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The American Prospect takes a look at possible VP's for Obama. The two names that came up the most in the discussion were Senators Jim Webb of Virginia and Joe Biden of Delaware. I think both would be excellent, with a slight edge going to Webb. Biden is a Washington insider and Webb is less connected to DC, while still bringing foreign policy experience (the same could be said for Bill Richardson).
There are a lot of Clinton supporters listed (Ted Strickland, Wesley Clark, Tom Vilsack, Evan Bayh, and Ed Rendell) and I would think if Obama names a Clinton supporter as VP then it would probably be Hillary herself.
The most intriguing name listed was Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer. He is a solid progressive and could help turn Montana, Nevada, and Colorado blue.
The most interesting long shot was former Colorado Senator Gary Hart, who has a long resume on foreign policy and terrorism, but would bring some monkey business to the campaign trail.
After Chris Dodd endorsed Obama yesterday, I was surprised his name wasn't even on the list. Matt Browner-Hamlin, who worked for Dodd's Presidential campaign, takes a look at a possible Obama-Dodd ticket.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Obama's VP
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13 comments:
Biden would be a good choice. Nice reward for an honorable career of public service and probably the most capable of stepping in should something terrible happen to the President. Same true of Richardson, altough I think he lacks the spine for the big job (admit it, he ran far to the left of where his entire political career has been spent, not a sign of political courage).
Schweitzer would be the best political choice. He, like Obama but for different reasons, would attract NPs and some Rs who are almost as sick of big business as they are of big government.
I don't think Bayh would do it, he has eyes on the top job, and I still think BO is a long shot.
Rendell is only likeable to other blunt speaking Bulldogs (like me, I think Rendell is OK) but he clashes dramatically on too many issues with BO.
Vilsack, Strickland, Hart and Clark are more shallow than the frozen slush at the foot of my driveway and would add nothing to the ticket (except maybe in Ohio) and would be terrible VPs. Stricklands too new and the other three have demonstrated a lack of political courage, judgment and honesty throughout their careers.
I think Vilsack, Bayh, Strickland, and Clark are totally out of the picture since they endorsed Clinton. If Obama goes for a Clinton supporter then it would be Hillary.
If Biden is selected, it will completely deflate the hope out of the Obama's baloon. Joe is sexist, racist, arrogant, smug, and a poster boy for Washington good old white boys. I will never forget Anita Hill. If Obama has the imagination I think he does he will look for a woman, or a Latino or both. The primary has shown that we can handle that.
I think a Washington Politician is unlikely to be VP. There are some good governors to choose from. This is a rare year where none of the leading candidates are governors with actual executive experience. I think that is going to be important to bring some executive experience to the ticket and maybe some good demographics.
Why isn't Mark Warner being considered?
Kaine, gov of VA will be the VEEP pick for Obama, I like the idea of Webb though
I would like to see Nancy Pelosi or Major General Barbara Campbell Fast
(details on Major General Barbara Cambell Fast)--- has served in the United States Army for twenty-eight years, attaining the rank of Two-Star General. She is the first woman in the military to serve as a combat arms commander and command a tactical exploitation battalion in combat and was the Army’s first female senior intelligence officer in a combat ready division.
After leaving the hallways of Belleville East in 1971, Barbara attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri. After two years, she transferred to the University of Missouri-Columbia where she received a B.S.E. degree in German and Spanish. After completing her bachelor’s degree, Barbara was commissioned in the United States Army in 1976 as a Military Intelligence Officer. She earned her Master’s degree in Business Administration from Boston University while she was stationed overseas.
Since October of 1976, Barbara has been stationed in Munich, Germany; Fort Hood, Texas; Alexandria, Virginia; Ausburg, Germany; and the Pentagon in Virginia.
After selection for Brigadier General, Barbara was assigned to the National Security Agency as Assistant Deputy Director of Operations (Operations and Military Operation Integration) and Deputy, Central Security Service, Fort Meade, Maryland. She followed with as assignment as the Director of Intelligence, J-2, Headquarters, United States European Command, Stuttgart, Germany. As Director of Intelligence, Barbara was in charge of U.S. Military operations and training in a thirty-one country area, including Europe, most of Africa, and three countries in the Middle East. She oversaw intelligence operations in both Bosnia and Kosovo. She was selected for Major General and designated to move to Fort Hauchuca, Arizona. Since July 2003, Barbara has been stationed in Iraq as the C2, Combined Joint task Force 7 (CJTF-7), heading up the intelligence effort for all the military forces in Iraq.
Barbara’s military awards and decorations include Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the German Silver Cross of Honor. Her civilian awards include an honorary Doctor of Law from the University of Missouri during commencement ceremonies in 2002. She was also named the University’s Delta Zeta Alumnus of the Year in 2000.
Throughout her career, Barbara has had the support of her husband, retired Lieutenant Colonel Paul A. Fast.
Jim Webb would be a wonderful VP since he is close to the military (former Reagan Secretary of Navy) and an ex-military guy himself. He would rally the Southern vote and the military vote for Obama.
My second choice would be Schweitzer of Colorado. He is real rugged guy and would also attract the southern vote and a lot of independents.
Obama should stay away from women candidates and other candidates of color. He needs to stand out as a maverick person of change in a sea of white voting America. Otherwise, Hillary's attack against Obama as being too Black will stick like molasses.
I love Biden (he was my first choice for Pres, though I knew he never had a chance), but I don't know if he brings enough advantages for Obama. Delaware isn't gonna help much. I think Tim Kaine is most likely, then maybe Jim Webb and after that Kathleen Sibelius. One of those three.
There are three who immediately come to mind.
Obama/Mike Bloomberg-The Billionaire Jew would ad instant kudos in the areas of Israel relations and the economy. His no-nonsense executive demeanor would serve well in the VEEP position. Think of him as "Obama's Dick Chenney", the pit bull that no one wants to cross. He is also an excellent manager and carries with him many independent and republican voters.
Obama/Wes Clark-The most successful former general in the country. Has deep understanding of Middle East relations. Being a military guy, he would help Obama with the redneck vote, although he is Jewish. A former Rhodes Scholar and one of the best strategic thinkers in the country, he would be the perfect sidekick to implement real change.
Obama/Nancy Pelosi- Like most female heads-of-state, she has the rare ability to throw her weight around and use her executive authority, while maintaining her feminine grace. She would also help win over all those feminist voters suppoting Hillary.
THE ULTIMATE "DREAM TEAM" ADMINISTRATION:
Barack Obama-President
Mike Bloomberg-Vice President
Wes Clark-Sec of Defense
Nancy Pelosi-Sec of State
Russell Honore-Sec Homeland Sec
John Edwards-Attorney General
Hillary Clinton-Sec Health,HumanSer
Cornell West-Sec of Education
Mitt Romney-Sec of Commerce
Frank Raines-Sec of Finance
Chuck Hagel (R) for Obama's VP
- agrees with him on illegal immigration and most importantly the war
- can criticize the current administration and make the Bush-McCain link better than the possible Dem choices
- gives the appearance of unity with not just Democrats but Independents and Republicans
- Hagel has experience in international affairs, military, economy, and pure life(age) that Obama lacks
- his differences on domestic policy would only feed the strength of Obama being able to compromise with those who share a different opinion
- not a dream ticket, but rather a real ticket, one provided to a country who desperately needs to merge rather than diverge
Gore and it is all over in June!
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