my $.02 on VEEP

[frogcycle]

In baseball there is a role called "bench coach." It typically is a former manager, long-time baseball guy who's been there, done that. He gets paid to sit next to the manager in the dugout and whisper in his ear. Stuff like, "hit-and-run", "better go get that pitcher" etc.


Despite the appallingly horrific results, that is what cheney was/is to bush. bush had no idea what being president entailed - still doesn't. cheney was the bench coach from hell.

But if you are talking about decent people, well, the model is a good one. Obama will be a fine president. He seems to have good instincts. In baseball parlance, the players will respond to his leadership, the media will respect him, the fans will come out to the games. He could use a bench coach though. Not someone to "balance the ticket." He needs a bench coach more than he needs a running mate.

What this country desperately needs is strong, experienced leadership to pull the fat out of the fire. No discredit to Obama - the job is far bigger than any one person. I have a number of names in mind; not going to throw them out here. I am not trying to promote an individual or start a "he voted for xxx so we can't have him as VEEP" war. But the search should focus on what they can bring to the job of VEEP/confidant, not what they bring to the ticket.

[Muttocracy]

1. I for one am tired of the home-state analyses

which no longer seem relevant to me. By that logic, Clinton shouldn't have picked Gore, Bush shouldn't have picked Cheney (small guaranteed red state) etc. Gore was a good partner for Clinton, Cheney was a good puppetmaster/tutor/benchcoach for Bush.

Any hints in your sig line ;)

[frogcycle]

3. well, to paraphrase Obama

Joe would be on anyone's short list

So would several others.

[enid602]

2. Cheney

Cheney was (is) our President; he came to town with an agenda, and has largely seen it executed. I don't think there would be any such fear with an Obama/Clinton ticket.

[Clear Blue Sky]

4. Cheney brought lots of experience.

He was in Congress and in several administrations. He had the gravitas and experience that Bush didn't have.

Obama needs someone with that type of experience. Two come to mind: Richardson (House, UN, Governor) and Cohen (House, Senate, SecDef). I'm sure there are others...

[defendandprotect]

5. Let's just make sure we don't have a DLC candidate or a Trojan Horse . . .

as Liebermann would have been --- !!!!