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commonman

commonman

USA
August 2003

MAY 07, 2008 02:00 PM

Ok, now that this Democratic nomination race really seems like it's over, I'm starting to wonder who Obama's choice for Vice President will be. Sometimes I think it will be Bill Richardson, as he is a governor of a western state and has some serious foreign policy credentials. Every once in a while I think it might be Wesley Clark, as he is a former general and would give Obama some military cred. Sometimes I even think it will be John Edwards, because of his southern connections. But the rest of the time I have no idea, because none of these guys really stand out to me as great choices.

This article from the National Ledger has some people in it I'm not really familiar with. I'm sure there are many other names floating around the ether. So who's it going to be?

Coyotemike

Coyotemike

USA
May 2006

MAY 07, 2008 02:03 PM

I think it should be me. I could use the job, and I don't have an arrest record.

Holy Fuck, they included Chuck Hagel? NO.

Just NO. Chuck Hagel is an idiotic fucktard. He pretends he's a "mavrick" but he's just an attention whore. He's leaving Washington, and that is the best thing he could do for American politics.

motorfirebox

motorfirebox

Pittsburgh, PA
March 2004

MAY 07, 2008 02:06 PM

wait, VPs can't have arrest records? fuck, there go my dreams of becoming a respected elder statesman!

Bastardo

Bastardo

Boston, MA
January 2005

MAY 07, 2008 02:06 PM

I look really good in a suit, and I have a killer smile.

ChrisSick

ChrisSick

Philadelphia, PA
March 2008

MAY 07, 2008 02:11 PM

I'd like to see Richardson, but my guess is that even if he doesn't get tapped for VP he'll wind up as the SoS and that would be a great position for him. Edwards does nothing for Obama since he beat him like schoolgirl in his home state's primary, although he would be a very good choice for HHS. I've heard a lot of speculation about Clarke as the sort of stand-in for Clinton on a unity ticket. I don't see it, for one reason trying to beat John McCain on national security is a losing maneuver, and the other is when Clarke ran for President he got beat up pretty hard and that could happen all over again. I remember his high point coming when he shared a stage with Michael Moore.

So basically I have no idea.

Hunkpapa

Hunkpapa

United Kingdom
June 2004

MAY 07, 2008 02:13 PM

HHS = Health & Human Services?

Coyotemike

Coyotemike

USA
May 2006

MAY 07, 2008 02:14 PM

What about Kathleen Sebelius, the Kansas governor that delivered the responce to the last State of the Union?

ckdexterhaven

ckdexterhaven

USA
December 2005

MAY 07, 2008 02:15 PM

I'd like to see Biden get it.

Mr_Matt_

Mr_Matt_

Pompano Beach, FL
July 2005

MAY 07, 2008 02:23 PM

I'm all for Biden or Richardson. Preferably Richardson, though he's not nearly as funny as Biden.

bean

bean

STAFF

Los Angeles, CA

MAY 07, 2008 02:34 PM

I posed this same question to the LIberal Politics group in February. Nothing much has changed on the VP front since then, so I'll just quote myself from there, with one addition.

Here are some realistic options:

Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius: Popular governor of a split state with a history of bipartisan leadership and a successful record of maintaining public services without raising taxes despite inheriting a large debt. Gave the 2008 Democratic response to the State of the Union address. Endorsed Obama shortly before the Kansas primary, which he won handily.

Virginia governor Tim Kaine: Popular governor of a southern state with a history of bipartisan leadership, a champion of minority rights and issues. Spent a year as a Jesuit missionary in Honduras on a break from Harvard Law school in the early 80s. Has said he plans to get out of politics when his term is up, so that he can focus on "community building" in a role of ethnic reconciliation. Strong supporter of Obama.

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson: Former Secretary of Energy under Bill Clinton. Long history in foreign relations, including a stint as ambassador to the United Nations and discussions with the Palestinian Authority, Israel, and North Korea. Supporter of LGBT and Native American rights. Ran for President this year, and dropped out in January.

Delaware Senator Joe Biden: 35 year Senator from Delaware. Author of legislation and supporter of programs aiding victims of domestic violence. Proponent of the war on drugs who wrote the laws creating the post of Drug Czar. Funded programs which benefitted college students. Supporter of the Iraq war and proponent of additional troops and funding for the war. Dropped out of the race for President in January.

Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd: 27 year Senator from Connecticut. Supporter of issues related to children and families. Supporter of... banks... and insurers. Dropped out of the race for President this year in January.

Virginia Senator Jim Webb: Junior Senator with a centrist, nonpartisan history, a military history including highly-decorated service in Vietnam and a son who served in Iraq. Brings strong foreign-policy credentials to the table, along with a coarse, straightforward personality (there's a great story about a tense interaction he had with Bush at a reception for newly-elected Senators while his son was still in Iraq).

-----


My take:

I'd be happy with either Sebelius or Kaine, or probably Richardson, too. I don't think it's realistic for Obama to continue campaigning on "change" with Biden or Dodd as a running mate. In fact, I think either of them would torpedo his chances of success, or at least make the race considerably tougher than it needs to be. Both are career politicians who are heavily tied up with special interests and supported the Iraq war, even recently, and Biden has a tendency to shoot himself in the foot with the national media with verbal missteps.

Sebelius and Kaine both have a history of building bipartisan support for liberal goals, and appear to have principles which align more closely with those of Obama.

Webb is tempting, but I don't think he would accept the nod based on statements I've seen elsewhere. He's a valuable asset in the Senate, and putting him in as VP would force a special election to fill his seat in Virginia, and given how closely he was elected in 2006 (everybody remember staying up late watching them count votes in Virginia because the margin was so slim?), I don't think that would be good for the party.

That said, I think someone with strong economic credentials and a lot of experience is what Obama needs to shore up support amongst blue-collar Democrats and centrist swing voters. That would seem to point toward Dodd, but again, I don't think a long history of being in bed with the financial industry necessarily equates to "strong economic credentials."

MrCrisp

MrCrisp

I'm lost
August 2004

MAY 07, 2008 02:40 PM

Sebelius, Kaine, and Webb are my top three, and i agree completely with your assessment. this will certainly be interesting.

ChrisSick

ChrisSick

Philadelphia, PA
March 2008

MAY 07, 2008 02:54 PM

I like Richardson, Sebelius would be a good choice, but the opposite side of the argument I've seen pushed is that he'll need an Old White Man to make sure he doesn't scare the shit out of people who already are wary of voting for him. I don't buy it, and I think Sebelius wouldn't be as good a choice as Richardson because women aren't going to vote for McCain with his shit about strict constructionist Justices(people who would overturn Roe) so he would be better nailing down Hispanics with Richardson(something McCain is already trying to cut into with Spanish websites and ads). Plus I just like Richardson a lot more and think VP would raise his profile enough to make him President in eight years, which would be very nice.

ChrisSick

ChrisSick

Philadelphia, PA
March 2008

MAY 07, 2008 02:55 PM

I likewise don't think Kaine does much for him since he's winning in the south so heavily thanks to black turnout

MrCrisp

MrCrisp

I'm lost
August 2004

MAY 07, 2008 03:11 PM

ChrisSick, the vice presidential nomination is something a little more than just a campaign strategy. i think it's more important to judge the potential veeps by their qualifications and stances than by how well their nominations pander to a specific demographic.

Coyotemike

Coyotemike

USA
May 2006

MAY 07, 2008 03:13 PM

MrCrisp said:
ChrisSick, the vice presidential nomination is something a little more than just a campaign strategy. i think it's more important to judge the potential veeps by their qualifications and stances than by how well their nominations pander to a specific demographic.



Since when? You think Dan Quayle was chosen for his leadership abilities?

bean

bean

STAFF

Los Angeles, CA

MAY 07, 2008 03:20 PM

MrCrisp said:
ChrisSick, the vice presidential nomination is something a little more than just a campaign strategy. i think it's more important to judge the potential veeps by their qualifications and stances than by how well their nominations pander to a specific demographic.


It's more than a campaign strategy, but that's certainly a factor. Choosing a VP is a lot like political marriages in feudal Europe: you pick one based on what you get from them, whether it's a loyal constituency, political sway within congress, assistance on shoring up weak points in policy matters, etc. But PR is certainly part of it, too.

On the other hand, let's not read too much into how much attention the American electorate gives the VP candidate. I mean, they elected Emperor Palpatine twice, for fuck's sake.

RudieCantFail

RudieCantFail

Baton Rouge, LA
January 2006

MAY 07, 2008 03:22 PM

coyotemike said:

MrCrisp said:
ChrisSick, the vice presidential nomination is something a little more than just a campaign strategy. i think it's more important to judge the potential veeps by their qualifications and stances than by how well their nominations pander to a specific demographic.



Since when? You think Dan Quayle was chosen for his leadership abilities?



That certainly has been true of past elections. I think however, that Obama supporters are expecting a more considered, real VP rather than some schmuck.

Coyotemike

Coyotemike

USA
May 2006

MAY 07, 2008 03:23 PM

RudieCantFail said:

coyotemike said:

MrCrisp said:
ChrisSick, the vice presidential nomination is something a little more than just a campaign strategy. i think it's more important to judge the potential veeps by their qualifications and stances than by how well their nominations pander to a specific demographic.



Since when? You think Dan Quayle was chosen for his leadership abilities?



That certainly has been true of past elections. I think however, that Obama supporters are expecting a more considered, real VP rather than some schmuck.



I would very much hope so. But to think that isn't a part of the equation is to be a fool.

ChrisSick

ChrisSick

Philadelphia, PA
March 2008

MAY 07, 2008 03:24 PM

MrCrisp, I think the three leading contenders that Bean mentioned would be fine Vice-Presidents in that they all have a pulse and could legally assume the office of the Presidency if need be. I think they're all qualified public servants with good records, as well. So all things being equal, I like Richardson the most, I think he has the best and widest amount of experience and helps the campaign with a demographic they've struggled to capture.

Adroitbeing

Adroitbeing

I'm lost
September 2003

MAY 07, 2008 03:37 PM

Anyone who attempts to unseat The Big Dick from his coveted post had better bring firepower, cause he will shoot you in the face!

MrCrisp

MrCrisp

I'm lost
August 2004

MAY 07, 2008 03:40 PM

RudieCantFail said:

coyotemike said:

MrCrisp said:
ChrisSick, the vice presidential nomination is something a little more than just a campaign strategy. i think it's more important to judge the potential veeps by their qualifications and stances than by how well their nominations pander to a specific demographic.



Since when? You think Dan Quayle was chosen for his leadership abilities?



That certainly has been true of past elections. I think however, that Obama supporters are expecting a more considered, real VP rather than some schmuck.



exactly. obama's campaign has been sincere, more than just pandering. why stop when the primaries are over?

RudieCantFail

RudieCantFail

Baton Rouge, LA
January 2006

MAY 07, 2008 03:42 PM

Adroitbeing said:
Anyone who attempts to unseat The Big Dick from his coveted post had better bring firepower, cause he will shoot you in the face!



?

Cheney's out with Bush at the end of this year. It'll be against whoever McCain picks as his running mate.

ChrisSick

ChrisSick

Philadelphia, PA
March 2008

MAY 07, 2008 03:53 PM

MrCrisp said:

RudieCantFailsaid:

That certainly has been true of past elections. I think however, that Obama supporters are expecting a more considered, real VP rather than some schmuck.



exactly. obama's campaign has been sincere, more than just pandering. why stop when the primaries are over?



Refer you to above where I mentioned that I think Richardson also has the best qualifications of the three and that all things being equal why should he pick a running mate who will make the electoral math easier.

SockPuppet

SockPuppet

I'm lost
July 2006

MAY 07, 2008 04:01 PM

By bean's analysis, Webb is not the guy. The USA has a lot of foreign-policy fences to mend, and a "coarse, straightforward" personality is probably not what's needed there.

mec_nukka

mec_nukka

I'm lost
April 2008

MAY 07, 2008 04:07 PM

Louis Farrakhan

Hahahaha! I just crack myself up sometimes.

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