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May 24, 2008 at 11:52 pm #587033
charlabobParticipantMuch buzz about whether the Clintons are angling to make Hillary Obama’s required running mate. What do you think? Is Obama-Clinton your dream or your nightmare? If not Clinton, who(m). Compare-contrast-discuss. (charlabob is not violating hir self-imposed hiatus–simply ASKING a question.) :-)
May 25, 2008 at 12:03 am #625077
AnonymousInactiveNo answers for you until all the self-imposed hiatus-ers knock it off!
May 25, 2008 at 12:21 am #625078
KayleighMemberMay 25, 2008 at 4:25 am #625079
beachdrivegirlParticipanthillary might of deserved it wks ago. but I think everyone has moved on past her.
My vote is Bloomberg thoug; yet it will never happen.
May 25, 2008 at 4:19 pm #625080
charlabobParticipantWhy Bloomberg, BDG? I’m opposed to any smack of bipartisanship in the VP — so no Hegal and no Bloomberg as far as I’m concerned. Fact is, the Republicans line up behind their dubious leaders — so we have to elect Democrats up and down the line. We can be nicer, include them in our reindeer games (and caucuses) but we have to rule or we won’t accomplish the agenda of the American(sic) people, versus the American(sic) 1%.
For VEEP, I have to go with a non-senator, sadly, because I’d love to see either Dodd or Biden on the ticket. Richardson is the obvious choice — would that represent a slap in the face to the Clinton supporters? I doubt it.
One thing to remember — and one thing that worries me about the irrational anger of some of the Clinton crowd — 15 minutes after Clinton concedes (which will be before the convention) everyone will be smiley and friendly — and the people who claim to feel betrayed now, will feel betrayed by their candidate.
OK, JT — your turn :-)
May 25, 2008 at 5:34 pm #625081
AnonymousInactiveI don’t have a gut level opinion, but what do you think of Janet Napolitano? She was re-elected as Governor of Arizona in a landslide. It would be fun to see someone from McCain’s Red state on the ticket. She is consistently on lists of top governors in the country. Time magazine puts her in the top 5.
She took over a billion dollar deficit and has balanced the budget every year without raising taxes. She is big on education. Is a strong FEMALE candidate that doesn’t seem to be polarizing. Might win over some of the Hillary supporters.
May 25, 2008 at 11:04 pm #625082
grrParticipantin all seriousness…Hillary as Pres or VP is a terrifying thought.
HOWEVER..I think she’d make a GREAT Secretary of State. Really.
May 25, 2008 at 11:23 pm #625083
beachdrivegirlParticipantI like Bloombergs position on many issues. I also like what all he had done for affordable housing in New York. I also think that Bloomberg would pull the remaining independents that might not of supported Obama.
I like the idea of Richardson and have actually heard a couple of different people mention Janet Napolitano. I dont really know enough about her though.
May 25, 2008 at 11:32 pm #625084
bcollinsMemberI think that Obama is signaling that he will cast a broad net when he fills cabinet positions. I see an offer to hilly for secretary of state…not vp. I think she’s missed the oppotunity for that. I think that senator from Virginia, Webb or something like that. He is a former republican, from a needed state and was a marine. Either Webb or Wesley Clark.
May 26, 2008 at 1:55 am #625085
walfredoMemberFirst, I think the unity ticket is an awful idea.
The VP choice that seems almost too good to be true is Jim Webb. He is a first term senator, so he falls right in line with Obama’s message of experience in Washington isn’t the only useful experience.
He was passionately and articulately against the Iraq war before it begin, another great synergy.
He is from Virginia, which is a huge swing state in the general election, one with a lot of delegates, that would make Florida and Ohio irrelevant.
He is a regular looking early 50’s white male, who grew up in the Appalachian region. He served his country with distinction and served in a high military post under Ronald Reagan.
He sponsored and got approved with overwhelming bipartisan support a GI benefits bill that makes John McCain and George Bush look stupid, and he puts allows Obama to put McCain on the defensive about his perceived greatest strength…
There are some great candidates out there- Bill Richardson, John Edwards, Ed Rendell, Wesley Clark, Chuck Hagel, Michael Bloomberg, and I’m sure careful consideration will be given to all.
For my .02 cents, Jim Webb just happens to be absolutely perfect to balance out Obama’s ticket, while keeping true to the most core principles of what his campaign is about to begin with—
May 28, 2008 at 1:24 am #625086
AnonymousInactiveWalfredo, this is kind of a long article, but pretty convincing that Webb would be a bad choice for VP. What do you think of it?
http://matthewyglesias.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/05/ixnay_on_the_ebbway.php
May 28, 2008 at 7:05 pm #625087
AnonymousInactiveWalfredo, I’m bumping this because I don’t think you saw it, and I’m singling you out only because you seemed passionate about Webb and I’m wondering if this changes your mind.
May 28, 2008 at 10:49 pm #625088
SuitsarenotBoringMemberTed Strickland of Ohio would be great. He is a moderate D from a state the Dems need. Another choice would be Kathleen Sibelius of Kansas – moderate D woman.
May 29, 2008 at 1:55 am #625089
charlabobParticipantSuits, Thanks, I’ll look up the two folks you mentioned–I’m familiar with Sibelius but not as much with Strickland.
I have a problem with Webb — he claims to be a Reagan Republican and propagates the same information that Reagan did. As a veteran of the 70’s, I can say with conviction that we did NOT hate the military or the troops (though we made some huge mistakes in implementation and PR). His “opposition” to what he claims the Democratic party became is based on false information — so, despite my huge respect for what he’s doing now, for the military and for the country, I’m not convinced he’s the best choice for VP.
Personally, I wish there was a strong labor leader or other working class figure we could nominate to compensate for the false allegations of elitism that has spawned working class hostility. I never thought “What’s the Matter with Kansas,” would spill over into Democratic Primary rhetoric.
June 2, 2008 at 6:36 pm #625090
AnonymousInactiveWALFREDO….you still haven’t answered. I guess that’s your prerogative. I just hear people sing Webb’s praises and wonder if they know that much about him really. Doesn’t seem to be a big fan of women. Last time I’ll ask :)
June 2, 2008 at 8:18 pm #625091
beachdrivegirlParticipantJune 2, 2008 at 8:31 pm #625092
walfredoMemberJT- I’m sorry I hadn’t seen the question.
I think a central question needs to be asked by the Obama campaign about how fractured the party is.
Is it more important to stick to his core messages that got him to this point, or to pivot a bit and try to reach out to the constituencies that are currently angry either with HRC herself or a close surrogate of hers, or maybe a woman like Sebalius.
I personally believe, that weakening even slightly the core purpose of his campaign, would show compromise no doubt, but a weakness that would be difficult to overcome. So on a deep, fundamental level I think he perfectly matches everything Obama represents, and is a perfect choice. But lets not kid ouselves, I’m voting for Obama anyway, so the question is more on the lines of if its an effective pick.
I believe, Jim Webb puts McCain severely on the defensive at what is supposed to be his issue and will help largely in overall voting. But more importantly I think he carries Virginia. If Obama wins Virginia he is the president, he can lose Ohio, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico, Iowa all the other swing states in play. Carry what Kerry won, and take Virginia and your the president. I think this ticket will win..
June 2, 2008 at 8:43 pm #625093
AnonymousInactiveI get that McCain could no longer lay claim to the *I’m the only tough guy* title. But the rest of him kinda sounds like a jerk. It seems we’ve been there (Cheney) and it hasn’t done wonders for our foreign relations. I’m also not comfortable with a one issue candidate. He has to be able to run the country if necessary. I can’t see him as being prez.
All hypothetical, of course, until Obama picks someone. Just curious of views.
June 2, 2008 at 11:04 pm #625094
walfredoMemberJT- I really don’t see the comparison between Webb and Cheney.
Cheney- Chickenhawk w/ 3 deferments. Supports endless use of troops in Iraq/Iran etc… Doesn’t support a GI Bill to offer a college education for troops, but says he supports them.
Webb- served multiple roles defending this country. Sees using war as a last resort, and in defense of our nation. Wants to actually support the troops with benefits like college educations, not just wear a flagpin lapel.
My bottom line on Webb and his synergy w/ the Obama ticket: he was against the war from the start for principled reasons and had better judgement then all those in power at the time, he has served the country in various ways but is a first term senator (experience in Washington doesn’t equal experience/judgement), he passionately and unapolegitically defends his beliefs (one of the most underrated strengths of Obama), and he just won a red state against a campaign that couldn’t be beaten. George Allen was a shoe-in, had a ton of financial backing, and was actually a front-runner for the republican nomination coming up in 2008. He was running in a red-state, he couldn’t lose the senate seat. And he got beat… sound familiar?
Like I said, there are a number of great candidates. I remember back to the campaign message that was so inspired and effective after Super Tuesday, and feel like there is no one else that captures that message of judgement over experience, and change brought on by fresh ideas- ideas that we refuse to apologize for having.
But- I do realize that it might be more likely that a pick designed to appeal to the more moderate Clinton supporters might be the best (only) option at this point. Quite frankly, I’m not the best person to assess who that would be, because I have had trouble figuring out what drives them. I trust the campaign to make the best decision, and continue its pattern of near flawless execution.
June 3, 2008 at 12:16 am #625095
JanSParticipanthmmm..what drives them…good question… for one…ego…gotta have an ego…a big one…to want that job. Love of country would be another, I suppose. I’m sure there are many more reasons, but…not wanting to get anywhere near that myself, I can’t fathom them…
June 28, 2008 at 2:45 pm #625096
charlabobParticipantMostly posting to bump :-)
So the discussion warms up — hints, from the East Coast, that Caroline Kennedy has developed a real interest in politics as a result of her work for Obama. (Ethel Kennedy, Robert’s widow, campaigned for Obama — first appearances sicne Bobby’s death.)
Caroline for VEEP — nah, that would be too odd — another search committee head who found herself. But she is a good age (50) and has more of a track record than anyone could imagine — another dynasty reborn?
July 1, 2008 at 7:16 am #625097
JanSParticipanthey, I’ve never had a problem with any of the Kennedy’s, except for maybe the guy who took a golf club to some girl…he wasn’t very friendly.
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