According to various media reports, the Barack Obama presidential campaign is starting the vetting process in their search for his running mate. Only Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) would confirm that he has been asked to provide more information to Obama’s search team.
Dodd told the AP that the search team has made inquiries, so we can safely add Dodd to the shortlist. The Connecticut Senator does fit the comments of campaign manager David Plouffe who has said that Obama’s running mate might not be selected for geographic purposes only.
Interestingly two of the other names rumored to be on the shortlist made the rounds on the morning shows today. John Edwards was on ABC’s Good Morning America talking about Phil Gramm’s comments, and McCain’s Iraq policy, and Bill Richardson was on Fox and Friends, CNN’s American Morning, and MSNBC’s Morning Joe. Richardson talked about Iran, FISA, offshore drilling, the Hispanic vote, and Phil Gramm.
The two women said to be on the list wouldn’t say if they were being vetted. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas said that it up to Obama, and Sen. Claire McCatskill (D-MO) said that she would not talk about it, and Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) said that he has not been asked for information. Judging from the fact that Sebelius and McCaskill wouldn’t answer the question, and Richardson and Edwards are everywhere on television, it is a pretty safe bet that they are all on the list.
It looks like the Obama campaign is targeting a running mate who might help in a state, but also appeal to a group of votes. McCaskill would help in a tight Missouri race, and Sebelius is from Ohio, where her father served as governor. They also would both appeal to female voters. Richardson would appeal to Hispanic voters, and help in the swing state of New Mexico, while Edwards would boost Obama with white men and lives in North Carolina which is a state that Obama is trying to flip.
These are five really good choices, but if I was to rank them, the list would look like this:
1). John Edwards
2). Bill Richardson
3). Kathleen Sebelius
4). Claire McCaskill
5). Chris Dodd
Statement Issued and Released
Statement Issued and Released on the world wide web at http://www.goclaire.4t.com
Contact information:
Jeff Kenkel co-chairman Honjeffkenkel@yahoo.com
Cell 417 380 2530 or cell 417 336 9496 home
Dear Barack Obama:
It has to be McCaskill to win!
1. Claire McCaskill needs to be the Vice Presidential Candidate to capture the female vote in November.
2. As Missouri goes so goes the nation. JOHN MCCAIN 50%
BARACK OBAMA 44% John McCain leads Barack Obama in Missouri , according to the latest Rasmussen Reports survey. When “leaners” are included in the survey, McCain leads Obama 50% to 44%. When just solid supporters are tabulated, the results changes slightly: McCain 48%, Obama 41%. Clearly Claire McCaskill as a dynamic campaigner can turn that around and help win Missouri and other states with her down home talking.
3. To run a real campaign based on “Change” having two candidates who are outside the beltway and that have not only the feel but the real pulse of the people.
Mr. Obama Please consider Senator McCaskill this week as you make your decision.
Thank you and enjoy your vacation time.
Sincerely,
Jeff Kenkel
###
[Reply]
Edwards has all but taken himself out of the race. Richardson has shown that he really does not have the chops for a nationwide campaign, same for Dodd (who was one of my favs in the primary). And either Sebelius or McCaskill is going to look like a “I really don’t want Clinton” choice. If he picks one of them without an agreement from Clinton it is going to be ugly. I am still hoping for Clark.
[Reply]
With his recent comments there will be no Clark as VP. Edwards now says he wants the job. Except for Dodd and his Countrywide mortgage it could be any of the other 4.
[Reply]
DENNIS KUCINICH for V.P. !!!
[Reply]
Dennis would make a great VP. Sadly, the Obama people seem to be moving to the right instead of the left. We need a real liberal in the White House.
[Reply]
I disagree with choices 1, 2, 3 and 4.
I don’t think Obama will pick Edwards because of Edwards comments during the 3-way debate with Clinton, and also Obama won’t want to be “outshined.”
I don’t think Obama will pick a woman for vice-president. At this point he is not going to go against the traditional grain, and he has been proving this lately by moving more and more toward the center.
Richardson? Not likely. Obama is having a tough enough time trying to win over male white voters, and would not likely throw another “minority” into the mix.
Wesley Clark as the previous poster says? I like Clark too, but he’s too vocal in disagreeing with the bush crowd. I’m betting Obama won’t want to inflame his opponents (at least not too much).
I believe Obama will go as conservative as possible. A good bet would be a 55 or older minority friendly, well liked, middle-of-the-road “conservative” probably from the south or south central U.S. to help grab as many as possible southern votes while not offending the “yankee” voters.
Chris Dodd is also possible, I do agree with #5.
Choosing a veep is a make-or-break deal for Obama and is a real tightrope walk. Obama’s got to pick a veep who has chutzpah and reflects Obama’s beliefs while still remaining relatively conservative and traditional as to not offend too many voters, yet not appear too conservative or stodgy.
This is not going to be an easy choice for Obama.
[Reply]
I agree with the Dennis Kucinich suggestion–but I think we all know that just aint gonna happen.
If I were Obama, I would be looking for three key elements in the running mate search:
1. appeal to women (note: this doesn’t actually have to be a woman, but certainly someone with an UNDISPUTED record for championing women’s rights)
2. someone with name recognition, and a reputation for having a great deal of “experience”
3. with the recent moves to the right Obama has taken, he might want to pick someone that is noticeably more ‘liberal’ than he wants to be (for balance, and to keep liberals on board)
If Clinton is not an option, I’d probably pick Edwards. Arguably, Edwards is more powerful today because he LOST. Many, many people only found out about his message of anti-poverty and working class pride after there were only two candidates left in the primary, and they were compared to Edwards often. Sadly, Edwards’ message was drowned out by the media hysterics focused on Obama and Clinton (Bill Richardson suffered in the same way–which is a shame, because I think Bill is a pretty good guy). Plus, John Edwards brings along Elizabeth Edwards, who is a strong, confident, and inspirational personality, who is not afraid to openly speak of her devotion to national health care, women’s rights, gay rights, civil rights, etc.
Who knows what will happen. I agree, we need a REAL LIBERAL in the White House. I’m just not sure this will be the year for that…
[Reply]
My vote is Joe Biden (not on this list but could be the best choice).
His recent appearance on Meet the Press as an Obama surrogate was very impressive. He’s very knowledgable in foreign affairs, well respected and would beat anyone the Rethuglicans can bring on when it comes to a VP to VP debate performance.
[Reply]
I think you are missing out by not putting Bayh on the list — he has the perfect image for Obama’s campaign and a lot of people could envision him being a heartbeat away from the presidency. The other candidates are good, but I think some of them have played their hand already — like Dodd and countrywide, Biden and his infamous speech copying, Edwards, who is great, but already ran for VP once, and sounds too radical,…. It will be Bayh — plus he was a big Hillary supporter — the final checklist for Obama’s consolidation of the party.
[Reply]
Well there is no evidence that Bayh is being seriously considered. If you look at the list above of people that are being vetted right now, there isn’t single Clinton supporter in the bunch. I think that gives us a hint about which way Obama is leaning towards.
[Reply]
His top five should include Gov. Tim Kaine, Gen. Wesley Clark (who has taken a great deal of unfair critisism lately), and, though it is pipe dream of mine, Sen. Bob Casey. I for one am worried about PA this year, nobody has forgotten the guns and religion comments, and 1 out every 4 rural Pennsylvanians still believe Barack is a radical islamist.
[Reply]
This time of year, you read so much BS on the topic of running mates that it was good to read your thoughtful comments. I don’t necessarily agree with those 5 names as the short list.
My guess at the short list
Richardson
Biden
Sebelius
Hillary
Jack Reed
Chuck Hagel
maybe Sam Nunn
maybe Anthony Zinni
Anyway, interesting discussion, keep up the good work
[Reply]
Jack Reed for VP
[Reply]
Jack Reed is an interesting name, but these are five people who have made it to the vetting process. That’s not saying that more people can’t be added, just that this is where it seems to stand right now.
[Reply]
DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS,DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS,DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS,DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS,DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS,DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS, DENNIS,
and the chants start.
[Reply]
He is the subject of my latest installment of the Pro and Cons series:
http://www.politicususa.com/en/Pros-and-Cons-14
[Reply]
Joe Biden, hands down!
The man has been on a charge for the past couple of weeks and he’s been spectacular!
Brian Schweitzer would be my second VP choice. Then Richardson, Sibelius, et. al.
[Reply]
My thoughts exactly! Biden has been absolutely spectacular!
[Reply]
Joe Biden, I would love to see him as the Democratic VP this election. Love his candor and he is a great speaker, tons of experience, Foriegn policy is his forte and don’t forget that he has taught Constitutional Law for the past 20 years, in this time when our constitutional rights are being thrown out with the bathwater it would be refreshing to have a VP who is not only well versed in its contents but a believer in their duty to uphold what is written there. This girls dream ticket? OBAMA/BIDEN. Oh what a happy girl I would be!
M.F. Atlanta, GA
[Reply]
Two names period:
Gore or Kerry almost won both times. Buyers Remorse
[Reply]
Gore gives you CO, NM, AK, CA
and maybe TN, FL, NC
[Reply]
I KEEP MY HEART
[Reply]