One of the top qualifications frequently stated in Obama v.p. speculation is the wish that his running mate not be a sitting U.S. senator. McCain is likely not to pick a senator, and both presumptive nominees are already Senate colleagues.
So this edition of the poll tests the highest rated candidates in my five polls so far who are not U.S. senators, excluding Bill Moyers and Maria Shriver, which I think I will probably do in general in these polls from now on unless they should perfectly fit a particular niche poll in the future. As was pointed out during Moyers's single poll appearance so far, he's doing a great job where he is, doing what he's doing, and there are stronger possible v.p. candidates for Obama. And I don't really want Arnold as the Vice President's Husband. For one thing, I'd like to see him able to focus on his real strength, robot movies.
I have left in former senators, as they are a slightly different creature, and the two listed are national figures in their own rights.
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Once again, please fire away with your thoughts, likes, dislikes, well and ill considered opinions, personal insults for liking Sandra Day O'Connor or nominations of names I may not have considered or tested yet. We're all learning. I'll mainly comment on non-senatorial possibilities in today's thread, but don't let that stop you from electioneering for your possibly senatorial or other favorites.
As usual, I would prefer not to have Gen. (Ret.) Wes Clark (AR) and Gov. Ted Strickland (OH) as probably too-ardent Obama attackers during the primaries, and I'd prefer not to have Gen. (Ret.) Anthony Zinni, for one thing because he has said he will never run for political office, and also because I prefer a generally civilian executive leadership, though not in all possible scenarios. And I'm worried that the Los Alamos scandals which occurred on Bill Richardson's watch as Energy Secretary could blow up and discount his other national security credentials, hurting an Obama / Richardson ticket. And I do not think he can draw as much Latino support as some seem to think.
My top v.p. picks for Obama are still currently Fmr. Sens. Sam Nunn (GA) and John Edwards (NC), retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (AZ) and Gov. Tim Kaine (VA), but of course you don't have to agree with me to play.
I realized that three of those four choices are interesting linguistically: Obama / Nunn, as in, "Who's your ticket in the presidential race?" "Obama and Nunn," which, said aloud also could mean, "Obama and ain't that enough?", the euphonious round sound (and African-Irish fusion) of Obama / O'Connor '08, and Obama / Kaine, which sounds like "Obamacan" or unenthusiastic support for the GOP candidate, as in "Who do you like for '08?" "Oh, bah! McCain!"
And finally, let me say that this is my first diary as a fully equal citizen of California. I'm single and not looking to get married anytime soon, but now not also because it's illegal. It feels good, and here's hoping we don't backslide on equality in the Golden State.
Thanks,
Alex
Choose Our President 2008