Current Obama VP buzz

[Warriorbird]

Sam Nunn = great idea
Evan Bayh = okay
Joe Biden = wtf are they thinking?

[ClydeR]

From a purely political standpoint, Bayh would be the best choice from that list.

Nunn is nearly as old as McCain. Biden puts his foot in his mouth too often. Bayh could probably deliver Indiana's electoral votes--a state that is polling closely anyway--and might be able to influence the important neighboring swing state of Ohio.

[radamanthys]

Webb is out?

[Warriorbird]

Yep.

:(

[crb]

Honestly, maybe I'm biased because I'm conservative, but I think the Republican VP prospects are far more interesting (maybe because Obama himself overshadows any potential VP).

Politically though I would question picking a man from Indiana when your candidate is from Illinois.

The perfect Obama candidate is a moderate to conservative democrat (aka "blue dog democrat") with foreign policy experience. A veteran if possible, from the South, and someone who hasn't put his foot in his mouth and or otherwise disqualified himself through an existing scandal or connection (the list of people who have done that already is ridiculously long). Someone with executive experience, a former governor, is good as well.

The funny thing is, if you put that into a computer one of the top matches would be Bill Clinton (military requirement aside).

I believe he's taken himself out of the running, but Ed Rendell would be a good choice I think. As much as I like Bill "Goatee" Richardson, I don't think they'll do a "black/brown ticket." I really do like Richardson, I find him moderate and level headed, and I think Obama doing so well in the primary more or less shows Race isn't going to be a big factor in the election, but I can just see Obama's handlers playing it safe and picking and old white guy as his running mate.

Still, it would be interesting, Richardson would help in the southwest, a little in Florida, and through the western mountain states.

[Ashliana]

I was rooting for Webb. ::sigh::

Oh well.

[ClydeR]

It's all about PA, OH and MI. Beyond those three, you can concoct some weird scenarios, but that's where votes will matter the most.

[Kembal]

Webb and Strickland took themselves out. Clark is likely a no at this point (he would've been good too, but there was too much of a brouhaha over his point about McCain's experience). Richardson's unlikely. Biden's probably a no. Nunn's too old.

I think it's down to Sebelius, Clinton, Edwards, and Dodd. Dodd's mortagage thing is going to hurt, Edwards's been the VP nominee once, and Sebelius is a terrible speaker. (I don't think she could be the attack dog role that a VP nominee needs to be)

Clinton would actually be awesome as the VP at this point (she shores up every weak point Obama's got, and there's no question she became a very good campaigner from March onwards), and it'd end questions about Democratic Party unity in a heartbeat. The two downsides are increased Republican turnout, and of course, Bill. I don't know if she'd take it either.

[Ashliana]

Best VP candidate for Obama? David Sedaris. :heart: (Please don't take me seriously, even though I think the executive would be hilarious).

[ClydeR]

Honestly, maybe I'm biased because I'm conservative, but I think the Republican VP prospects are far more interesting (maybe because Obama himself overshadows any potential VP).

I think McCain is struggling to find a way to pick someone other than Romney. But not matter how you look at it, all signs point to Romney.

Ridge? I think not. He is pro-abortion, and McCain can't afford to pick a pro-abortion running mate. Ridge said recently that, if chosen as the VP, he would support McCain's position on abortion. But given the higher than usual probability that McCain's VP will become president, that's not good enough.

Crist? No.

Sanford? He might be good, but McCain should be able to carry the south without having to pick a VP from this region.

McCain's decision must be influenced by PA, OH and MI. That means Romney or Ridge, and Ridge is out because of his abortion position.

So says Clyde.

[crb]

Webb and Strickland took themselves out. Clark is likely a no at this point (he would've been good too, but there was too much of a brouhaha over his point about McCain's experience). Richardson's unlikely. Biden's probably a no. Nunn's too old.

I think it's down to Sebelius, Clinton, Edwards, and Dodd. Dodd's mortagage thing is going to hurt, Edwards's been the VP nominee once, and Sebelius is a terrible speaker. (I don't think she could be the attack dog role that a VP nominee needs to be)

Clinton would actually be awesome as the VP at this point (she shores up every weak point Obama's got, and there's no question she became a very good campaigner from March onwards), and it'd end questions about Democratic Party unity in a heartbeat. The two downsides are increased Republican turnout, and of course, Bill. I don't know if she'd take it either.
Edwards would be horrible... can't stand him.

Clinton is never going to happen.

1. How can Obama claim to be "new politics" with 2 clintons as his running mates?

2. If Obama loses Hillary is better positioned for 2012 if she doesn't join his ticket.

3. Personal Animosity. Yes yes, Romney and McCain traded barbs for a few weeks in January. Clinton and Obama traded them for months and months. Much harder to reconcile, and how do you do it in the press? Every bad thing Clinton said about Obama would come back to haunt the campaign.

4. Does Obama really want to govern as a presidential tribunal?

The sad thing, for Dems anyways, is that it really would work for the populace at large, it'd be the most voter friendly combination, but it just isn't going to happen.

Oh... and lets not forget all the Baggage. All of their shady dealings would come back. The gift of making parts of Utah protected to bailout his rich Indonesian mining friends, all the secret donors for his presidential library. Everything Bill has done since leaving office, and the shit he did his last day in office, would all come roaring back. Obama then becomes part and parcel, just another sleazy politician (though his flips lately have started painting that picture already) and it derails pretty much the central theme of his campaign.

[Ashliana]

If McCain picks Romney, it's a deal breaker. I'm a fiscal conservative/social liberal, for the most part.. but the social aspect is by far more important to me. Romney is completely unacceptable. I've seen what kind of governor he is, and cannot in good conscience put him in the White House.

[crb]

Really Ashliana? Not that I would have ever pegged you for voting for McCain anyways, but really, Romney is too conservative?

I mean... Mass is a blue state, and he DID get elected. During the primary he certainly ran to the right when he realized that was McCain's weakness, but... still... he did get elected in a blue state.

[Ashliana]

Really Ashliana? Not that I would have ever pegged you for voting for McCain anyways, but really, Romney is too conservative?

I mean... Mass is a blue state, and he DID get elected. During the primary he certainly ran to the right when he realized that was McCain's weakness, but... still... he did get elected in a blue state.

Yep. My ideal candidate would have been Ron Paul. He was a little too conservative for me on abortion rights, but I agree with him on so many other things that I could've overlooked it.

Romney always came off as a sniveling, typical "say anything," insincere politician. But I saw what he chose to do during the end of his governorship in Mass--gay rights is another hot button issue for me, and he took the completely wrong side.

He cried foul when the state supreme court made their decision, and cried when Massachusett's elected body of representatives decided not to vote on the issue (tabling it) until the next session, effectively killing the mindless "I WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO ENFORCE MY RELIGION" voter's initiative.

He went off about how the legislature was "bypassing the democratic process," which is bullshit. They're the people's elected representatives. The people did have a democratic recourse--simply don't re-elect those representatives again.

He's basically the type that can't separate government and religion and will use whatever means--the judiciary or the legislature--to enforce their beliefs/opinions down the minority's throat, which I just can't stand.

[Kembal]

Obama may have no choice on Clinton. But like you pointed out, Bill is the real problem. I suspect they may refuse to get vetted based on that alone.

I still think the best pick for Obama is Clark, even with the comment he made.

As for McCain, it's down to Romney, Pawlenty, and Crist, in that order. If McCain picks Romney, Obama better pick a good debater/speaker to be the VP nominee. That VP debate will be hilarious when Romney gets taken apart.

[Clove]

Best VP for Obama? Bill Clinton- that way Hillary could wrack up more executive experience by being the wife of a former President AND former Vice President for next election.

[Ashliana]

Best VP for Obama? Bill Clinton- that way Hillary could wrack up more executive experience by being the wife of a former President AND former Vice President for next election.

Win.

As a sidenote, can a former president that maxed out his two terms even RUN for Vice? Because there's a chance the President could die/resign, and the vice would get a third term, which is against the constitution. I'd guess not.

Edit: Looks like there's been conjecture about this (RE: Bill Clinton) since 2000~ish.

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=313115

[ClydeR]

I still think the best pick for Obama is Clark, even with the comment he made.

Clark has a nice resume, but he is awkward in public. I think he's slow.


As for McCain, it's down to Romney, Pawlenty, and Crist, in that order.

Oh yeah, I forgot about Pawlenty. Pawlenty is good geographically. Crist would be an absolute disaster. Ab-so-lute.


If McCain picks Romney, Obama better pick a good debater/speaker to be the VP nominee. That VP debate will be hilarious when Romney gets taken apart.

Obama has to pick first.

[crb]

Romney did very well in the GOP primary debates. The guy is smart, and a good speaker.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Win.

As a sidenote, can a former president that maxed out his two terms even RUN for Vice? Because there's a chance the President could die/resign, and the vice would get a third term, which is against the constitution. I'd guess not.

Edit: Looks like there's been conjecture about this (RE: Bill Clinton) since 2000~ish.

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=313115

The law is that a president can't serve more than two consecutive terms, if I remember correctly.

By that line of thinking, Bill Clinton could have ran as a President or Vice President at the same time that Kerry did. He could have three or more terms, but no more than two terms can be consecutive.

[ClydeR]

As a sidenote, can a former president that maxed out his two terms even RUN for Vice?

No one is eligible to be vice president unless he meets the eligibility requirements to be president. It's in the 12th Amendment.

[Ashliana]

That is true, Clyde, but I think that refers to the "must be 35, born an American citizen, etc" requirements.

Responding to Narc--the 22nd says no one "shall elected to the office of president" more than twice. Apparently Reagan wanted to repeal it, and Bill Clinton wanted to amend it to say "consecutively," which is probably where you're getting that idea.

[Apathy]

Evan Bayh is the best VP for Obama to help him win over moderates.

[crb]

I must say I'm a fan of term limits.

[radamanthys]

I wish they existed for congress, as well.

[Clove]

Win.

As a sidenote, can a former president that maxed out his two terms even RUN for Vice? Because there's a chance the President could die/resign, and the vice would get a third term, which is against the constitution. I'd guess not.

Edit: Looks like there's been conjecture about this (RE: Bill Clinton) since 2000~ish.

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=313115I was wondering the same thing myself. Since the Constitution only limits him from serving another term (and doesn't require him to retire from all political offices) my guess is he COULD serve as VP but could NOT be in the Presidential line of succession. Which would mean if Obama couldn't fulfill his office the Presidency would go directly to the Speaker of the House. Nancy Pelosi, heaven help us, and that would be Bill's one fatal flaw as running mate. If Obama dies, Nancy becomes President.

And if you consider being in the line of succession a mandatory duty of the VP... then what about Speaker of the House, or any of the other offices (cabinet positions such as Secretary of State) in the line of succession?

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

That is true, Clyde, but I think that refers to the "must be 35, born an American citizen, etc" requirements.

Responding to Narc--the 22nd says no one "shall elected to the office of president" more than twice. Apparently Reagan wanted to repeal it, and Bill Clinton wanted to amend it to say "consecutively," which is probably where you're getting that idea.

Ah good to know.

That does muddy the water but I think Clyde may be right and that would encompass all amendments relating to presidential candidacy requirements, not just the early ones?

[Clove]

Depends on how you interpret it.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Depends on how you interpret it.

Hence, that was just my own interpretation.

[Clove]

Hence, that was just my own interpretation.Yes, it's just that the 22nd Amendment never says a former President of two terms is ineligible to assume the Presidency. It says he cannot be elected President. Splitting a semantic hair? Absolutely, but that's not uncommon when interpreting law.

[ClydeR]

If this article (http://www.nationalenquirer.com/sen_john_edwards_caught_with_mistress_and_love_chi ld_in_la_hotel/celebrity/65193) is true, then it looks like Edwards won't be Obama's VP choice.

[Parkbandit]

LOL. I had Edwards nailed as an ambulance chaser... Now he's a skirt chaser.

IF it's not true, he should sue the shit out of them. If he doesn't sue them, then the story is probably true to a degree.

[Warriorbird]

I'm glad it won't be Edwards.

[Keller]

LOL. I had Edwards nailed as an ambulance chaser... Now he's a skirt chaser.

IF it's not true, he should sue the shit out of them. If he doesn't sue them, then the story is probably true to a degree.

You had him nailed?

What powers of prediction! Was it his highly successful personal injury practice or his highly successful personal injury practice that tipped you off?

[Gan]

If its true then the coverage will be entertaining to watch.

:popcorn:

[crb]

Thank god, Edwards is a huge douche.


... I think Bill Richardson is looking more and more likely. He's got foreign policy (if not military) experience, is a moderate and is well liked. He appeals to hispanics, obviously, but his downside is, of course, that he will not help obama with the hillary voters that much. The blue color white guys.

[BigWorm]

Thank god, Edwards is a huge douche.


... I think Bill Richardson is looking more and more likely. He's got foreign policy (if not military) experience, is a moderate and is well liked. He appeals to hispanics, obviously, but his downside is, of course, that he will not help obama with the hillary voters that much. The blue color white guys.

Richardson was in Clinton's cabinet so he at least has some ties to them which may help out a bit. Honestly I think Richardson would be a very solid pick. He really seems like he could be a great statesman. However I don't think the VPs will make much difference in November.

[crb]

I don't think Obama's will, because his shortcomings are, in the end, substantive based, and the leadership, judgement, and experience of the guy second in command isn't really a big deal. If Obama isn't going to listen to petraus out of fear of being labelled a flip flopper (again) why would he listen to a presumably more experienced VP?

In contrast, McCain's shortcoming are more of the smooth showmanship type, and against any other politician McCain would look like a rockstar (what other presidential candidate has been in an R rated movie?), but Obama puts him to shame in that regard. McCain could really shake things up with a bold pick like a Jindal or a Palin.

Of course, his OTHER shortcoming is fundraising, he has truly worked for reform and that has put him at odds with many of the big money people, so in that case, Romney would be a good pick.

and oh... Richardson is now Judas to the clintons remember? I don't think loyalty because he worked with Bill will bring over Hillary people.

[Daniel]

The sheer amount of convincing it must take for you to get through the day is astounding.

[crb]

Nothing to add Daniel?

[Parkbandit]

Nothing to add Daniel?


When does he actually add anything? You're in for a long ass wait if you are asking that of him.

[Daniel]

Nothing to add Daniel?

Nope. I don't conjecture.

I'm more than happy to talk about how people being worried over Obama winning is tanking the stock market.

[Daniel]

When does he actually add anything? You're in for a long ass wait if you are asking that of him.

Irony.

[Parkbandit]

I imagine crb is still waiting.

What a dope for expecting that out of Daniel.

[Daniel]

It's alright. I'm stilling waiting on a lot of things out of you.

[Parkbandit]

It's alright. I'm stilling waiting on a lot of things out of you.


I already told you I wasn't interested in swapping nude photos. Take a hike perv.

[ClydeR]

Obama is spending two consecutive days in Indiana this week. According to Certain People, he is likely to name Senator Evan Bayh from Indiana as his VP either tomorrow or Wednesday. Indiana is a swing state this year. They're probably hoping that Bayh will also help Obama in the neighboring swing states of Ohio and Michigan.