[UPDATED w/ poll!] Commence the Veep Wars!

Senator Barack Obama of Illinois is the 2008 Democratic presidential nominee and the long candidate wars that have raged since early 2007 is now over.

Within 60 to 90 days, both party nominees will select vice presidential nominees.

I suspect that John McCain will pick either Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee or Charlie Crist.  I really have no interest in who he picks at all so I will not dwell on it.

What is of interest to me is who Barack Obama will select.

I am hoping for Senator Jim Webb because he can connect with those "hard-working whites" that Hillary Clinton claims to own.  He also counters John McCain's military and national security credentials and lays to rest the questions of "patriotism".  Most importantly, he places Virginia in play.

Here is a possible list of vice presidential contenders.  

Senators

   * Evan Bayh of Indiana
   * Joe Biden of Delaware
   * Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico
   * Hillary Clinton of New York
   * Chris Dodd of Connecticut
   * Mary Landrieu of Louisiana
   * Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas
   * Claire McCaskill of Missouri
   * Patty Murray of Washington
   * Bill Nelson of Florida
   * Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia
   * Jim Webb of Virginia
   * Tom Daschle of South Dakota
   * Max Cleland of Georgia
   * Bob Graham of Florida
   * Bob Kerrey of Nebraska
   * Sam Nunn of Georgia
   * John Kerry of Massachusetts
   * John Edwards of North Carolina
   * George Mitchell of Maine

Governors

   * Phil Bredesen of Tennessee
   * Mike Easley of North Carolina
   * Brad Henry of Oklahoma
   * Tim Kaine of Virginia
   * Joe Manchin of West Virginia
   * Janet Napolitano of Arizona
   * Bill Richardson of New Mexico
   * Edward Rendell of Pennsylvania
   * Bill Ritter of Colorado
   * Brian Schweitzer of Montana
   * Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas
   * Ted Strickland of Ohio
   * Roy Barnes of Georgia
   * Tom Vilsack of Iowa

Generals
   
   * Wesley Clark of Arkansas
   * Anthony Zinni of Pennsylvania

Vice President
   
   * Al Gore of Tennessee

A recent Salon online poll of possible VP picks, Webb was the top choice, receiving 26% of the vote.

http://www.salon.com/...

What do you think?

*** UPDATE - Now with a poll of the most popular VP choices!

•  Vice President Jim Webb?

  by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:20:39 PM PDT

  •  Put that list in a poll...

    ... that would be fun.

    by highacidity on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:35:29 PM PDT

    •  Not enough room for all the choices

      by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:41:08 PM PDT

      •  I didn't know there was a limit...

        ... damn.

        Oh well. Thanks for trying.

        by highacidity on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:47:42 PM PDT

        •  Maybe as we get closer

          the crowd will be thinned out

          by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:50:20 PM PDT

  •  Noooo!

    Webb is a conservative Dem and I don't want to fight another Senate battle in VA. I don't want Obama to pick a Democrat to be his veep that isn't progressive. Remember, this veep choice could be the next POTUS after Obama. No to Sebelius. No to Kaine. No to Webb.

    My choices would be a candidate that could help Obama with blue collar workers. Edwards or Sherrod Brown would be my choices, although I doubt he'll choose either.

    by sarahlane on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:03:20 PM PDT

    •  Webb would carry those white blue collars

      by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:17:42 PM PDT

  •  POLL IS UP!

    by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:06:06 PM PDT

•  Wes Clark n/t

  by ParaHammer on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:22:03 PM PDT

  •  Too much of a Clintonista?

    by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:22:42 PM PDT

    •  It can be considered a peace offering n/t

      by ParaHammer on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:23:13 PM PDT

      •  Could carry Arkansas

        by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:24:23 PM PDT

        •  AR, VA, NC

          Mountain states and southwest.
          Anywhere there are active military/retirees.

          by ParaHammer on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:25:38 PM PDT

        •  Let's not get crazy

          If Wes Clark is Half as popular as Hillary and the Veep that moves Arkansas to McCain +9%

          That's a 12% bump, and I don't think he's that popular.

          by bedir than average on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:29:11 PM PDT

          •  I say this as a dreamer for Obama/Clark

            but not for the regional appeal

            but for the veteran and general Southern acceptance.

            This helps in VA, NC in particular

            But mainly because it would be a great olive branch to the Clinton branch of the party.

            by bedir than average on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:33:09 PM PDT

            •  I am just barely leaning your way, bedir. n/t

              by highacidity on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:39:07 PM PDT

            •  I like him because he's anti-Iran war

              by BrighidG on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:53:15 PM PDT

            •  I think he makes the complete package

              Wes Clark has creds that Barack doesn't and visa versa.  Wes is a pretty good campaigner and is smart.  We need someone who can oversee the reduction of troops in Iraq and helps build back the relationships with our allies.  Put Richardson in as SOS and you have a real winning foreign policy team.

              by dangoch on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:13:01 PM PDT

  •  not opposed

    But would be very interested to see him as Secretary of State!

    by lauramp on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:29:20 PM PDT

    •  SefDef?

      by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:30:28 PM PDT

      •  Sec Def

        by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:30:46 PM PDT

      •  Can't for two more years

        SecDef can't have served in the military for 10 years before they are approved by the Senate.

        by bedir than average on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:31:36 PM PDT

        •  George Marshall

          Was made SecDef as soon as he retired from the military. Congress waived the waiting time.

          by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:35:45 PM PDT

          •  The only person who could have gotten

            Marshall's support was Powell in the early 90s.

            There isn't a single other general that has come even half way to Marshall's popularity and acheivement.

            by bedir than average on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:48:16 PM PDT

        •  right

          That's why I suggested SecState instead. No point in suggesting a position he can't take up.

          by lauramp on Fri May 09, 2008 at 07:07:59 PM PDT

  •  I love Clark

    Before Barack got into this, he was my preferred prez nominee.  

    But, he's really not much as a politician.  He says the most intelligent things and nobody (not even Hillary) seems to listen.  I'd love to see him in the cabinet.  I'm a real fan, just not of his political skills.  He also doesn't really bring a region into play or send a message about expanding our scope.

    by Urizen on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:40:04 PM PDT

•  I'd love to see

  an Obama/Dodd ticket.

  After that, Obama/Webb.

  After THAT, Obama/Richardson.

  by Fe Bongolan on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:23:49 PM PDT

  •  Richardson for Sec of State

    Dodd for Treasury

    by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:24:59 PM PDT

    •  Dodd would be

      a great President of the Senate.

      He's one of the "insiders" who's up on the constitution, and brave enough to call people out in Congress to stand up for progressive principles.

      Agreed with Richardson as Sec. of State, and with Samantha Powers on board, what a powerhouse cabinet.

      aaraujo:

      Does this mean we have to mud-wrestle because we disagree?

      by Fe Bongolan on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:28:50 PM PDT

      •  Yes!

        Oil up!

        by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:31:15 PM PDT

        •  We can do a "Lucha Vavoom"

          netroots style.

          Google it. You'll die.

          by Fe Bongolan on Fri May 09, 2008 at 07:32:23 PM PDT

    •  Dodd needs to stay in the senate

      Richardson for SOS is my dream

      by mariachi mama on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:47:09 PM PDT

      •  I actually like Biden as Sec State

        by hollywood politcaljunkie on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:58:28 PM PDT

  •  I am

    Obama/Dodd
    Obama/Biden
    but that's just wishing.... It's going to be Sebelius.

    by OH 09 Dem on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:30:16 PM PDT

    •  Too eastern for me

      Too many senators as well.  Part of Barack's message is about how DC's out of touch.  Picking either of them (or any other senator) would make that look like pure demagoguery.

      by Urizen on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:57:03 PM PDT

  •  Dodd can't leave the Senate

    Connecticut has a Republican governor.

    by wiscmass on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:46:31 PM PDT

•  Add one

  George Mitchell.  Since your list is so extensive and his name was floated by Russ Feingold.

  by dougdilg on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:24:02 PM PDT

  •  Will do

    thanks!

    by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:25:41 PM PDT

    •  Mitchell is a viable

      bottom first tier candidate

      by OH 09 Dem on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:31:07 PM PDT

•  To date, Obama has demonstrated

  more political sophistication and better judgment than the collective dKos wisdom.  He doesn't need out input on this.  (Kerry should have ignored all the blog noise to choose Edwards.)

  by Marie on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:25:55 PM PDT

  •  Which is why

    I think it will be very interesting if Obama picks Clinton.

    by FerrisValyn on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:28:30 PM PDT

    •   won't happen

      god i hope it wont happen

      by mariachi mama on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:49:12 PM PDT

      •  And how many would eat their hats?

        I ain't necassarily backing Clinton, but I don't think we are helped by this "HE CAN'T PICK CLINTON" fear.  

        If he picks her, he'll have a damn good reason

        by FerrisValyn on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:54:29 PM PDT

        •  If he picks her I'll start worrying

          that he secretly hates himself underneath that confident exterior.

          by Urizen on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:58:33 PM PDT

        •  This is the sort of challenge I heard

          in 2002-2003 from those who supported the war with Iraq.  I claimed that Saddam didn't have diddly squat  in the form of WMD that posed a threat to his neighbors much less the US.  I was told, "Just you wait and see -- you're going to choke on your words when we find those WMD."

          Clinton will not be VP and a mere heartbeat away from being president.

          by Marie on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:24:18 PM PDT

          •  As I said

            I think its unlikely.  At the same time, I don't feel we are well served by this rhetoric of  "OBAMA CAN'T PICK HER - IF HE DOES I'LL LEAVE" crap (or worse).

            There have been far to many of these kinds of comments/diaries.

            by FerrisValyn on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:52:41 PM PDT

  •  true, he doesn't need our input

    ...but speculating is so very much fun!

    by lauramp on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:30:08 PM PDT

•  Richardson is

  my first pick, for a vareity of reasons (and yes, prolly top being that he has good space cred)

  Wes Clark is my second pic
  1 - good military, and
  2 - peace deal with Clinton supporters

  Finally, Webb should NOT be picked for multiple reasons.  

  by FerrisValyn on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:27:31 PM PDT

  •  Richardson for SOS

    Not VP.

    by mariachi mama on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:43:46 PM PDT

    •  No, VP

      I really want someone with good space credentials (since Nasa and space tend to be the domain of the VP), and Richardson's are very good.

      I know there is quite a bit of concern when it comes to 1)his campaigning and 2) roaming hands, but I think we can over come that.

      by FerrisValyn on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:46:42 PM PDT

      •  He did get behind the Spaceport

        down by Truth or Consequences which is decent space cred.

        I think he's a better campaigner than he gets credit for.  He's very good at explaining complex issues in a folksy manner.

        And, yeah, he does have a Clintonesque rep as a womanizer.

        A huge upside with him is that he'd build us a loyalty base among hispanics.  That wouldn't come from SOS only from VP.

        by Urizen on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:53:20 PM PDT

•  I don't care whom he picks.

  After a year+ (?) of campaign diaries and craziness, the Veep wars seem to be something I can live very nicely without, thank you.

  Do I have to leave until August November?

  by davidseth on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:28:12 PM PDT

  •  We don't need wars to have discussion

    Especially when the discussion is part of the process of FINALLY moving on to the next stage and getting done with the primary.

    by OH 09 Dem on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:32:25 PM PDT

    •  Well, those that don't remember the past

      are condemned, etc etc.

      We didn't have to have a war on the primaries, did we?

      by davidseth on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:34:26 PM PDT

      •  You forget the past...

        ... if you think we didn't have primary wars last time.

        by highacidity on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:37:47 PM PDT

        •  I think we had them *every* time nt

          by davidseth on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:47:14 PM PDT

          •  We had VP wars after Kerry, too

            by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:52:55 PM PDT

            •  I remember. But we haven't yet had

              a televised, live streamed caged-ring no rules death match to settle these matters once and for all.  Maybe that would be an idea.

              by davidseth on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:09:30 PM PDT

              •  Pick your weapons!

                by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:12:36 PM PDT

  •  I care. HRC has added to her baggage, the baggage

    she will not admit. She will be a drag and we will be parsing every word for disloyalty the whole time. We need a clean veep candidate.

    by Christy1947 on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:41:27 PM PDT

    •  I'm strongly in the NNNNOOOOO!

      camp on her.

      by Urizen on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:59:47 PM PDT

  •  All I know is that

    your Vice-Presidential candidate, whoever he/she is, is a racist, sexist, classist elitist who insults big states, insults small states, drives a Prius, drinks lattes and whiskey shots, gets $4 million haircuts, worships Reagan, has a crazy preacher and a power-mad husband, will clearly lose the election for us, and feeds Kool-Aid to sharks before throwing them under the bus.

    Whereas my candidate, whoever he/she is, was the son and daughter of disabled multi-racial turd-farming millworkers, has strong military and foreign policy credentials, is governor of a big state, is governor of a swing state, is a retired general, is a former vice-president, appeals to Appalachians, grew up in the Mountain West, walks on water, has built a perpetual motion machine in his or her spare time, and has farts that smell like roses and help fight global warming.

    by Crisitunity on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:44:06 PM PDT

    •  Let's drink to that. nt

      by davidseth on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:49:29 PM PDT

    •  We should meet

      I really like your cantidate

      by mariachi mama on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:56:28 PM PDT

  •  David, it is

    kind of fun, and yes, I am sick of the primary wars.

    Stick around! Don't go, please!

    by mariachi mama on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:52:19 PM PDT

•  Richardson -- For. Pol. + TEXAS!!!

  ...and New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado, even a better shot at Florida.

  by QueerMark on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:28:19 PM PDT

  •  He's also very very able.

    And, unlike many others, was brave enough (and/or prescient enough) to buck the Clintons.

    by Urizen on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:01:37 PM PDT

•  Agree with it or not

  It is going to be Sebelius.  I am almost convinced, it just makes too much sense.  Besides, I think she will do a great job.  Webb is too valuable in VA Senate and Clark....well he screwed that with his role in the HRC campaign.  It wasn't that he was for her, it was that he was FOR her.

  by OH 09 Dem on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:28:52 PM PDT

  •  Why?

    Does it have to be someone who supported Obama during the campaign?  

    Also, I didn't hear you mention Richardson

    I am curious, and maybe you know - space policy is usually the domain of the VP (not always, but usually) - any idea where she stands?

    by FerrisValyn on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:41:24 PM PDT

    •  Richardson (whom I like)

      has fly and hands problems.  I'm not going to link, but do a search here or on google and you will see.  This isn't a secret.  I'm not trying to trash him, it's just something that is out there.

      by OH 09 Dem on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:54:40 PM PDT

      •  I will admit to having heard it

        I haven't read the explicit issues, but I have heard it enough.  

        You didn't answer the rest of my questions

        by FerrisValyn on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:59:27 PM PDT

  •  Sebelius is my choice

    She will be great.

    by mariachi mama on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:45:55 PM PDT

  •  Doesn't anyone want Obama to choose a progressive

    as his veep? What's up with all these moderate choices? Do we really want a conservative Dem POTUS after Obama, or a progressive one?

    by sarahlane on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:06:13 PM PDT

    •  um...

      Couple things... Barack needs a moderate, politically seasoned VP choice, not a progressive.   One thing that will be used against him during the general is his lack of experience vs McSame. He desperately needs a balance, preferably a moderate strong on defense.

      Secondly, assuming the next president in 2016 would be Baracks VP is really bizarre.  Outside of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Martin Van Buren - the only person to be elected president while currently the VP was Bush Sr.  Not even worth thinking about.

      by bad poetry oh noetry on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:38:30 PM PDT

      •  Good points

        We could even have two Obama veeps and let 'em duke it out with some others in '16 for the prez nod.

        Alex
        Choose Our President 2008

        by ourprez08 on Fri May 09, 2008 at 06:02:10 PM PDT

•  TED STRICKLAND...

  Ted Strickland is a great choice for veep.  He should be mentioned as a first tier candidate.  

  This guy is well liked in the Appalachian Valley, he has tremendous support among older folks and he voted against the Iraq war resolution when he was a congressman.

  This guy is a solid Democratic and would nicely complement Obama.  His voting record is mainstream Democrat, he is genuinely likeable and a great campaigner.

  Plus, he beat that jack-a-ma-hole Ken Blackwell in his last Ohio race.

  by LR23 on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:32:34 PM PDT

  •  He was the bobblehead

    during the "Shame on You" speech.

    by ParaHammer on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:33:24 PM PDT

    •  That will forever be my image of him...

      ... bobblehead was right.

      by highacidity on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:36:31 PM PDT

  •  He is my Governor

    and sorry, he's not viable as Obama's.  Maybe HRC's, but he doesn't fit into the narrative, and he's too valuable to Ohio right now, even if I'm not pleased with him.  I'm a Sherrod Brown Democrat, not a Ted Strickland Democrat.

    by OH 09 Dem on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:35:02 PM PDT

  •  Nahh. No future there.

    Strickland is better off where he is and Obama is better off having him there.

    by brooklynbadboy on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:37:17 PM PDT

    •  Stickland...

      I can buy the argument that he is needed in Ohio.  But, I think the fact that he strongly supported Hillary is a plus.  It shows that Barack doesn't hold grudges and is willing to cross whatever aisle is necessary to get the best result.

      How does Strickland not fit the narrative?

      Great voting record in Congress.
      Governor of important swing state.
      Voted against Iraq War resolution.
      Plays well to older and white working class voters.

      Obama's narrative is change, new politics and a higher minded appeal to voters and problem solving.

      Strickland has character, is less establishment than most of the people listed above and he has retained his appeal with very moderate democrats in Ohio despite a liberal voting record.

      Am I missing something?  

      by LR23 on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:45:33 PM PDT

      •  LINK

        http://www.ontheissues.org/...

        by LR23 on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:50:31 PM PDT

      •  Yeah...here's what youre missing..

        Ohio is SHRINKING.

        Furthermore, the Democratic machine there is pretty darn effective, as Hillary Clinton proved. That state isn't going Republican this time without a mountain of investment on their part.

        Meanwhile, the west is a SMORGASBORD of electoral bounty, just waiting for the right Democrat with the right message. Obama has already built a fantastic infrastructure out there and he should build on that.

        Don't keep thinking this election is going to be some typical red state/blue state clusterfuck with Ohio and Florida in-between. Obama is going to make EVERY state a swing state and the perfect place to build are all those states in the mountain west that we almost never contest. That move right there forces Republicans to spread thin.

        All that other "stuff" is just that...stuff. What we need is a candidate who can speak directly to the good people out west on why its time to give the GOP the boot and force them into being strictly a southern party.

        Then in 2012, we press South and into appalachia.

        by brooklynbadboy on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:52:21 PM PDT

        •  Thanks...

          I think Obama is going to do very well out in the Mountain West anyway.  His message is tailored for those states.  I don't know if he really needs one of the Western state pols as a veep to accomplish that.

          I am not against that.  However, I think there will be some trepidation on the part of older voters to support an Obama candidacy -- no matter what area of the country they reside.  Strickland gives you a solid older Dem with great peripherals to shore up the ticket.

          by LR23 on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:59:38 PM PDT

          •  I don't think you can "out-old" McCain.

            McCain has the market on old. If youre the kind of old person who thinks the best thing in life is being old, youre voting McCain.

            The best way to "shore-up" the ticket is to provide the best contrast possible while adding complimentary balance. Obama already does that because of who he is and his positions. The compliment to that is not somebody who is an old, traditional, status-quo machine pol, but somebody who is equally fresh but culturally familiar. Now, Strickland fits the bill if you want to run a traditional 50+1 lets settle the whole thing in Florida or Ohio campaign, especially in states like Ohio and Pennslyvania where half the population has one foot the grave. But in those growing Western states where there is prosperity, growth, and vigor, a familiar face and language is just the thing to push Obama over the top.

            Finally, I think you make an excellent point about old people everywhere. Personally, I don't think theres much Obama can do about that. I mean, by DEFINITION, old people are set in their ways. Thats why their old. Those old folks who see the promise in Obama will vote for him. And those that don't, will not no matter who he selects. I think he knows this, which is why he is going to work so hard to maximize youth turnout as a counterweight to some degree, and keep is pitch squarely focused on those in the 35-55 demographic which constitutes the bulk of the electorate. Then, and only then, can he focus on peeling off some of the geezers.

            by brooklynbadboy on Fri May 09, 2008 at 06:13:39 PM PDT

            •  Brooklyn...

              IMHO, your assumption is flawed.  Old people do not want to vote for McCain.  The old people I know think he's too old -- and they say they know from personal experience.

              Most of them like Hillary Clinton because she is part of the Clinton family and is safe and familiar.

              They want a younger candidate, but they still want experience and familiarity.  Barack Obama epitomizes change in numerous positive ways.  But, old people normally don't gravitate toward the change message candidate unless they are really unhappy with the status quo.  This year, I think old people are unhappy with the status Old and they are concerned about the country and world they are leaving their grandchildren.

              Old people across America may very well vote for Obama.  Don't write off those voters.

              I don't think choosing someone like Strickland will alienate Mountain West, West and young voters.  I'm 32.  

              For a whole host of reasons, I'm intrigued by Kaine, Richardson, Biden, McCaskill, Sebelius, Schweitzer (sp?), Webb, Napolitano (even Hagel) and a whole host of other veep candidates.  

              I just hope Strickland is in the mix.  I think he can help the ticket in several ways.  And, I think he would make a good vice president.  He's unassuming and seems to be a team player.

              by LR23 on Fri May 09, 2008 at 09:17:37 PM PDT

•  Im thinking he should go west.

  I'd be thinking Schweitzer, Ritter or Sebelius.

  A good mountain westerner is exactly what he needs to force the Republicans to play full on defense out there.

  Thats where the future growth of the Democratic party is: The Mountain West.

  by brooklynbadboy on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:35:51 PM PDT

  •  How about Tester n/t

    by ParaHammer on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:36:18 PM PDT

    •  Tester might be interesting, but

      I don't think he's had enough time to build his connections througout the west like Schweitzer.

      by brooklynbadboy on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:38:31 PM PDT

    •  Tester is not a progressive

      Neither is Obama, but I think both Webb and Tester are a bit too right for me. But whatever it takes.

      by mariachi mama on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:00:04 PM PDT

      •  either way

        we'd have a ticket with a single senate term worth of experience.

        by Urizen on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:15:15 PM PDT

  •  right next door to McCain

    Richardson

    Just saying

    by FerrisValyn on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:42:11 PM PDT

    •  Did you see Richardson on the campaign trail?

      The guys a buffoon.

      Hell no.

      by brooklynbadboy on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:45:38 PM PDT

      •  I am convinced that

        part of that was him trying to present himself as VP material, since, I suspect, he bought into the Clinton meme of invevitablity.  My thoughts

        Besides, I want someone good on space policy, for a variety of reason - Richardson has great space policy cred

        by FerrisValyn on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:48:11 PM PDT

        •  Um, no.

          We need a VP who can speak for Obama, speak like Obama, and be good for attacking without stumbling over his own words.

          That person is NOT Richardson.

          by brooklynbadboy on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:54:22 PM PDT

          •  His endorsement speech for Obama?

            just saying

            by FerrisValyn on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:58:12 PM PDT

          •  I disagree

            I lived in NM until a few months ago.  He's really good at communicating complex ideas in a folksy way.  His last campaign for Governor was informative and funny (he got 70%+).  

            I don't think Barack wants or needs an attack dog.  Not his style.  McClown is gonna attack himself on a daily basis anyway.

            by Urizen on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:18:04 PM PDT

      •  I resent the buffoon label

        He isn't a good campaigner, but he is not a clown.

        by mariachi mama on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:01:49 PM PDT

        •  He's not a typical campaigner

          but he's really not bad.  He's as smart as anybody out there.

          by Urizen on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:19:14 PM PDT

      •  Agree...sort of about Richardson

        Yes, he was quite buffoonish on the campaign trail when he was running for POTUS.  But when he endorsed Obama he was very eloquent and compelling.  I think he may be more comfortable talking up someone else rather than talking up himself.

        If that's the case, he might make an excellent number two.

        by hollywood politcaljunkie on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:04:09 PM PDT

        •  I (and most NMicans) thought he was

          running for VP all along.

          by Urizen on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:20:14 PM PDT

•  Anybody but Hillary

  She would completely nullify his message.  And I'd be wary of selecting a woman just to have woman.  If it looks like a token pick that would stink - at least to this feminist!

  I don't trust Evan Bayh - can't explain it but something just seems a little off. I like Clark, Webb, Richardson, Sebelius or Edwards.

  by tosan1212 on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:36:04 PM PDT

•  First off I'd like to see us cross off all the

  easterners.  We've run east/east and DC/east in the last two cycles and it hasn't served us well.  Not that they aren't wonderful people who'd do a great job.  It's high time our party started reaching out of it's comfort zone into the midwest and west.  

  I'd also lose all the senators.  Kind of the same reasoning.  Once someone spends a certain amount of time in DC they seem to lose their way (compare the Kerry of the winter soldiers to the one who ran for prez, or the Hillary of 1992 with the one we've seen this year).

  No generals either.  Lets start stopping wars.  In the best of all possible worlds we'd never need another general again.

  Sebelius, Richardson, McCaskill, Schweitzer, Vilsak.  All of them have strengths to bring.

  by Urizen on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:37:23 PM PDT

  •  McCaskill is a Senator. (n/t)

    by Brooke In Seattle on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:42:08 PM PDT

    •  She was governor before, wasn't she?

      or has my brain melted from too much primary?

      by Urizen on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:44:00 PM PDT

      •  She ran.

        I don't think she won.

        That's why she did so well when she ran for Senator -- the people knew her from her campaign for governor.

        by Brooke In Seattle on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:45:27 PM PDT

        •  My bad

          I think she's cool anyway.

          by Urizen on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:49:27 PM PDT

          •  Oh, me too!

            I love it when she's on the TV as the Dem spokesperson.

            I just want her to stay in the Senate and keep up the good work!

            by Brooke In Seattle on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:55:58 PM PDT

•  Kathleen Sebelius

  She is progressive and would go a long way toward healing the divide with white women. One of the most popular governors in the country and a catholic in a midwestern state.
  Speculation that the Vice Presidential nomination lies in her future was heightened by the fact that she was chosen by the Democratic Party's congressional leaders to give their party's official response to Republican President George W. Bush's 2008 State of the Union Address. The next day, she endorsed Obama's campaign, one week before the Kansas caucus on Super Tuesday. Obama won the caucus easily, with 74% support.

  A black man and a white woman on the same ticket and both articulate and progressive. History in the making....

  by Hamsun on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:38:24 PM PDT

  •  Sebelius would be a hell of a choice.

    Strategically smart from a media standpoint as well.

    by brooklynbadboy on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:39:37 PM PDT

  •  Ummm

    would go a long way toward healing the divide with white women.

    Based on?  Most Hillary supporters (which is what your getting at, I suspect) dont' just want a woman - they want Clinton, and offering up someone else wont' work.

    by FerrisValyn on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:43:48 PM PDT

    •  Then they are lying.

      Many of them say they want to vote for her because she is a woman, and this is their first chance to vote for a woman who is really a viable candidate -- not just because she is Hillary.

      And Sebelius isn't just another woman. She's a woman who has executive level experience on her own.

      by Brooke In Seattle on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:49:44 PM PDT

      •  Thats not what I've seen

        they want a woman, yes, but they want someone they can identify with, and the reason that they can identify with her is because she was forced to make the career family decision, and quite publicly .

        Its not just about her being a woman - they are not interchangable.

        by FerrisValyn on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:53:05 PM PDT

      •  someone like Sebelius

        is the woman that Hillary Clinton pretends to be.

        Just like a conservative like Chuck Hagel is the man John McCain pretends to be.

        When in doubt, go with the real thing.

        I know its a stupid TM talking point, but, Sebelius looks presidential. Maybe it's the hair. Very attractive gray hair. I think she would be a great choice at least in terms of media image.

        To be truthful, I don't know much about her political career, but I'm thinking we are all going to find out more soon.

        by magurakurin on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:57:43 PM PDT

  •  I don't consider Sebelius a progressive...

    she's a pretty moderate Dem IMO.

    by sarahlane on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:16:58 PM PDT

•  Candidate wars are not over

  Have you checked the rec list and Hillary = KKK diaries?

  by bhagamu on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:38:27 PM PDT

  •  The Hillary Clinton arguments are useless now

    by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:44:14 PM PDT

    •  That existed two months ago

      And so the candidate wars continue...

      by bhagamu on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:54:11 PM PDT

      •  Well, they are over

        NOW

        by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:56:58 PM PDT

•  No Senators.

  First, you should purge ALL the Senators from your list.

  We do not need to take any of them out of that body. There are too many other viable candidates to chance losing our advantage in the Senate.

  That said, I think you can dump them all except Kathleen Sebelius.

  There was just another diary about her viability as VP candidate that got up to 250 comments and never made the Rec list.

  by Brooke In Seattle on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:38:37 PM PDT

  •  JFK picked a senator

    when he was a senator

    by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:44:38 PM PDT

    •  Do you really want to go there? (n/t)

      by Brooke In Seattle on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:58:05 PM PDT

      •  LBJ was a great choice

        by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:58:36 PM PDT

    •  LBJ was more of a force of nature

      than anything else.  That was also long ago.  

      I don't like paired senator tickets, particularly from someone who's message is that Washington is out of touch.

      by Urizen on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:22:27 PM PDT

      •  LBJ was the Senate Dem Leader

        cannot get more insider than that

        by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:26:06 PM PDT

        •  and he ran the house through Bobby Baker

          (or at least that's what my dad said).  He was the king of all fixers.

          by Urizen on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:28:36 PM PDT

•  Webb for the Defense experience, McCaskill for

  Hillary's glass ceiling problem (I don't know enough of Kathlenne Sebelius, sorry).

  by Christy1947 on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:39:36 PM PDT

  •  McCaskill better campaigner

    I saw her on tweety and she rocker.

    by ParaHammer on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:40:34 PM PDT

    •  McCaskill has Hillary like...

      baggage.  

      But she's an amazing campaigner

      by SilenceISGolden on Fri May 09, 2008 at 05:49:54 PM PDT

      •  Please lay out the baggage so we know, too. n/t

        by Christy1947 on Sat May 10, 2008 at 07:46:55 AM PDT

•  YOUR Veep Candidate

  smells like wet dog feet!

  Mine is the ONLY rational choice.

  by its simple IF you ignore the complexity on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:51:06 PM PDT

•  Bill Nelson

  makes George W. Bush look like an intellectual.  No way in hell.  You can cross him off the list.

  I like Richardson.  I know someone's about to post "Sec of State" below -- but I think Richardson seriously helps with electability in the West and with latino voters (kos posted something similar and more in depth a few days ago, and I agree with his position).

  I also like Sebelius and Wes Clark, for different reasons.  Sebelius would appeal to a lot of Hillary voters who were excited about voting for a woman, plus she has an amazing record in Kansas.  Clark would help counter Obama's "inexperience" meme and help appeal to voters concerned about Iraq.

  I'd be over the moon with any of the 3 of those.

  by rcald on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:53:56 PM PDT

  •  Florida?

    by aaraujo on Fri May 09, 2008 at 04:56:08 PM PDT

    •  I'm referring to Bill Nelson of Florida

      That's who's listed in the diary entry.

      by rcald on Fri May 09, 2008 at 06:07:17 PM PDT

      •  Or, errr, that couldn't have been

        what you