothing to do with your opinion. :wow:

[Cleita]

39. No back up!

I gave you links and that's more than you have given me to disprove what I have said.

We will know at the convention. Will he pick a DLC centrist like Kathleen Sibelius or will he pick a union labor guy type like John Edwards, or a flaming liberal like Dennis Kucinich?

[tritsofme]

18. Then why did the all powerful all knowing DLC advise Kerry to pick Edwards?

But not Obama?

Or were you just caught up in a strawman?

[Cleita]

20. Did they advise him to?

Do you know for sure?

[XemaSab]

7. Two one-term senators?

Not gonna happen.

[Fovea]

10. Think about it.

Which would be a better choice, a one term senator, or a senator with 2 or three terms of voting record (particularly in light of the Dem's craven votes of the last seven years)?

[XemaSab]

14. Answer: someone who isn't a senator

:P

[Political Heretic]

16. John Edwards was my first choice for president, but I don't know if he's the best VP

When I say I don't know, I mean I don't know.

[tritsofme]

17. Obama and his team are not imbeciles, hence Edwards won't be on the ticket.

Edwards is the worst possible candidate.

This would be Edwards' fourth campaign platform in as many years, which doesn't help his preexisting authenticity issues.

He has many of the same vulnerabilities as Obama, and not a single unique strength.

Not to mention its kind of hard to run a campaign based on change when you're running reruns.

[tkmorris]

21. The vitriol is unnecessary

Who would you suggest is a better candidate for VP?

[tritsofme]

22. There are plenty.

And Team Obama knows what it is doing.

That's why Edwards won't get an encore as VP candidate.

[Cleita]

24. They don't have any use for anyone who

cares about poor people. Poor people don't get candidates elected. Middle class professional people and rich people get candidates elected. I agree Edwards will not be the VP choice unless Obama decides to buck all the centrist advice he is getting.

[DevonRex]

28. Now that is deliberately trashing our candidate AND has no basis

in fact, just like your posts above had no factual basis.

[Cleita]

29. I'm expressing an opinion of what I believe to be the case.

I guess no one is allowed an opinion anymore? Okay, let's hear yours. Do you think Obama will ask Edwards to be his VP and why? On the other hand do you think he won't ask Edwards to be his VP and why? Since you are into a hard factual basis perhaps you can provide those facts it to bolster your opinion which is no doubt different than mine but you haven't really stated what your opinion is? Instead you would rather hurl accusations at me. You asked me for links and I gave you links but they are not enough for you. So I think what you want me to say is that Obama will pick Edwards as VP. Please tell me how that would be true? If I said that would you ask me for links? There is no keeping you happy is there?

Let me give you some facts. I will vote for Obama and whoever his VP choice is because I don't want four more years of BushCo. However, I am scared. I am a senior citizen whose economic situation has deteriorated since selection 2000. I cannot go out and start over at my age. So far I was secure that at least when I became ill before I died that I would have Medicare to fall back on. Now it seems that is being eroded with Democratic approval in giving into everything the corporatists want and calling it compromise. So please forgive me if I am not fond of the health plans and Social Security plans that are being offered by the candidates who were not my first choice.

[DevonRex]

30. I really don't know who the VP will be. BUT saying that Obama

doesn't care about poor people is hogwash. And there are NO facts to back that up.

[Cleita]

33. I never said that.

I said the people who are advising him don't because they don't have a clue what it is like to live from paycheck to paycheck. I hope he makes his own decisions in the end. However, we don't know what kind of President he will make until he is President and I wish him the best, but I still don't think that as a politician he will select Edwards. I really hope that I am wrong.

[sourmilk]

27. JRE: Don't let it hit your ass on the way out!

Obama does not need a faux populist, he needs a serious running mate with National Security / Foreign Affairs credentials. Biden, Richardson or Clinton would all be better than the puff-pastry that is JRE.

[saracat]

38. Edwards is no faux populist.

[sourmilk]

41. He's no populist at all, as far as I can see.

What kind of populist makes millions directly off the backs of the poor through hedge funds and sub-prime lenders while pretending to be their protector and defender? I didn't want to call him an asshole or a sellout or a scumbag though.

I just don't like or trust him, period.

[saracat]

42. My reponse would be deleted.

[Seabiscuit]

44. So would mine.

[saltpoint]

31. VP, AG, Sec of Labor, Health & Human Svcs -- John Edwards would

excel at any of these appointments and likely exceed expectations.

I'm in favor of putting good people into influential roles.

I think Barack Obama is, too, and it's my guess that John and Elizabeth Edwards are on a to-hire list. Whether in this or that position remains to be seen.

[DFLforever]

34. Edwards endorsed Obama too late

If he had endorsed him previous to Ohio and helped him win it, he might have been considered for VP if Edwards had wanted it.