Good. He does an Obama ticket no good at all.

I like Edwards and all, but what exactly would he bring to the table? Obama is going to have to use the VP slot as an opportunity to shore up weaknesses, not just to pick a nice guy.

I already picked my ponies:

Doesn't he have to pick a black guy, to insure he isn't killed?

Shorty Longstrokin: I already picked my ponies:

I'm leaning towards Richardson myself, but there are plenty of good options out there.

Bill Richardson

If race is stopping you for voting for Obama, I don't think the VP will magically change that. Might as well go for the Latino vote to make up for the Hillary-white vote.

Mr. Mojo: Shorty Longstrokin: I already picked my ponies:

I'm leaning towards Richardson myself, but there are plenty of good options out there.

I like Richardson too, but with his foreign policy experience and history as Ambassador, I think he would be better suited to the Secretary of State position.

MetalGator: Bill Richardson

If race is stopping you for voting for Obama, I don't think the VP will magically change that. Might as well go for the Latino vote to make up for the Hillary-white vote.

That could work. West Virginia would probably have a collective heart attack and we could reclaim the land.

Did anybody think that a politician existed who would run for vice president AGAIN after losing once?

I don't know who he is going to pick. I think it's fairly obvious who he's not going to pick. But I'm not sure who he will pick. I think it's a real puzzle. I do think the odds are strong that it will be a white person; not because it necessary but because there is only so much "change" the country can handle. Someone from the south or west. A white female might work but there aren't a lot of strong candidates, both the govs of AZ and KS aren't well known and the states don't help in the electoral math. I frankly don't know.

MetalGator: Bill Richardson

If race is stopping you for voting for Obama, I don't think the VP will magically change that. Might as well go for the Latino vote to make up for the Hillary-white vote.

Or, go for the "I'm voting for a woman because I have a vagina and we girls have to stick together" vote and pick Kathleen Sebelius.

As I mentioned in a previous thread, choosing Sebelius for VP accomplishes a couple of important things for Obama:

First of all, she's a "she." She will automatically attract the percentage of Hillary voters who ONLY support her because she's a woman, and it'll show them that he supports having a woman in one of the top two positions of government.

It will also help silence some of the critics that complain about his lack of experience. They've been petitioning to have him pad the ticket with someone with an executive or government-type managerial background. A governor would fit the bill, and as a Democratic governor of a "red state," Sebelius can run on the idea that she brings red & blue together to find common ground. She's had a lot of time playing the moderate role to the far-right folks in Kansas, so that would play to the Democrats' advantage.

Jim Webb

/thread

Shorty Longstrokin: I like Richardson too, but with his foreign policy experience and history as Ambassador, I think he would be better suited to the Secretary of State position.

He'd be great for either position really. As VP he can directly shore up Obama's percieved weakness in foreign policy, but as SoS, he can actually use his experience.

Mr. Mojo: I'm leaning towards Richardson myself, but there are plenty of good options out there.

I dunno. I do love Richardson's experience, but I like Biden as well, and even Hagel.

worlddan: A white female might work but there aren't a lot of strong candidates, both the govs of AZ and KS aren't well known and the states don't help in the electoral math. I frankly don't know.

Sure, Kathleen Sebelius isn't that well known to the rest of the country...yet. Few governors are before they're thrust into the spotlight of a presidential campaign, but we've elected plenty of them in the past (Reagan, Bill Clinton, Dubya). I think an Obama-Sebelius ticket can go far.

Impeach Cheney First: Jim Webb

/thread

I like Webb, but his less than female friendly past would hurt Obama. Obama is already at a disadvantage when it comes to courting the female vote, and picking Webb would allow the R's to bring up his past.

SilentStrider: Mr. Mojo: I'm leaning towards Richardson myself, but there are plenty of good options out there.

I dunno. I do love Richardson's experience, but I like Biden as well, and even Hagel.

I'd like to see both Biden and Dodd get prominent positions in an Obama administration. Edwards could maybe be the attorney general spot if he keeps kissing enough ass.

What would really impress me though is if he built his executive structure with Democrats AND Republicans. Unfortunately, the ruling majority in both parties is too content with continuing stupid partisan politics that it ain't gonna happen.

Obama/Bloomberg
Obama /Hagel

Either one of those would help him. It would be in keeping with his theme of change and unification.

Shorty Longstrokin: worlddan: A white female might work but there aren't a lot of strong candidates, both the govs of AZ and KS aren't well known and the states don't help in the electoral math. I frankly don't know.

Sure, Kathleen Sebelius isn't that well known to the rest of the country...yet. Few governors are before they're thrust into the spotlight of a presidential campaign, but we've elected plenty of them in the past (Reagan, Bill Clinton, Dubya). I think an Obama-Sebelius ticket can go far.

Maybe. I won't discount her but I remain unconvinced. One thing your really overlooking is how does it help the math. One of the major reasons that Obama is in the position he is in is precisely because the team didn't overlook the math. And while she might bring Kansas, that's not many electoral votes. The prize is a November win. Eye=on it.

It ain't a prize, it's the future of our country.

Right now, there's not a candidate running I consider worthy of my vote or confidence.

NOT ONE.

cxjohn

It ain't a prize, it's the future of our country.

Has anyone said otherwise? I think pretty much everyone here would agree with you.

Right now, there's not a candidate running I consider worthy of my vote or confidence.

NOT ONE.

Good for you. Out of sheer curiosity, though, when was the last time you DID find a candidate that you considered worthy of your vote and confidence?

worlddan: Shorty Longstrokin: worlddan: A white female might work but there aren't a lot of strong candidates, both the govs of AZ and KS aren't well known and the states don't help in the electoral math. I frankly don't know.

Sure, Kathleen Sebelius isn't that well known to the rest of the country...yet. Few governors are before they're thrust into the spotlight of a presidential campaign, but we've elected plenty of them in the past (Reagan, Bill Clinton, Dubya). I think an Obama-Sebelius ticket can go far.

Maybe. I won't discount her but I remain unconvinced. One thing your really overlooking is how does it help the math. One of the major reasons that Obama is in the position he is in is precisely because the team didn't overlook the math. And while she might bring Kansas, that's not many electoral votes. The prize is a November win. Eye=on it.

Thanks. Math was never my best subject.

However, I can see how sharing the ticket with a woman like her might pull in votes not just from women, but red staters too -- especially in delegate-rich states like Texas and California where they like strong, female politicians. (Ann Richards, Barbara Jordan, Nancy Pelosi and Dianne Feinstein come to mind.)

Bill Richardson could also help in border states (again, like Texas and California and his home swing state of New Mexico) where he might be able to bring in some of the Hispanic vote. Although, his past stances on immigration don't exactly make him La Raza's best friend either.

I dunno...just a couple of thoughts.

The Hillary supporters who support her "only because she is a woman" can be recaptured in other ways (McCain's made enough juicy statements on abortion to accomplish this). It seems like the VP pick should either

1) Give Obama credibility with more hawkish, conservative Democrats.

or

2) Be very well respected in the Western states (Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada).

These correspond roughly to Obama's two possible paths to 269 electoral votes: either fight for Ohio, or fight to keep Pennsylvania and pick up a couple of the western swing states (Kansas is NOT a swing state, no matter who the VP is). Webb may fit the first bill here, and Richardson the second.

It was always said that John Edwards wanted to be Attorney General anyway. It's that Bobby Kennedy thing, Edwards knows he looks like RFK, and that's his idol. Edwards always talks helping the poorest ala RFK, and AG is his fullfillment of that.

Mayor Bloomberg of NYC would be the best VP for Obama. Economic and business genius, plus successfully running NYC. Bloomberg can reassure the Jewish vote. And carry New York state, and say it wasn't Hillary, eye of newt tongue of frog.

GoRedSoxGo: cxjohn

It ain't a prize, it's the future of our country.

Has anyone said otherwise? I think pretty much everyone here would agree with you.

Right now, there's not a candidate running I consider worthy of my vote or confidence.

NOT ONE.

Good for you. Out of sheer curiosity, though, when was the last time you DID find a candidate that you considered worthy of your vote and confidence?

He's probably a Ron Paul fan. They tend to be the most bitter faction in these politics threads.

kevinatilusa: The Hillary supporters who support her "only because she is a woman" can be recaptured in other ways (McCain's made enough juicy statements on abortion to accomplish this). It seems like the VP pick should either

1) Give Obama credibility with more hawkish, conservative Democrats.

or

2) Be very well respected in the Western states (Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada).

These correspond roughly to Obama's two possible paths to 269 electoral votes: either fight for Ohio, or fight to keep Pennsylvania and pick up a couple of the western swing states (Kansas is NOT a swing state, no matter who the VP is). Webb may fit the first bill here, and Richardson the second.

See, this is a big part of why I favor Richardson. As a D in Texas, I'd love for our state to be in play. I'm sure the northwest section (where I live) is a mostly lost cause, but Richardson might be able to pick up the southern cities - especially San Antonio, and possibly a big chunk of D/FW as well. It's entirely possible Texas could switch to blue if Obama plays his cards right, and picking a favorable VP would be a big step in the right direction.

Do you blame him for not wanting to be on back to back loosing tickets?

One more note about Kathleen Sebelius before I go to bed:

She also has her age and political maturity to counter Obama's youth and inexperience to provide for a more "balanced" Democratic ticket. Really...what better way to go after Hillary's core support of old white women than by running your own old white woman on the bill with you?

And FWIW, here are a couple of good articles/blog entries that analyze Sebelius' odds as a VP candidate:

http://kathleen-sebelius-news.newslib.com/story/11113-29/ ^{(^)}

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/712467/analysis_kathleen_sebelius_as_ vi ce.html ^{(^)}


Good night, all!


/I'm not Kathleen Sebelius, but I did approve these messages.

Shorty Longstrokin.

It seems as if she'd be an interesting pick. You've definitely caught my eye with your plug. I shall have to research more.

I was leaning towards webb for VP, but the more I learned about his women problems the less good I felt about it. If it wasn't for that.. I think he would be perfect. Women issues are the worst thing you can bring to the obama table after hillary drops out and leaves many of her women supporters in limbo.

Mr. Mojo: They tend to be the most bitter faction in these politics threads.

Hillary supporters are gaining momentum there. A few of the Clintonista blogs have already surpassed the more extremist Paulistinians in sheer, fervent crazy.

Kevin72: It was always said that John Edwards wanted to be Attorney General anyway. It's that Bobby Kennedy thing, Edwards knows he looks like RFK, and that's his idol. Edwards always talks helping the poorest ala RFK, and AG is his fullfillment of that.

Mayor Bloomberg of NYC would be the best VP for Obama. Economic and business genius, plus successfully running NYC. Bloomberg can reassure the Jewish vote. And carry New York state, and say it wasn't Hillary, eye of newt tongue of frog.

Hmm, Bloomberg sounds very intrigueing...

Mr. Mojo: Do you see Texas as being a factor in the race even with Richardson though? It feels like if Obama can win Texas, it'll be in a landslide big enough to make Texas irrelevant anyways.

Phil Moskowitz: Doesn't he have to pick a black guy, to insure he isn't killed?

No, an Asian woman with a bad speech impediment.

Phil Moskowitz: Doesn't he have to pick a black guy, to insure he isn't killed?

he has to pick Bill Richardson. It would help if he changed his name to Guillermo, though

spnartie:

leaves many of her women supporters in limbo.

Almost all of Hillary's support, including women, comes from the party partisans. These folks would vote for piss in a jar if it had a D by it's name on the ballot. The only women voters who are "in limbo" are what Fark refers to as womynists*. They're such a small fraction of the woman voter demographic that Obama would be better off ignoring them and focusing on the non-crazy feminist groups.

*: take one feminist, add 50 pounds and 3 gallons of pure concentrated crazy, shake well, then set them in front of a computer).

kevinatilusa: These correspond roughly to Obama's two possible paths to 269 electoral votes: either fight for Ohio, or fight to keep Pennsylvania and pick up a couple of the western swing states (Kansas is NOT a swing state, no matter who the VP is). Webb may fit the first bill here, and Richardson the second.

Ted Strickland fits the bill even better. He is the Dem governor of Ohio, popular there (with some Republican support to boot), he's a moderate guy, and of course he's an old white male. He has some working class white guy cred but probably wouldn't help much out west.

As a side note, I'd love it if after the May 20th primaries Obama announced a list of potential VP candidates and announced who his running mate was by the time the rules committee made their decision on whether or not the DNC is going to let its new spine slink off and die.

Yaay! John Edwards for Vice President!!!

This message brought to you by megacorps utterly terrified of Edwards as AG.

Impeach Cheney First: Jim Webb

/thread

A great choice.

Unfortunately, Mr Webb said 'no' on NPR today.

Edwards would have been a great populist pres or veep. The good news is he will be a great Attorney General.

kevinatilusa: Mr. Mojo: Do you see Texas as being a factor in the race even with Richardson though? It feels like if Obama can win Texas, it'll be in a landslide big enough to make Texas irrelevant anyways.

Yeah, it's probably just wishful thinking on my part. Texas brings a pretty nice chunk of electoral votes (34 I believe, second highest population in the country) but it may take too much effort to make it worthwhile. With that said though, Obama taking Texas would probably result in a landslide, but it wouldn't necessarily be caused by one, if you get my meaning.

If race is a factor (which it will probably be in the rural areas of Texas), the math is against Obama but not impossible.
~11.5% African-American
~32% Hispanic
~52% White
There are also several large colleges and cities with high proportions of young, college educated D's (generally strong Obama supporters). Balancing this out are the "old guard" D's and successful and influential R's. As I said, it isn't impossible but it may be a fight he doesn't want to start.

Murkanen: Hillary supporters are gaining momentum there. A few of the Clintonista blogs have already surpassed the more extremist Paulistinians in sheer, fervent crazy.

BTW, Clinton is telling her supporters that it would be a "fatal mistake" to vote for McCain over Obama. We may be at "Acceptance".

Gyrfalcon: No, an Asian woman with a bad speech impediment.

Michelle Malkin? She can shoot ping-pong balls out her cooter, but that's about it.

Mentat: We may be at "Acceptance".

Took her long enough. When you're so far behind that even your ace in the hole is utterly useless to you, it's usually a sign that things aren't going to go your way even if you do brave it out to the finish line.

Shorty Longstrokin: However, I can see how sharing the ticket with a woman like her might pull in votes not just from women, but red staters too -- especially in delegate-rich states like Texas and California where they like strong, female politicians. (Ann Richards, Barbara Jordan, Nancy Pelosi and Dianne Feinstein come to mind.)

You forget, the November election is winner-take-all. While a Texas coup would cement the victory, that's a massive gamble considering that Texas is quite possibly the most solidly Republican state in the country.

Of all the Southern states, Texas is probably the least likely to flip. Bank on Georgia, Louisiana, or one of the Carolinas to flip; bank on a couple of western red states to flip; and that's well over 270. Texas? Dream on. If Texas votes for Obama in November, the whole damn map is blue.

TheCid: Of all the Southern states, Texas is probably the least likely to flip. Bank on Georgia, Louisiana, or one of the Carolinas to flip; bank on a couple of western red states to flip; and that's well over 270. Texas? Dream on. If Texas votes for Obama in November, the whole damn map is blue.

South Carolina, probably. NC... well, I'd like to say there's a good chance we flip. I'd also like to say that I drove into work in my brand new Murcielago, but in both cases, I'd be lying. The bigot backlash for the darkies daring to put a coon on the ticket will have the state's R base out in force.

*sigh* I thought we were past this shiat.

TheCid: Shorty Longstrokin: However, I can see how sharing the ticket with a woman like her might pull in votes not just from women, but red staters too -- especially in delegate-rich states like Texas and California where they like strong, female politicians. (Ann Richards, Barbara Jordan, Nancy Pelosi and Dianne Feinstein come to mind.)

You forget, the November election is winner-take-all. While a Texas coup would cement the victory, that's a massive gamble considering that Texas is quite possibly the most solidly Republican state in the country.

Of all the Southern states, Texas is probably the least likely to flip. Bank on Georgia, Louisiana, or one of the Carolinas to flip; bank on a couple of western red states to flip; and that's well over 270. Texas? Dream on. If Texas votes for Obama in November, the whole damn map is blue.

I'm not saying it's guaranteed, just that it's possible. The most recent polling I can find is from March but it generally shows Obama within a point or 2 of McCain. Getting that point or 2, however, will be a pretty tough task.

Texas has historically been a very red state, but in the past few years we've had a massive influx of new businesses and a large population growth. Many of these new businesses are tech related (requiring college education) and a large percentage of the population growth is minorities. We still have plenty of the farmers, ranchers, and rich oil men who will never vote D, but their majority is no longer so overwhelming.

TheCid: You forget, the November election is winner-take-all. While a Texas coup would cement the victory, that's a massive gamble considering that Texas is quite possibly the most solidly Republican state in the country.

And you're forgetting that Obama is running on the 50 State Strategy. Even if he can't take Texas in the general, he can influence local elections. One of the primary reasons that Childers won the special election in Mississippi is because of an unexpectedly large African American turnout. Obama won't take Mississippi in the fall, but that election has completely demoralized Congressional Republicans.

Obama isn't just trying to win the Presidency. He's trying to paint the map blue in a way that Karl Rove could never dream of.

Obama should pick McCain as his Vice President. The Republicans would never expect that, and they'd have a hell of a time criticizing his choice.

I just wonder if he has to pick someone from Hillary's clan (in addition to giving her twenty million dollars) to finally get her to drop out.

If so, I guess I could see Rendell or someone like that, maybe even Wes Clark