George Clooney.

First of all, voters only look at the top of the ticket. VP may matter marginally in some stats. It's a more important choice symbolically. Despite over blown claims that he is a partisna (he'd only a partisan in the sense that he belongs to the party), he has worked successfully in a divided Senate, particularly with Sens. McCain and Dole.
He's spent decades in Congress. He knows the ropes. He'd be the perfect lobbyist for Obama. He will be 77 in 2016, but as we're learning that doesn't seem to be as much a disqualifaction as it used to be.
Oh, and did I mention he knows how to raise money.

Most importantly, I believe the CW is wrong. Obama should not pick a runningmate with overwhelming foreign policy credentials. It only emphasizes the perceived inexperience he has in such matters. Nobody wants to think that the VP will be in charge of foreign policy and nobody wants to think that the VP will be the chief foreign policy advisor. This is especially the case after VP Cheney's term in office.

Daschle's post-congress lobbying activities might throw a wrench into the whole thing , however.

1) Sebelius 1a) Daschle, but I need to learn more about Sebelius.

I do not understand the unhealthy fascination with an Obama/Clinton or Clinton/Obama ticket among some pundits. I am in Omaha, Nebraska and cannot tell you how many people have expressed their intense passionate hatred towards Hillary Clinton. It is irrational. It is insane. It is also quite real. If Clinton wins the nomination, then Obama should bide his time and run against John McCain in 2012. Obama would be well served with Tom Daschle as VP. Daschle would help him get workable compromises in the Senate as LBJ was able to help JFK. No Democrat has won Nebraska since 1964, but an Obama/Daschle ticket would have an even chance of winning Nebraska, South Dakota and Kansas (among many others.)

O' and shouldn't Colin Powell and Sarah Palin be on McCain's list. Both would seem like obvious picks depending on the outcome of the democratic contest.

It was just one step short of crazy-town to leave Mark Warner and Jim Webb off of Obama's list. Webb is by far the likeliest pick, and as Virginia currently has a democrat governor both senate seats are safe. (Warner could stay on the ballot) That said, something about Obama's rally in Kansas said "ticket" to me. Virginia is already trending purple and Warner's run will probably push it over into blue. Which leaves Obama free to pick up Kansas (Sebelius has a 70% approval rating) and reward the women voters he's lured away from Clinton. Also a candidacy who can turn both Kansas and South Carolina blue (he lured enough new African American voters into the process their to have swamped Bush's 2000 margin of victory) makes all other considerations moot.

Obama/Webb

Now THAT'S a dream ticket.

Chris,

I am surprised more people didn't comment on Mark Sanford - Governor SC. With 6 years in Congress and in his second term as Governor, Sanford would not only balance McCain, he would be a formidable candidate 4 or 8 years out.

Hypocrites for Obama - All this talk about unity, reaching out, and no more divisions.

You seem more than willing to trash the majority of your own party that supports Hillary Clinton.

You may be new to politics, but you seem to be catching on fast.

rightwingprof wrote:
Reddish state? I see you've never been to Indiana."

Along those lines, Indiana has voted for the Democratic nominee for President four times in the last 100 years:
- 1912 (but only because TR split the GOP vote - Taft and TR combined got almost 48% of the vote, Wilson got just over 43%)
- 1932 (but Hoover still got almost 43% of the vote, 4% better than nationally)
- 1936
- 1964 (where Goldwater ran 5% better than nationally)

Further, on only three other occasions did Indiana vote for the Dem nominee since before the Civil War (1876, 1884, 1892). I don't think you could call that 'reddish'.

Check out this video at a town hall meeting in Arizona where 2 attendees challenge McCain on illegal immigration (anchor babies).

McCain refuses to answer the person who asks the question, then his staff ejects a second constituent (sounds like Michelle Dellacroce of Mothers Against Illegal Aliens to me, LOL!) who presses the issue.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1073039/dont_ask_mccain/

In order to win the GE, a democrat must first win the south. The only way to do that is to have a southerner on the ballot. That is one reason why Edwards would be a smart bet for Obama. Of all the dem candidates, the Republicans didn't want to have to face Edwards in the GE. He is a fighter and has a lot of support still out there.

An appeal to Democratic Party voters in caucuses and primaries.

I appeal to all my democratic American brothers and sisters who are voting in the caucuses and primaries to select their presidential nominee. This appeal comes from a person from India, the biggest democratic nation.

Destiny awaits you. The greatest day in American history awaits you. The annals of history wait to be rewritten, provided you choose Hillary Clinton as your presidential nominee. Thus, for the first time in your history you won't have to say Americans never had a chance to elect a woman president. It doesn't end here.

I also appeal to Hillary Clinton to request, choose and declare Barack Obama as her vice presidential candidate. And I also appeal to Barack Obama to accept it in good faith, for better and not for worse. Thus, again for the first time in the history of this great nation you won't have to say we never had a black vice president.

KILL TWO BIRDS IN ONE SHOT! I wonder which Republican combination can challenge such a great duo.

Even in India we had woman prime minister and now president. And prior to as a nation, we had Queens like Rani of Janshi and others. Who have said that women are bad leaders or politicians? Why Americans have to shy away from electing a woman president? I know Americans are good people and they will all unitedly rise up to the occasion to elect a woman president and a black vice president, thus creating a new history in the history of this great nation.

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

From:

Ivo Oscar Faleiro.
Goa - INDIA.

Contact: ivofaleiro@gmail.com ; ivofaleiro@yahoo.co.in

PS: Please pass this appeal to all your American friends without fail and especially to Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton. God bless you all.

Clinton has one choice - Richardson. He's Hispanic, an executive, lots of real experience in lots of areas. He would moderate the centrists dislike for her and, most importantly, bring the Hispanic vote. He is the only one the calculating Clintons can choose.

Obama choice will be Richardson for all the same reasons except for the overt calculation part.

Romney's toast. Republicans realize they can't win with him.
Like someone wrote, conservatives picked the wrong conservative to be the anti-McCain.

McCain has a ton of choices. It will be an executive, i.e., governor. Look for Pawlenty first. MN will likely go with a Dem for governor next. It moved way left in the last 2-4 years. Sanford sounds intriguing, but he's from the south, and, therefore, not providing any geographical advantage. I think that is very important in voters perception. Carcieri sounds like a better fit for McCain than Romney. Right geographically, too. Very tough to pick this one.

A slight aside - the prospect of Edwards as the A.G. will scare a ton of Republicans to vote against either of the Dems. I think the Dms are nuts for salivating about this. Talk about a stark and galvanizing moment for those mad at McCain's nomination. This will smack them upside the head in a hurry. Thanks Dems!

jimoneill50, There has never been a popular move to amend the Constitution on this issue:
------------------------------------
"No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States."
------------------------------------
Until Schwarzenegger, there was never a potential candidate who made the issue relevant. Kissinger was momentarily thought of as interim VP after Agnew and rejected on this ground, but otherwise it never has been discussed 'til now.

Were "Ahnold" ten years younger, I have no doubt an "Amendment Movement" would gather steam. It may, anyway.

I don't think Clinton or Obama would name a black or female running mate. There'd be too much historic change on one ticket, sort of a change overload for the voting public. I don't think Clinton or Obama would name another Senator, especially one from a state with a Republican governor, for the simple reason they wouldn't want a possible replacement being a Republican with the party breakdown in the Senate being so close. I think Clinton would name a governor from a state that more often than not votes Republican for president. I think Obama would name someone with foreign policy experience, but I have no idea who that would be given the parameters I've already listed. Perhaps Obama would name Sam Nunn as his running mate? I don't see McCain even considering Romney as a running mate, but I could see Romney naming McCain to shore up his lack of foreign policy experience. Given McCain's apparent unpopularity among the conservative GOP establishment and his long friendship with Fred Thompson, I could definitely see McCain naming Thompson as his running mate. This may be why we have not yet seen Thompson endorse McCain, so as not to give the impression that a deal has been reached between them.

Is there any reason why a VP (eg. Gore) couldn't be both VP and, say, head of the EPA?

Re the fact that Arnie and Martinez are not eligible:

Now I am not American, and I know that the constitution is very important to Americans, but do none of you think that it's strange, if not silly, that if you are born outside of the US you can be a governor or senator, but not president?

Hell, I even read somewhere that technically McCain is not eligible to be president!

I think it flies in the face of the fact that America is truly a nation of immigrants.

Why can't it be that if you are a US citizen then that's enough?

I see Obama squeaking out Clinton as the electability question starts to swing in his favor. I can't think of a better running mate for him than Joe Biden. He's steeped in experience and foreign affairs, and... if you recall Joe's little misstep at the outset of the campaign that was blown into a very disproportionate critique of his insensitivity etc, it would show great character and largess of spirit for Obama to pick him. Also, about John Edwards: would anybody make a better Attorney General? Here's a guy straining at the leash to take on Big Money... it'd be sweet.

I see Obama squeaking out Clinton as the electability question starts to swing in his favor. I can't think of a better running mate for him than Joe Biden. He's steeped in experience and foreign affairs, and... if you recall Joe's little misstep at the outset of the campaign that was blown into a very disproportionate critique of his insensitivity etc, it would show great character and largess of spirit for Obama to pick him. Also, about John Edwards: would anybody make a better Attorney General? Here's a guy straining at the leash to take on Big Money... it'd be sweet.

I see Obama squeaking out Clinton as the electability question starts to swing in his favor. I can't think of a better running mate for him than Joe Biden. He's steeped in experience and foreign affairs, and... if you recall Joe's little misstep at the outset of the campaign that was blown into a very disproportionate critique of his insensetivity etc, it would show great character and largess of spirit for Obama to pick him. Also, about John Edwards: would anybody make a better Attorney General? Here's a guy straining at the leash to take on Big Money... it'd be sweet.

I nominate Ben Nighthorse Campbell for either McCain, Clinton, or Obama: Bridge builder for both parties, Native American, conservative Democrat. Imagine, a Native American as V-P....Little Big Man.

Runner-up: McCain/Rice but only against Hillary. A strong female African-American could blunt the democrats and she has conservative appeal in foreign policy, national security, and she is a Bushie. (good and bad, I admit)

Clinton-Obama: Gives BO eight years of experience and maturity to be a formidable candidate for democratic president in 2017.

Chris, your picks for Sen. McCain are spot on. Eventually, it'll likely come to Thune or Huckabee. Add Charlie Crist as a darkhorse pick and you've got your shortlist.

The Romney veep possibilities are a bit strange though. Carcieri hails quite close to Romney's Massachusetts base plus he's not conservative enough for the ticket. Talent is impossible since he lost re-election in 06. For Romeny, how about Jim DeMint?

For BHO, Sebelieus and Kaine seem two of the more likely choices though I'd think he'd favor somebody with more national security experience and gravitas like a Biden, General Clark or perhaps even Clinton (though there's no way she'd take it.) I doubt Edwards would be on either ticket. He simply wasn't outstanding in 04 as a veep and he wouldn't be considered now.

Unless HRC gives in to the speculation and energy displayed on Thursday and goes with BHO (believe it or not, it could happen), I think it's between Bayh and Clark with Bayh with an edge because of his relative youth.

For Clinton - Rendell.
For Obama - Biden or Dodd.
For McCain - Rudy or Sonny Purdue
For Romney - Jeb Bush or Rick Santorum.

For those who bring up our Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer as a veep possibility. Two reasons why not:

1. Schweizter doesn't want the job.

2. He has a Republican lt. governor. Montana's legislature is split with each party holding a one-vote majority in one house. If the next election produces a tie, (we had one the election before last)the party of the governor retains control, assigning committees, setting agenda, etc.

Schweizter is not going to do anything that would allow GOP control in State government.

An appeal to Democratic Party voters in caucuses and primaries.

I appeal to all my democratic American brothers and sisters who are voting in the caucuses and primaries to select their presidential nominee. This appeal comes from a person from India, the biggest democratic nation.

Destiny awaits you. The greatest day in American history awaits you. The annals of history wait to be rewritten, provided you choose Hillary Clinton as your presidential nominee. Thus, for the first time in your history you won't have to say Americans never had a chance to elect a woman president. It doesn't end here.

I also appeal to Hillary Clinton to request, choose and declare Barack Obama as her vice presidential candidate. And I also appeal to Barack Obama to accept it in good faith, for better and not for worse. Thus, again for the first time in the history of this great nation you won't have to say we never had a black vice president.

KILL TWO BIRDS IN ONE SHOT! I wonder which Republican combination can challenge such a great duo.

Even in India we had woman prime minister and now president. And prior to as a nation, we had Queens like Rani of Janshi and others. Who have said that women are bad leaders or politicians? Why Americans have to shy away from electing a woman president? I know Americans are good people and they will all unitedly rise up to the occasion to elect a woman president and a black vice president, thus creating a new history in the history of this great nation.

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

From:

Ivo Oscar Faleiro.
Goa - INDIA.

Contact: ivofaleiro@gmail.com ; ivofaleiro@yahoo.co.in

PS: Please pass this appeal to all your American friends without fail and especially to Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton. God bless you all.

Granholm was born in Canada. Out.

I meant Governor Easley of NC not Hunt.

Also, this site lists superdelegates and other major endorsers for each candidate.

http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/

Chris

Any reason to dismiss Clinton - Ed Rendell (Gov-PA)?

Just because PA borders NY doesn't necessarily mean it is not possible (Clinton-Gore).

VP candidates cannot outshine the nominee so the general idea is for a "light weight" who has regional not national appeal. Also, domestic issues are coming on so foreign policy will not be a top priority. A governor to balance the ticket is likely to be more important. Richardson becomes the all-star pick because he has both. More likely to go with Clinton (as it would be more difficult to have a hipsanic and african-american on the ticket at the same time).

While Strickland is a first termer- he is immensely popular in Ohio and could help with PA.

Also, Ritter (Gov-CO) and Hunt (Gov-NC) are wild cards on the Dem side.

Sen. Blunt was not exactly popular in MO when he left. Romney could do better.

Sebelius and Kaine were on my list for Obama. On Clinton, I also had Granholm (Gov-MI) and for Obama I had Doyle (Gov-WI) as well though he is not a clean figure but from a key state.

A couple of more things about Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius. Her maiden name is GILLIGAN as in the daughter of former Ohio governor and US Rep. John Gillian. She still has strong ties to monied Ohioans.

And as tempting as Ohio governor Ted Strickland may be--he is more so because he is an ordained minister.

Chris you picked a bunch of lightweights for both. Come on -get in their minds.

Clinton is hard core -she'd pick another pro-war hardass, but one from her corps of donors and one easily put in his place. Of the Benjamin Netinyahoo calibre.

Obama will choose one of great worldly experience and strength, a heavy weight well respected by many -not a Wesley Clark type -more like a Volker.

Look for VP's not 'like' them but attractive opposites.

Well, let's see...For McCain the choice for VICE president is obvious. Larry Craig, who adheres to the military's beloved "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" dictum, as well as having a wide stance on many issues.

For Romney, the choice is equally clear: Condoleeza Rice...nicely balancing the Romney empty head/empty suit sporting nothing but deep pockets with a similarly-challenged empty (air)-headedness, demonstrated incompetence...but great taste in shoes and she accessorizes well.

Clinton's already got a vice president all locked up. Hillary!

And Obama? I don't know...He's an enigma. How about "Dirty Harry" Clint Eastwood to lock up the fascist vote...or David Duke.

Congrats, Chris, on all your great work! :-)

Clinton/Clark sounds ideal to me.

Obama/Webb is a ticket that would give McCain less room on national securirty creds & VA is a state Dems would love to carry. Only prob is having 2 sitting senators on same ticket.

Bill Richardson was such a recent flop. The VP pick should have more charisma.

I'm here representing Virginia, and I'm kind of troubled about what people are saying.

1) We need Jim Webb to stay in the Senate: he was a fantastic windfall of a candidate, and he is not replaceable with the current crop of VA Dems vying for office. VA's Dem universe just doesnt have those kinds of potential winners hanging around.

2) We need Mark Warner to stay in the race for the Senate. A post-1994 Democrat leaving office with an 80% approval rating? This Warner could have the respect and longevity of the last Warner. He will be of far more value to us there.

3) Tim Kaine is a good man. I proudly called knocked and mailed for him. But his experience isn't of the kind Obama needs: he's been the mayor of Richmond, the Lt Gov and the Gov. Limited and very domestic. I'd like him to run for Eric Cantor's seat, because if any Dem can win it, Kaine can. But I think he'd thrive in the international arena, where he could develop or demonstrate skills that would make him a better candidate on the Big Card.

Bill Richardson compliments Obama perfectly. He has all the international and domestic experience you could ask for, and all the right kinds too.

Gen. Clark should also be listed among potential VP candidates for Obama. Though they have no previous ties, it's imperative that Obama add someone like Clark to boost his national security credentials.

yancee said:

"I think General Pace would be a great option for Governor Romney. Obviously strong military background and equally strong moral convictions."

Shalikashvili has better credentials because he properly questioned the force necessary to occupy Iraq. And his morality is based on accepting the golden rule, also controversial, but correct.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/02/opinion/02shalikashvili.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

All of you have forgotten the fact that anyone who is picked as a running mate must have the potential to be a presidential candidate in 2016. Picking someone who is on the older side like Richard Lugar, Bob Graham or Joe Biden won't work.

The Democrats have to choose someone with more national legislative experience or executive experience. I am inclined to pick Bill Richardson for either candidate. He obviously wants to be president and has a heck of a resume, but is young enough to wait for a turn in 2016.

As for the Republicans, the party elite have decided to reward McCain for his loyalty, even though they personally dislike him. So bring in Romney as VP. He is a religious conservative with executive and business experience. It fills in McCain's holes.

I think General Pace would be a great option for Governor Romney. Obviously strong military background and equally strong moral convictions.

S/F

YMH
Frmr. Sergeant of Marines

Charlie Christ with John McCain. Sam Nunn would be a great pairing with Obama. 24 years in the Senate. Georgia. Enormous credentials in foreign affairs. The aura of 'older, experienced insider' that made Cheney the choice for Bush. Age would be the only drawback, but no health problems and younger than McCain.

What, Republicans can't select a woman like Bay-Hutchinson or Pallin?

Huckabee would be a perfect fit for McCain.Hillary could put the South particularly Arkansas in play and this would eliminate that. Huckabee would also excite the evangelical base who put Bush over the top in 2004.But perhaps most importantly it would complete the marginalization of McCain's critics on so called conservative talk radio.
If it isn't obvious to them Limbaugh and Coulter and Hannity have held almost no sway over the Republican party this year.So called "fiscal conservatives" are such a small fraction of the Republican base that it doesn't really matter if McCain snubs them or not.
The media wing of the Republican party has thrown everything they have at McCain and Huckabee in support of Willard and had no success.
Limbaugh recently said that the Republican party would be completely different if McCain or Huckabee won.Why is that a bad thing?
Perhaps Limbaugh,Coulter and Hannity might consider reforming the Whig Party because after this election they will be completely irrelevant.

Another note, when either Obama or Clinton lose, I think neither will accept Vp but try for the govenor's mantle in their respective states. I would place a 100% bet on Obama going for the govenor's mansion in Illinois before another Presidential bid rather than the Vp spot.

Reddish state? I see you've never been to Indiana.

Charlie Crist is an absolute lock as McCain's running mate.

Hillary has been pretty chummy with Senator Bill Nelson of Florida.

Obama will probably go with Richardson or McCaskill although wouldn't it be great if he could talk Al Gore into taking his old job back.

optimyst said:

"...after watching Richardson in the debates and his speeches, I'm shocked he's still being mentioned as a VP candidate."

All of us who watched him fumble through the debates and even his MTP appearance agree. Those of you who are still pushing this definitely are star struck by his resume.

I was for him before I was against him. I was astonished by his lack of TV presence.
But he was impossible as a TV personna.

Richardson for Clinton or Obama, hands down. Clinton wont call attention to the war with the general. Edwards 0% chanced of VP; he screwed up too mauch last time. Dems need the hispanic vote to win.

Richardson hasnt endorsed because he wants to be picked by wither one of them, and he will be.

Edwards hasn't endorsed because he wants a different job, knowing he wont get VP.

Republicans Huckabee, hands down for either. He has legions of volunteers, caters to social conservatives, which neither McCain or Romney has street cred with and is an evangelical.

Both of these candidates have that goofy uncle quality that is good in a VP, non threatening to the Presdiential candidate and a bit of comic relief in the campaign.

Goofy Uncle Govenor, with a pan US following, evans or hispanics, is better than war monger, senator, or continued Presidential candidate a la Edwards 04.

Richardson or Huckabee no matter who wins.

The facts...Not a Washington Insider doing the same thing for years as a politician, Romney has a sophisticated understanding of the challenges we face in both the national and global economies. He is a highly educated and successful leader in business making money by turning around floundering companies such as Staples and helping to produce thousands of jobs, understands the importance of people, organization, research, planning, communication and direction. He was class valedictorian at BYU, MBA and LAW degree from Harvard. While Governor of mostly Democrat Massachusetts, he brought the fractured constituencies together and they became the first state with a universal health care plan that seems to work, official figures indicate that roughly 200,000 previously uninsured residents have gained health coverage, a 45 percent drop in minimum premium costs and a 34 percent reduction in the uninsured. He took no salary at all as Governor because as he said, I have enough. He lowered state taxes, most of what Romney raised was in the form of fees, not taxes, such as court filings and firearm licensing fees. But he also closed loopholes on corporate taxes. Increased funding for education, Massachusetts students ranked #l in the nation in education. Increased penalties on drunk driving. Never supported the release of criminals convicted of serious crimes. Never was first to bring up religion. He turned around MA's economy from deficit to surplus, balancing their budget in less than 4 years. How dare he do his job well and for no pay on top of it!!! When the Salt Lake City Olympics crumbled under corruption/scandal and financial disaster he went to Salt Lake, took over for a one dollar salary, saved the Olympics and made it profitable. He led a massive security mobilization at the Olympics in the wake of the 9/11 attack and, as governor, helped build up Massachusetts' homeland security efforts. He supports a strong military. He is concerned about illegal immigration and what it means to the security of the United States. He wants to retool America and bring the jobs back home. I can certainly understand liberals hating Romney, after all he's been married to the same woman. He's from a close knit family and values family first. Regarding his flip-flopping on big issues? He may have flipped but not flopped! Everyone, and that means everyone in politics makes mistakes, gets to change their mind once after gaining more knowledge, and most politicians seem to change more than once. Stand all of the candidates up next to each other in a direct comparison of what they really have done and then vote for the best person to make good change and run the country in the right direction.

My 9:01A sould have been addressed to

"jon.morgan and seward".

Another interesting idea:

[During their debates]

BHO offers McC SecDef.
McC offers BHO AG.

or

HRC offers McC SecDef.
McC offers HRC HHS.

seward,

If Arlen Specter wanted to finish his career as AG he could do so for either Party's Admin.

The Ds would be more motivated to appoint him - his vacated Senate seat would be a plum.

Bob Kerrey would be a brilliant choice for VP with BHO, IMHO.

Clarke is an analyst, not an administrator. He could be National Security Adviser in either Admin - his field is counter- terrorism and he is nominally an R who has served both Ds and Rs in the past.
DHLS is an administrative nightmare and may not be workable - but Colin Powell was widely hailed for his management at State.
He might bite the bullet that is DHLS as a duty to his country.

If Hillary wins in a close race with Obama, the pressure to make Obama her running mate will be overwhelming. They looked fabulous side by side at the California debate. To not choose Obama could easily be seen as dissing the youth activists he has energized and the African American community. Clinton-Obama is the strongest ticket she could put together--it gives a great number of groups a good reason to vote for it.

If Obama wins after a close race, he can't pick Hillary. It doesn't work in the opposite direction. But it would make great sense for him to pick someone close to the Clintons in the interest of party unity. Wes Clark to give national security heft would be great. Bill Richardson doesn't work--two first-time minorities might alienate lots of white voters. Evan Bayh might work. An off-the-wall choice would be Bob Kerrey (despite his remarks about Obama's Muslim links). He's been a governor, senator, soldier, university president, 9/11 commission stalwart--was always a maverick willing to work across party lines. Obama-Kerrey would really look like the future.

what, you forgot McCain / Lieberman, ?
oy.

I was trying to brainstorm last night who might be good for a Democratic cabinet:

Agriculture- Tom Harkin
Attorney General- Barney Frank/Patrick Leahy (John Edwards never served on Judiciary while too many compelling senators and representatives have)
Commerce-
Defense- Chuck Hagel/Bob Kerrey
Education- George Miller
Energy- Jeff Bingaman? Barbara Boxer? Carl Pope
FCC Commisioner- Amy Goodman (a fixation of mine)
Health and Human Services- Howard Dean?
Homeland Security- Richard Clarke
Housing and Urban Development- Earl Blumenauer/Jack Reed?
Interior- Brian Schweitzer
Labor- Sherrod Brown/Bernie Sanders
State- Joe Biden
Transportation- Earl Blumenauer/Parris Glendening
Treasury- Jon Corzine/Dodd? Robert Rubin
Veterans Affairs- (If you think Kerry would take this job, you're nuts)

John Kasich is totally irrelevant. He's been out of office for 8 years. And those persistent gay rumors...

Bob Graham was one of Bill Clinton's 3 VP finalists, along with Gore and Lee Hamilton.

John Danforth would be one hell of an interesting choice who'd probably fit relatively well with McCain. But I think he's probably too old and unwilling to do it. Given his aggressive advocacy against religion in politics the last couple years though, he'd worsen McCain's problems with the GOP base.

Sam Nunn?? Ugh.

George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton are both left-handed. I believe Ross Perot is too. Most lefties are right-brained, but some are left-brained.

Chris, very disappointed you missed the obvious Obama VP pick (if he can be convinced)

JIM WEBB

how's that for "change?" (ex republican)
sourtherner, from purple state, wildly popular with white males. (who might otherwise go Mccain) and would absolutely KNEEcap anyone trying to go after Obama on national security/foreign policy.

Biden would be ok, but Webb is the best by a mile.

I believe Obama has already said (wisely) that he'd choose a VP with strong foreign policy credentials.

of course the Edwards sweepstakes might change the equation.

but Edwards should be Attorney General, a PERFECT job for him.

Mel Martinez of Florida would be a good choice for McCain (assuming there are no skeletons in Martinez's closet). Martinez
would throw a big wrench into the Dems plans -- he would fracture the Hispanic vote (esp. effective if Obama can grab the
Dem nomination) and put ethnic flare onto the lily-white Rep ticket to balance what will certainly be a ethnically or gender-wise or both novel Dem ticket.

hmmmmm

Well McCain will suffer the boring Bob Dole and lose for the Republicans. The focus is the economy and he is all about foreign policy...so he is out of touch.

Clinton/Obama will win no matter what.

Obama as the nominee needs a strong foreign policy person to take the win.

Romney could balance his lack of foreign policy by getting Dr. Condoleezza Rice as his VP. Think about it the Republicans putting the first Woman and Black on the winning ticket of a Presidential race. She is smarter and tougher than any of the main 4 running for president and would be the key to the republicans winning in November!

peace

wes

I would also add AZ Gov Janet Napolitano to Obama's list. She is a two termer from a purple state that is winnable by the Dems. I am not sure there are too many other choices out there that could provide the valuable electoral votes of a swing state like Arizona.

For McCain or Romney, I also see Kay Bailey Hutchison as a strong choice. The Republicans are not going to want to pick a white male, especially if the Dem ticket consists of some mix of black/woman/Hispanic. Sen. Martinez might be a strong choice for John McCain.

Oh, and for McCain, a great VP would be Huckabee. He's decent and honest, opposed to outsourcing. Best of all, as VP he would stick it in the eye of the hysterical feminists that inflicted Clinton on us to begin with.

bokonon13 _ Evidently you don't listen to us "Clinton haters". If she is on the ticket, our votes go somewhere else. Now, I am/was am an Edwards advocate but so far Obama looks like someone I would vote for. I, and about 1/3 of Democratic voters, don't trust the Clinton's as far as we can throw them and don't want either them anywhere near the White House ever again. We will vote and donate and work accordingly. It looks like the Republican's have some common sense and will nominate McCain. Our votes will go to him. He's wrong on Iraq, but right on the environment, health care, illegals, gun control, foreign policy in general, and corporate corruption. Given a choice between another Ronald Reagan and a crook, we'll take Reagan every time.

MCCAIN - If Clinton doesn't take Obama, McCain should take former 4-term African American Rep. J. C. Watts. He has always been a favorite of the far right, plus he also shores up the evangelical side (he was previously an associate pastor before becoming a congressman). He's run a successful business, is an eloquent speaker, and rose to the #4 position in the GOP while in Congress. He's a friend of Sen. McCain as well, and at 50, offsets the age issue.

At this point I would be sorry to see Clinton-Obama, whereas when the race began - so long ago - I would have found that acceptable. Hillary lost whatever chance she once had for my support with her initial assumption that she was entitled to the nomination, followed by her -and her husband's- words and behavior since she lost the Iowa caucus. (the full list would include many smaller events along the way, including but not limited to her choice of a Celine Dion song as her campaign theme.)
If she is the nominee, I might vote for McCain, although he has been pandering a bit much to the far right for me to be totally comfortable with him.
In that case, I will write in Obama, or Bloomberg (assuming he's not already on the ballot) or someone else. I have tried, but I'm not able to respect Hillary enough to vote for her.

Re: executive experience:

IMHO, the concept is just downright stupid when it comes to the presidency. Having been a CEO, a VP several times, the idea that being an "executive" in the private sector being a plus is just downright stupid.

Here's why: being an elected official cannot be equated to being a CEO of a corporation or a VP for that matter. The biggest reason is that a corporation is more akin to the military than it is with an elected position. Corporations are NOT democracies -- they're more akin to dictatorships. A CEO does not need the permission of anyone to hire X, unlike a president who has to get Congress' approval to put X in certain positions. And whereas a board can fire a CEO at will, U.S. presidents must go through an impeachment trial. So this "executive experience" argument is bunk. Executive experience in the private sector in no way can be comparable to being president of the U.S. So all of you who use this argument should just throw it out.

And re: the subject of a governor vs. a senator, or a Clinton/Obama or two senators being a stupid ticket -- give me a break. Go back to your history books.

The fact is that JFK and LBJ battled brutally for the nomination, and they ended up on the same ticket. The rest, as they say, is history.

I think Obama needs an experienced hand(like Bush did with Cheney), oh...boy that didn't work out well. But either a go getter Governor or someone just out of office. No Senator's. I really think Seblius.
Clinton needs someone who projects honesty, something she and Bill lack. Also a Governor. Richardson for her, if he can stand working with Bill and Hill again.

McCain has a strong need to cover his butt with a known conservative. That eliminates a lot of names mentioned here. Graham(Lindsy) is anathama to conservatives for some reason.
I think Sarah Palin of Alaska is great, she's smart, a corruption and pork barrel fighter and a conservative through and through. Pawlenty is very good. I would like to see Crist, but the rumours would kill him off(especially if Hillary is the nominee).
But if he wants a really totally acceptable conservative....Sen. Tom Coburn(THE most conservative man in the Senate) or Brownbeck. Even Rush Limeballs would sit up and take notice on those 2.

And we forgot Rufus' choice for BHO: Dodd.

Why not?

Laim, Arthur Branch is borderline on the "TOO OLD" issue with McC.

But I think he would be an acceptable choice.

People dismiss the possibility of an Obama-HRC party unity ticket way too quickly.

Sure, Obama-HRC would be formidable in the general election. More importantly, the VP position isn't the same job that it was 7 years ago. Cheney has transformed the office. It simply has more prestige and influence, i.e., power, then it ever did in the days of Gore, Quayle, Bush Sr, etc (the days most people's calculations seem to draw from). A strong administrator, someone like Hillary Clinton, could use this expanded office to her own advantage . As a post-Cheney VP, and with a pretty laid back executive officer, Hillary could have much, much more influence than she now has as a junior US senator.

Assuming she loses the presidential nomination to Obama, her odds of being the party's VP nominee are high.

On the other hand, because Bill would be the de facto VP in any HRC campaign/administration, Obama would be a fool to run as her nominal second. He'd have more influence as a US Senator, and, after serving 8 years as Bush's, sorry I mean Hillary's, poodle, he'd seem more weak than promising.

Since the beginning I thought Mark Warner with Obama. He brings executive experience and a great record. Apart from foreign policy he brings to the table a lot of what Obama needs.

I remember Senator Webb hammering McCain minion, Senator Lindsey Graham on Meet the Press. He would clearly hold his own. If McCain is the GOP nominee, Webb must strongly be considered for either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton.

CC... I'd be very interested in your thoughts on Biden.

You obviously didn't just leave him out because you didn't think of him... so I'd like to know what the rationale was... Secretary of Defense or State?

I'd think he would sure up Obama nicely... White, experienced, strong on Defense... it is balance Obama needs.

For McCain, Fred Thompson would be a natural choice for VP. They were close friends in the Senate. Thompson may not have done great on the campaign trail, but he was respectable and still carries the "conservative" label, and really, a VP doesn't have to do much except be supportive.

Romney would probably pick Jeb Bush, if he could get him. Romney just loves the guy (even if nobody else wants another Bush in the White House).

I haven't seen Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida mentioned as a possible VP. I don't think he or Gov. Crist can be counted out. I think either is more likely than Ted Strickland or a GOP governor from the south. The governors of Tennessee and North Carolina are intriguing possibilities for the Dems.

How about John Kasich for McCain? He is the former Chair of the Budget committee AND from Ohio. Tom Ridge would be a good choice especially if McCain isn't the nominee. Rice or Steele could be good choices for McCain. Didn't Pawlenty and Richardson both say they would complete their terms?

You also have to think about other factors like age (Sam Nunn,Phil Bredesen)or how their name sounds(Huckabee,Schweitzer).

How about John Kasich for McCain? He is the former Chair of the Budget committee AND from Ohio. Tom Ridge would be a good choice especially if McCain isn't the nominee. Rice or Steele could be good choices for McCain. You have to think about other factors like age (Sam Nunn,Phil Bredesen)or how their name sounds(Huckabee,Schweitzer).

The Democratic VP will be Bill Ritter from Colorado

the convention is in his own back yard; the West is trending more blue than any other region

he has executive experience and he is an outsider

McCain-Strengths:Legislative experience, Foreign Affairs, Appeal to independents
Weaknesses:Domestic/Economic Affairs, Appeal to fiscal conservatives, Appeal to evangelical conservatives
Rob Portman
Charlie Crist
Mike Huckabee
Haley Barbour
Tim Pawlenty
Romney-Strengths:Domestic/Economic Affairs, Appeal to fiscal conservatives, Appeal to faith voters
Weaknesses:Foreign Affairs, Appeal to evangelical voters
David Patreaus
Condi Rice
Mark Sanford
Bob Riley
Newt Gingrich
There is no way McCain and Romney run on the same ticket.
Hillary-Strenghts:Policy wonk, Legislative experience, Domestic Affairs
Weaknesses:High negatives, Polarizing, Seen as too political
Evan Bayh
Bill Richardson
Ed Rendell
Ted Strickland
Tom Vilsak
Obama-Strengths:Change candidate, Judgement, Appeal to independents
Weaknesses-Legislative experience, Foreign Affairs
John Edwards
Jim Webb
Jack Reed
Tom Daschel
Ben Nelson
If the Democratic primary goes much beyond Feb. Hillary may have to pick Obama as her running for party unity, Because of Bill's strong presense Obama will never chose Hillary as his VP

Ooops -- I meant "right brained." Left-handed people are right-brained and conventional wisdom is that they tend to be very creative.

First - I have to comment on this left handed thing. I can't believe that Drindl, Mark, and Jim are all left handed. Now if bsimon and the judge are also left handed...hmmm. I am a right handed person married to a lefty who is definitely right-brained. What's puzzling is that you guys don't seem left brained at all!

Now to comment on Mark's post re: LA Times endorsing Obama. SF Chronicle did, too, btw. Funny, but the biggest complaint that moderates and Republicans have in CA is that our major papers are way too liberal!

Denver Post, a more moderate paper, just endorsed Clinton. They endorsed Romney yesterday.

Optymist - good points on the Biden assessment re: Secretary of State. You do know he and Hillary are very good friends?

But I disagree with you on Bill being de facto VP. He will go back to his foundation which has been fighting poverty around the world to help create his own legacy. Will he support her? Sure. But if Hillary is elected, she will overshadow him in the history books so he will want to make sure that he does great things separate from her. He's the one with the ego, remember? So I don't buy it at all.

Zouk, any idea how long it takes before the system thinks it's a time out and renders a post an error? (Why do you and Drindl egg each other on so? Are you guys best friends and the rest of us just don't know it?)

Vice Presidential Picks for

Republican Presidential Nominees:

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (Well liked
and fills conservative vacuum for voters)
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (wants to run)
Lou Dobbs ( a super smart guy)

Vice Presidential Picks for
Democratic Party Presidential Nominees:

Senator Ben Nelson (Dems need moderates)
Senator Evan Bayh (Proven popularity)
Senator Byron Dorgan (Investigated Enron
case on TV)

mark, 'Fiskars' and closer to Tennessee orange I'm afraid (what can I say--they were a gift). It's nice to have scissors that work...the dexterous just can't understand the thrill.

When I was in charge of a datacenter we kept a daily log in a binder...and I directed the holes be punched on the 'wrong' side so the right-handers had to prop their hands over the rings for once.

Or is it "fluffer?" I must get this right.

Obama should pick Sam Nunn, former Senator from Georgia. Nunn is a respected foreign affairs expert. He would provide good balance as an older, white, Southern moderate.

Good summary, optimyst.

Let me add Spectator to Judge, bsimon, and proud as my cultural reference gurus.

Fluffy. hmm.

Really great thread here today. Lots to chew on.

Several comments:

First, from my perspective as a Floridian who did not vote for Crist. There's been a lot of innuendo here, but I'll give my unqualified praise to his skills as a governor after 8 long, long years of Jeb Bush.

Second, Bill Clinton will be de facto VP in all but the constitutionally reserved functions. It will be ceremonial for the de jure occupant, so expect Hillary to select someone who is not a heavyweight, so scratch Obama or Biden.

Third, after watching Richardson in the debates and his speeches, I'm shocked he's still being mentioned as a VP candidate. His tendency to put his mouth in gear before thinking makes him a potential train wreck, or at the very least a distraction during the fall campaign. He's hispanic, a western governor and all that, but the reality doesn't match the paper resume.

Fourth, for those who think Biden is too important in the Senate, he was ready to leave to be Kerry's SecState in 2004. Delaware's governor is ready to appoint Biden's son to continue the Biden legacy and more importantly, to keep the seat safely blue.

malis, if you are still checking in, are your scissors burnt orange, or some none Texas color?

I may be with you on MDH as VP - I think the same thoughts you do. But I will work that through if, as, and when, and I will write to McC imploring him not to pick MDH.

Mcain and Romney no matter which one wins should pick Jeb Bush or Pat Robertson as a running mate. Sec. of State Condi Rice would also make for an excellant running mate, she's both black and woman, something the mainstream news media would feast on against both Obama and Hillary no matter which one of them wins on Dems side.

McCain-Strenghts:Legislative experience, Foreign Affairs, Appeal to independents
Weaknesses:Domestic/Economic Affairs, Appeal to fiscal conservatives, Appeal to evangelical conservatives
Rob Portman
Charlie Crist
Mike Huckabee
Haley Barbour
Tim Pawlenty
Romney-Strengths:Domestic/Economic Affairs, Appeal to fiscal conservatives, Appeal to faith voters
Weaknesses:Foreign Affairs, Appeal to evangelical voters
David Patreaus
Condi Rice
Mark Sanford
Bob Riley
Newt Gingrich
Hillary-Strenghts:Mastery of issues, Legislative experience, Domestic Affairs
Weaknesses:High negatives, Polarizing, Foreign Affairs
Jim Webb
Evan Bayh
Bill Richardson
Ted Strickland
Tom Vilsak
Obama-Strengths:Change candidate, Judgement, Appeal to independents
Weaknesses-Legislative experience, Foreign Affairs
Webb
Bayh
Richardson
Tom Daschel
Ben Nelson
If the Democratic primary goes much beyond Feb. Hillary may have to pick Obama as her running for party unity, Because of Bill's strong presense Obama will never chose Hillary as his VP

rpy1, simply that Arizona is turning pink rather than RED because of the influx of Californians these last several years. Even when red, it was always more moderate than the traditional red states.

And yes, Napolitano is in her second term, but I don't see Obama picking her as the veep. It would be too risky for him, esp. having pushed the domestic partnership benefits in her state. The Republican Rumor Mill would have a heyday resurrecting the lesbian charges. However, I could see him appointing her AG. She'd be a shoe-in since she gained her fame as attorney general for Arizona.

How about Obama-Oprah :)
I like the idea of Obama and Caroline Kennedy but we are talking about what is possible aren´t we?

I think Richardson is the most logical VP choice for Obama. He provides foreign policy experience, helps with Hispanics and in the Southwest, and would symbolize something of an olive branch towards the Clintons. Daschle and Kaine make sense, too. Biden is also a possibility, and while that would be my personal dream ticket, Richardson brings similar experience plus other advantages that Biden doesn't have (ethnicity, geography, relationship with the Clinton wing of the party). I'm cool with that, though - Obama/Richardson in '08! Biden for secretary of state.

McCain - Jack Kemp

Posted by: kat7 | February 1, 2008 06:13 PM

McCain and Colin Powell...

Posted by: kclark2 | February 1, 2008 06:15 PM

Kemp is even older than McCain and Powell is only one year younger. McCain cannot pick an elderly running mate.

...to make one on-topic post, I agree with the conventional wisdom that very few voters make a decision based on the VP. This election, however, has one exception.

Given his age and despite how robust he may be today, McCain's VP has a higher than typical chance of assuming the Presidency. I've said before that, although I favor Obama, I'm willing to let McCain convince me. Mandatory, however, that his VP be fully qualified and able to serve as president.

Most of the names offered in speculation today are qualified (at least qualified to grow into the job).

Exception is Gov. Huckabee. He disqualified himself early through his rejection of the scientific method, and reinforced that disqualification with his statements about the need to change the Constitution to be in accordance with his interpretation of God's law.

Huckabee as VP disqualifies McCain as President, at least for this voter.

A recent report supposedly said Obama is the most Liberal senator in congress.

Is there a corresponding report that tells us which member of congress is the most conservative.

Poor Barry Goldwater over 40 years ago was a conservative favorite and we all know where he ended up.

Time for a reprise!

mark, but here on my desk is a pair of orange-handled, left-handed scissors (orange so they stand out), and they work just fine.

Listen Chris, can you take a hint?
SENATE LINE SENATE LINE SENATE LINE

McCain and Colin Powell...

Clinton - Obama
Clinton - John Lewis (Rep. GA)

McCain - Jack Kemp
McCain - Pawlenty

If you want real experience you must consider:
Laura Bush
Betty ford
Babs bush
Nancy reagan
Rosslyn Carter

I know, Dem arguments taken to their logical conclusions are always funny.

above is from Wikipedia.

Obama just picked up the endorsement of the CA Service Workers Union - they had backed Edwards.

BHO and McC got the LAT endorsements.

Bye for now.

Sam Nunn ~~ in office from 1972 to 1997. Will be 70 years old in September.

rb42 ~ Webb would appeal to Dems (he is apoplectic in his dislike of GWB and his war) but his name recognition is too narrow nationally and he does bring a bit of old baggage from his Sec. of the Navy days. Jay Rockefeller is an interesting thought. No idea how that would play out either from the standpoint of 'fit' or being from an inconsequential state (WV).

Believe this: Bill Richardson is on the phone right now negotiating with both D camps for a second spot on either ticket. His obvious appeal is both the Latino vote (think CA) and the four state southwest which is regarded as up for grabs on Tuesday.

Any combination of Clinton/Obama is never going to happen. Neither would accept the other and they have too many 'chits' to pay back.

Edwards as VP on either ticket is never going to happen. Damaged goods that couldn't even carry his own state in '04. Cabinet position? Much more likely.

Sam Nunn? Interesting thought but how old is now?

Any combination of McCain/Romney is never going to happen, It is an open secret that McCain personally dislikes Romney.

I long for the day when I can vote for Mamie Eisenhower.

If there is a role for a First Lady as President, isn't Mamie the only choice?

Southpaws are a disadvantaged minority but not recognized in the Civil Rights Acts. We do not complain. We persevere.

Now if we could just make the freaking scissors work.

did I see you all down at Flanders store at the springfield mall?

Maybe Coburn, nett.

POTUS'08 had Zogby on reporting that today McC and WMR would beat HRC but lose to BHO.

Ds have been known to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory before. We will see.

As an indie, I would prefer McC v. BHO.

No way I see McCain choosing Liberman. While I think McCain has some Truman in him I also think that he knows that whomever he picks would be a cofront runner to Romney for nomination in 2012 if he were happen to lose. McCain is an American more than a party man and I don't think he makes a bow to the far right and nominates someone that is palatble to them. I think he goes for someone that will carry on the crusade after he either loses or doesn't run. My guess would be either Coburn or Sanford. Both don't go-along-to-get-along and would be perfect to carry on when he leaves the scene.

...and jimD and claudia...think we have ourselves a trend going here...

hmmm...haven't been around all day but just caught up on "Left-handed" Discussion.

Somehow doesn't surprise me that BHO and mark_in_austin are both sinistre, as I'm a long-time gauche activist myself. }:->

'I am left-handed, as if you couldn't guess from the above.'

me too, jim, as are my husband and child.

I have only one question for Obambi:

If you are such a uniter, which of your extreme liberal views will you compromise on with the repubs in congress to get some legislation through?

One question for hillary?

how much will pardons be this time around?

"Everyone is born right handed, the best among us overcome it."

the same could be said for liberalism.

plus is there any state more important than Florida in the general election?

Yes there is, FL is a reliably R state now. We are more concerned with OH and PA.

It doesn;t look good for Obambi (AL, CO, GA only):

State Clinton Obama Date Pollster
Alabama 35 40 Jan 30 Capital Survey
Arizona 41 26 Jan 24 Rocky+Arizo
California 47 36 Jan 29 Four polls
Colorado 32 34 Jan 23 Mason-Dixon
Connecticut 40 40 Jan 27 Rasmussen
Georgia 36 52 Jan 30 Insider Advantage
Massachusetts 50 35 Jan 30 Surve+Rasmu
Minnesota 40 33 Jan 27 U. of Minnesota
Missouri 44 28 Jan 24 Rasmu+Resea
New Jersey 49 37 Jan 30 Rasmussen
New York 51 26 Jan 26 Gallu+Zogby+Quinn
Oklahoma 44 19 Jan 27 SurveyUSA
Tennessee 59 26 Jan 30 Insider Advantage

Presuming Obama wins I think he has a chance to virtually run Electoral table. And to prove that he is not a typical politician I think he should not just choose someone to PERHAPS get the candidates home state (and that hasn't worked well recently). For that reason I think Obama would do well to choose former US Senator Sam Nunn. He is someone who has the gravitas of McCain, strong on national defense and might be able to aid in cracking the GOP-dominated South. If Nunn declines, then perhaps Jim Webb could give you some of the same thing.

If the GOP ends up nominating Romney then the Dems could wipe out GOP. GOP would have every possible disadvantage money, momentum and having to defend twice as many Senate seats as Dems.

Hey Chuck Norris thinks McCain is too old.

Posted by: ita8111 | February 1, 2008 04:53 PM

McCain said Schwarzeneger would take care of Norris.

BTW - my mother gave me a refrigerator magnet that says "Everyone is born right handed, the best among us overcome it."

I am left-handed, as if you couldn't guess from the above.

First of all, let me say where I am coming from. I am a 65 y/o former Chicago public aid caseworker now living in Albuquerque. I am a Democrat who plans to vote for Obama on Super Tuesday.

The one VP candidate I find totally unacceptable is my governor, Bill Richardson, because of what he did to Wen Ho Lee. Lee was imprisoned incommunicado for 9 months in order to extort a confession to a relatively minor charge in exchange for a sentence of time served. No wonder the North Koreans love him. This is not the man I want trying to tell Americans that the Patriot Act went too far and we need to modify it. He conducted this atrocity before the Patriot Act.

Unfortunately, I think Obama's offering the VP to any woman other than Hillary would be taken as an insult to her. The Oklahoma City group of moderates urged outreach to other parties, and I think McCain may very well do that by running with Lieberman. Were it not for Hillary, Obama's ideal choice would be to reach across party lines and ask Christie Todd Whitman to run with him. But I don't think that is politically possible. I have two other favorites--Sen. Jim Webb of VA is one. He's a DEM now, and hates Bush, which is enough to endear him to Democrats. But he is a former Republican with extensive administrative experience in the Defense Dept, which would help Obama in an area where he is weak. My other choice isJay Rockefeller of WV. The very name exudes solidity and reliability, and Rockefeller is a health care policy wonk, which is an area of prime concern for Democrats this year.

Robert Baker

drindl, VDH needs a proofreader.

Obama/Biden

Forgive me for being politically incorrect, but Obama needs an older white guy with solid foreign policy cred.

Hillary/Bayh
He looks the part, has multiple election wins in a red state and actually wants the gig despite the prospect of Bill lurking in the West Wing.

McCain/Crist
Mac owes him for last minute endorsement, plus is there any state more important than Florida in the general election?

Mittens/?
I can't even go there. If this phoney wins, I'm moving to another country. In any case, after Super Tuesday, he'll be toast.

Proud, do like Lou grant did on his spin-off from Mary tyler moore - put rollers on all your furniture.

when I was a kid my family lived in:
Dayton, OH, Bedford Mass, France, Lansing Mich, boston mass, montgomery al, alexandria VA and maybe some I can't remember.

Ahh, the garden spots of the world.

"the tours of duty averaged two years."

That much hasn't changed for field grade officers. In fact, the higher you get, the more frequent the moves as you know. We'll be moving this summer to another undisclosed location as yet TBD. Being a pharmacist does have it's advantages, career mobility being one of them. And then there's the part about getting to know the rufi of the world. :)

God Bless the USA!!!!

"I don't understand why I sometimes get an error message when I submit a post! "

because the post's site doesn't realize you have timed out until you actually submit. If you are a non-drindl and think about your compostions, you should copy them before you press submit, just in case.

If you are a drindl or rufas, no harm done if your "analysis" dissappears.

femalenick, isn't Napolitano term limited and in her last term? I guess I don't understand where you're going with the comment about her & Arizona being pink instead of red.

[I have gotten error messages, so I am sorry if this is a double or triple post!] I love Webb and voted for him, but truly, the last thing Obama needs is a freshman Senator with less elected experience than he has. Obama currently has more years in elected office than Clinton, counting the state level, and he still gets bashed for inexperience. We don't need to broaden the target. (arguing against myself, Webb IS very strong on the support for the working person and anti-poverty themes as well as the military...but still). I think the line ups above with Napolitano as VP and lots of others in the Cabinet seem more fruitful. Plus, Napolitano would counter McCain in his home segment of the country

the latest intelligence tests and findings have totally discredited that whole right brain/left brain idea. both halves of the brain cooperate on almost all tasks.
Sternberg (2004)

I don't believe Romney will win; and if he does win the GOP nomination; I don't see the electoral math in 2008 working out for the GOP; McCain is there only shot. Romney, if the acrimony died down, could select McCain as his only shot; his (I hate to say it) "Dick Cheney". McCain would shore up his national security credentials and perhaps as VP help gain some independents that McCain would win at the top of the ticket to Romney's ticket. Romney's other choices for VP would need to be a moderate like Charlie Crist of FL (but hard to imagine that one after Crist's endorsement of McCain cost Romney FL's primary). I don't think Romney will win the nomination or the general election if nominated, so I'm done with him for this topic.

Obama has a real shot to overtake Hillary; I think he would be wise to pick a moderate southerner as his running mate. I agree that Kathleen Sebelius would be a decent choice as it would smooth over ruffled female feathers, pick up a governor with executive experience on his ticket, and would place a southern more moderate person on the ticket to balance his claim to the title of MOST LIBERAL senator in the US. But Obama could get hammered on national security in the fall without a strong national security man on his ticket; especially if he is against McCain and terror/war become the biggest issues again, which they certainly could in the months between now and November. Obama could do well with Jim Webb or Joe Biden as his VP candidates on that score; both are considered foreign policy and national security strong. Wesley Clark would be ok, but he is so far up Hillary's skirt that I can't see him being able to extricate himself to another ticket at this point.

I don't understand why I sometimes get an error message when I submit a post! Just disappears into the ether! Does anyone know why? So another attempt:

proud, how great that you can continue your career despite being married to a man in uniform! I was an Air Force brat, and it was extremely rare for a spouse to be able to hold down a career because the tours of duty averaged two years. I'm happy to hear that it's changed.

bsimon, you have me convinced re: Pawlenty. So now I'm predicting:

Clinton/Obama, Obama/Richardson, McCain/Pawlenty.

I'm less sure about Romney, but foreign policy creds will be critical for him. To balance his "ultra-white," picture-perfect Osmond-like family (not a criticism - I was an Osmond fan during childhood), he'd do well to pick a woman or a minority. Condoleeza Rice would be perfect for him; Mark, I do not rule her out at all.

Hillary will not accept an Obama veep offer, but Obama has everything to gain as VP, so if offered (which I think will happen), he'd be a fool not to accept it. She has no fear of being overshadowed -- hell, look who she married! For all the reasons I previously stated, Obama will be her veep if she gets the nomination.

And for all those wishing for an Obama/Napolitano ticket - no way. Arizona is a pink rather than a red state. For purely experience and geographic reasons, Richardson makes much more sense.

Also important to factor in who needs jobs: Richardson (can't run for another term) and Edwards. Edwards may earn a cabinet position, but Obama choosing him would negate the concept of freshness and looking forward, not backwards.

rpy - I will shake the images for the drive.

BHO: Not Sebelius, even though I love "Finlandia".
Dah-dah-dah-dah, dah-dah-de-dah-de-dah-dah...

"...until they could not take Sen. Clinton no more..."

Surely, Victor Hansen did not write that.'

he did--it was on NRO today, among the garment rendings, teeth gnashings and general lamentations of the damned.

yup, southpaws are indeed 'right-brained'. the right brain controls the entire left half of the body.

here's a test tp see of you are right or left brained-- handedness is only one aspect.

http://www.web-us.com/brain/braindominance.htm

I can follow up on mark's post about lefties. We are called southpaws because, way back in the day, when baseball games were played in the daytime, ballparks were built so the afternoon sun would not be in the batters' eyes. The sun setting in the west would always be behind home plate. Players' left arms were therefore on the south side of the park.

I said this 2 weeks ago; Clinton, if she doesn't select Obama himself, will select Strickland; given for two reasons: 1) She will need Ohio and as well-noted above, he is the popular governor thereof; if she gets Ohio, no Republican has won the White House without winning Ohio in nearly a century; 2) She will have won the nomination by stepping on the hopes of the Black community (embodied by Obama); picking Strickland to be the first black VP could do a lost to shore up the hurt feelings there.

McCain could select Huckabee; Huckabee does more than just shore up McCain's social conservative "street cred", but also lends a consistent "populist" voice to the GOP ticket; to counter the us vs the rich mantra of the Dem candidates. Two other solid choices for McCain would be Governor Crist of Florida; this would virtually assure FL to the GOP as Crist is extremely popular across the board there; allowing McCain to focus expected lesser resources than the Dems on other swing states like Ohio, PA, Missouri, VA, etc. Another pick for McCain could be Tom Ridge, former PA governor and homeland sec'y secretary; he has endorsed McCain; is strong with most of the right-wing of the GOP, and is still popular in the state of PA; he could, along with McCain's popularity with independents bring PA to the GOP column; which along with a FL (Crist will be integral there as VP or not; he has higher hopes in the future so wants to help win his state for his party) win would make the electoral math difficult for the Dems in November.

or something includes "TOO OLD".
or something includes "believes earth created 6000 years ago in 7 days".

McC:

So its Pawlenty or Thune; the others are either single, or foreign born, or associated with GWB, or something. Nobody mentioned Jindal, and nobody will.

Mark, *please* be careful driving home.

darwinek, Thanks for still another picture to remember.

Why no speculation on whether Barack or Hillary would choose each other? It would be simply unbeatable. Hillary is the center, Barack the left - both intelligent and able to rip McCain to pieces.

Are not southpaws right brained?

I used to pitch. I am lefthanded. Southpaw is a lefthanded pitcher for those to young to remember the quaint sport we called hardball, before ther was that talking head on tv.

"Trouble is, you had "Clinton-Obama" in the next sentence, Spectator"

Interesting. A fluffer getting the talent ready for the show.

Some say the (brief) nastiness of the primary is good practice for the general.

Bill Clinton: "Slow Down Economy To Save The Planet" Bill Clinton: "We just have to slow down our economy and cut back our greenhouse gas emissions 'cause we have to save the planet for our grandchildren."

so the plan is exposed. kill the economy.

mark: my pleasure. I always look for opportunities to show how well-rounded I am.

Knows the duties of the Maryland lieut gov: geek

Knows what a fluffer is: red-blooded male

Barack should avoid any discussion of VP's. The new Gallup shows huge momentum to Obama , even before Edwards exit.
http://jtaplin.wordpress.com/2008/02/01/how-do-you-spell-momentum/

to Mark in Austin: I'm wearing premium John Edwards 2008 pants.

Trouble is, you had "Clinton-Obama" in the next sentence, Spectator.

"Anybody else notice that Obama is left-handed? Maybe that is affecting his left-leaning brain."

Aren't lefties over-represented among Presidnets vs. their frequency in the general populatioN?

Sen McCain: a)Sen Olympia Snowe (ME)-- she is a NE Moderate, her husband is a popular former gov and congressman; b)Sen. Joe Lieberman (CT)(if he agreed to immed. change parties); c)Richard Burr (NC)

Gov. Romney: a)Sen Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX); b) Rep. Peter Hoekstra (MI); Rep. Tom Tancredo (CO)

Sen. Clinton: a)Sen. Barack Obama (IL); b)Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (KS); c)Sen Mark Pryor (AR)

S