Clinton doesn't own the female brand (0.00 / 0)

But I was never a die hard Clinton supporter, so what do I know.

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by: AliceDem @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:22:13 AM CDT

Not only that .. (0.00 / 0)

because of Clinton supporters get upset .. it is proof that it was all about Clinton all along .. and not about the first woman getting elected

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by: Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:27:51 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

As much as it might be fun .. (0.00 / 0)

the brackets are silly .. most people don't know who half the names are .. and there is no chance McCain chooses HoJo ... if he did .. Reid would have to kick HoJo out of the caucus .. and Jindal or Palin? .. way too young and inexperienced for McCain to choose them(besides it would highlight McCain's age)

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by: Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 11:26:24 AM CDT

I don't know (4.00 / 1)

Lieberman reinforces the hell out of McCain's message.  Do you think that he wouldn't take it if McCain offered?  It'd make him the center of attention for everyone again, and that, I think, is what he has always wanted.

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by: Valatan @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:10:56 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

But what about the base? (0.00 / 0)

The powers that be in the Republican party aren't stupid enough to let McCain pick Lieberman.  

"Don't hate the media, become the media" -Jello Biafra

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by: LandStander @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 15:17:09 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

hojo is and always will be howard johnson (4.00 / 1)

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by: dr anonymous @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:15:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yeah ... (0.00 / 0)

but how many people here are Mets fans?   ;-)

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by: Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:21:26 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I think McCain will choose Crist... (0.00 / 0)

because of this...[dKos]

End this war. Stop John McCain. Cindy McCain is filthy rich.

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by: wiretapp @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 16:24:32 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Lee Hamilton (0.00 / 0)

Obama is going to come out of left field on this one, picking someone no one is talking about.  In case you haven't noticed, the past month Lee Hamilton has written several op-eds about the problems with partisanship and the need to "come together".  He's clearly got the cred to take Iraq off the table and allow Obama to focus on domestic objectives.

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by: Awktalk @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:02:28 PM CDT

it wouldn't surprise me (0.00 / 0)

except that Hamilton is pushing 80. I doubt he'd do it and would deemphasize McCain's age which doesn't seem like a good idea. The Obama campaign can't say anything about McCain's age directly but you sure want to do what you can to make it as apparent as possible.

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by: tremayne @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:09:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Fair argument. (0.00 / 0)

On the flip side, Obama's "inexperience" is what the McCain camp is promoting and that appears to be his biggest weakness.  An old white guy who's been around DC for 1/2 a century diminishes that attack.

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by: Awktalk @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:13:57 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Except that McCain highlights the tack ... (0.00 / 0)

Obama should have continued to make .. that Washington needs cleaning up

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by: Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:22:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Isn't that like admitting... (0.00 / 0)

Isn't that like admitting Obama is too inexperienced for the job? I say to hell with the inexperience line of attack. Picking a uber-experienced running mate would essentially be giving in to the right-wing line of attack. We need to stick with our line: what kind of experience do you want in the white house?  

"Don't hate the media, become the media" -Jello Biafra

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by: LandStander @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 15:21:42 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Lee Hamilton? ... (0.00 / 0)

the guy who helped whitewash the 9/11 Commission? .. wasn't he also head of the ISG? ..  everyone swept that under the rug .. didn't they?  What would Lee Hamilton bring to the ticket?  Nothing is the answer.  Unless you want the old corrupt Washington way again.

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by: Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:26:19 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Oh I don't WANT him as veep (0.00 / 0)

I'm just reading the tea leaves like everyone else.  I think it's a horrible pick and does nothing to promote a progressive agenda.  I just see how lately, everything the Obama campaign is being done through political and centrist lenses.  And for that reason, this pick makes a lot of sense.  Obama could throw the entire Iraq issue onto the VP, rather than have it bog down his entire term.  

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by: Awktalk @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:34:17 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hagel! (4.00 / 1)

That is just crazy.
He is a Republican.
Crazy fiscal conservative, pro-life, and agrees with Bush on almost everything except the Iraq War.

I don't know about Sebelius. I've heard she isn't much of a campaigner.

I guess we will find out. I think people just don't have much to do right now.

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by: akriti @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:07:53 PM CDT

Hagel not a fiscal conservative (0.00 / 0)

he is a borrow and spend reactionary like the rest of them. The only time he wants to cut spending is when ordinary people would have the benefit.

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by: AliceDem @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 13:26:06 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Opinions Change (0.00 / 0)

First talking personally I'd be fine with all four "in the braket".

Secondly talking strategically I originally thought if Obama were to pick Clinton it should have happened immediately following her concession.  I don't feel that way any more, and in fact for most of the last few weeks thought Clinton shouldn't be the choice.  I've come around again and think Clinton is the both the strongest as well as the best overall choice.  Ironically one of the things that convinced be was the FISA vote.  So much political triangulation makes me nauseous, so I'm going with my gut, my instincts which says the simple way is the best way.  

Edwards would be my second choice, and only slightly at that.  

Sebelius is wonderful, but largely known and respected in political circles, not so much in the popular masses.  Therefore I don't think she is nearly as strong a addition to the ticket as Clinton or Edwards.

Finally, I like Biden a lot, but he doesn't have a chance.  Frankly I'm shocked about is seriously suggesting his name.

OT: I love Calvin Jones' music, I first saw him 15 years ago in college and have his CD's ever since, however I've never met anyone else who actually knew who he was.

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by: jb510 @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:17:16 PM CDT

Edwards would rather be AG? (0.00 / 0)

I don't think he has ever said or indicated that. Do you have quote or link? TIA.

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by: NCDemAmy @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:21:44 PM CDT

Edwards hasn't said so (4.00 / 1)

to my knowledge. Many have speculated as much, though, including Chuck Todd in the above linked MSNBC item. The rumors started with this Novak column:

http://townhall.com/columnists...

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by: tremayne @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:37:26 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thanks (0.00 / 0)

Looks like pure corporate msm speculation with the fact of the matter being that Edwards has in no way indicated he would "rather be AG."

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by: NCDemAmy @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 13:01:40 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

He does seem like he would be a great AG (4.00 / 1)

But of course, he would be even better as VP.

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by: Blue November @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 15:19:50 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Edwards will surely be somewhere in Obama's cabinet, remember he is currently jobless... n/t (0.00 / 0)

End this war. Stop John McCain. Cindy McCain is filthy rich.

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by: wiretapp @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 16:26:16 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Biden, Dodd, Sibelius (4.00 / 1)

I think Obama is going to wait until August, until shortly before the convention.  He is probably temperamentally most sympatico with Sibelius, but will wait to decide if he needs someone more experienced.  Biden would govbe him cover on national security, and Dodd may be a good choice on economic issues, if he has any real ideas on that score.  Plus it would make some of the Left happier and underscore that he plans to downsize the security state.

It's not going to be Hagel.  Hagel is going to iraq with him to help him deal with the military bs and tell the dogs from the ponies, plus gove him cover when he comes back and STILL supports withdrawal.  He will pick a Dem.  But not Clinton--too much drama.

John McCain--He's not who you think he is.

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by: Mimikatz @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:29:04 PM CDT

Agreed agreed and agreed. (0.00 / 0)

I've been intrigued by the Hagel angle, but everytime I look it seems like Hagel would undo all the gains of an Obama administration.  I can't imagine Obama wanting that at all.  BUT, as an ally against the war - Hagel is absolutely critical - and that may earn him a slot on an Obama cabinet.

I'm a Biden fan.  If Clark's out, I like Biden.  I kinda like Dodd too. Still not feeling Sibelius - and folks here made me have to remember the miserable snoozer of state of the union rebuttal (and her nervous delivery).  Anyone can have an off day, but that is a painful memory.

I'm kinda sick of speculating the vp.  Why aren't we having more fun speculating the cabinet? Obama has said he's going to have a native american in his cabinet.  Any thoughts on who that might wind up being, and where?

QT

Visit the Obama Project

WindOnWater.net

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by: QueenTiye @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 15:55:29 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

mccaskill (0.00 / 0)

n/t

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by: winston smith @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:38:02 PM CDT

ABB (Anyone But Biden) (4.00 / 1)

I would deeply oppose Biden, given that he's been a longtime tool of the financial industry and credit card companies in particular -- he used to be called (D-MBNA) due to his shillery for them. Obama picking Biden would be a signal to the corporate world that no meaningful bankruptcy or credit card reform would occur.

Plus, the old specter of his plagiarism would come up within hours of the announcement. If Webb's views about female soldiers written thirty years ago generated the level of criticism we saw, this would be worse by several orders of magnitude.  

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by: MBoz @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 12:42:37 PM CDT

Good point (4.00 / 1)

And while Biden could potentially lend some creditibility on foreign policy issues, he can at times, be a loose canon, as we have seen with a number of his off the cuff remarks (ie, "clean and articulate").

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by: NCDemAmy @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 13:05:09 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Biden doubtful (0.00 / 0)

I think. I read a couple of days ago that Obama's Veep search committee has not even asked for Biden's papers, etc. That could be BS, and if true it could change in an instant.

I have a feeling Biden wants to be Secretary of State. I think he sees himself running G8 summits and the like.

One worry about Dodd: Isn't the governor of CT a Republican? How much liberty would she (Jodi Rell, IIRC) have in his replacement?

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by: BlueinColorado @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 13:42:03 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yep (0.00 / 0)

Pick Chris Dodd and get a Republican appointed to the Senate.

Dodd would be a horrible and unrealistic choice beacuse of just that.

John McCain: Beacuse lobbyists should have more power

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by: Populista @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 13:59:58 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Protecting Him Against Attacks (4.00 / 1)

I like how everybody thinks that Joe Biden could protect Obama against charges of being weak on national security. Do we not remember 2004? We had a war hero as our nominee and they painted him as a coward and a traitor anyway. There is no veep pick that can preempt the shitstorm which is about to hit.

We could bring FDR, the last American President to actually win a war, back from the dead and make him the veep nominee, and they'll still call Obama weak on National Security, and the press would dutifully report the smears.

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by: ergotist @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 13:19:45 PM CDT

Exactly (4.00 / 1)

Let's stop trying to justify VP picks as a way to counter bogus right-wing lines of attack. Obama needs a VP with an appeal to people, not an appeal against some made up fear.  

"Don't hate the media, become the media" -Jello Biafra

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by: LandStander @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 15:25:04 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

And in that line of thought... (0.00 / 0)

I'd pick...

Edwards, for obvious reasons.

Sibelius, the most beloved politician from Kansas, possibly ever. Moderates and conservatives from the state think she's the bees knees. It is these types of Dems that can be one half of a perpetual Democratic governing majority.

Schweitzer - just watch the guy talk for 10 minutes. Plus a couple bonus points because he would almost certainly help win Montana. My biggest fear would be that he and Obama would become the coal brothers.

"Don't hate the media, become the media" -Jello Biafra

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by: LandStander @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 15:38:42 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Oh, about Schweitzer (0.00 / 0)

He has no military/foriegn policy creds, and only medium-ish experience in politics. Also, he is fluent in Arabic! He's a teeerrrooorriisstt!!
So for those of you who are more concerned with appeasing the Right than with actually picking a good VP, this probably isn't your horse to bet on.  

"Don't hate the media, become the media" -Jello Biafra

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by: LandStander @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 15:45:59 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Will it be someone outside the "box"? (0.00 / 0)

Just trying to see if there are lessons from the recent history of VP picks.

In the last 40 years, how often has the D VP candidate been someone who was part of the speculation?

'68 - not sure about Muskie, but he turned out fairly well
'72 - Eagleton was the disaster that made everyone "vet" future VP candidates
'76 - Mondale was publicly vetted by Carter
'80 - Mondale continued with Carter
'84 - Ferraro was a "Hail Mary"
'88 - Bentsen was not part of the original speculation - but was a "conventional" VP pick
'92 - Gore broke the standard rules for VP picks - similar age, neighboring state
'96 - Gore continued with Clinton
'00 - Lieberman was a more conventional VP pick - but I don't remember him as part of the original speculation, until about a couple weeks before his selection
'04 - Edwards was a more conventional choice

Out of all of these choices, only Edwards was someone who ran for the nomination in the same year - I think the only one since LBJ. That would rule out Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Richardson.

Only lesson I see from this is that it's likely that the VP will be someone who did not run for President this year. However, there has been speculation about most of the others as Presidential candidate (or they actually ran) in previous years.

So who has the "fire in the belly" - but did not run this year?

Bayh, Bradley, Brown, Dean, Feingold, Graham, Harkin, Hart, Nunn, and Warner come to mind. They've all either run for President before - or there's been strong speculation about them running before.

Some of these are non-starters - others would be "surprise" choices that would play well in the media - and in the campaign.

Myself, I like Gary Hart or Bill Bradley. I fear Sam Nunn has the best chance among this list.

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by: tietack @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 13:22:46 PM CDT

How about Jack Reed? (0.00 / 0)

I outlined the case for him below. He hasn't had much speculation centered on him but he has been a increasingly frequent surrogate for Obama and seems to fit the bill perfectly.  

John McCain: Beacuse lobbyists should have more power

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by: Populista @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 13:35:41 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Ugg (0.00 / 0)

Not Biden, please no.

I'm starting to think Jack Reed would be a good (and realistic) pick.

Think about it. He's a diehard progressive who opposed the war from the start and doesn't have any ties to lobbyists. He helps with the base and reinforcing. He's a Catholic military Vet with experience, he helps with swing voters. He's going to Iraq was Obama so he clearly has Obama's trust and could be a strong partner in government. He endorsed no one in the primary but earlier visited Iraq with Clinton so she most likely wouldn't be upset. He looks a little funny and has a little bit of a weird voice but he's still a pretty good on TV:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

The only downside I can really see is he only married his wife three years ago (he's 58) and she's 16 years younger then him. But I don't think he has any Bill Clinton's in his closet and I doubt that would be a major issue.

Honestly what is the downside of picking him? He seems like a great choice.

http://www.projo.com/news/cont...

That's a good article about him.

John McCain: Beacuse lobbyists should have more power

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by: Populista @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 13:33:35 PM CDT

The problem with Reed is that RI is the bluest State in the nation followed by (0.00 / 0)

DC,VT,MA. and RI has a Republican Governor.
If the requirement is appointing a diehard progressive who opposed the Iraq War from the start. Does not have ties with lobbyist. He could go after Russ Feingold WI. Feingold comes from a swing state with a Democratic Governor. Anti War and Anti FISA pro campaign finance reform.
Obama can follow the Clinton-Gore 92 route and pick Indiana Senator Evan Bayh.
Both Obama and Bayh are midwestern pragmatics with boyish charm persona, School Aged children- Bayh has two teenage twin boys, while Obama has two elemantary school aged girls. Both Michelle Obama and Susan Bayh are both lawyers who served on corporate boards.  

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by: nkpolitics @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 15:50:20 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

And Obama (0.00 / 0)

has said (smartly) that location and electoral considerations will have little if any impact in his selection.

Also Reed is up for re-election and does not face observation so it would be easy to replace him on the ballot and keep the seat safe.

I'm trying to think of a choice that isn't going to hurt Obama (i.e doesn't have any negative info in his background) and who might be a good partner in government. Feingold, god bless him, is a maverick by heart. Sometimes the VP has to suck it up and do what the president wants, be a team player, that's just not Russ. He is also a twice divorced and single.

Also. Bayh? Are you kidding? A rag is more exiting then Bayh and he's also WAY conservative. He's one of the worst Democrats in the Senate. Outside of unlikely people like Nunn I can't think of a single worse VP.

John McCain: Beacuse lobbyists should have more power

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by: Populista @ Sat Jul 12, 2008 at 16:46:52 PM CDT

[ Parent ]