Obama--?????? ticket in '08

[Perky]

Military experience does not matter...tough on terror does not matter.

To the extent that the election is a referendum on the last eight years of foreign policy (and I think that is the debate that we can win) The VP would be the linchpim to an argument about Change. There real are only three criteria that matter if Obama heads the ticket.


Can this person as VP improve our standing in the world community and deflect the argument that Obama is too green.

The second is is the person seen as an "adult" who can step in to the office should tragedy strike.

Third is whether or not there are electoral plusses.


You take those three criteria and I think the choice comes down to two. Richardson and maybe Bob Graham.

Realize also the the GOP does not have a csididate with Foreign Policy credentials and you really have to think hard if their is a GOPer who is credible on Foreign Policy outside of Lugar.

[pstans]

1. Richardson

I think the best VP choice for Obama would be Richardson. Richardson would help Obama in the west and has a ton of experience as a diplomat to cover any lack of experience Obama has on foreign policy. Others choices could be Jim Webb or Joe Biden.

[SharonRB]

3. I agree with you on Richardson or Biden, but

with Obama's lack of experience, we need someone more experienced than Webb. Down the road he'd be a good candidate, but not yet.

[frazzled]

6. I'd agree in theory on Richardson ...

Because of his foreign policy experience, executive experience, and demographic appeal (west, hispanics). But in practice, I have to say he is a kind of mediocre campaigner and debater. So I'm not so sure.

As for Biden or Dodd--no way. Never again should two senators appear on the same ticket. It's suicide. (Plus, Biden is such a loose cannon, he'd be sure to say something that would take months to recuperate from.)

[Perky]

13. I agree with your assessment of Richardson

But I suspect he would hold his own in a debate agaist anyone the GOP puts in the sencod seat.


I just think resume is going to trump debate skills in this election.

[pstans]

20. Richardson is a good campaigner

He is congenial and very humorous. However, I agree he can improve in debates.

[Kucinich4America]

7. Richardson would be better at the top of the ticket.

Governors win Presidential elections. Senators don't. If Romney or Huckabee is the Repuke nominee, that gives them the advantage. Hell, even 9u11ani, for that matter, since mayor of NYC might as well be a governor position, given the size of the city.

[SharonRB]

2. I'd say of the current candidates,

Richardson, Biden or Dodd would be good.

[msongs]

4. you've got it the wrong way around nt

[SharonRB]

23. I didn't necessarily mean in that order

[hedgehog]

5. Edwards to be the point man on the domestic agenda.

Time to get our own house in order before we tell the rest of the world how to run things!

On edit: Edwards on the stump would help keep people's attention focused on the economy instead ot Terra, Tera Terra!

[sandnsea]

9. Except Obama is better on domestic issues

And actually has a record of getting things passed.

[hedgehog]

10. I'm thinking Edwards as VP would bird dog Obama's initiatives through Congress. nt

[Adelante]

12. Edwards hasn't got the influence in Congress

I always think a legislator is the best bet for a VP, though. Somebody with the standing and institutional memory to be effective at arm twisting. Edwards really hasn't got what it takes for that.

[sandnsea]

15. He should bird dog the unions

or something like that. I think if he put the next 8 years into real ground level work, he'd be the President in 2016. He's got to prove he'll follow through even when the cameras are off. He should take a page from Jimmy Carter.

[frazzled]

11. I don't think you get a second chance at the veep slot

and I don't think it would be a very strong ticket anyway.

[Sensitivity]

8. Teresa Kerry -- Who would probably make a better Pres than Hill

[Progress And Change]

14. when was obama coronated?

[Perky]

16. He wasn't.....Do I need to explain the word "if" in the OP?

[hedgehog]

25. I'm assuming this is a what if? posting.

BTW, is there really such a word as "coronated"? I'd used "crowned" in this application.

[TwilightGardener]

17. Obama's Veep: I think the best would be an older long-serving Senator

or Governor who has a military background and maybe a financial background, because of the stumbling economy--Obama's two big weak spots are not having military experience (and not having served on the Armed Services Committee), and not having executive/business experience. This limits him a little, and no, I don't want Clark. Not sure who I'd go with yet for him. I would have to dispute your claim about Lugar being the only one with credible foreign policy experience--McCain and Hagel both have excellent foreign-policy AND military credentials, and they might be tapped by the GOP nominee for that reason.

[ClarkUSA]

18. Sen. Jim Webb - he'll put Virginia in the blue column AND he thinks well of Obama's FP

Plus, the two men are quite friendly with one another. They'd make a maverick team and Webb's former Republicanism can only be a plus in
an election where former right-leaning swing voters and moderate Republicans are looking for a good reason to leave their party, too. The
ticket would also be a boon to down-ticket Democrats on the ballot and usher in a strong Democratic majority in Congress.

[TwilightGardener]

21. Several problems with this: Webb barely won his election against Macaca--

that sort of says his appeal to the GOPers is possibly limited. He's a freshman Senator. I don't think two freshman Senators belong on the same ticket. He's not a dynamic public speaker. He has military creds, which I like, but beyond that, what does he offer? He is also on his third wife. I like Webb, but he's needed in the Senate more than as VP.

[951-Riverside]

19. Obama/Bill Clinton n/t

[suston96]

22. No can do.......

Bill Clinton not eligible. Twenty Second Amendment.

[Perky]

24. An interesting constitutional issue...but not a realistic proposition