Let me talk Webb, Sebelius, and Richardson
Wed May 07, 2008 at 12:14:49 PM PDT
and the order implies nothing.
This was originally composed (and posted) as a comment on the front page story by kos (Paying off her debts? VP?) which discusses vp possibilities. I realize lots of other people are offering their ideas, so I figured why not me. For what it is worth
- I was actively involved in Webb's campaign and remain in occasional contact with him through Virginia politics
- I have met and talked with Richardson on several occasions, and have followed his career fairly closely.
- I have had one conversation with Sebelius, at a fundraiser for Obama in conjunction with the National Governors' Association meeting here in DC. I was able to observe her there. I also heard her speak at the DNC winter meeting in DC in 2007. And I have watched her career for a while.
So below the fold I will offer my thoughts and observations.
- Webb brings credibility with Reagan Democrats since he was one. Of course he brings credibility on national security issue, but that is not what drives him. He is very much concerned with economic equity issues and probably would only consider the VP slot if given his head on them.
As far as Jim being an alpha male - he knows how to be a team player. He is so strong and no one views him as being subservient that selecting him would give the impression of how secure Obama is in himself.
He is not a great campaigner, but comes across as someone very intelligent, very much used to working across the partisan divide. He would help very much in carrying VA, and were he to have to leave the Senate he has a Dem governor (Kaine) to pick his replacement.
One vulnerability - he is on his third wife. He has children by all 3, and he was introduced at his official campaign opening in Arlington in 2006 by his 2nd wife - he remains on good terms.
RICHARDSON - I think he is ultimately the weakest of the three as a candidate. Yes, he has a superb resume, on paper. But he is not that effective a campaigner, does not listen all that well when people ask him questions - I have experienced this both at Yearlykos and on a press call in which I participated. ON the positive side, he helps heal any divisions with the Hispanic community in the SW and W, would give you NM, probably lock down NV and CO, and would certainly help in TX, with additional help that might be enough to guarantee a win for Noriega. His presence on the ticket would maximize Hispanic fundraising, which could also be targeted at downballot races.
As a negative, how would the country react to a ticket with no one viewed as white on it? There is still residual racism, and that should be considered.
SEBELIUS - I pay no attention to the current polls. I think she could put KS in play, help greatly in IA and assist in the upper Midwest (WI and MN) and possibly N Dakota. She certainly has strong ties that help with OH, she also has a track record of working across partisan divides, she is Catholic which helps Obama with a demographic with which he is weak. And she is white and female, and I think both are advantages.
My sense is that SOTU response was not her at her best. I have heard her in other circumstances, and view her as a successful communicator. And given her experience as an executive she could be of great help in organizing the government. And through both her father and her own role as head of DGA she has a substantial network on which she could call.
I could live with any of these three. I could name others, governors, senators, and the like, with whom I could also live.
I could not accept Clinton - Obama's message is a new way of politics, and even minus the bitterness of this primary season, Clinton represents something very different. And I think her stubbornness in going on now clearly serves no positive purpose. Unless this is just for show, and she plans to drop out after WV. Even if she did, I would not want her on the ticket.
I have a personal affection for Webb, having been intimately involved in his campaign. I think Sebelius on balance might be the best political choice. And regardless, Obama will have to have a great comfort level with whomever he picks.
Peace.
