Welcome back for more v.p. speculation. Today we're into the top 14 average vote-getting names again.
I had thought last time that I needed one or more days more for second-tier names to give everyone a shot, but doing the math we can safely proceed to the top 14 without being repetitive or exclusionary. I also decided to do a little more opining myself, so below the fold you'll find some pluses and minuses for each of today's candidates, from my point of view.
Please discuss any v.p. candidates in the comments. The correct format would be to simply state their name, unless you have further comments, in which case, "I believe ___ ___ should be Obama's v.p. running mate because..." "Oh my God, where's Johnny Politician?!" would be a bit alarmist, don't you think? I'm sure they're fine. I'm happy to hear all ideas, and of course I'm no official gatekeeper, so play nice.
(continued below the fold)
My personal favorite running mates for Obama remain Fmr. Sens. Sam Nunn (GA) and John Edwards (NC).
And, n.b., I won't ever be including Gov. Ed Rendell (PA), largely because of this:
That's some pretty heavy baggage I don't want to see on the news every day until November.
I'm also not including some who might make good choices, but probably not in 2008, though I know some may disagree, notably: Sen. John Kerry (MA), who I like for Secretary of State or Defense or another position, Govs. Christine Gregoire (WA) and Brian Schweitzer (MT), who need to run for reelection and Sen. Barbara Boxer (CA), my senator who I like, while not always agreeing with her on everything, because I feel that ticket would be too easily caricatured as the most liberal ticket in the universe and etc., etc. I know, I shouldn't be influenced by that likelihood, but I think that ticket would have too many liabilities not outweighed by possible electoral strengths. (I think that about some other names I've included anyway, but they've done very well in polling, so that's how they got their pass.)
Pluses and minuses:
Sen. Joe Biden (MBNA)
+ Foreign policy/national security expertise, outspoken attack dog potential
- Has had two brain surgeries, never really recovered national reputation after '88 Kinnock plagiarism scandal, key supporter of terrible bankruptcy bill, says crazy things once in a while, comes from relatively safe Democratic state, ticket with Obama might be too congressional
Gen. (Ret.) Wesley Clark (AR)
+ Foreign policy/national security expertise, Southerner, military veteran (highly decorated), Hillary Clinton supporter who could help unite Obama and Clinton voters, outspoken attack dog potential
- Hillary Clinton supporter who made criticisms which could be used against ticket, has never held elective office and has only won one electoral contest in Oklahoma's 2004 primary, has no demonstrated electoral appeal, worked for Fox News
Fmr. Sen. John Edwards (NC)
+ Came in second place in Democratic presidential contest in 2004 and third place in 2008, drove presidential debate in 2008, strong appeal to labor and working-class voters, amazing nationally known and respected wife Elizabeth, won more votes for v.p. in 2004 than any Democratic vice presidential candidate in history, unique chemistry and affinity with Obama as effective surrogate, outspoken attack dog potential
- Some possible image problems from previous runs, perception that he was a weak v.p. candidate in 2004 who didn't help win his own state
Sen. Russ Feingold (WI)
+ Reputation for integrity as a reformer and Bush administration foe, would make border-state ticket with Obama like Truman / Barkley and Clinton / Gore, comes from swing state which he could help carry, Jewish heritage could appeal in more states than just his home state, rumors he might run for president over the years have elevated his national stature, great speaker, outspoken attack dog potential
- Unmarried, ticket with Obama might be too congressional
Fmr. Vice President Al Gore (TN)
+ Adds executive experience, reputation for integrity as a reformer and Bush administration foe, won popular vote in 2000, international stature as a thinker and opinion leader, military veteran, can be a great speaker, wife Tipper advocate for mental health care, outspoken attack dog potential
- Some possible image problems from previous runs, would have to serve as vice president again, might overshadow Obama's presidential profile, not likely to carry home state, wife Tipper not particularly popular among Democrats for previous '80's lobbying efforts
Sen. Chuck Hagel (NE)
+ Foreign policy/national security expertise, reputation for integrity as a reformer and somewhat of a Bush administration foe on Iraq War, military veteran (highly decorated), possible crossover appeal to Republicans, outspoken attack dog potential
- Not particularly popular among own party or Democratic Party, anti-choice, very conservative voting record in general, not extremely likely to help carry home state, ticket with Obama might be too congressional
Gov. Tim Kaine (VA)
+ Adds executive experience, likely to help carry home state, Southerner, Missouri roots, early and vocal Obama supporter, unique chemistry and affinity with Obama as effective surrogate
- Short length of time as governor, would be replaced by Republican lieutenant governor, not particularly good on television
Sen. Claire McCaskill (MO)
+ Would make border-state ticket with Obama like Truman / Barkley and Clinton / Gore, likely to help carry home state, early and vocal Obama supporter, unique chemistry and affinity with Obama as effective surrogate, very good on television
- Short length of time as senator, could be replaced by appointment by Republican governor, ticket with Obama might be too congressional
Fmr. Sen. Sam Nunn (GA)
+ Foreign policy/national security expertise, diplomatic experience, work on "loose nuke" issue particularly complementary to Obama's, strong fiscal conservative who could give Obama budget-responsibility cred, military veteran, likely to help carry home state and region as popular Georgian and Southerner, rumors he might run for president over the years have elevated his national stature, relatively early and vocal Obama supporter, unique chemistry and affinity with Obama as effective surrogate, outspoken attack dog potential
- Some Democrats still angry over authorship of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, possibly still homophobic, very conservative voting record in general decidedly mixed blessing, out of office since 1997
Gov. Bill Richardson (NM)
+ Adds executive experience, foreign policy/national security expertise, diplomatic experience, possible Latino/Southwestern regional appeal, comes from swing state which he could help carry, relatively early and vocal Obama supporter, unique chemistry and affinity with Obama as effective surrogate, can be a good speaker, outspoken attack dog potential
- Could be vulnerable to attack on national security over role in Los Alamos scandals during time as Energy Secretary, no particularly demonstrated Latino appeal outside his home state, somewhat ineffectual campaigner, close ties to his state's nuclear energy interests, former Kissinger employee, not great on television
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (KS)
+ Adds executive experience, Ohio roots, appeal to women, unique chemistry and affinity with Obama as effective surrogate, possible crossover appeal to Republicans, outspoken attack dog potential
- Not great on television, not extremely likely to help carry home state, could create backlash among Hillary Clinton supporters as woman candidate (though much more qualified to be president than Sen. Clinton)
Fmr. Gov. Mark Warner (VA)
+ Adds executive experience, business management and entrepreneurial experience, likely to help carry home state, Southerner, Indiana, Illinois and Connecticut roots, can be a good speaker, outspoken attack dog potential
- Short length of time as governor, running for Senate and likely to win and hold seat for years, not great on television
Sen. Jim Webb (VA)
+ Adds executive experience, foreign policy/national security expertise, likely to help carry home state, military veteran (highly decorated) Southerner, Missouri roots, possible crossover appeal to Republicans, outspoken attack dog potential
- Short length of time in Senate and likely to hold seat for years, made some controversial comments on women in combat as Navy Secretary, worked for Ronald Reagan, bad FISA telecom immunity vote, late Obama endorser
Rep. Robert Wexler
+ Reputation for integrity as a reformer and Bush administration foe, Floridian, could help carry home state, New York roots, Jewish heritage could appeal in more states than just his home state, unique chemistry and affinity with Obama as effective surrogate, good speaker, outspoken attack dog potential
- "I enjoy cocaine" Colbert interview, ticket with Obama might be too congressional
Please cast your vote, speculate away, offer new names or general ideas about how Barack Obama should pick his running mate and who it should be. You could pick your favorite of these and agitate for someone else below, or vote "Other" and agitate below. Again, "You're stupid for not including..." ain't nice. Promote your own candidates all you like, but yes, I've probably thought about them, and if they're not listed in the poll today, they may be coming around tomorrow or very soon. Be patient, or don't and post a different v.p. thread. One a day is free!
Thanks,
Alex
Choose Our President 2008
P.S. I recently reset the monthly poll questions on my own site from Democratic presidential and vice presidential preference (now that we have our nominee!) to Democratic vice presidential preference and Republican vice presidential likelihood (two-step poll, follow the links), so you can vote there, too, if you'd like.
P.P.S. You could also join my friend Julio's new Facebook group, Anti-NAMBLA: The Anti-North American McCain-Bush Love Association if you like to join Facebook groups.