Weighing Obama’s V.P. Options
With the Democratic race all but sewn up, if Barack Obama hasn’t begun the search for a Vice President yet, the process will be underway soon.
In fact, a Democratic activist says that Jim Johnson, a former Fannie Mae CEO who helped screen prospective VPs in both 1984 and 2004, has accepted Obama’s request to begin the selection process for the No. 2 spot.
We have no way of knowing for sure who’s in the running, but we have some ideas. Leave us a comment and let us know what you think of these choices for Vice President - or if we’ve left off someone you think is worthy.
Who will - or should - Barack Obama choose as his Vice President?
New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton
Pros: Tenacious. Seen it all, done it all. Talk of “dream ticket” still resonates with many voters who have invested heavily in this contentious campaign.
Cons: As divisive as they get, plus there’s some hostility from Obama’s camp. When you suggest that your opponent is unprepared to lead, that’s to be expected. Also, Michelle Obama is not a fan of the idea.
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson
Pros: Has major Cabinet-level and national security experience. Governor of a critical state. Member of key demographic group — Hispanics. His huge endorsement during Rev. Wright mess gave Obama a boost.
Cons: Bill Richardson can be an uneven campaigner, doubts about his ‘00 and ‘04 V.P. vetting linger - and putting an African-American and Mexican-American on the ticket at the same time might (sadly) give pause to some.
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell
Pros: This could be the one. A popular figure in a key state, he helped deliver Pennsylvania for Hillary Clinton. A plausible president, and a smart, tough and respected party Democrat not tied to any particular constituency. Would embrace Obama loyally and undoubtedly help the ticket.
Cons: Little national security experience.
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland
Pros: Similar to Rendell in many respects. Helped win Ohio for Hillary, plus he brings a Christian background could bridge the “God gap” for Dems.
Cons: No national security experience, barely into first term as governor.
Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards
Pros: Popular, charismatic, experienced with national campaigns, well-liked among working-class white voters Barack Obama struggles with.
Cons: Did not prove effective in same capacity in 2004, and John Edwards‘ distant third this primary season raises doubts about effectiveness.
Delaware Sen. Joe Biden
Pros: Long record on national security and foreign policy. Actually walks the fine line and can be both an affable attack dog and likable!
Cons: Gaffe-prone. Very gaffe-prone.
Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd
Pros: Distinguished, well-liked, well-spoken and capable.
Cons: Old-school New England liberals are not a group the Democratic party has a hard time attracting as it is.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Pros: Executive and private sector experience. As a former Republican, Michael Bloomberg would make the ticket truly ideologically balanced.
Cons: Democrats might not go for it and Obama hasn’t won the nomination with a mandate allowing him to make such a bold move. Obama also doesn’t need the money … or help winning the New York metro area.
Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel
Pros: The well-respected, experienced Republican has toyed with the idea of waging an independent candidacy of his own, and stands apart from the GOP on one of the most important issues of this election: Iraq. He’s chief executive material, and Obama-Hagel would be the ultimate national-unity ticket.
Cons: He’s a Republican. The party would be livid.
Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner
Pros: Private sector and executive experience in key state that could still go Obama’s way. Shares message of change and has won votes in rural areas. Was talked about as a candidate for president himself at one point.
Cons: Currently running for U.S. Senate.
Former South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle
Pros: Veteran Washington insider. Knows how to win in red state environment.
Cons: Veteran Washington insider. Not effective as attack dog.
Florida Sen. Bill Nelson
Pros: Moderate from a key swing state.
Cons: Not well-known outside Florida … and might not even be able to deliver that.
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine
Pros: Put Virginia in the blue column!
Cons: Too bland, not too experienced.
Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey
Pros: Another moderate Democrat from a key state, Casey would be a safe, popular and plausible choice.
Cons: Obama’s chances are decent in Pennsylvania regardless, and Casey wielded weaker influence than Gov. Ed Rendell there.
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano
Pros: One of the first women in the country to back Obama, could make John McCain’s home state very competitive in November
Cons: Insiders touting a female vice president not named Clinton seem to think another red state governor has the edge. Segue alert …
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius
Pros: Another early Barack Obama supporter who is very well respected, and potentially brings Kansas into play
Cons: Still a little unknown, and Obama’s problems in the primaries may necessitate a Rust Belt governor or Washington insider.
NATIONAL
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Obama has some great options! I have always preferred Edwards but I see AG for him. Hagel sounds really intriguing. wow, think of the possibilities!
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I don’t know if you go to Robert Rouse’s but he posted the dossier on this and It is quite interesting
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:00 pm
It’s all moot. Sadly, the Dems don’t stand a chance, as demonstrated below:
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/77fde4da5e
May 22nd, 2008 at 11:30 pm
IF HRC does not get the nomination, then the VP spot really doesn’t matter, as there is no way Senator Obama is going to win any GE; this will simply be another huge McGovern loss for the Democrats.
Actually, I find it pretty audacious of Senator Obama to be looking for a VP, when he hasn’t won the nomination yet!
Don’t be surprised if HRC takes her fight to the convention in August and ends up being the nominee.
May 23rd, 2008 at 5:32 am
Former Governor of Virginia Mark Warner, Governor of New Mexico Bill Richardson, or Governor of Arizona Janet Napolitano are all good to me. Chuck Hagel would be great but Obama doesn’t have that kind of pull with the Democratic party. I say go with Janet. She isn’t on the list but I am sure most Hillary supporters could get behind that and you’d deliver Arizona (McCain’s homestate) to the Dems in November.
May 23rd, 2008 at 10:21 am
Hillary would be an albatross for Obama’s “change” agenda. Obama-Clinton ticket would be a nightmare. Sooner he dumps her better for his campaign. He is doing the right thing by completely ignoring her temper tantrums.
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:19 pm
I would not vote for Obama if Jeasus himself would be his VP
As a Hillary supporter, I do not want Hillary to be his VP, for Obama will bring us much despair, our country will be destitute with him and his actions will only bring us more economic struggles and I do not want Hillary to be blamed…for the media has tried to destroy her and also has protected Obama who is a Radical Racisist Anti-American Supporter. His Associations have just recently been made know. Thanks to Fox! CNN and Msnbc and the Abc’s station have given him a free pass on everything. What a lack of responsability for Obama would not be where he is now if we all knew what he really and who he really is. This media has been irresponsible and now we are stuck with this RAdical RAcist andti-American supporter…. His associations tell you who he is and what he will do…Never never never would I vote for this hypocrite who said he denounced his Preacher, friend and mentor of Twenty years, and who now wear the flag pin…all this is self serving and that is exactly what he is.
Millions feel this way and I suggest that If Hillary you are a Hillary supporter, just write in her name as President at least she loves America! and if you feel strongly about McCain, well yes definately vote for him., he is also an All American and we can trust him…
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:21 pm
You all Obama LOVERS say he will bring change…. YES HE WILL THE
WRIGHT CHANGE!!!
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Obama=Wright, Farrakhan, Ayers
Obama=Radican Racist, Anti-American,
Obama=Michelle Miserable woman who gives litanies of complaints against America
Obama will be the first president that want to talk to our enemies, could it be he has a special connection?????
46 years old…Did he give his life for his country or will he take the life out of our country?
Wake Up America! don’t say you were not warned!
May 23rd, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Edwards..he truly is concern for the poor..$400.00 haircut
Lets see his tax returns? How much taxes did he pay and how much did he give away to the poor? He lives in a 28,0000 sq ft home and of course he cares for the poor… I guess supporting an eletis is his way of showing how much he cares for the poor, middle America and blue Colar workers… I guess teaming up with Obama the man that has his nose so high up in the air his spit fall on his nose… Yes Edwards cares after all he supports Obama
who thinks the poor people, midldle class people, working people cling to thier guns and religion becasue they feel less and have no jobs and suffering…. Funny how Edwards would support Obama and not Hillary considering Hillary is the peoples choice, oh the non eletis peoples choice…..
May 24th, 2008 at 3:54 am
Who cares? We are doomed if he gets the nomination anyway!
May 24th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
at first, i thought how outlandish that the media constantly highlights the large percentage of HRC supporters who are uneducated.. after reading the comments here and elsewhere from her supporters all these many months, i’m finally convinced that it’s TRUE!!
i’ll leave you all a nice quote from Mark Twain:
“It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.”
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Barack: Unify the country, not the party.
If Barack Obama wants to make a transformative impact on the politics of this country, he will start with his choice in Vice President. This choice will say a lot about him. Whether he’s truly seeking someone who will complement him ideologically and otherwise to help win over those that do not trust him. Whether he can stand up to the strong enclaves of power within his own party and look to what’s really right for him, his team, and the country at whole.
Hillary Clinton is a brilliant woman, a strong leader and a good public servant, but Hillary Clinton is not the right VP choice for Barack Obama. Even though this “dream team” may unite the party for a moment, it will fraction it further in the long run.
And at the end of the day, it’s not just the democratic vote Barack needs. He needs the independent vote, the vote of people who are pro-family but are concerned about gas prices, the economy; the vote of antiwar Republicans that are upset with their party. He needs to show that he understands their moral concerns, and can bridge and foster dialogue in areas where more is needed.
This two party system must evolve with the needs of the country, and Barack can champion that evolution with a solid if controversial ticket that truly showcases a solid team that can lead the country, not just half the country.