So who do you think will be VP?

[book_worm]

Poll question: So who do you think will be VP?

Here are the names most mentioned in recent posts on DU

[CoffeeCat]

1. someone not on the list...

Obama will "wow" us with someone perfect, but unexpected.

[book_worm]

2. Howard Dean?

[On the Road]

63. I Would Love Howard Dean

or if Mark Warner would change his mind, he would be a good candidate.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

71. yes and yes

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. Sounds like Feingold to me.

:)

[lojasmo]

54. Hoping for Dean or Feingold.

Gladly accept Clark,

[Overseas]

61. Sounds good to me. /eom

[saltpoint]

4. I can make a practical, political, and personal case for the folks on

you poll but I voted for Joe Biden.

Obama needs some punch in the over-55 age bracket and he might a well choose someone who can give it to him. Bob Graham would be good. Gov. Sebelius would, too.

Biden, without question.

Biden plays the dedicated advisor if Obama becomes President and he can play the older brother on the campaign trail, challenging McCain's bullshit on international affairs.

Biden would have Obama's back, and Obama knows he could rely on Biden in a pinch.

If I'm up against the Republican slime machine, I want Joe Biden as close to me as possible.

[NNadir]

5. I want New Mexico's Bill. I won't get him, but he's who I want.

He's the right man for these times.

[saltpoint]

6. He's a wonderful man.

And I wouldn't give up on him just yet.

It would shock me if he weren't on the short list.

[DevonRex]

7. I'd be okay with either Clark or Richardson for VP. If it's Clark then

I'd like Richardson for Sec State or maybe UN Ambassador.

I'm kind of excited about Clark after today, though.

Richardson definitely has the qualifications for a really great post and he also deserves some credit for endorsing Obama so soon. That took guts.

[rebel with a cause]

45. those are my two picks also,

but I doubt Richardson because he is also a minority, and could white USA stand two minorities on the ticket. And I doubt Clark because the MSM have him painted as "UnAmerican" because he spoke the truth about mccain's qualifications for the presidency.

[gateley]

16. That's what the problem is --

we can't just get the "right person." We have to think strategically about whose name on the ticket will best counter the GOP charges, and who will bring in votes from the 'other side.'

I agree - Richardson would be exceptional and his qualifications are custom-fit to the job. But I'm going to agree with you, that I don't think we'll be seeing his name as Obama's choice.

[PatSeg]

29. Unfortunately Richardson

isn't very good on the campaign trail. I was surprised and disappointed in his presidential campaign.

[gateley]

32. He's great when he's just speaking off the cuff, but you're right.

Speeches aren't his strength. So if he's not the Veep, I sure hope he gets a good slot in Obama's administration. I really like him a lot.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

48. Ironically his chances would have been better for his if he would have endorsed Clinton not Obama.

If he would have endorsed Clinton - Obama choosing Richardson would have been seen as reaching out to Clinton supporters. Now - it would be seen as a slap in the face to the Clintons and their supporters.

[PatSeg]

49. Interesting point

Or better yet, he should have not endorsed either.

[Mme. Defarge]

62. Only if

he keeps the beard! Just kidding. I'm hoping that it's a good sign that we've been hearing so little about him lately.

[OhioBlue]

31. I agree with you

I looked at the list a few times. I set aside any thoughts of who "I" would want Obama to pick - and tried to just predict who he would pick... and I'm thinking Biden.

[tomg]

8. Looking at this list, they are all

very good and they all bring quite a bit to the table. I am hoping for Feingold, but I feel comfortable with any of them.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

9. I know your list is alphabetical, but I would take the first three versus the field.

[WheelWalker]

10. A kick for Jerry Brown!

[gateley]

20. ...

:)

[Motown_Johnny]

11. I'm starting to buy into the Clark speculation.

[gateley]

18. He'd certainly mop up the floor with Johnny when they compared military

stats and accomplishments. And experience.

[nevergiveup]

12. My guess

is Richardson or Biden but it is a wild wild guess based on my personal wishes. There is the very real possibility that the choice will be a total surprise. I know that the campaign issued a statement saying it won't be a surprise but this will just make the selection more dramatic. The decision will be thought out to the umpteenth degree with all eyes on victory.

[Gato Moteado]

17. i doubt he'll take a senator from the north unless it's hillary, so biden is probably out.....

...richardson is much more likely. i think it could very well be clark. he might actually pull a fast one and fool us all by selecting hillary.

[LordJFT]

13. My question is when will Obama announce?

I can't take the suspense and flying rumors any longer.

[Gato Moteado]

15. he's gonna hold out until after the election

;)

[gateley]

19. Ha! If you want to know who my VP pick is, you'll have to vote for me to find out! nt

[Gato Moteado]

14. obama is still vetting paris hilton.....

...he was impressed with her energy policy and he thinks it would be cool to have his vp refer to mccain as the wrinkly old white haired dude in the vice presidential debates.

bank on it....paris is gonna be vp.

[Capt. America]

21. Don't you think Clark is now excluded because of his "attack" on McSame's ...

war record/fit to serve as commander-in-chief a couple of weeks ago?

[gateley]

33. It appears so, but I would hope Obama would reconsider. nt

[Sparkly]

37. You mean the RNC's smear of Clark?

He didn't say anything attacking McCain's "war record" or fitness to serve as C-i-C. What happened was that he got smeared. Why should that knock him out of contention? He stood up to the smear! If just "getting smeared" is disqualification, nobody would be qualified.

[elleng]

80. This may be

a test of o's character and judgment.

[nsd]

22. I still think Bayh is the most likely candidate.

He may not be popular on DU, but he hits a lot of the bases Obama might want: moderate, executive experience, national security experience, not gaffe-prone, might swing a red state, doesn't highlight or exacerbate any perceived Obama weaknesses, low key (won't take away spotlight), safe.

He doesn't have much star power, but I don't think that's something one typically looks for in a VP.

[Capt. America]

23. Bayh is safe, but he is sooooo Vanilla. Don't you think it might be ...

...disadvantageous for the President and Vice-President come from bordering midwestern states?

[nsd]

27. Clinton-Gore came from neighboring states.

That worked out well because they complemented each other so well. Selling Obama and Bayh similarly as two young, Midwestern guys might work.

I actually view Bayh's blandness as an asset. I think it's clear that a principal strategy of the McCain campaign will be to try to paint Obama as foreign, exotic, not-one-of-us. Remember the McCain slogan "the American president Americans have been waiting for" (link) -- the implication being that Obama is somehow "not American."

Bayh -- in all his vanilla goodness -- tends to counter that line of attack. He comes across basically as the All-American boy. I look forward to the visual at the convention where Bayh, his beautiful wife, and their two school-age children (boys) stand next to Obama, his beautiful wife, and their two school-age children (girls). I imagine the people at home who are somehow unsettled by Obama's perceived exoticness will look at that scene and think: "Hey, this (the Obama family) is really just another version of that (the Bayh family). I know this. This is familiar. Nothing to be scared of."

Some of the other candidates can perform this familiarizing function too, of course, but I think Bayh does it best.

[cbc5g]

36. I agree...people shouldn't be shocked when Bayh is picked...I'm certain he will be

Bayh actually complements Obama pretty well. They both embody the all-American family and Bayh brings experience along with Obama's change. The midwest ticket is the ticket this year IMO.

[Cosmocat]

51. YEP ...

agree with both posters ...

As much as people in this little slice of heaven want to find ways to think Bayh is a horrible pick, the view from the middle of the electorate, which is where the battle will be won, favors Bayh greatly ...

[Capt. America]

53. You all make good arguements.

[Eric J in MN]

58. Clinton and Gore were both young Southerners in 1992,

...and Gore was perceived as centrist by Democrats (though not by Republicans.)

An Evan Bayh choice would be similar to Bill Clinton choosing Al Gore. Reinforce the youthful appearance and geography and centrism.

[mcctatas]

24. I honestly have no idea...

I know who I would like it to be (Richardson or Clark), but I would be happy with anyone......


except Lieberman;)

[Pryderi]

25. Clark or Biden please.

[WheelWalker]

28. Either would make an excellent

cabinet choice, as well. Clark's been out long enough to qualify for Def Sec, no?

[gateley]

34. No - I think he's got a few more years before he qualifies.

In previous discussions, some DUers came up with some excellent interim positions for him, which of course I don't remember now. :blush:

[Eurobabe]

46. nope 2010

for DefSec - re: Clark

[elleng]

79. No.

Sorry!

[derby378]

26. Hillary Clinton

And for one reason alone: with a single wave of her hand, she can bring most of the PUMA gang back into the fold and keep them from voting for McCain in November. On Election Day, Obama's going to need every vote he can get.

[gateley]

35. Yes, we'd love to have the PUMAS, (although some have said they wouldn't

vote for Obama even if Hillary is is VP.) But we have to look beyond that group to those Independents and on-the-fence Reps who aren't really happy with McCain. If all 18 million Hillary voters were PUMA, that would be one thing, but I don't think there are anywhere near that number.

[Sugarcoated]

30. I voted for Biden

because I think he's the most likely pick, but I like Clark, Feingold, Richardson & Rendell.

[Ken Burch]

38. Didn't Clark withdraw from consideration?

Nothing against him, just wondering.

And why ISN'T Feingold among the choices?

[JI7]

41. no he hasn't.

[Ken Burch]

42. I stand corrected.

[JI7]

44. Feingold is too naive , he has been praising McCain while criticizing Obama

on the Campaign funding issue.

[Phoonzang]

39. I guess people didn't see the "think will be VP"

part and saw "want to be VP" instead.

[lukasahero]

68. Nope - "Securing America's Future" as the topic for Wednesday night

when the VP speaks is what informed my vote. Nothing personal, but I'm pretty sure people here know how to read and your post is really insulting.

[JI7]

40. i think he will pick Bayh or Biden

[RNdaSilva]

43. What happened to "Other."

My pick would be Biden but don't have the foggiest idea who it's going to be.

So, probably going with "Other."

[kerry-is-my-prez]

47. Be still my heart - Wes Clark would be too good to be true.

Blast you all for letting me get my hopes up! I will go to bed happy tonight - until my dreams will be dashed to the ground in a few days (as usual when it comes to politics) - hah!

[Donald Ian Rankin]

50. John McCain's running mate :-s

Right now, I'd give him a 60/40 chance of winning, sadly.

There's still plenty of time to change that, though.

[saltpoint]

52. I will have to update my file on William Robinson but everyone else

in your poll looks persuasive from at least one point of view.

In some cases, for two or more reasons.

In most cases, a dozen or more.

I'm asking myself if I can make the case for these folks against a Puke trying to argue against them, and happily, I think our prospective veeps stand pretty tall against the Republicans.

So I'm ready to make the case, even for possible picks I'm less enthusiastic about personally.

I'm going to have to bite a bullet to defend Nunn, though. And it may be a molar-shattering crunch, too.

This morning I think Biden's chances are up on the pratical grid, but on a strictly personal basis I like Bill Bradley, Brian Schweitzer, and Barbara Boxer.

I think Bob Graham is starting to look like a pretty sound possibility.

[eshfemme]

55. My vote for Wes Clark was actually a hopeful one as Obama's thinking can't be known

because of all the distortions the MSM and undisclosed sources create.

[RBInMaine]

56. Kaine will probably be VP. A GOOD choice and here is why:

Kaine virtually locks up VA for the Dems.
He is fairly young, new, and echoes the "CHANGE/WASHINGTON OUTSIDER" theme.
He is Catholic and that helps with them.
He appears to be a very good family man.
He is a white male, and Dems have lost WAY too many white men to the R's. Plain fact.
He helps with working class whites.
He helps with moderates and Indys which we NEED to win.
He is very bright, very popular in a red state, pragmatic, and very articulate.

* Kaine's only drawback is "inexperience", and if they feel he is too "inexperienced" then they need to go with Bayh who helps with almost all the same groups and could clinch Indiana for us.

Forget Biden. I like him, but he says he isn't interested and he's just too old Washington hat. Like him a lot though, make no mistake. Would be great as Defense Sec. or Sec. of State. And with Edwards out, take HILLARY for Atty. General or Health and Human Services to head up healthcare reform.

[mvd]

57. I'll stick with Sebelius

It's hard to tell, so I'll go with my original feeling.

[mvd]

59. Who is William Robinson?

I haven't seen him mentioned, and a search didn't reveal anything.

[Lv99 Slacker]

60. Rachel Maddow and John Nichols (The Nation) on Evan Bayh

http://www.zshare.net/audio/16928813ebff4f7b/">AUDIO: Rachel Maddow and John Nichols, Washington correspondent for the magazine, The Nation, on why Evan Bayh would make a terrible VP pick.

[cabbage08]

64. Kick

[SuperTrouper]

65. That's about right...Clark, Biden, Clinton

should be the last 3 in the short list.

[SoxFan]

66. JRB!

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/02/01/svOBAMA_wideweb__470x323,0.jpg

[Alexander]

67. "Securing America's Future" = Vice President Wesley Clark.

[qwlauren35]

69. Who I think isn't the same as who I want...

But in the end, I want what is best for the ticket.

My preference is someone "seasoned", but non-conformist, white, male, Southern, non-Congressional. Decent looks, oratorial skills are a plus. Military or foreign experience are also a major plus.

People keep saying Bayh. But he's a Senator. And I just don't want a two-Senator ticket.

[WheelWalker]

70. Kick and a (fist) bump!

[AtomicKitten]

72. Yesterday my guess was Clark -- Today my guess is Biden.

watch this space

[Doctor_J]

73. Clark is the least likely to take shit from the media

They'll trample the others (except maybe Biden)

[McCamy Taylor]

74. If it is Clinton, Obama will win. If it is not Clinton, Obama will lose.

I want the Dems to win this year, but if you factor in the inevitable election fraud, he just can not win by himself. Having the Clintons (Hillary and Bill because he is part of the package deal)on his ticket will give him the extra votes to overwhelm the GOP election fraud effort.

I wish this was not true, because I do not expect Obama to pick Clinton, and therefore I have pretty much resigned myself to another Dem defeat due to GOP election theft. I am getting sick of this. He needs to just get on a ticket with her, get in the WH and then he and Congress can fix the election system so that no one can do what Bush and Rove did again. As long as there is a Republican in the WH, he will just keep vetoing any fix that Congress tries to make.

[TahitiNut]

78. The opposite is more likely.

:shrug:

[thatsrightimirish]

75. bob graham

FLORIDA!!!!!

[leftstreet]

76. SCHWEITZER - how the west will be won n/t

[Starbucks Anarchist]

77. Biden.

[TankLV]

81. I voted - it will be interesting to see what transpires...

[Mark E. Smith]

82. Wes Clark

Seems pretty obvious. Who better to kick Crash McCain around
while Obama tackles the big issues?

[akbacchus_BC]

83. I did not vote, but am rooting for Wes Clark!

[akbacchus_BC]

84. Americans tend to ignore people, not all Americans. Gosh ...

it would be so nice for Wes Clark to be the VP or even Dean. Am not too sure about Biden. Was rooting for Edwards but this shit stink will never live it down with the rethugs. Come on Dems, grow a spine and nip this Edwards shit in the bud. That was personal and has nothing to do with his political career!

[Pryderi]

85. CLARK, CLARK, BECAUSE HE WON'T COST US A SEAT IN CONGRESS OR A GOVERNOR. n/t

[depakid]

86. Clark would be the wisest choice

especially considering the alternatives, but the Democrats haven't made a smart move in so many years that I'm not optimistic.