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Working Families Vote 2008

Decisions, Decisions -- Who Should Obama Pick as his Veep?

Posted by Kathy G, The G-Spot at 5:00 PM on July 14, 2008.


A list of the best, and worst, possible picks to round out the Democratic ticket.
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Editor's note: The following is a list of who Kathy G. would like to, and not like to, see as Obama's Veep. For the reasoning behind her picks click here.

The Best

I think Obama should choose one of these three people:

Sherrod Brown, senator from Ohio
John Edwards, former senator from North Carolina
Kathleen Sebelius, governor of Kansas

Above Average

I really don't think Barack Obama should choose any of the following people as his running mate -- each of them has at least one major drawback that I believe should be disqualifying. On the other hand, they're all capable, talented, and reasonably progressive, and if any of them were indeed chosen, I could get excited about that.

General Wesley Clark
Hillary Clinton, senator from New York
Christopher Dodd, senator from Connecticut
Patty Murray, senator from Washington
Janet Napolitano, governor or Arizona
Jack Reed, senator from Rhode Island

Not Experienced Enough

None of these folks have served a full term in their current positions, nor have they served in the House of Representatives in Congress.

Tim Kaine, governor of Virginia
Claire McCaskill, senator from Missouri
Jon Tester, senator from Montana

Otherwise Engaged

Mark Warner - The former Virginia governor is currently running for the U.S. senate.

Eh

Brian Schweitzer - The governor of Montana would be okay but I'm not too excited about him.

Please God No

Joe Biden, senator from Delaware
Tom Daschle, former senator from South Dakota
Bill Nelson, senator from Florida
Ed Rendell, governor of Pennsylvania
Bill Richardson, governor of New Mexico

Oh No God No

Evan Bayh, senator from Indiana

Oh No No No God No No No

Sam Nunn, former senator from Georgia

Unthinkable

James Webb, senator from Virginia (thankfully, he's withdrawn his name from consideration)

Totally Beyond the Pale

Any Republican (but fortunately there's no evidence that Obama is considering any Republicans).

AlterNet is a non profit organization and does not make political endorsements. The opinions expressed by our writers are their own.


Return to PEEK  » Post Tools: email EMAIL print PRINT 33 COMMENTS PERMALINK
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Comments Turn comments off sitewide Give us feedback »
Comments closed.
The comments for this story have been closed. Thank you to everyone who participated. 		View:
Cabinet choices
[Report this comment]
Posted by: brunowe on Jul 14, 2008 6:09 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I would prefer to see Edwards as Attorney General and Clark at Defense.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Cabinet choices Posted by: YogiBear
» RE: Cabinet choices Posted by: Fog
» RE: Cabinet choices Posted by: rickiey
» RE: Cabinet choices Posted by: harlie
» RE: Cabinet choices Posted by: Basenjis
» RE: Cabinet choices Posted by: luzmejor
Arkansas Governor
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Artkansas on Jul 14, 2008 6:11 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Mike Beebe

Good team player, far better than any other name brand Arkansas politician.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Is Bayh Really On The Short List?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: mishawaka on Jul 14, 2008 7:39 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I agree. Oh no, God, no, not Evan Bayh. I can only hope that the talk here in Indiana of Bayh being on Obama's VP short list is only to keep Hoosiers excited until the real decision is reached. Bayh went all in with Hillary: he made sure that 90% of the state's Democratic leaders lined up behind Hillary, he campaigned with her all over this state, he cut a tv ad for her, and his Indiana staff took a leave of absence to work the state for Hillary.

Now he wants to be Obama's running mate? WTF?!? Evan Bayh could not be a more moderate, stiff, unexciting, DLC approved candidate. No, Evan, you put all of your chips on Hillary and you lost.

My top three?

-Bill Richardson, New Mexico. Worried about Obama's experience? Richardson has experience to spare. Diplomat, Governor, legislator, cabinet secretary, UN delegate. Plus he did a hell of a lot better in the primary than Bayh and some of the others mentioned.

-Joe Biden. Somewhat out of the box. Tons of experience, especially in foreign policy. The main drawback is his age and history of health issues. I think the health issues are in the past, but his age could be a concern. If I were Obama I would want someone young (or young looking) to emphasize the age gap between himself and McCain. Also, if someone were to take a shot at Obama...

-John Edwards. He came thisclose to making a "Sherman statement" about being VP, but he has backed off of that lately. He had real charisma on the campaign trail and a lot when he endorsed Obama in Michigan. He would bring a lot of labor Obama's way and he would help solidify the Kerry '04 states for Obama. I saw a poll a few weeks ago where in four states an Obama/Edwards ticket beat anyone McCain might choose by twenty points. That is better than "Obama/Gore" and "Obama/Clinton". Besides, Edwards was my candidate before he dropped out.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

To cut the legs out of Cheney's next Puppet- Hagel
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Purple Girl on Jul 15, 2008 2:40 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
As a life long liberal Dem, I have to say to finally get some real progress and solutions in DC I would like to see Sen Obama name Sen Chuck Hagel. Real Military Expereince, dissenter regarding this admin and it's BS Iraqi war, would bring in the Independents and the Old School Republicans and the Midwesterner voters. We are looking for Patriots to help bring our country back from this decades long seige of Neo Conism and Corportionists.
Far too many so called 'Dems' have either placated or appeased this admin, Such 'Dems' as Pelosi, Reid, Feinstien,Clinton, Levin should all be run out for their part in this Treasonous Congress. There are snakes on both sides of the aisle in both Houses.It is time to clean them out and we will need help from the true Public Servants on Both sides. Call me a 'Radical' but both the extreme Right and the extreme left have caused US to remain stagnate on far too many importatn issues which face this country, only by working together will we regain our Democracy
When it comes to Patriotism I hope Sen Obama shows Americans are Color Blind.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

fma
[Report this comment]
Posted by: FMABBI on Jul 15, 2008 3:34 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What about John Kerry or Al Gore? Either of these two very experienced, capable, highly popular politicians would be a great VP choice.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: fma Posted by: Quannah
list is all wrong
[Report this comment]
Posted by: dmstern on Jul 15, 2008 8:06 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Sorry, but we must have a different set of eyes. Biden would be a great! VP as would Richardson and Clark. Edwards would be about the worst choice he could make, how would YOU sell a message of change with a retread on your ticket. Sebelius can't possibly happen because the only woman allowed on this ticket will be Clinton. And that ain't going to happen no way. Mark my words - OBAMA/BIDEN '08!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: list is all wrong Posted by: jareilly
» RE: list is just fine Posted by: Basenjis
Clark should be in the top category
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Morgaine Swann on Jul 15, 2008 9:04 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Obama's one true weakness is his lack of military experience. General Wesley Clark is the perfect choice for VP, since Obama's first task will be addressing the two wars we're waging illegally. He has executive experience, command experience, logistical experience, and he doesn't back down when the Crybaby Conservatives flip out because he stated a fact.

That last point alone makes him my hero. I'm fed up with Democrats that wilt when a Republican cries foul - they're going to do that no matter what the Dems do, and backing down reinforces the idea that Dems are weak. Clark speaks the truth and stands behind it.

I agree with the idea of John Edwards as Attorney General, especially if he and Obama will promise to prosecute Bush administration crimes.

As far as the No god NO categories, I couldn't agree more.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Clark should be in the top category Posted by: Morgaine Swann
» RE: Clark should be in the top category Posted by: Morgaine Swann
Senator Chris Dodd is THE best choice.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Christie on Jul 15, 2008 2:24 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
An excellent choice for VP, Senator Chris Dodd is number two on the foreign relations committee. He is strong on protecting the environment and the Constitution. (Dodd worked against the Senate bill that would grant retroactive legal protection to any phone or internet company that helped with the president's secret, warrantless wiretapping program.) He is savvy about the economy and stresses having a job as number one in importance to voters.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Decisions, decisions...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Quannah on Jul 15, 2008 4:05 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I don't think, when you talk about someone more experienced to balance the ticket, that Sebilius or Brown are the right ones. (Although I love Sherrod Brown!)

Why not Russ Feingold?

Then he'd be ready for the presidency in 8 years. (That would give me something to hope for!)

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Decisions, decisions... Posted by: Christie
» RE: Decisions, decisions... Posted by: Quannah
From this list...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: jonnymil on Jul 15, 2008 4:31 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I like Napolitano. Stick it to McCain from his own back yard.

In my heart of hearts, I would like to see Senator Obama get soooooo far ahead in polls that it no longer looks like a close election, and with that as a necessary premise, he picks a Civil Rights hero to be on the ticket. We can of course rule out Jesse Jackson, but John Lewis (my ideal pick) or Julian Bond would be great. Even James Cliburn from South Carolina might help steal a southern state, though his legacy is more in the House than in the "movement."

The accepted common knowledge is that people don't vote for or against VP, but such a move would certainly test the theory. It would also satisfy those of the progressive left who are concerned about Obama's credentials. Like me.

But...that is what I would like to see, and not at all what I expect to see. If we're throwing out predictions, how about adding Bob Casey and not Rendell from PA to the short list, along with Edwards, Gore, and yeah probably Biden or Clark who want the job so bad they can taste it.

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Not Sebelius
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Charlow on Jul 16, 2008 8:01 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Not Sebelius. She didn't know enough not to protest plans to possibly relocate the high level biological warfare laboratory (anthrax, etc.) from Plum Island to Kansas State University.

I recommend Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, who is working on helping Obama vet possible VP candidates. Bill Richardson would also be superb.

I personally do not view John Edwards as a "retread," but rather a passionate, brilliant populist legal mind who could best serve us now as Attorney General. Ditto to Wesley Clark as Secretary of Defense. For Department of Energy -- Amory Lovins.

Secretary of State -- How about Al Gore?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

What's the problem with Senator Webb?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: COC on Jul 16, 2008 7:24 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Senator Webb has a distinguished background and has been completely against the war in Iraq.

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