Who would be the wisest choice for Obama's VP?

[TheCowsCameHome]

Presuming he does get the nod, which running mate would help most in kicking the GOP's ass in November?

[Gato Moteado]

1. me.

because i tell it like it is.

[reflection]

78. Obama/Moteado 2008!

Scratch that. It's a Wheel of Fortune nightmare.

[WA98296]

2. A populist message, a fighter...John Edwards. The heck with conventional wisdom

[newmajority]

3. John Edwards will be Attorney General

He doesn't want to be VP and couldn't go after corporations if he was.

[DB1]

11. I think Obama will pick an unknown to us constitutional expert like himself for A.G.

[Clark2008]

14. He doesn't have the experience to be the AG

He practiced personal injury, not Constitutional law.

I'm sure he studied it in school, mind you, but he doesn't have any practical experience in its application.

[DB1]

23. Edwards will get a post to fight poverty. Maybe redefine a current cabinet spot.

[shomino]

53. I like John Edwards

But Wesley Clark is a very close second.

[Clark2008]

13. A fake populist...

Why would Obama put a fake on his ticket?

[depakid]

70. wouldn't want to bring attention to the fact

that he's... err... taken a bit of the wrong folks money, too?

[cali]

17. JE is no fighter, and his message is blurred by his lousy Senate record

[WA98296]

34. I CAN'T POST: JOHN EDWARDS to be on TODAY show tomorrow about primary

[Avalux]

4. I really like Jim Webb. Bio -

http://www.jameswebb.com/about.htm

He would be a wonderful offset to McCain's military experience and since he's been in Congress has been a champion for veterans. Good guy.

[WA98296]

10. Former Reagan administration, married THREE times, the "Women Can't Fight" guy?

[Gato Moteado]

20. how would his senate seat be refilled assuming he became vp?

i would think BO would not choose a senator to be on his ticket for two reasons:

1) having 2 senators on the ticket will present a challenge. too many votes between the two of them that the repukes can pick away at.

2) our majority in the senate is wafer thin at the moment. do we want to risk losing a senate seat in virginia where webb only beat that human garbage repuke, george allen, by about a half a percentage point?

[progdog]

40. McSame's history with women isn't any better.

I think the Dem. Governor in VA. picks the successor. Not sure though. Webb is a good communicator.

[spartan61]

5. I would like to see Joe Biden as VP.

His foreign policy knowledge is second to none. However, I doubt very much if he would want this position.

[Gato Moteado]

35. he'd be a great vp, but he might not help us win FL or OH

so i don't think he'd be a good candidate.

it's too bad we have to pander to middle american ham and eggers to win a presidential election. otherwise i'd like biden for either the pres or vp spot.

[Ganja Ninja]

6. Jim Webb.

He has an "in your face" attitude when confronting Republican's that Obama seems to lack. It's almost a good cop/bad cop ticket.

[mmonk]

7. Zinni.

I ran the name by some republicans yesterday and they were intrigued enough to consider voting for such a ticket in a general election. Please pardon me for looking at the big picture (as to how a larger public would view things) but I'm a bit of a thinker.

[DB1]

8. Someone that can put him over the top in the south. Gov. Phil Bredeson TN?

Don't know much about his character but his Wikipedia resume looks good. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Bredesen>

[Gato Moteado]

12. which southern state do you think we have a snowball's chance of winning?

FL is it in the south and it's not really a "southern" state demographically. we really don't need a person to help win the south since that isn't going to happen. all we need is FL or OH. just one of those two states.

[DB1]

19. Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, N.C, S.C all come into play.....

with a southerner on the ticket. Remember Mcsame is a westerner and not too popular in the bible belt. Another guy to think about is Bob Graham of FL a staunch anti-Iraq war guy who would attract some older voters and FL voters.

[Gato Moteado]

33. good point about mccain being not well loved in the south.....

....but fear and racism run deep in the bible belt and an african american dem might get every redneck in the south to the polls to vote repuke.

missouri is a possibility but i can't see the other states you listed going for the dems. maybe louisiana could go our way. and colorado, which isn't in the south but went red in 04, is in play. but if i were obama, i'd be thinking about FL or OH. he only needs one of those, as long as he can at least win the same states kerry won.

[DB1]

36. I think this could be the year we get part of the south, massive turnout....

war fatigue, a lot of people in the south are military connected and they are tired of Iraq, which McCain loves, and as we agree they don't care for McCain to begin with. Combine that with some intelligent economic talk from the Dems, it sure as hell isn't stay the course McCains economic plan, Obama could get out the pocketbook vote, there is so much at play this year I see us pulling it off. That's why a popular guy from Tennessee( won with 68% of vote, built schools and the economy there), campaigning on economics in the south could have an impact.

[Gato Moteado]

41. well, i'd be ecstatic if you were right.....

...but i'm just not as optimistic as you.

after the obama/hillary slugfest is over, let's see how many of the also-ran's (certainly that will be hilly) voters decide to vote for mccain or not vote at all because they're pissed off.

let's also see how an african american on the top of our ticket sets with the bible belters once reality sets in with them. you might see a lemming like rush to the polls in the deep south just to keep the black guy out. it sucks, but racism is still a reality in the south.

it's true the war and the economy (and the environment) are the most important issues, and intelligent folks like us know that. but there has always been importance in issues like these, particularly the economy, yet the repuke party is very good at getting southern and middle american white folks so fired up about stuff like gay marriage, abortion, guns, and whatever that they'll flock to the polls to happily vote against their own economic interests.

[DB1]

43. If Obama shapes the message, sets the tone, we win. n/t

[dansolo]

71. Graham is my top choice

He perfectly complements Obama. The only drawback is that he wouldn't be much of an attack dog, so anyone looking to have a VP in that role will be disappointed. But, I don't expect Obama to run his general election campaign much different than his primary campaign, so this might not be a bad thing.

[depakid]

69. None

Look at the percentage swings from 2004 that it would take (among other matters).

I doubt any realistic Southerners would tell you different.

[Stop Cornyn]

76. Do not write off Texas. Many of the displaced Democrats fled to Houston and have remained. Dallas,

San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi, the whole border region, and now Houston are all Democratic.

In the two most recent polls, the incumbent Republican Senator (Cornyn) is ahead of the Democratic challenger (Rick Noriega) by only 4% notwithstanding the relatively poor name recognition of our senatorial excellent candidate.

[Gato Moteado]

80. i lived in tx for 11 years

and every election year people said the same thing....don't write off texas. and every year we lost every election by a huge margin....pres, senators, governor.

there's no hope for texas when it comes to election time.

[MISSDem]

29. Bredesen would be a good one.

As far as I know he is solid gold character wise - serves without salary in Tennessee.

[DB1]

44. Lots of voters will find him impressive. I am curious about his Health plan background.

[Gato Moteado]

9. hillary probably...

..won't be the vp. then you'd have two senators, both from chicago, on the ticket. one senator is too many, but since mccain is also a senator we can get away with a senator on top of the ticket this year. but two peeps from the north is too much for a democratic ticket.

my guess is it will be a southern or western, non-senator. possibly a gov or ex-gov like bill richardson. possibly a guy like wes clark.

as far as kicking the GOP's ass, all we really need to do is get FL or OH. i think all the other blue states will stay blue, so we just need to pick up one of the two big swing states, FL or OH. maybe there's someone that could help with florida.

then again, he might pick hillary.

the answer is: "who knows?"

[Clark2008]

15. Wes Clark - he fills in Obama's gaps.

Such as national security, white men and Southerners.

:shrug:

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

26. Totally agree...

He's a known quantity. He has gravitas. He has a military record. And he's a longtime friend of Bill who could help Obama mend those political fences.

I can't think of anybody who brings more to the table.

[DefenseLawyer]

16. I am liking Webb more and more, at least on paper

Military experience, pro-"gun", plain speaking and puts Virginia in our column.

[Milo_Bloom]

18. Richard Clarke !!!

[donheld]

68. Richard Clarke?

[Milo_Bloom]

73. Yes, Richard Clarke

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_A._Clarke

[donheld]

74. Just making sure

He'd be fine with me. It's just the first time I've ever heard his name mentioned in this way.

[earthside]

21. Gov. Sebelius n/t

[kentuck]

22. Sam Nunn

Or someone with defense credentials? And someone that is not too partisan, so he can keep his promise to unite the country.

[NeedleCast]

24. The Wisest choice is Probably Hillary

Might not be the best choice, IMO, but probably the wisest.

[gorekerrydreamticket]

48. She would not be a good VP....

What makes anyone think she would be loyal to anyone but herself?

[blm]

25. Must qualify as president AND know how to bring out and highlight all McCain's weaknesses.

Because the VP's job is to go after the Presidential candidate of the other party.

Anyone who can REALLY get Obama's back should be considered - and not those who CLAIM they can but have no follow through.

[DB1]

27. Bob Graham might be that guy.

[TeamJordan23]

28. Mark Warner.

we can find another rising VA star to take over for him to fill the Senate seat - since Dems will likely have a big sweep anyways. And with the economy becoming a big issue (a lot more than war), it might be good to look at Warner.

[rniel]

30. Military guy

Like Jim Webb for example would be the top choice I feel.

[Quixote1818]

31. Wes Clark and Obama would look awesome together and Clark shores up Obama's weaknesses

Wes Clark or Zinni would be the best choices.

[DefenseLawyer]

32. Clark has a great resume, but not much charisma.

He is terrible on the stump, which isn't a knock, it just isn't one of his strengths.

[Gato Moteado]

37. yeah, wes isn't good at getting his ideas out in 5 second sound bites....

...and that's a liability with today's media. that's why a retard like bush even had a chance in the first place....he just repeated the same short slogans over and over again and the media and the tards in our society ate it up.

the good thing is that mccain has absolutely no charisma and he looks like a creepy, deformed, uncomfortable, old rag on camera. he rambles on and makes no sense. his vp choice will probably be more important than obama's will be. obama looks good on camera...he's young, strong, energetic, articulate, charismatic and he knows how to get a message out in short sound bites if he has to. his vp has no chance of upstaging him, while mccain has no choice but to find a guy with more charisma and who looks better on camera.

[purji]

38. Bill Richardson.N/T

[AllexxisF1]

39. My short list.

Gov. Richardson

Gen. Clark

Senator Jim Webb

Senator John Kerry

[Gato Moteado]

42. the first three are certainly viable options....

....but how does john kerry help obama win the states that john kerry could not win in 2004?

[blm]

46. Is BushInc as powerful today as it was in 2003-4? And Kerry DID win according to exit polls

and it was up to the media and Clinton loyalists pumping the media to complete alter the perception of the campaign afterwards.

People forget that Kerry UNFILTERED by the media won all three debates decisively and if the DNC had done its job for four years and secured the election process, he'd be in the WH today.

Further - Kerry WON'T be VP. He wants to lead Senate investigations into Bushboy's administration and is counting on increased number of Dems in senate and house to pull it off.

And THIS time the Bushprotecting Clintons and Lieberman wing of the party will NOT prevail.

[Gato Moteado]

56. kerry ain't on obama's long list let alone his short list

i do agree kerry wouldn't want to be vp. i don't agree clinton somehow had something to do with kerry losing.

[blm]

58. Then why WAS Clinton on that extended book tour in summer2004 and repeatedly DEFENDING Bush

and why was Carville sabotaging Ohio Dem voters on election night?

And why did historian Douglas Brinkley remark on Clintons backstabbing Kerry throughout 2003-4 when he made an appearance at Depauw Univ. in 2004?



http://www.depauw.edu/news/index.asp?id=13354


http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/06/19/clinton.iraq/


http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/coffeehouse/2006/oct/07/did_carville_tip_bush_off_to_kerry_strategy_woodward


You really haven't a clue what Clintons have been about.
There protection of BushInc didn't just start with Bushboy, either.


http://consortiumnews.com/2006/111106.html



And further - Kerry won't be VP - he wants to open investigations into what has been done and wants President Obama's cooperation - something that Clinton refused when he deep-sixed so many of the outstanding matters that Poppy Bush and his cronies needed to be treated with secrecy and privilege.

Kerry could press a case if he wanted to, considering he is the one who has been helping Obama for over a year now and used the national political network he put together in 2003-4 to work for Obama to take on Clinton state by state.

But he will be a close advisor to Obama and you should get on your knees and be THANKFUL as a citizen that Kerry is still going to be in DC ADVOCATING for open government for you and every other citizen - especially since there are so few willing to risk themselves on those matters.

You should be thankful now. If not for Kerry's work in the senate, this nation would be in its second decade of full-on fascism by now.

[DB1]

45. I like Kerry, but he is a no-no.

[Hepburn]

52. I like the first three...

...but even tho I do like John Kerry, I don't think the team of Obama-Kerry seems right. Just does not hang well for me.

JMHO

[dailykoff]

61. Kerry gets my vote.

Best choice by far. Would he take it? Hell if I know but I'd be behind him 110%.

:patriot: WE GOT YOUR BACK JOHN!! :patriot:

[On the Road]

47. Someone to Bolster His Appeal to Working-Class Whites

especially in the West and borderline southern states. Webb or Warner might do this; I'm sure there are others.

[MadBadger]

49. Jim Frickin Webb

[redqueen]

50. I'm liking this Brian Schweitzer guy...

[TexasObserver]

51. Bill Richardson or Jim Webb top my list.

Hillary's not on it. Neither is Clark or any of the generals.

[nvme]

54. He needs a southerner

Jim Webb should be vetted. and Former Senator Bob Graham of Florida. Webb has the military. Graham was an extremely popular Govenor and Senator for Florida He was also on the intelligence committee and had sway . It was pointed out earlier that Webb's VP nod would hurts in the senate and he might be better there since it was formerly a Repub seat. Grahams drawback is not as much name recognition and i dont know whether his previous presidential bid will help or hurt.

[Gato Moteado]

57. i liked graham to be gore's running mate in 2000...but al didn't ask for my advice :-(

how old is graham now? he's a great pick because he still probably puts us over the top in FL.

[frickaline]

55. Sam. Nunn.

[grantcart]

59. Don't be shocked if its Clinton

[dailykoff]

60. ABC

Please God, let us win this one.

[woolldog]

62. Sam Nunn. n/t

[IndianaGreen]

63. Bill Richardson

Lotsa experience in national security, energy, and diplomacy, plus he is also Latino.

[saltpoint]

64. Would love to see Bill Bradley or Gov. Sebelius considered.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. would be an exciting choice.

Gov. Napolitano.

[JohnLocke]

65. Anthony Zinni or Bob Graham

[Leopolds Ghost]

66. Wes Clark. (Webb is needed in the Senate)

Tim Kaine? As Veep he could get the Dulles rail line put underground.

[Alexander]

67. Russ Feingold, Janet Napolitano or Wesley Clark.

[Kahuna]

72. My personal favorite is Jim Webb. Biden would be perfect..

if not for his age.

[barack the house]

75. Janet Napolitano to take McCain's home state.Run Lenard of Novam to replace her if it happened

[AlinPA]

77. Richardson - he would help with the southwest and CO; he would add that experience factor;

he is a down to earth guy and would charm Hispanics , farmers, and westerners. (sorry about the word charm, I hope you know what I mean).

[Jed Dilligan]

79. Someone who is not currently a Democratic officeholder

above the level of mayor.

[Stop Cornyn]

81. Warner, Napolitano, Graham, McCaskill, Richardson, Sebelius, Edwards, Webb, Bayh, Clark (that order)