Dear Senator Obama:

[saltpoint]

I was impressed with how you handled Brokaw today and of course the world itinerary this past week was a game-changer. McCain is still stewing over it -- cursing, isolating himself, wolfing down multiple bowls of saurkraut at German restuarants... a pathetic remnant of a by-gone age, that age being Medieval Times.

Now regarding your choice of vice presidential nominees.

My guess is you know who you want by virtue of knowing who you don't want.

My best hope is that our lists match. That's a selfish conceit, but there it is.

For what it's worth, I hope you skip on Chuck Hagel, Sam Nunn, and Evan Bayh.

I'd love to see you consider Barbara Boxer, Bill Moyers, Mario Cuomo, Russ Feingold, Bernie Sanders, Henry Waxman, or Bill Bradley. If these names don't make your final list, I will be disappointed but will wholly understand. Of these picks who are older Americans, you could have the benefit of their counsel for your first term, choosing a younger nominee for your second term.

In the larger circle of politics, then, I hope you will consider a short list that includes:

Brian Schweitzer;
Kathleen Sebelius;
Tim Kaine; and
Bill Richardson.

All are Catholics. Three are from west of the Mississippi River. At least 3 are bilingual. At least 2 are experts on energy issues. All 4 are from states Bush/Cheney won in 04. I believe all will honor your ascendancy to the top rung of public service, each having done distinctly honorable service themselves as governors and in other service-arena undertakings. I feel a case could be made for these four people as being capable in helping you get elected and dutiful and loyal in helping you govern.

Thanking you for your kind consideration, I am

Sincerely yours,

Old Crusoe
= = = = =

[VolcanoJen]

1. I've been surprised to see that Richardson has faded from the Conventional Wisdom VP Watch.

Of course, that just might be evidence that... it's Richardson.

I like it.

[saltpoint]

2. Good point. That he's not the subject of speculation could mean

he's being heavily considered.

I think he would bring a hell of a lot to Obama's campaign and administration.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

3. Maybe he's tagged for another position

such as Sec of State

I'd like to see Gore as Energy Sec'y but if that is not to be, Richardson could be good there too

[saltpoint]

4. True. He's good at any number of things and would fit in almost

anywhere in the higher positions.

[monmouth]

5. Dear Old Crusoe, I love your postings, hate your choices..LOL..n/t

[saltpoint]

6. LOL! That's ok, monmouth. We can still be pals.

[monmouth]

8. Actually, Richardson is on my short list. Just love that guy.. He

is all encompassing: Governor, Latino, charming, very smart...Ahhhh.

[saltpoint]

9. Yes. No slouch on energy issues, either, plus he's a west-of-the-

Mississippi governor who could take that nomination stage in Denver with CONSIDERABLE authority and pose.

I have a lot of respect for the man.

I believe Richardson on the ticket likely gives us New Mexico and Colorado both, plus very possibily Nevada, which, added to the Kerry-Edwards states, translates to a victory in November.

And victory sounds mighty good to me.


:hi:

[Saturday]

14. I just don't understand the love for Richardson.

The man might be smart and accomplished but he sure hides it well IMO. During the debates I wondered if he could even get his words out. Too much stammering and hew hawing for me. I know lots of people think highly of him but I just don't see it. Also he needs to comb his hair once in a while. :hi:

[saltpoint]

15. Some of my bet friends have wild hair.

Albert Einstein had wild hair.

Beethoven did too.

Janis Joplin.

So there! :hi:

[BlooInBloo]

7. :)

[opihimoimoi]

10. From one Ole Opihi to you...I wanna see anybody but a PUB....no PUBS

:toast:

[saltpoint]

11. I didn't include any. As Republicans go, they started off ok with Abe Lincoln

but there's been a REAL sharp drop-off ever since.

If forced at gunpoint to name a few halfway decent ones, I'd include Pete McCloskey and Lowell Weicker (decent enough to have both left the party to be independents by now), and maybe Linc Chafee on some days and maybe former NYC Mayor John Lindsay at times... one or two others who I can't pull up from my short-andlong-term memory files...

But mostly I think Democrats have carried the day on issues I hold close, and agree with you that Obama is on far surer turf picking blue and not red for his veep nom.

[opihimoimoi]

16. Well said once again....you have my respect....

:hi: :toast: :beer:

[CTyankee]

17. John Lindsay, ah those were the days. I lived in NYC when he was mayor.

Oh man, talk about handsome! I remember his campaign poster, a pic of John with shirt sleeves rolled up and his jacket slung over his shoulder and the words "He is fresh and everyone else is tired."

I remember running into him in Washington Square park and asking him if he was supporting Richard Nixon for president. He was not pleased at the question...oh well.

But he was "too handsome" for many in New York. Sad, he died kinda down on his luck...I thought he deserved better even if I was a bit mean to him in the part that day (I had a small kid at the time).

[saltpoint]

18. Well, Nixon was a tripswitch politician and Lindsay was in the odd

position of (at the time) being Republican but governing a massive, mostly liberal city.

I love it that you lived there. I only had 3 years in the city, and I miss it horribly. We go back as often as possible, but it's just not the same as being an inhabitant.

When Lindsay ran as a Democrat he came in way more liberal than the Southern Democrats of the time. We've had evolutions in Democrats since then -- Clinton, Edwards, Carter, and so forth -- but Lindsay's job was harder.

I miss the man.

[CTyankee]

21. Yeah, don't we ever...n/t

[margotb822]

12. My only concern is

taking Dems out of elected positions. That is one of the main reasons I support Clark. Just food for thought...

[saltpoint]

13. Agree that it would be preferable to leave elected Democrats in place, but

my list includes no U.S. Senators or House reps.

All governors, at least one of them term-limited to boot (Kaine).

We'd narrow the list considerably if we weren't willing to absorb some shift in personnel.

I'd rather see an investment in say, judicial appointments for (arguably) 16 years than hold a governor's chair in a given state.

All 4 of those governors are from states Bush/Cheney won in 04.

[Coexist]

19. nice letter.

I hope you really sent it to him.

[saltpoint]

20. Hi, FLDem5. I did send a form of it. This is a modified version.

In the other letter I spent a bit more time arguing against Sam Nunn!