Obama's Vice President Possibilities
16 comments on this postBack in 2006 I started breaking down the candidates for President. I had Obama and McCain from the start. I even stuck by my picks when they did not look so good in the second half of 2007. I also predicted that McCain would wrap up victory quicker than Obama, despite common logic saying the GOP would take longer, due to their crowded field. Moral of the story: I am genius. So listen up while I tell you about the odds for the Democratic VP.....
Wesley Clark: This was my pick for Obama back in 2006 and I am standing by it. He is incredibly well-versed on all the key issues and has the proper demeanor for a VP candidate. Plus, his military resume is much greater than McCain's supposed experience. He is a Hillary supporter, but its not like he would say no. And it could maybe heal some of the divide with those that have coherent problems with Obama.
Odds of being VP: 20%
Hillary Clinton: No better way to bring in the sour Hillary backers. Plus, she does bring a stark contrast to Obama on some issues, and a balance of opinions is something I think the Obama White House will pride itself in, unlike the current administration. However, I think the only way this could happen is if Bill were forced to only campaign in Hawaii, or maybe work on the Dems living abroad....what a trainwreck that guy has been.....almost as bad as her advisers.
Odds of being VP: 15%
Bill Richardson: Bottom line, he is the best qualified. He brings experience from all realms. And he would be a great help in the states Obama needs to do well in (New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada). He was not very good in debates, but the VP debate doesn't really matter. However, I think having a black guy and a Hispanic guy maybe to much for a lot of Americans to handle. In a non-racist world, I go Richardson, but things are not perfect and I worry that just enough Americans will not be comfortable with two candidates with pigment (interestingly, Mitt Romney's creepy bronzed pigment causes me to be prejudice against him).
Odds of being VP: 14%
Ted Strickland: Even though he has a good resume, I don't like him as the pick. Maybe I am still bitter about him running around Ohio with Hillary. But the fact is, he probably tips Ohio to Obama, so he has to be considered a top-tier choice.
Odds of being VP: 13%
Phil Bresden, Ed Rendell, Mike Easley: All three are popular governors and pretty conservative Democrats. Bresden (TN) is still undeclared, but he will not bring Tennessee, so I am not sure if he makes sense. Rendell (PA), a Hillary-backer, was pretty civil towards Obama, unlike Easley (NC), who took a bunch of unnecessary shots. Plus, Rendell would take away any chance McCain has of winning Pennsylvania. Then again, I sort of like the idea of McCain wasting his time and resources in Pennsylvania, only to lose by 6%.
Odds of being VP: 7%
Michael Bloomberg: Great pick and probably the only scenario Obama wins Florida. Problem: with all that smarts on the ballot, nobody will want to have a beer with them.
Odds of being VP: 6%
Joe Biden, Chris Dodd: They would both be solid picks, especially Dodd. Between the two, Dodd brings as much experience, has no chance of saying something insane, and has a normal haircut.
Odds of being VP: 5%
Jim Webb: Popular amongst us young bloggers, but probably not a good pick. However, with him and McCain both rumored to have bad tempers, the odds of a fist-fight determining President go up.
Odds of being VP: 4%
Sam Nunn, James Jones: Just heard both of their names for the first time on ABC's This Week. They bring the national security angle, but unless Wes Clark is caught with a prostitute, I would just assume go with Clark, if a national security figure is the angle. Side note: this was the first time I have watched ABC since that absurd debate, and all I know is that I cannot stand Cokie Roberts. I would rather date George Will than have lunch with Cokie Roberts. She just says things and never supports them with any fact. She is the worst commentator on the major networks.
Odds of being VP: 3%
John Edwards: Maybe if he had the guts to endorse him after he dropped out, but he sat back, instead of taking a risk (a minor risk, at that, since Obama has had the thing virtually won since mid-February). What a sham that whole New Hampshire debate stunt was, slamming Clinton and acting like he and Obama were the only viable choices.
Odds of being VP: 2%
Al Gore: We all dream for it, but it won't happen. It is truly remarkable he has stayed out of actual politics since 2000. I mean, if he wasn't planning on running for office after 2000, why didn't he fight harder to get the Presidency....he did actually have more votes, nationwide and in Florida.
Odds of being VP: 1%
The Field: Includes General Zinni, Colin Powell, Chuck Hagel, Warren Buffet (attention John McCain: his books can be found at all major bookstores), Kathleen Sebelius, Russ Feingold, Barbara Boxer (not really an option, but I really like her), Janet Napolitano, Tom Vilsack, Evan Bayh, Tom Daschle, me (I would obviously just deny anything controversial I have said on this site....and we would have to concede North Carolina, due to my comments on the Duke kids), George Clooney, Jon Stewart, some politician from the Pacific Northwest, the governor of Colorado (i don't even know his name so this list should stop), and others.
Odds of being VP: 10%
Wesley Clark: This was my pick for Obama back in 2006 and I am standing by it. He is incredibly well-versed on all the key issues and has the proper demeanor for a VP candidate. Plus, his military resume is much greater than McCain's supposed experience. He is a Hillary supporter, but its not like he would say no. And it could maybe heal some of the divide with those that have coherent problems with Obama.
Odds of being VP: 20%
Hillary Clinton: No better way to bring in the sour Hillary backers. Plus, she does bring a stark contrast to Obama on some issues, and a balance of opinions is something I think the Obama White House will pride itself in, unlike the current administration. However, I think the only way this could happen is if Bill were forced to only campaign in Hawaii, or maybe work on the Dems living abroad....what a trainwreck that guy has been.....almost as bad as her advisers.
Odds of being VP: 15%
Bill Richardson: Bottom line, he is the best qualified. He brings experience from all realms. And he would be a great help in the states Obama needs to do well in (New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada). He was not very good in debates, but the VP debate doesn't really matter. However, I think having a black guy and a Hispanic guy maybe to much for a lot of Americans to handle. In a non-racist world, I go Richardson, but things are not perfect and I worry that just enough Americans will not be comfortable with two candidates with pigment (interestingly, Mitt Romney's creepy bronzed pigment causes me to be prejudice against him).
Odds of being VP: 14%
Ted Strickland: Even though he has a good resume, I don't like him as the pick. Maybe I am still bitter about him running around Ohio with Hillary. But the fact is, he probably tips Ohio to Obama, so he has to be considered a top-tier choice.
Odds of being VP: 13%
Phil Bresden, Ed Rendell, Mike Easley: All three are popular governors and pretty conservative Democrats. Bresden (TN) is still undeclared, but he will not bring Tennessee, so I am not sure if he makes sense. Rendell (PA), a Hillary-backer, was pretty civil towards Obama, unlike Easley (NC), who took a bunch of unnecessary shots. Plus, Rendell would take away any chance McCain has of winning Pennsylvania. Then again, I sort of like the idea of McCain wasting his time and resources in Pennsylvania, only to lose by 6%.
Odds of being VP: 7%
Michael Bloomberg: Great pick and probably the only scenario Obama wins Florida. Problem: with all that smarts on the ballot, nobody will want to have a beer with them.
Odds of being VP: 6%
Joe Biden, Chris Dodd: They would both be solid picks, especially Dodd. Between the two, Dodd brings as much experience, has no chance of saying something insane, and has a normal haircut.
Odds of being VP: 5%
Jim Webb: Popular amongst us young bloggers, but probably not a good pick. However, with him and McCain both rumored to have bad tempers, the odds of a fist-fight determining President go up.
Odds of being VP: 4%
Sam Nunn, James Jones: Just heard both of their names for the first time on ABC's This Week. They bring the national security angle, but unless Wes Clark is caught with a prostitute, I would just assume go with Clark, if a national security figure is the angle. Side note: this was the first time I have watched ABC since that absurd debate, and all I know is that I cannot stand Cokie Roberts. I would rather date George Will than have lunch with Cokie Roberts. She just says things and never supports them with any fact. She is the worst commentator on the major networks.
Odds of being VP: 3%
John Edwards: Maybe if he had the guts to endorse him after he dropped out, but he sat back, instead of taking a risk (a minor risk, at that, since Obama has had the thing virtually won since mid-February). What a sham that whole New Hampshire debate stunt was, slamming Clinton and acting like he and Obama were the only viable choices.
Odds of being VP: 2%
Al Gore: We all dream for it, but it won't happen. It is truly remarkable he has stayed out of actual politics since 2000. I mean, if he wasn't planning on running for office after 2000, why didn't he fight harder to get the Presidency....he did actually have more votes, nationwide and in Florida.
Odds of being VP: 1%
The Field: Includes General Zinni, Colin Powell, Chuck Hagel, Warren Buffet (attention John McCain: his books can be found at all major bookstores), Kathleen Sebelius, Russ Feingold, Barbara Boxer (not really an option, but I really like her), Janet Napolitano, Tom Vilsack, Evan Bayh, Tom Daschle, me (I would obviously just deny anything controversial I have said on this site....and we would have to concede North Carolina, due to my comments on the Duke kids), George Clooney, Jon Stewart, some politician from the Pacific Northwest, the governor of Colorado (i don't even know his name so this list should stop), and others.
Odds of being VP: 10%
By Chuck - 5/12/2008
16 Comments:
Gen. Clark -, good choice for the nation and military....Strickland - good move to win Ohio...Richardson, not bad either
Lots of Cabinet potential
Chuck-
This was a great Monday morning read. I too, watched This Week and was thoroughly annoyed by Cokie. Again.
I think you are on the money with Clark. I think he needs to balance the ticket with an older, national security-esque figure. I think Richardson's odds on the VP are slim shady to none but I think he is a shoe in for a cabinet position.
Impressive breakdown
excellent
Who is Kathleen Sebelius? I keep reading about how she can deliver Ohio and Kansas, but I've never heard of her.
Funny thing about Clark... McCain would have to salute him! (-Huffington Post said it first)
Strickland would be good to deliver Ohio, but not much after that. We need him here!
My preference is Webb. He can deliver some undecided Republicans, and he's a straight-talker! Military and international experience, a son who's serving in Bush's war, and age are all positives. Plus, he won't scare off the NRA folks because he's "pro-gun."
Chuck, great post.
Clark is a great asset to our party, but isn't at the top of my list for VP because he isn't that great on the stump in my view. I also don't know what constituency or region / state he could help us deliver.
Many of the Sunday pundits pointed out that bringing Senator Clinton (and President Clinton) on the ticket would dull Obama's message of change. I agree. Plus, I think the Clinton campaign's attack ads on experience have ended this possibility. I don't see how she is even offered it or takes it. We need a fresh start. As I've said before, I'd like to see Clinton replace Reid as Majority Leader.
Bill Richardson, I agree he deserves to be at the top. Governor. New Mexico. Foreign policy experience. Latino. All positive points for Richardson.
I agree with Terra. We need Strickland in Ohio.
I really like Tom Daschle and Chris Dodd. Daschle is a fighter and a great surrogate. Plus, older Clinton voters remember him from the 90's.
My first choice for vp is Hillary. I don't understand how she can go this far with and spend this much money and then get nothing out of it.
My second choice would be Webb. He's a great individual who always seem to demolish republicans in debates. He isn't too liberal which will bring in moderates and republicans alike.
Third I like Mike Bloomberg. He's loaded with money and he's a true independent. He will surely bring in independents all over the country and is usually considered to be an honest politician because he can't be bought out. He has some very sound ideas.
Ted Strickland, dont really see that happening. I rememebr when he stood next to Hillary as she attacked Obama for attacking her health care plan.
The Colorado Gov is Bill Ritter. He is having his own problems there.
I would disagree on Bloomberg. I think he would be a terrible pick.
Good list as well.
this is the good side of chuck
Webb - Good choice also. Good cabinet choice also
How about Webb SecDef & Clark SecState or viceversa?
Toss in Richardson as SecState......
Obama has GREAT Cabinet choices and I am enthused
How about since Hillary has fed us SO much manure lately - Sec Agriculture
The Washington Post (as reprinted in the Columbus Dispatch) had a listing of the top candidates for VP -- Ohioans on both list.
I think the amazing thing is that Strickland is considered a more-likely candidate than Clinton for VP if Obama is the head of the ticket. I agree with Kyle -- we need Strickland in Ohio.
Terra -- the reason people think Sebelius can carry Ohio is because her father was Governor Gilligan, who was Governor of Ohio in the 1970s. She and her father are the only father-daughter governors in history.
A lot of pundits think that her Ohio roots can help give her the boost neccessary to carry the state, especially in some of the rural areas of the state and with older voters, who would remember her father.
http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/national_world/stories/2008/05/12/wap_veeps_0512.ART_ART_05-12-08_A5_35A64OF.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
Thanks Adam! :)
yeah that was pretty informative Adam.
Funny thing about Clark... McCain would have to salute him! (-Huffington Post said it first)
terra you are so dumb and have zero understanding of military protocol
just shut up and go back to your little commie rag where you censor comments sort of like your hero Stalin
It is going to be either Kathleen Sebelius or Bill Richardson.
What about Bob Graham-- white southern governor (and senator) Florida, forein policy credentials and was against the war
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