Vice Presidential Poll

[Douglas Carpenter]

I based the candate list below on salon.com's poll:

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/05/08/veepstakes_obama/index2.html

[rpannier]

1. Evan Bayh would be a CRAPtacular choice

He's DNC, corporate, he hates the base (ie US), he brings little-to-nothing to the ticket.

on edit: Ken Salazar??? WTF??? Another one-term US Senator. That'll balance the ticket oh so nicely. The readers at Salon are morons.

[jpljr77]

30. "he brings little-to-nothing to the ticket."

Except, of course, the state of Indiana along with solid chances of winning Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Other than that, yeah nothing.

[rpannier]

43. He won't bring Indiana

It's a nice dream though

Indiana will go republikkan, like North Carolina went republikkan in 04.

[Aviation Pro]

2. No Senators....

...we need a governor in the VP position for 1) experience and 2) to protect a filibuster proof Senate.

[Rockholm]

23. Quite Correct.

We need to retain and gain more Senate seats, not lose them.

[sfam]

49. Agreed. No Senators. I was the executive exp. of a governor - Sebelius for me!

[cyclezealot]

3. It was a tough choice between Webb, Clark, and Gov. Schweitzer.

But, I think Wesley Clark would help out the most, in the states, where Obama will need help. If Obama were choose Evan Bayh, it might make the ticket hard to swallow. Too involved with DLC politics and a free trader. With Indiana's job losses maybe Bayh will see the light.?

[ShortnFiery]

4. Not Clark! His loyalties have been compromised. Want a former General? Choose Anthony Zinni.

For the life of me, I don't get this seemingly "idol worship" of Wes Clark. No, he's lashed to the mast with the Clintons. There are plenty of OTHER retired Generals who can advise Obama. I remember seeing "a cameo" of him during the grilling "set-up" of ABC's pseudo debate recently. Don't trust him. :(

[cyclezealot]

10. for what its worth. Michal Moore trusted him.

His war stance seemed to meet my requirements. Sounded decent on health care. If he is close to Clinton's thats a positive way to heal the party. All it takes is obama to befiend Clark and loyalties quickly change. I will check out Zinni for his policies , at your suggestion of his name. Military being on the ticket would be a big leg up against the McCain / Lieberman team.

[Clark2008]

11. Groan...

That's real "smart" coming from someone who simply won't accept that Clark was NOT for the war in Iraq.

[cyclezealot]

17. Just like Hillary says she's changed1

So did Clark. His talks of how he changed and his contempt for the neocons' we saw him give on Larry King seemed quite convincing.

[Boz]

5. Obama/Richardson VP, Edwards AG, Clark Defense,Webb Senate,Sebelius State

[Spider Jerusalem]

7. Wesley Clark is ineligible by statute to be SecDef.

No former member of the military may serve in that position until ten years have elapsed since their retirement or separation from the service, by law.

[ORDem]

39. What about Clark for Sec'y of State? ? nt

[SeattleGirl]

6. Those of you supporting Sebelius for VP, please tell me why you

think she would be a good choice.

I'm not snarking here; I'm asking an honest question.

The only time I've really heard her is in her response to one of Bush's Saturday speeches, and frankly, I was not impressed. And yes, I've been lazy about checking into her, but I've had tons of other stuff I had to deal with, so I haven't had a chance to follow up on her.

So, what makes her a viable choice for VP? This inquiring mind would love to get some additional info.

[Oleladylib]

8. wow...thought maybe females were 'fogotten' there for a minute

[SeattleGirl]

9. I have never forgotten females, and would love to see a female

as Obama's VP pick.

I just want her to be the right choice.

Same as I would if his choice were a man.

[cyclezealot]

12. She did the Dem response to the SOTU Speech

Who says she was a barn burner. Laid back Kansas politeness does not cut it come the heat of October.

[SeattleGirl]

13. That's the feeling I got too.

I listened to her response, and frankly, I felt kind of angry about it. It was like she was trying to placate Bush, not call him to task.

Yet I am reading a lot of posts on DU promoting her for VP.

I'm still hoping that someone will come up with something to support that, because I sure didn't hear it in her SOTU response.

[oldpol]

14. one local article

Topeka — Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has impressed Democrats nationally by winning two terms in a Republican state, and party leaders gave her a plum speaking role before a prime-time television audience.

Top congressional leaders picked her to give the Democrats’ response to President Bush’s last State of the Union address.

Presidential candidates are seeking her endorsement. She’s coming off a year as chairwoman of the Democratic Governors Association, a group former President Bill Clinton once led. Previously praised by Time and Newsweek as an effective governor, Sebelius is profiled in the February issue of Vogue, which even photographed her in an Oscar de la Renta dress.

“She is very much on the minds of national Democrats,” said Peter Fenn, a Democratic media consultant in Washington. “The main thing people are looking for is somebody who can get things done. It’s a first-rate opportunity.”

She made Democrats’ lists of potential vice presidential running mates for John Kerry in 2004, and while there’s the same talk this year, she’s a possible Cabinet appointee. She’s also considered a strong potential U.S. Senate candidate in 2010, though she has publicly played down any interest.

Fellow Democrats often note that when she began her tenure as governor in 2003 the state faced one of its worst financial crises. Yet, they note, she managed government without imposing a general tax increase. Spending on public schools has increased dramatically since she took office, and the economy generally has been sound.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sebelius’ record and her being “an effective voice” for fellow Democratic governors led to the invitation. Pelosi, a fellow graduate of Trinity College in Washington, called the governor, an aide said.

“In many ways, Governor Sebelius embodies the leadership style and record of accomplishment on display from a host of Democratic leaders in the heartland and across the country,” Pelosi said in an e-mail response about the choice.

Sebelius said: “This is about good things happening in Kansas, and the attention is positive and good for the state.”

She won re-election in 2006 with nearly 58 percent of the vote, in a state where less than 27 percent of the voters are registered Democrats. President Bush carried Kansas twice by large margins, and no Democratic presidential nominee has won its electoral votes since 1964.

“She indeed has been remarkably successful drawing independents and disaffected Republican support,” said David Rohde, a Duke University political scientist. “From that point of view, she’s an attractive face to put on the party.”

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/jan/28/striking_pose_nation/

[cyclezealot]

19. Part of her success

Many Republicans in Kansas have given up. The party has gone so wacky. Several legislators had to switch because the evangelicals control the state. Is not her Lt. Gov. a Dem. convert and formerly head of the State GOP?? / If the Kansas GOP were not so whacked out, would she be so popular? Of course we want her to succeed and hope she goes onto higher office; just not sure she'd offer the best results at delivering votes come the Fall.

[mmonk]

18. Because she has been able to govern progressively in a red state.

If we want things to go smoothly and successfully with as little resistance from republicans as possible, she is a wise choice.

[goclark]

28. I'd like to know more about her too ~ Boxer would be my choice

Kathleen Sebelius seems like a good politician but I really need to know more about her.

I believe that she is loyal but I don't see her as vibrant.

I really want to have a woman on the ticket. One that woman can support and be proud of.

And frankly,if Clinton voters are sincere about wanting a woman President, that would be helpful in the General.

[mmonk]

33. Here's some interesting information to ponder.

Pretty much a case for her.
http://www.beyondchron.org/articles/Should_Obama_Pick_Sebelius_as_VP__5659.html

[hokies4ever]

15. Sebelius!

She would be PERFECT for Obama. Is she the best for helping him to win more states? That's debatable, but she's comparable to the other leading V.P. candidates. However, she is obviously the best at helping him to govern, and that's the biggest reason why I like her. Executive experience, a history of reaching across the aisle, plus she's the kind of person that everybody loves and few people hate (the opposite of Hillary).

[TBF]

20. I like her alot but it worries me that she doesn't have the military

experience so I voted Clark. I also like Webb. I really want to see a woman in the top spot too, but is this the right person for Barack this time?

I'm a 41 yo woman and want my daughter to see women in high positions. But we can't just vote women for the sake of it, and exclude more qualified male candidates. I'm just concerned about moderates and the war. Do people really think it wouldn't be a problem?

I do like Sebelius, she seems really grounded, popular, and conciliatory - the type of person we want to see in government.

[hokies4ever]

21. Secretary of Defense choice more important

for the military than the V.P. position. I say Sebelius for V.P. and one of those other politicians with the military creds for Secretary of Defense. The V.P. shouldn't be expected to specialize in the military or the economy, but should be able to help manage with great leadership. Sebelius has these qualities. Don't listen to anyone who tells you that she isn't as qualified as other people.

[TBF]

42. Clark would make an excellent Sec. of Defense - that is a really good point

Perhaps Sebelius will be the pick. Just from the little I've seen I like her, and she is from middle America so that could help Barack. I don't have strong feelings re a VP choice so thank you for taking time to comment.

[mmonk]

16. Yesss.

A poll with Sebelius.

[Douglas Carpenter]

22. kik

[stillcool]

24. Last week I chose Jim Webb...

this week I'm choosing Wes Clark for two reasons. One, so Jim Webb retains his Senate seat. Two, because Wes Clark is such a good speaker, and adept at foreign policy/affairs...and also for purely cosmetic reasons. What a good looking ticket.

[Bread and Circus]

25. I voted for Sebelius

[Swamp Rat]

26. Bob Graham, RFK jr, Dennis Kucinich, Barbara Boxer, John Edwards, among others not listed.

:)

[SKKY]

Based on Experience and Street Cred...

...It's hard to argue against Bill Richardson

[Knudson]

27. John Nichols Suggestion

John Nichols suggests in todays Capital Times That Obama should consider a republican, such as Dick Luger or John Danforth, as his running mate. I am surprised John would suggest it. I would be very against it, as are most of the comments by readers after the article. Think it would help him or hurt him? Food for thought.

[sybylla]

38. What the hell is John Nichols smoking?

In amongst his ever-present progressive brilliance there always seems to be a great, fat cow pie stinking up the joint.


edited to welcome you to DU, Knudson! :hi:

[susankh4]

29. There is only one way Mr. Obama can guarantee that I will vote for him in November.

Any other choice is a maybe.

[Tribetime]

31. How can you leave Edwards off the list?

[DU GrovelBot]

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[mystieus]

34. Kathleen Sebelius

[Roxy66]

35. What about Edwards?!

[Douglas Carpenter]

46. I suppose I should have included him too. I just copied the salon.com poll

[invictus]

36. The VP has to be a non-DLC governor with no Washington ties.

That gives him
(1) executive experience, helps because Obama has always been a legislator, same as Hillary and McCain
(2) Washington outsider status, helps with the change/reform message
(3) non-DLC because they are the enemy of progressive policy

[rucky]

37. Webb's not interested.

and we need to hold our seat in VA.

Clark or Richardson.

[Douglas Carpenter]

40. kik

[WA98296]

41. NONE of the above. Populist John Edwards and his message of change FOR THE PEOPLE

[Beaverhausen]

44. Colin Powell? WTF???

[Douglas Carpenter]

45. sorry, I thought it sounded crazy too. I copied the list direct from a salon.com poll

[TexasObserver]

47. Edwards or Richardson

[george_maniakes]

48. Tim Kaine gosh darn it!

put him up there!

[redqueen]

50. Schweitzer!

Glad to see his name up there! :)

[TheDonkey]

51. ^ like him. Would like to see Clark on the road with Obama to get a feel for that too

it's time for Obama to start auditioning his Veeps choices. Edwards did an ok job but I'm not sold. I'd like to see Schweitzer (perhaps for the MT primary) and Clark hit the road.

[redqueen]

52. Good idea...

I'd like to see that too.