DISQUS

Jack and Jill Politics: Obama Begins VP Search

  • tvanel · 1 year ago
    Richardson-Am I the only who thinks that most folks dont realize he isnt Hispanic?


    McCaskill jumped out in front of Sebelius and looks impressive.



    Webb-good choice, but Gov. kaine of VA would be better



    Fiengold--Not sure how strong he would be



    Also add



    Chuck Hagel-if not VP-a cabinet post

    Sam Nunn of GA

    Gov Napolitano

    and Gov.

    Strickland is a longshot
  • Ms.Martin · 1 year ago
    Based on my intuition and no real knowledge of what the other candidates besides Webb would bring, I say McCaskill.


    His back would be covered with McCaskill - he truly wouldn't have to worry about her working against him and she would surely bring along the rational minded women's vote.
  • tvanel · 1 year ago
    meant to say Most folk dont realize that Richie Rich is Hispanic
  • Ms.Martin · 1 year ago
    I forgot to add that I like it that Obama is moving on as though the devil(HRC) doesn't matter.
  • The Christian Progressive Libe · 1 year ago
    Ms. Martin, I caught that. Obama's pushing ahead like the Borg Queen is nothing more than a mosquito he swatted down. LOL


    As for his Administration:



    Feingold for VP (don't care if he doesn't have a wife)



    Secretary of State - Richardson

    Secretary of Defense - Chuck Hagel or Jim Webb

    Labor - Chris Dodd

    Education - Barbara Lee

    Attorney General - John Edwards

    Transportation -

    Treasury -



    Can't think up anyone else, but no one in the CBC need not apply for a Cabinet position since they think representing their constituents' best interests is to ignore them.
  • Ms.Martin · 1 year ago
    CPL


    You better believe CBC members will be applying for they know their days are numbered with their constituencies.



    I hope the voters turned NYC upside down.
  • Pamela · 1 year ago
    Hagel or McCaskill. My money is on Hagel
  • inkognegro · 1 year ago
    If you had to build VP out of whole cloth he would look amazingly like Webb.




    Swing State

    Penchant for individuality

    anti-Iraq from the Start

    Firm Ties to the Working class

    Military Background

    Will get in the ASS of ANYONE...anywhere...ANYTIME.



    Everyone else on the list has a flaw or four.



    (oh...and add Rendell and Wesley Clark to the list)





    Feingold? Seriously? Why not just go for Franken?



    Didn't Sam Nunn speak at the GOP Convention in 2004?



    No love for Dodd?
  • D. · 1 year ago
    Webb would be a better choice for SECDEF than VP. There's no gain in putting two inexperienced (by whatever standard) first-term senators up. Webb was at least SECNAV before, so he's got some experience there.


    Edwards should be HHS....it's kinda his thing.



    Obama/Richardson might be beatable. Hell, it took me a while to realize he was really Hispanic.



    A thought: would Powell come out for another go-round somewhere to get him through the first term?
  • tvanel · 1 year ago
    Didn't Sam Nunn speak at the GOP Convention in 2004?


    You are thinking of Zell Miller former GA Gov. Lieberman is trying hard to fill his shoes.



    Powell may accept a cab post, but as someone said--too much rainbow for VP



    Still say Hagel
  • Ms.Martin · 1 year ago
    F***k Ed Rendell, he said no white man would in PA would vote for Obama.


    D-



    Finally, we agree on something - I would love Powell as VP - but I don't think his family would want that.
  • Ronnie B · 1 year ago
    I'm thinking Webb. Sad to say, but anyone other than a White male, is asking too much.
  • texas girl in l.a. · 1 year ago
    D,


    Who would you choose to be McCain's running mate?



    Mitt Romney

    Charlie Crist

    Bobby Jindal
  • texas girl in l.a. · 1 year ago
    ms. martin/pamela,


    Do you think McCaskill would be a slap in the face to Hillary's supporters?



    I'm just asking....



    I think she's great, but....you know...
  • D. · 1 year ago
    McCain/Jindal would be ideal. But it's the experience argument again. Should McCain die in office, Jindal's not ready.


    Jindal looks better as a candidate for 2012.



    Probably Romney. McCain doesn't know crap about the economy, and Romney could at least work that issue.



    Crist is a good conservative, but if FL's delegates aren't seated/counted, the GOP will take FL anyway. So there's not benefit there.
  • rikyrah · 1 year ago
    F***k Ed Rendell, he said no white man would in PA would vote for Obama.*************


    That's how I see it too.



    Anyone who ACTIVELY racebaited must not be rewarded.
  • rikyrah · 1 year ago
    D,


    Who would you choose to be McCain's running mate?



    Mitt Romney

    Charlie Crist

    Bobby Jindal



    not d, but here's my thoughts:



    Crist - I realized this while watching Face the Nation this week. Crist would make McCain LOOK bad. It's not that Romney isn't from central casting, but there was something about Crist, with his George Hamilton tan, silver hair- not a one out of place. Standing next to McCain...he would look bad next to Crist.



    Jindal - don't believe for one minute that the GOP would hand over the #2 spot to some Indian guy from Louisiana. Now, if he were LATINO, that'd be another thing - I could see that.



    Romney - this is the choice of the big money people of the GOP. I'm telling you, this is the reason why they haven't given the money to McCain - Romney is ' their guy', and they refuse to open the wallets until Romney's on the ticket.
  • D. · 1 year ago
    Rikyrah,
    Not even if he were Latino. If the GOP puts up a minority as VP, they lose. It's an obvious gimmick that would backfire.
  • Against Race Politics · 1 year ago
    If he doesn't chose McCaskill ( a woman) as VP it should probably be a HRC supporter cuz she has some supporters as crazy as she is!!!!!


    Texas girl has a good question ..wonder if HRC supporters would resent her but it's not like she is Pelosi or someone like that????????



    I like Richardson as well but I wonder if it would be too much- with the Black/Brown..
  • texa girl in l.a. · 1 year ago
    D/Rikyrah,


    I think he would choose Romney.



    Rikyrah,



    You are so wrong-George Hamilton tan....you made my day. That was pure comedy!
  • Ms.Martin · 1 year ago
    rikyrah


    Not only did he actively race-bait, If I'm not mistaken, he as the first one to come right out and say it, no beating around the bush.





    Texas Girl



    If Hillary supporters are real feminists and not just Hillary zombies, they would have to celebrate McCaskill. She is a very strong no nonsense type woman - she would actually be a better champion of women's causes - she would present them as people causes in an non-devisive manner.



    Her strength is in her leadership as opposed to Hillary's which is in her loud mouth and devious nature.
  • tvanel · 1 year ago
    Tim Pawlenty was being considered but I don't he helped himself by "My wife wont have sex w/me crap"


    Someone mentioned Eric Cantor of VA and I laughed it off...no way



    You guys forget the Huckster.



    Romney the Mormon may have issues in the south
  • Anonymous · 1 year ago
    I have heard the Richardson has Bill Clinton type problems, so he is probably out. Also, recent polls show that Obama has the Latino vote down cold in many states.


    I think that VA Gov. Tim Kaine is probably the best pick. He was an early Obama supporter, he is going to be losing his job soon because of term limits, he will help make VA a lock, so there is no reason to worry about OH and he could help us take NC too.



    I personally don't see the Jim Webb appeal. Sure he would be great for those "working class whites", but in reality we all know that the Democrats are not going to win Appalachia anyways no matter if it is Barack or Hillary on the ticket. Plus, I think a guy like Webb likes to be effective and what the hell could he possibly do as VP?
  • Ms.Martin · 1 year ago
    D


    Finally, we agree on something, I think Powell would be the VP of all VP's, but I don't think his family would go for it.
  • Ronnie B · 1 year ago
    re: McCain/Romney


    McCain/Huckabee seems like it'd be a much better energizer for the party. No, Huckabee doesn't have a mean streak or white superiority fetish. And yes he's slightly more moderate than Romney.



    But the GOP already spoke on Romney. They ain't havin' a Mormon.
  • Anonymous · 1 year ago
    I agree that McCaskill has been fantastic and has definitely made herself the front runner among women. It does not hurt either that she was an early supporter of Obama and has been his best surrogate on the television. The only problem with selecting her is that MO has a Republican Gov. and he would replace her with a Republican.


    Sebelius on the other hand looks great on paper, but when she was given her big chance to give the Democratic response to Bush's crap State of the Union, she was just flat awful on television, was flat and had no charisma whatsoever.



    McCaskill has charisma in bucketfulls, but selecting her hurts our Democratic majority in the Senate hoping to create a 60 seat filibuster proof majority this fall.
  • Anonymous · 1 year ago
    How could anyone say Powell?


    Obama is the anti-war candidate.



    Powell is not infamous for his UN speech full of lies that helped get us into war.



    No matter what Colin's other virtues, and I know he is probably a good guy. He didn't stand up when it mattered, even when his own reputation and legacy is on the line.
  • D. · 1 year ago
    Ms. Martin,
    Obama/Powell won't win because of Iraq. Besides, the dems aren't about to vote for a conservative-even a moderate one-as VP.



    Which also eliminates Hagel.



    I actually like Tim Kaine. But I don't think he's that ambitious. He'd be a better senator than VP.
  • Ms.Martin · 1 year ago
    D


    I don't know, a lot of people respect Powell - Iraq aside.
  • Ms.Martin · 1 year ago
    They are going at it over the GI bill on Hardball.
  • D. · 1 year ago
    Ms. Martin,
    The MoveOn crowd would go ape shit. They want to lock Powell up.



    Ronnie,

    Huckabee would make it easier for the evangelicals to vote for McCain, but he really doesn't bring more than that.



    Let's piss everyone off: Obama/Hagel vs. McCain/Lieberman.
  • scruncher · 1 year ago
    McCaskill is very impressive when she speaks to the press, but that's all I know about her.


    Forgive my ignorance, but can someone tell men what Webb has done to piss off feminists ... that't the second time I've read that and I'm clueless.



    TIA.
  • Anonymous · 1 year ago
    The Romney v. Huckabee question is an interesting one.


    Huckabee is favored by the religious and cultural conservatives but hated by the fiscal conservatives because he raised taxes in Arkansas.



    Romney is favored by the fiscal conservatives because he is a white, rich, sucessful businessman, but he is hated by the cultural conservatives because his is Mormon and he allowed gay marriage in MA.



    And when I say "hated", I truly mean it. But the real issue for McCain is who would compliment him better. McCain is missing both cultural and economic appeal for Republicans. But more significantly, the economy is the most important issue in this election and he has no idea, no plan, nothing.



    Between those two, obviously Romney will be better choice because at least he has a clue and can articulate an economic message. McCain has no clue how to do that so all you see him doing is trying to hit Obama on national security day after day after day.



    Unfortunately for McCain, neither he nor Romney have the right economic message that independent voters want to hear. And if he goes with Huckabees populist economic message, he will turn conservatives right into the arms of Bob Barr.



    McCain is screwed either way. But he is going to take Romney because he needs his fundraising ability.
  • Cameron · 1 year ago
    Webb or Hagel would both make excellent candidates. Webb would bring the military experience and credibility (ditto for Wes Clark), and Hagel brings the ticket closer to center.


    I think Claire McCaskill is great and really like her, but a black and a woman on the same ticket? Might be a bit much. She should definitely get a Cabinet post.



    I don't see the value Richardson would bring to the ticket as VP.



    I don't know enough about Evan Bayh to comment on him yet.
  • TruthSeeker · 1 year ago
    I like the idea of Richrdson. Aside from his qualifications, it would make Hillary and Carville crazy. Lou Dobbs would be apoplectic.


    I like Powell; however, I know his wife doesn't want him to run and he likes his life and work. I read on the net that he was in charge of an investigation of Mei Lei and found there was no wrongdoing. I don't know how accurate that was...I'll see if i can find anything on it.
  • Anonymous · 1 year ago
    "Forgive my ignorance, but can someone tell men what Webb has done to piss off feminists ... that't the second time I've read that and I'm clueless."


    Webb referred to Tailhook – in which 83 women and 7 men reported being assaulted or sexually harassed at a wild party for Navy aviators, according to a Pentagon report as a a “witch hunt.” But he also called the treatment of the women at the convention “inexcusable harassment.”



    He did say that Tailhook had been "seized upon and used by feminists to attack the military culture."



    http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2006/accusations_fly_in_senate_squeakers.html



    That's why. I think there is also some claimed mysogyny in one of the fiction books he wrote.
  • D. · 1 year ago
    Truth,
    Talk to Bruce Dixon about Mai Lai. Apparently, he was there.



    Barr may well screw McCain out of the election. The ultraconservatives won't flock to Obama in a revolt, but if there's a better alternative than McCain, they'll take it.
  • Anonymous · 1 year ago
    I think Claire McCaskill is great and really like her, but a black and a woman on the same ticket? Might be a bit much.
    Not just a Black man and woman. But a Black man and a White woman. There are already rumors about Obama being a secret Muslim, if he chooses a White woman, the next email smear campaign will be about... well you can only guess. Which is maybe better than the b.s. low life internet smear that he is gay. But as the Muslim smear and Rev. Wright shows, people are so stupid that they can believe simultaneously that he is a secret Muslim and that he attends a radical Black separatist Christian church that wants to kill white people. So what's to stop them from smearing him as both Rupal and Jack Johnson at the same time? It wouldn't matter to them because both would fit within the hyper-sexualized stereotype of Black people.
  • scruncher · 1 year ago
    Thanks anon for Webb explanation.


    I should read up more on MCaskill because I've been so impressed by her every time I've seen her acting as an Obama surrogate on the news. She's unflappable, knows her stuff, and never lets someone get away with saying shit about Obama.
  • rikyrah · 1 year ago
    re:Romney


    Newt's old Chief-of-Staff, Tony Blakeley swears up and down that Romney is OUT because of the Mormon issue - others beat around the bush, but he is very matter-of-fact about it, the Evangelicals ain't having NO PARTS of the Mormon. He likes Romney - isnt personal with him, but it's sort of funny, the way he's so brutal about it.



    This really is a true bone of contention, because Romney is THE GUY of the GOP money set, yet the GOP social conservative set will have NO PARTS of him, not when they have their own guy - Huckabee, who, for his economic populist positions, the GOP money set -DESPISES.
  • tvanel · 1 year ago
    Yep---after the GOP loses this election, there will be an internal struggle for power b/t the social and fiscal conservatives. The fiscal crew is all about money-and looks the other way while social conservatives whip the base into a frenzy with issues like gay marriage and abortion.


    I was of the opinion that they needed to lose two Gen elections, but a 20-30 seat loss in the house, a 6-8 seat loss in the senate coupled with an Obama presidency should do it.



    Then its on!!...social conservatives will be told to STFU so they can push more moderates they deem more electable.



    Crist fits that mold and other consevatives will try to present themselves as moderates to get elected
  • Against Race Politics · 1 year ago
    Truth,


    If Carville and Hillary go crazy ( although I don't think they have far to go) then I think it will be worth it for that alone to have Richardson on the ticket!!! LOL!



    Ms Martin,



    You said Powell would be a good choice, Iraq aside. Do you really think some will be able to put Iraq aside, considering Obama is the "anti- war" (and I think you said it best 'anti stupid war' candidate)?
  • Cameron · 1 year ago
    rykyrah -


    The funny thing is that the social conservatives are starting to move toward Obama now. They never did like McCain.



    Romney would make the perfect veep for McCain because he shores up McCain's weaknesses on the economy. The true fiscal conservatives who are on the fence would look at McCain in a different light and ultimately vote for him. I could see him picking Jindal and then play the diversity card. But it's unlikely that will happen.



    I'm putting my money on him picking Crist.
  • The Christian Progressive Libe · 1 year ago
    I can't see Richardson anywhere except in a Cabinet position, and I think he'd do well as Sec. of State.


    Tim Kaine is my Governor and I think he'd be a good fit as VP. If not him, I still say take a look at Russ Feingold - he's been the stand up guy in the Senate.



    D, I do have some love for Dodd - I think he should get Labor or Transportation as a Cabinet position, while Edwards would make a good Attorney General.



    I agree, the only way Obama wins is if he has a solid white male on the ticket with him. 'Nuff said.
  • Ms.Martin · 1 year ago
    Against, D


    Wishful thinking - I happen to like Powell inspite of his association with Bush and the Iraq War.



    Hasn't Powell spoke against the way the war was handled recently?



    I didn't vote for Bush, but I must admit, I was just as mad as everyone else about 9/11 and wanted someone to pay and fell for the diversion that was the supposed WMD's in Iraq and didn't bother to stop and think that Bin Laden wasn't in Iraq.
  • D. · 1 year ago
    Win or lose, no one will put the War on Terror aside for a long time.


    If Powell had run and won in 2000, would Obama even be relevant now?
  • D. · 1 year ago
    John Hagee just fucked up Rev. Wright being a "legitimate political issue."


    So much for that.
  • Admiral Komack · 1 year ago
    "I think Claire McCaskill is great and really like her, but a black and a woman on the same ticket? Might be a bit much.
    Not just a Black man and woman. But a Black man and a White woman. There are already rumors about Obama being a secret Muslim, if he chooses a White woman, the next email smear campaign will be about... well you can only guess."



    -Why don't you come out and say it?

    Whomever Obama picks, someone, somewhere will bitch about it.



    Personally, I like McCaskill for Obama's VP.
  • Anna · 1 year ago
    everyone go to the Field.
    Giordano: `The Nightmare Ticket is Dead

    The Field can now confirm, based on multiple sources, something that both campaigns publicly deny: that Senator Clinton has directly told Senator Obama that she wants to be his vice presidential nominee, and that Senator Obama politely but straightforwardly and irrevocably said “no.” Obama is going to pick his own running mate based on his own criteria and vetting process.



    And that is all that anybody needs to know to understand the childish and wounded behavior of Senator Clinton yesterday, grandstanding hypocritically to senior citizens in Florida, telling them they should consider themselves under sniper fire in Bosnia, er, Zimbabwe, aggrandizing herself as some kind of civil rights leader (MLK? or LBJ? She didn’t say this time) and attempting to corner 30 members of the DNC’s Rules & Bylaws Committee that will meet on May 31 to resolve the disputes over whether, and, if so, how, delegates from Michigan and Florida might be seated at the convention in August.

    http://ruralvotes.com/thefield/?p=1248
  • Watching! · 1 year ago
    American is not ready for a Black or a woman on a ticket-- so lets forget about that if anyone wants to see Obama win. A white male from the South, would be more helpful for him.


    At the same time, that is more palatable than even mentioning Hillary's name. Should Barak succumb to Clinton's 'balls" and put her on the ticket, he will be 'dead politically' for the rest of his days.



    Change and "status quo" doesn't/and cannot mix. Obama stand strong and reject the imperialist attentions of Billary.



    Send them packing! To Arkansas!