Must Obama Choose A VP That Voted Against The Iraq War?

[Hope And Change]

Poll question: Must Obama Choose A VP That Voted Against The Iraq War?

[Spider Jerusalem]

1. This presumes that he's going to choose a member of Congress as his VP.

And not only that, but that he'll choose someone who was in Congress to vote on the IWR. Which, among currently mentioned contenders for the VP slot, means Clinton, Edwards and Biden, basically. Each of whom brings their own strengths (Edwards' economic policy ideas, Biden's foreign policy and national security chops, Hillary's levels of support among Democratic primary voters). If a candidate under consideration for the VP nod brings enough to the table to outweigh that vote (especially if, like Edwards or Biden, but notably NOT Clinton) that candidate has admitted making a mistake in voting 'yes' on the IWR and expressed regret for doing so, then I don't see that it would necessarily be much of an issue.

[bornskeptic]

13. Ted Strickland would qualify.

He was in the House and voted no on the AUMF. However, he has stated fairly forcefully that he does not want the VP spot.

[bowens43]

2. Obama will chose who he wants to chose.

[johnlal]

3. I would expect those who voted for the war

to be investigated and publicly humiliated, if not prosecuted. It would be difficult to do so with a VP who voted for the war.
Although, he doesn't really have to pick a Congressperson as his VP, so it might not matter.

[Benhurst]

4. Really? I doubt if even Bush and Cheney will be investigated and

publicly humiliated. Look back to Iran/Contra for what will probably be the precedent.

Such investigations will join impeachment, off the table.

[goldcanyonaz]

14. How bout a public stoning? And for those who continued to fund it? water board em?

[Adelante]

5. Or opposed it and had no vote - Absolutely nt

[BeyondGeography]

6. I voted "no" but this is yet another reason why he'll choose a governor

thus avoiding the always painful IWR litmus test.

[Smarmie Doofus]

7. If they've acknowledged error, no.

Their vote on Kyl-Lieberman would actually be more instructive in this regard: indicates whether they're capanble of learning from mistakes.

And/or whether their conversion to antiwar on Iraq is anything more than politically expedient.

[Saturday]

8. That's an excellent question. nt

[ElsewheresDaughter]

9. oh I can't wait to see the results of this poll

[On the Road]

10. While Tickets are Often Politically Balanced

This is one area in which balance is bad. Politicially, there is no need to appeal to war supporters. It would muddy the waters and makes it appear that Obama is willing to sacrifice principle.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

11. preferably not a current Congressman/woman

PErsonally, I think he should pick someone out of Washington, like Gore.

[WinkyDink]

12. If the person had a vote, yes. Otherwise, why not HRC?

[Smarmie Doofus]

15. 'Cause she still doesn't think she did anything wrong.

To piggy-back on Santayana: *she* may be condemned to repeat the mistakes of the past, but do we have to actively enable her to do so?

And have her drag the country and the world along with her?

[rucky]

16. Not necessarily.

Just as long as they're for getting out right away.

It might actually add to the ticket to have someone who's taken the journey from support to opposition of the war, because that's what most Americans did, IMO.

[Hope And Change]

17. Interesting point.

[cloudythescribbler]

18. I think it better phrased that the nominee NEVER have SUPPORTED the Iraq War Resolution

hence, those who NEVER voted on the issue could be included, as well as those apparently silent (like Mark Warner).

But the basic principle is right -- it would backfire to try to "broaden" his base on this issue to those who changed their minds on the war. That would include both HRC and Edwards, as well as many others being strongly considered.

Obama needs to pick a SOLID Democrat with WIDE popular appeal -- and those two things are NOT incompatible, just a tall order.

I favor CA Sen Barbara Boxer, and in general a woman who never supported IWR. Bob Graham of FL also voted no on IWR, and could help carry Florida (and that, folks, would be itsky for McCain) :=)!

[invictus]

19. YES! n/t

[Catchawave]

20. Other: He'll choose a gov n/t

[Hope And Change]

21. Kick!

[A-Schwarzenegger]

22. Might as well ask: "Did your fave VP candidate vote against the IWR?"

Who among the most-mentioned VP peoples DID vote against the war?
Or even opposed the war from the beginning? :*

[woolldog]

23. absolutely

To not pick someone who was against the war would undercut one of his chief arguments against Bush/McCain, i.e. that they lacked the good judgment to oppose the war.

When he makes that argument, McCain can just point to his VP and say, your VP was in favor of the war. If that's indicative of bad judgment, why did you pick him as VP? Why did you pick a VP with bad judgment.

I'm shocked this poll is as close as it is. I would have thought this point was obvious.

[TheFarseer]

24. I say No

someone who says they made a mistake like John Edwards, I don't have any problem with. People like Lieberman who think the Iraq war is the best thing since individually wrapped cheese slices can suck it.

[Labors of Hercules]

25. He needs to choose a VP that didn't have the option.

He needs a Governor like Sebelius or Richardson, or someone like Wes Clark.

[Hope And Change]

26. Kick!

[BlooInBloo]

27. Or else not a congresscritter in the first place.

[anonymous171]

28. Probably. nt

[Occam Bandage]

29. I'd prefer he not pick one who voted for it, but I'll feel comfortable with whoever the pick is.

[Maven]

30. After making it a central distinction from his opponents in the primaries, yes.

[Hope And Change]

31. Kick!

[Skwmom]

32. Other: Must have been AGAINST it. Otherwise, he's saying McCain's bad judgment on

voting for the war wasn't really a big deal.

He's said he's picking someone who will be the last person who he confers with. Picking someone that supported the Iraq War, the biggest debacle in U.S. history, would be a stupid move.

He won't be able to hammer McCain for his bad judgment when his VP displayed that SAME bad judgment.

[slipslidingaway]

35. TOTALLY AGREE !!!! sorry for the caps n/t

[wowimthere]

33. We must change the mindset of how we get into wars.

[Hope And Change]

34. Kick!

[Hope And Change]

36. Kick!

[Douglas Carpenter]

37. if they were in the Senate at the time, I would prefer it

If they voted for the IWR but admitted they made a mistake, I would be inclined to accept that.

Most importantly, I would want someone who would NOT be inclined to support new imperial wars and would be supportive of peace in the Middle East.

[Hope And Change]

38. Kick!