Grist: What's not the matter with Kansas (Sebelius interview)

[highplainsdem]

http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/7/10/145417/887

Among the many names swirling in the Obama VP buzz is that of Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. A second-term Democratic governor in what's traditionally seen as a bastion of conservatism, Sebelius earned national attention as the chair of the Democratic Governors Association in 2007 and for delivering the Democratic response to this year's State of the Union. But for many environmentalists, she made her mark with something else entirely.

Earlier this year, Sebelius went head to head with a major utility company and the state's Republican-controlled legislature, three times vetoing bills that would have allowed two 700-megawatt, coal-fired power generators to be built in the state.

The battle began in October 2007 when a state environment official rejected Sunflower's permit to build the new plants on the basis of carbon dioxide emissions -- the first such rejection in the U.S. The state legislature fought back with bills that would have allowed the plants to proceed and stripped the state's environmental officials of the authority to grant permits, and the coal industry waged a nasty campaign against the governor. But Sebelius held firm, and in May vetoed the legislation for a third time, to the cheers of climate champions across the nation.

Derided by the coal industry and beloved by its critics, Sebelius has advocated for a major increase in the amount of wind power generated in the state, and pushed for massive reforms to the state's energy plan.

Grist caught up with Sebelius by phone this week to talk more about the coal fight in Kansas, the lessons it can deliver for other states, and what she would bring to Obama's ticket should she get the nod.

-snip-

[Bullet1987]

1. I still like Sebelius even though I've really warmed up to Biden as a strong possibility

[highplainsdem]

2. I'd prefer Clinton as VP. :) But I ran across this article tonight and thought the Sebelius fans

here would like it.

Don't get me wrong -- in most years, I'd think either Sebelius or Biden would be okay (though I'd greatly prefer Biden). But with the party still not as united as it should be, I believe Clinton needs to be on the ticket for our best chance of beating McCain.

[democrattotheend]

4. Would you view Sebelius as a slap in the face?

As a Clinton supporter, if he doesn't pick Hillary, I am curious if you would find Sebellius more objectionable than a male VP?

[highplainsdem]

5. I like Sebelius and think she has a lot of potential, but there are better qualified VP choices

this year.

I have posted in threads earlier this year, when some DUers seemed to suggest Sebelius (or any other female VP) would automatically win over Clinton's supporters, that such a suggestion was insulting, just as it would have been if Clinton were the nominee and people here were suggesting that she probably wouldn't want Obama as her running mate but could win his supporters just by choosing another AA or biracial politician. Suggestions like that smack of tokenism and condescension.

With the party still as divided as it is, and the primary race having been so close, I just don't see any really good choices for VP, except Hillary Clinton. I'm sure there are lots of choices Obama would be more comfortable with, but if he wants to win, his best chance is with Clinton as his running mate. He certainly wouldn't be the first president whose VP was a strong rival for the nomination. He would be the first whose VP's spouse was a very popular and influential former president, but I believe Obama will be able to cope with that.

[geiger]

3. As Sebelius is the daughter of a former Ohio governor, she has added value. eom.