Note: this is not an endorsement of Bayh as he is not my first choice as VP, but he did a heck of a job with Lieberman and he is impressing some folks.
Evan Bayh is making a case for VP and I think I am starting to like the guy. I’d have to say that I am first in favor of a strong military man by Obama’s side. I think that a person like Clark or Webb could nullify the one avenue McCain actually can proceed on, but with Webb taking himself out and Clark attacking on his own making media splash's, and the focus in November being the economy not Iraq, my views are changing... Maybe Kaine from VA.
Don't get me wrong, I love the work that Clark has done because it was very effective and I think he's still a good choice. As I stated before in another diary, Clark’s comment has burried itself in American's minds. My mother in-law who is a Republican voting for Obama, was yelling at the T.V. a few weeks ago that "just because the man was shot doesn’t make him qualified," when a talking head started pumping McCain and Iraq. I smiled and silently thanked General Clark when those words came tumbling out.
Biden has caught my attention because of his strong persona and effectiveness as an attack dog not to mention his forgein policy credentials, but Bayh has been growing on me. Today he laid some smack down on Lieberman while taking him on head-to-head on Fox News. No, I did not subject myself to the channel, luckily some poor soul did the work for us. The Raw Story has this up with the video. Quick quote...
Lieberman said, "If Barack Obama's policy in Iraq had been implemented, he couldn't be in Iraq today, he was prepared to accept retreat and defeat and that would mean today al Qaeda would be in charge of parts of Iraq, Iranian-backed extremists would be in charge of other parts of Iraq. There'd be civil war and maybe even genocide."
First of all screw you Joe. I can't wait to see you and your fear mongering ego begging for forgivness. Thankfully Senator Bayh was there for us and bashed down not only Joe but Chris Wallace and his "Germany ralley," crap question. (see video link above)
Sen. Bayh responded saying, "Barack Obama was not for losing in Iraq. Barack didn't want the war to begin with. John McCain opposed surging troops in Afghanistan until last week. Was John for losing in Afghanistan? I don't think so. Now you have Maliki, even President Bush, are moving toward Barack Obama's position."
Nice smackdown! I can see him going head-to-head with Romney. It would be billed as the best looking debate ever. (joke, you can laugh here)
Lieberman on the other hand has to know that he’s f%*#ed and his days are numbered. If I am counting correctly, he will be up for re-election when Obama is running for re-election, thats if everything goes well this November.... Seeya Joe, enjoy your retirement and good luck passing any bll or getting funds for your state in the next 4 years.... sorry CT.
I think there are a lot good picks out there for Obama. Biden and Bahy seem to be making a case for themselves as they have been in the media a lot lately no doubt to try and better their position. I can see the advantage of picking Bahy electorally, and he too seems like a fresh face for Washington. My wife made the comment that an Obama Bahy ticket would be a "very pretty one." I don’t know if I’d be aiming for a "pretty ticket," but I guess it couldn’t hurt with the ladies.
Also to be noted...
Tuesday seems to be shaping up to be a good day for Obama too. Today the British Prime Minister - Brown, seemed to back Obama’s plan to withdraw troops. He's aiming for 2010 which would be inline with Obama’s 16 month withdraw. Tuesday Brown will lay out his plan to the British people and the world.
While Mr Brown addressed troops in Basra and met Nouri al-Maliki, the Iraqi Prime Minister, the Democratic hopeful arrived in Afghanistan to declare the US mission there to be more important than that in Iraq. Mr Obama is expected imminently in Iraq, and he will continue on to Europe. He will meet Mr Brown in Downing Street on Saturday.
Their approach is a marked departure from the policies of Tony Blair and President George Bush. But it nonetheless carries echoes of the "shoulder-to-shoulder" relationship between Britain and the US – if Mr Obama defeats his Republican rival John McCain in the November election.
Mr Brown, who will detail his plans to the Commons on Tuesday, laid out four conditions for withdrawal: the successful training of the Iraqi army; provincial elections to take place; the economic reconstruction of the country; and finally handing over sole responsibility of Basra airport to the Iraqis. Mr Brown said: "I am not setting an artificial timetable but what I can say is there is very significant progress in all these areas. Then we will reach a conclusion about what troop numbers will be. It is certainly our intention that we reduce troop numbers."
With Obama on a whirlwind world tour that is kicking Republican butt, VP rumors to pick up because Chuck Todd stated on Meet the Press that Obama will announce his VP sooner rather than later, and probably earlier than most people think, possibly soon after returning from overseas, Brown, Maliki, & even Bush supporting a withdraw (or hinting at one) and the possiblility of the largest political crowd in the world turning up to listen to Obama speek, this will be a good week and end a strong month for Obama.
Let’s keep building that feared ground support for Obama and keep those staffers paid and those volunteers fed.
Addition: I'll admit that I am not familiar with a lot of Bayh's positions, but on the surface he's suitable for the job.(red state ticket wise) I would imagine he's not as progressive as some may like since he resides in Indiana, but I can see how he could benefit the ticket. He is still not my first pick at the moment. I'd prefer a Biden, Clark, I really liked Webb, Edwards is also up there on my list, but at least I think Bayh can hold his own if that is the direction Obama goes. Just my 2 cents.
UPDATE: I'm learning a lot about Bayh and I'd have to say despite the negatives I will understand the strategy if Obama goes his direction. I still think he'll go with a military / forgein affairs guy. Biden is still at the top for me becasue I love to see the man attack. He's riskey but he's good at it. Clark, Reed, are two others. If he heads back to someone who can help him with in red states Edwards is my top choice, Kaine is not bad, Bayh is understandable.