He needs to pick his vice president quickly

[mudesi]

I think the longer he waits, the more Hillary supporters get their hopes up and the more disappointed they will be when he picks someone else.

Get it out now while there is still time. Let them make their hollow threats in the heat of the moment so that there is sufficient cool off time for them to get their senses back. I don't believe for a second that women would be foolish enough to vote for McCain, especially when the Supreme Court is one justice away from a religious fundamentalist majority.

I think he should pick a woman vice president and I think he should do it within the next few weeks, at most. Even if he picks a man, it needs to be done soon. Personally, I would prefer to see a liberal, regardless of gender, and not some idiotic choice to appear "tough" or "hawkish".

Obama/Kucinich, 2008.

[anonymous171]

1. At least they couldn't say Obama was too liberal.

[WeDidIt]

2. I think he needs to take as much time as necessary

He's got plenty of time and a good team to help him with the decision.

No need to rush.

Don't be hasty Master Peregrin.

[TheDebbieDee]

23. I agree. I think he should keep his options open as long as

possible. If dimson invades Iran in July, then putting Wesley Clark on the ticket in August would make him look like a genius. But he won't be able to make that move if he puts Sebelius on the ticket today.

I'm just throwing out names to use as examples. But I would honestly HATE it if he put Sebelius (Dull as a dishrag) or McCaskill (DINO) on the ticket today.

[ORDem]

47. Agreed. Rushing it makes no sense whatsoever. nt

[featherman]

3. Usually announced at the convention - no rush, actually

Although Kerry announce Edwards on July 6 and Gore announced Lieberman on August 7, 10 days before

[PoliticalAmazon]

33. Don't the presidential candidates trot out their intended VP before the convention? n/t

[featherman]

39. You are correct that's the modern trend - Bush named Cheney July 10, 2000

Kerry named Edwards in early July, Gore name Lieberman in August about 10 days before the convention, Clinton named Gore July 10, 1992, etc.

I have changed my mind. We may be looking at an announcement in early July, about a month from now.

[Richard Steele]

4. Nope. He's got it in the bag right now, he needs to avoid all VP talk until the convention.

And everyone knows it won't be Hillary- the only folks
talking that smack are the trolls who take their ideas
from Rush Limbaugh.

[weezie1317]

5. I disagree completely! He needs to wait until the last minute. Otherwise...

McCain will choose someone in response to Obama's pick. For example, if Obama doesn't pick a woman, McCain will to court the female vote.

[TexasObserver]

6. Disagree. He needs to define himself with no distractions.

Whoever he picks for VP, it will be a distraction when announced. It will dominate news for a week or two. It could take the campaign off message.

Best to wait until at least July to do that, IMO.

[eleny]

7. If not her, now would be the worst timing with the raw feelings so evident

Besides, it's always exciting to see the VP pick announced at the convention.

[onetwo]

52. Exactly...

...this is absolutely the WRONG time to make a choice (unless, of course, it's going to be Hillary).

If the probability is low that HRC makes it onto the ballot, Obama and company need to wait out the hard feelings and see whether Hillary can become old news.

[Cleita]

8. He's not picking her.

The fact that he went to Elizabeth Edwards to help him with his health plan and to the Kennedy's, specifically Caroline Kennedy, to help him pick a VP indicates to me that Hillary Clinton isn't even on the short list. I believe she will remain as a Senator in Congress but not in the White House. Thom Hartmann has suggested that she should replace Harry Reid as majority leader. I think that would be a better place for her.

[SoFlaJet]

17. doubtful she would have the votes to unseat Harry

she isn't the most popular senator these days you know

[Cleita]

19. True, but she might be a better fighter than him.

Personally I would like Barbara Boxer to have the job. In her quiet way she is quite the fighter in her own stead.

[SoFlaJet]

21. My top 3 choices (if it ain't gonna be Harry) are

1-Chris Dodd
2-Dick Durbin
3-Barbara Boxer

but TBH Reid has never had much to work with as far as a majority goes

[DeschutesRiver]

35. I had the same thought when I heard him mention Elizabeth Edwards re the health plan

and that Caroline would be on the VP selection committee. I think Hillary was also told this during their brief meeting at Feinstein's house, so that it wouldn't come as a surprise to her in any way.

[gateley]

9. This isn't about Hillary's or Obama's supporters --

it's about finding the right person to help us win in November, therefore about the future of our country.

He should take all the time he needs, it's a very important decision.

[adoraz]

10. "I think he should pick a woman vice president "

not going to happen, and unnecessary to pick a person just because of their gender. I don't know why people keep brining this up. there aren't any who would work. people already see Obama as a affirmative action candidate (which he isn't), the last thing the ticket needs is a woman forced onto it. I'm sorry, but all the women VP selections I've seen make no sense compared to the more popular selections like Webb. Until I see one who makes more sense than those already listed, then I'll keep making this point.

and he doesn't need to choose this quickly. give him at least a few weeks.

[sfam]

11. He needs to pick his VP Judiciously...rash judgments do not excite the electorate...

If Obama picks prior to August, I would view this as a bad sign.

[book_worm]

12. No he doesn't. That is what McCain wants him to do, so he can counter

He needs to take his time and make a reasoned decision. McCain has been the presumptive nominee much longer and he is waiting. I think the closer to the convention the better for Obama. VP is a big choice.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

13. I disagree.

The longer he waits, the more people realize how irrelevant Clinton is.

[Thrill]

14. The VP is...........

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

15. Kucinich....

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[TahitiNut]

43. Yes, that choice would make me happy, too.

:hi:

[jeffrey_X]

16. No, he doesn't. Hillary is not entitled to the VP just because the race was close

There is no negotiating for the VP spot.

[blonndee]

18. I think it would be nice if he and Hillary agreed upon a place for her

that they both could be happy with. He has said that she's going to play a major role in his administration w/re to health care. Could he create a position that she could fill in addition to her Senate duties if he is elected? I don't know what all the rules are. It would be nice if they could partner up in some way before the VP is chosen.

[PoliticalAmazon]

20. McCain hasn't bothered to pick his VP yet. Why the big pressure on Obama? n/t

[LiberalFighter]

30. Has he even tried?

Who's to say that he has tried and everyone has turned him down for the spot. :evilgrin:

[PoliticalAmazon]

32. LOL. Good point. I bet Lieberman would accept in a heartbeat. n/t

[my3boyz]

41. I think McCain is going to wait until Obama picks his vp. He can do that since

the Republican convention is after ours...

[Hippo_Tron]

48. It's a week after ours and McCain has had the nomination locked up for months

I don't doubt that they will play chicken with each other over who will announce their VP first but Obama has the excuse for the meida that he hasn't had as much time for the vetting process. McCain doesn't...

[Mezzo]

22. At least we take comfort in knowin there are more Hillary supporters than there are Obama supporters

[Egnever]

27. LOL

ya ok:eyes:

[ima_sinnic]

54. riiiight, in your dreams.

so why didn't any of these significant numbers of "supporters" contribute $$$ to her campaign? it appears that that "support" is not really that great, like they could sort of care less whether she won or lost.

:rofl: :rofl:

[LiberalFighter]

24. Not too fast. 2 weeks should be good. (I have second thoughts now)

I would concur with book_worm that Obama should try and make his selection known close to the convention. That way McCain will have difficulty in off-setting Obama's choice without making a fool of himself.

But the problem then is if Obama already decides it will be difficult to keep it a secret. If he was the only one to know his selection then it wouldn't be a problem. But whoever he picks would know and their family and staff would know. Too many damn mouths.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

25. Right after McNoBearings.

[hokies4ever]

26. Backseat political pundit drivers (sigh)

Obama should take his time and get the decision right. Doesn't make sense to rush through such an important decision. :eyes:

[Freddie Stubbs]

28. Waiting has its advantages

Candidates usually get a bum in the polls when they announce their runningmate. I would prefer he gets that bump later in the campaign rather than earlier.

Secondly, who he picks may influence McCain decision on a runningmate. Why give his so much of a heads up?

[Cha]

29. I think Obama needs to pick his VP

when the time is right and I'm thinking he'll figure that out. :)

[Growler]

31. Agreed!

I don't think he must wait for the convention -- that's how it USED to be done... and Obama doesn't always do things the old way.

The benefit to naming a VP early is the Dems will have two powerful attack dogs messing-up McCain.

I like that idea a LOT!!

[npincus]

34. I think he should wait for McCain to.

If McCain picks a master of the economy, Obama may need to go that way as opposed to a strong national security credentials. Or, what if McCain chooses a woman?

[SoCalDem]

36. No..BUT he needs to say who is NOT going to be in the llist

so people who have hopes & dreams for them (HRC) can realize that it's not gonna happen..

I would like to see him put forth some OTHER choices though.. like AG, Sec Def, Sec State, Sec Treas.. Those 4 offices are CRUCIAL for someone who is considered a "newcomer"..

[mudesi]

37. I didn't think of it that way

That's not a half bad idea, actually. I think Clinton herself should publicly state that she is not interested in it.

[AtomicKitten]

38. He said he will do it carefully and deliberately and will not be rushed.

I'm good with that.

[Beacool]

40. If he picks any other woman it would be even more insulting.

Would any black politician do if it had been the other way around and Hillary was the nominee? I would think that Obama's supporters would have been offended.

If he chooses a woman, then it should be the one who won the other half of the Democratic vote.

Want true unity? Then show it!!!

[CakeGrrl]

46. *If* he chooses a woman, it should be the best person to help him govern

His competitor doesn't automatically qualify as that individual.

Trying to leverage someone onto the ticket based on their vote total might be the way the Democrats snatch defeat from the jaws of victory yet again.

Hopefully Democrats, myself included, will respect Obama's choice as the one he feels will help us win and will allow him to govern effectively, regardless of who that turns out to be.

[Beacool]

51. Hmmm, I doubt it.

Check this on CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/09/clinton.supporters/index.html

[CakeGrrl]

53. There's no doubt that some of Hillary's supporters will be angry if she isn't made VP

however, that does not make her liabilities as a VP choice go away nor does it outweigh her liabilities.

The Right will exploit it all - every gaffe, every statement negative to Obama, every issue and political association that could pose a vetting problem - and they'll do it as much as possible to hold onto the WH.

I've said before that the bottom line is this: Will Hillary support the Democratic Party, and encourage her supporters to do so, if she does not get the VP nod?

[Beacool]

56. If she does NOT get the VP nod, many of us are staying home

or choosing the alternatives (Nader, McCain or writing in her name). Hillary knows how the game is played and will work hard to help elect Obama, but that doesn't mean that people won't see right through it and know that she was thrown under the bus by the party leadership. Most of the anger is not even about Obama, but about the leadership of the party. My no vote for Obama is my protest vote.

[ima_sinnic]

57. poor widdle you. do you consider Edwards "thrown under the bus" by the Democrats?

Hillary was "thrown under the bus" because she lost the election?

remember how she started out with a great majority of superdelegates? should they have ignored their mandate to go with the candidate with the most pledged delegates and appointed Hillary the queen so tantrum-throwing pissants holding their vote for ransom wouldn't be upset?

she will NOT be getting the VP nod, so why don't you just save yourself the grief and start volunteering for McCain today, instead of waiting? She contributes nothing positive to Obama's ticket, she already said McCain was better than Obama in certain ways, she was a traitor and a backstabber--in fact, maybe she'll still run with McCain, since she really did not criticize him while she was campaigning but saved all her venom and insults and backstabbing for Obama--she drives voters away and is a huge liability and would work tirelessly to undermine Obama's presidency. She only cares about herself and her own career (and of course those jobs for people in India, and the payola she can get from corporations and right-wing fascist dictators), so don't wait, go volunteer for McCain. Obama will more than make up for the immature, tantrum-throwing 120 fake Clinton "supporters" (who were obviously too cheap to contribute to her campaign) by bringing in millions of new voters. What new blocs of Democratic voters did Hillary bring in during her campaign?

on edit: PS, just because of sour-grapes losers like you, I hope to hell Obama picks a female VP. It's like the satisfaction you get when the spoiled, snotty little rich kid who has always gotten her way, doesn't get her way at some point in life. It builds character :rofl:

[crankychatter]

59. the confession of folly is the beginning of wisdom

you're invited to examine your motives for posting this

[Lord Helmet]

42. this isn't about her anymore so he can do what he wants

[Zomby Woof]

44. Kucinich??

LOLOLOL.

:rofl:

:crazy:

You know nothing about how politics works down here. There is no fucking way in hell our ticket will be sunk by someone who can't muster even 1% of party support in national contests. He's a non-entity, a cartoon.

But I do see that you cannot quit your irrational obsession with Senator Clinton.

[iconicgnom]

45. No. He can do it in his own time.

[saltpoint]

49. It's Gephardt!

[BzaDem]

50. I think you are going to miss GDP.

It's going to be hard for you to stop bashing Hillary.

[crankychatter]

60. a criticism of clinton supporters that threaten to vote for mccain is not "hillary bashing" nt

[Major Hogwash]

55. She already stated that she doesn't want to be the vice president.

So, the longer he waits, the better.

[scheming daemons]

58. I like Dennis.... but picking Kucinich would be the height of stupidity....

Kucinich would not deliver Ohio.


All his wacko past statements... the UFO stuff.... would be a serious distraction on the campaign.



Other than getting to have the most gorgeous 2nd-lady in history, there is no upside.



it would cost Obama the election.... or at least put it into serious jeopardy.

[kentuck]

61. No. He should wait until the Convention.

Keep 'em guessing. Stay in the headlines. Keep preaching against the neo-con supply-siders. The longer the wait, the better. It keeps the Democrats in the news.

[auburngrad82]

62. Personally, I'd wait to see who McSame picks

He might try to win the women's votes by picking Elizabeth Dole or the black AND women's vote by naming Condie. It will be interesting to see what he comes up with.

Obama, on the other hand, has a lot of good options. Richardson, Webb, Clinton, etc.

I'd wait for the GOP to make a move in desperation.