 |
Here’s a list of potential Obama running mates as provided by CNN. Tell us in the comments who you think will make the cut.
1. Evan Bayh: What he lacks in charisma, the telegenic Bayh makes up for in national security credentials, having served on both armed services and intelligence committees in the Senate. |
| 2. Joseph Biden: A six-term senator who helms the Foreign Relations Committee, Biden could offer the heavyweight foreign policy experience that Obama is often accused of lacking. But at 65, and seen as part of the U.S. political furniture, he could undermine Obama’s message of change.
3. Michael Bloomberg: Since ruling out his own independent bid for presidency, the mayor of New York has been seen as a potential running mate for both Obama and McCain. For Obama, the media tycoon and former Republican would help mitigate the Democrat’s problem with Jewish voters brought on by rumors that he is a Muslim but do little to attract the white, working-class vote. 4. Wesley Clark: This former NATO commander, who failed in his bid for the 2004 presidential nomination, was seen as a staunch Hillary Clinton supporter, a fact that could help unite the party. But the 63-year-old’s tough reputation as a no-nonsense soldier is unlikely to win much backing among party activists. 5. Hillary Clinton: Although the “dream ticket” of an Obama-Clinton campaign could help harness Clinton’s power base of women and white working-class Democrats, the prospect of uniting the two rivals has won mixed support. A non-scientific CNN.com poll said 60 percent of people were not in favor of the move. 6. Chris Dodd: A long-serving senator with solid foreign policy credentials who was considered as a running mate for John Kerry’s failed presidential bid in 2004, Dodd presents the same problems as Biden. 7. Charles Hagel: A close friend of fellow Republican John McCain, Obama’s general election rival, Hagel’s strong anti-war in Iraq stance has generated cross-party appeal and though an unlikely choice, he could be seen as the man to attract wavering Republican voters. 8. Ed Rendell: As an outspoken Clinton supporter, Rendell could rally support for Obama and as governor of swing state Pennsylvania, he could help secure key votes but his popularity is limited outside Philadelphia. 9. Bill Richardson: The New Mexico governor, who identifies himself as Hispanic, could help sway the burgeoning Latino vote in addition to lending heavyweight foreign policy credentials as a former United Nations ambassador. 10. Kathleen Sebelius: The two-term governor of mainly Republican Kansas, Sebelius has proven cross-party support but the rising Democratic star lacks a national profile. 11. Jim Webb: Another rising star, straight-talking Webb has dismissed his vice presidential prospects but his appeal as a Vietnam veteran and successful novelist are clear. Webb’s bluntness, however, led one commentator to label him an “unguided missile.” |
|
what about John Edwards
His best bet isn’t mentioned here: Ted Strickland, a governor and Hillary supporter who could deliver Ohio and push Obama over the top. Popular with the blue collar workers who favored Hillary in the primaries. Any other choice would be a mistake.
Who??? Which is exactly what the American people would be asking.
I agree: My post a few days ago on this topic was worth a thread of its own.
And the answer is still #11, with #10 as the dark horse.
1. Evan Bayh – the weirdo who talked about how Hillary had testicles.
2. Joseph Biden – Possibly, but this is “Mr. My IQ is higher than yours” who plagiarized his thesis in college.
3. Michael Bloomberg – Ego the size of planet, would put Obama in his shadow. Bad idea.
4. Wesley Clark – Mr. Eyebrows. No.
5. Hillary Clinton – Really it would be bad idea in retrospect.
6. Chris Dodd – Possibly.
7. Charles Hagel – Possibly.
8. Ed Rendell – Old, crusty and looks out of touch in 2008.
9. Bill Richardson – Yes.
10. Kathleen Sebelius – Would serve as a constant reminder during the campaign to angry old crone voters that Obama denied their candidate of choice her entitlement.
11. Jim Webb – Would be good if it weren’t for the books he wrote with an Asian man putting a child’s penis in his mouth.
12. John Edwards – Didn’t register much in the polls.
13. Al Gore – I don’t think he’d be interested in more service as VP.
14. Lieberman – He won’t be available because McCain is going to pick him as his VP.
15. Ted Strickland – Popular Governor of Ohio, pro-NRA democrat. Really would be an ideal VP choice.
HMeyers is pretty dead on
The only thing I would add is that Joe Biden will be Secretary of State
it will be John Edwards
#8 – Lieberman will probably be McCain’s running mate. Lieberman would never run with Obama.
#3, 12, 13, 18, 32, 36, 38,
As much as I admire John Edwards and wish he would run for VP again, he has said that he would not accept the position if asked.
I’d prefer Richardson. Smart man, very good diplomat. He understands the perspectives from both Congress (House of Representatives) and a Statehouse.
Anyone but Hillary guarantees a loss. Even with Hillary on the ticket Obama’s odds are pretty slim.
With all the talk of Obama needing someone from the Clinton campaign on the ticket to unify the party, maybe Richardson should have stayed a Hillary supporter. But Richardson is not nor will he be considered. Both of them know there is a substantial minority of the US public that will not vote for a ticket with two minorities. He’s probably getting a cabinet position instead.
>>Anyone but Hillary guarantees a loss. Even
>>with Hillary on the ticket Obama’s odds are
>>pretty slim.
Au contraire. Obama could probably take the election even WITHOUT a running mate…there aren’t that many KKK members and undereducated bigots who are capable of voting.
With an experienced running mate, he’s in like Flint.
How sweet it is!!
If Obama chose Hillary for VP I would have to start questioning his judgment. Send her packing back to the Senate where she can do less harm. The House of Bush and the House of Clinton are both blights on our Republic.
I’m surprised no one mentioned Claire McCaskill, national co-chair for the Obama campaign. Probably has more appeal to conservative voters than Hillary Clinton, and new enough to the national scene that she fits the bill of Obama’s ‘change’ message. It might be a better choice than Kathleen Sebelius.
Bill Richardson is my first choice, as stated above, Obama needs help with the latino vote. Wesley Clark would be a good choice, but Richardson has some good experience.
#46, David,
Good idea. Clare McCaskill might be worth considering.
Dodd was very courageous this past year in his battle against the telecom immunity, going so far as to filibuster against the wishes of the senate leadership, and has been pretty consistently pro-civil rights even when it was unpopular. I think that he has my vote, and despite his age he wouldn’t undermine Obama’s rebel image at all.
Love the mental masturbation quip. Funny stuff.
That list is too short, and misses the guy that should be the dems choice for president.
Dennis Kucinich is about the only guy that really spoke about change without using it as a pitch phrase. He is also the only one from either side that has experience with an economic downfall that has a positive outcome.
If people would have listened to what he said instead of making fun of his appearance, it would have not been a contest.
Clark. He has no skeletons, no baggage, and no issues whereas everyone else has one or all of the above. He’s got NS credentials in spades, talks the same Foreign Policy line Obama does, believes in the 50-state strategy, and is a line to the Clinton camp.
CNN’s ducking honest reporting. Jewish voters aren’t suspicious because of rumours he’s Muslim. They have trouble with Obama because he’s black, and the blacks who go to churches like Wright’s hate Jews.
Sam Nunn
Wesley Clark
He would trump any military experience McCain brings to the table. Clark was first in his class at West Point (McCain 5th from bottom at Annapolis), a Rhodes Scholar with a degree in philosophy, politics & economics, and his military credentials are astounding. He’s the only general in US history to win a war without one casualty in the NATO operations in Kosovo of which he was supreme commander. Clark, of course, served in Vietnam and was seriously wounded (shot 4 times with an AK47) yet continued to lead his troops to victory for which he received the Silver Star (he also received a bronze star while in Vietnam).
Clark is 63 which adds age to Obama’s youth. Clark was a staunch Hillary supporter which would hold some weight with her disappointed supporters should she not be Obama’s running mate.
I like the idea of Jim Webb. I think he is a great man with a lot of great ideas and could deliver the swing state of Virginia. However, he is probably not going to be selected so I hope that it ends up being Wesley Clark.
Obama is the answer to Bushism and the idiocracy of the Administration’s disastrous policies of past 8 years that governed America. He will be able to restore the true image, reputation once America enjoyed in the world as a champion of Democracy and Freedom. Obama is truly a visionary leader, a virtuous man who is able to deliver the promise and bring much needed change. We are fighting two wars, have not even captured Osama Bin Laden, economy is in crisis, gas prices are going up on a daily basis and only large oil corporations seem to be doing very well. Americans need a new start and re-think of foreign, domestic, economic and energy policies. Obama represents the change, the new force that will fight for every American and defend the small guy.
It won’t be Hillary, and fortunately so because that violates every message of change there ever was.
Backroom deals have already been made, mark it down: When the openings are available, Hillary, Bill or both will be sitting on the Supreme Court. This will resonate well with Hillary supporters because I think they’ll eventually become smart enough to understand that veep is a pointless post and a lifetime appointment to the SC is a sweet arrangement for their one and only.
Obama should pick someone from the south, probably Tim Kaine. Nancy is pumping up this Chet Edwards guy, no one’s ever heard of him til she opened her mouth and that’s not a good thing. Here comes the inexperience argument–same thing the GOP will pull if Obama picks Kaine.
Ergo, I propose the following short list:
1) Bill Nelson, from Florida: has a touch of military experience and spent enough time in politics to not be considered a newcomer. Also spent some time in space and can help usher in a more complete future in space exploration and colonization.
2) Bob Graham, also from Florida: has a ton of political experience, is supposedly beloved in Florida by the old coots down there.
3) Lincoln Chafee, Rhode Island: “Republican” turned independent, but really a Democrat at heart and I’d vote for him in a second if I had the opportunity to do so. His positions are so anti-Republican it’s a wonderful thing.
4, 5) Mike Easley, North Carolina OR Phil Bredesen, Tennessee: Could help out in the south, plus more experience than Kaine and not sacrificing a senate seat by picking a governor.
There’s a lot of what I think is baloney about Obama polling strong in Montana and both the Dakotas. I think there’s no way he’ll win any of those 3 states, but maybe if he keeps polling strong there over the next 2-3 weeks he might consider Brian Schweitzer from Montana to try and secure those 9 electoral votes… and never underestimate the importance of 9 electoral votes.