Who should be Barack Obama's running mate?

[PresidentObama]

I'm usually against these kind of polls when the nominee hasn't been picked.

But it's crystal clear Senator Clinton can't win the nomination.

So who should his running mate be?

My choice is Senator John Kerry.

I would also LOVE Obama/Clinton.

[Danieljay]

1. Al Gore. Guaranteeing 16 years of Democratic presidency. n/t

[PresidentObama]

4. Gore/Edwards or Gore/Obama would be our best bet. But Obama/Gore would be awesome!!

[SharonRB]

37. No way Gore would be VP

I'd take Gore/Obama, but if Gore's on the ticket he needs to be at the top.

[Danieljay]

40. I'm in total agreement but that aint gonna happen. I could only hope. n/t

[SharonRB]

51. I know it's not -- it's just a pipe dream

There's no probability whatsoever, but there's that .00001% of a chance that they'll need to reach a deal at the convention and ask Gore to step in. There's absolutely no chance he'd be VP, and that's basically what my point was.

[rocktivity]

2. You've listed Biden twice

Obama/Clinton = DNC/DLC. Never happen.

:headbang:
rocknation

[PresidentObama]

5. Thanks, fixed n/t

[redqueen]

3. Biden is on there twice. (nt)

[PresidentObama]

7. Fixed, thank you!! n/t

[CJCRANE]

6. You missed out Wesley Clark and Jim Webb nt

[PresidentObama]

8. I love Wes Clark, but after what he said about Barack....won't happen. And there is an other option

n/t

[MNDemNY]

9. One does not need a running mate to be re-elected to the Senare.

[PresidentObama]

10. He's going to be our nominee, he won't have to worry about going back to the Senate n/t

[MNDemNY]

11. Nope.

[PresidentObama]

14. Nope? Maybe you should take a math class?!? n/t

[MNDemNY]

19. How about some Poli-sci for you.

[PresidentObama]

33. You mean what I'm going to school for now? "Clinton Aides Gives 10% Chance Of Winning Nomination"

According to basic math, that means 90% chance Obama will be the nominee.

I think Obama's got this.

Don't worry though, Hillary will be just fine.

She's an incredible woman.

[onehandle]

12. A North/North ticket will likely not happen. Richardson is possible.

A viable Southerner will make it long before any of those.

[catgirl]

25. Actually Webb would be a good choice

And VA will be an Obama win (he's already polling well there).

[book_worm]

13. Bill Richardson for several reasons

he adds a lot of stature and foreign policy experience.
He would definitely deliver his homestate of NM
He would make it easier to carry several states: Nevada, Colorado and even Texas could be targeted.
He has a good sense of humor.

[Ganja Ninja]

30. Here's one more reason.

If Richardson's the VP nominee we don't lose another senate seat which is what would happen if we run a current office holder and they win.

[cottonseed]

45. Agreed. Also goes for cabinet positions.

I see a lot of threads on here musing about candidate positions. It usually ends up placing about 4 or so current senators in the cabinet and another in the VP slot. There's just no way that can, would, or should happen.

[theoldman]

15. Let's redo the poll with Gore on the list.

[Firespirit]

16. I really love Kerry, but I'd rather see him as Attorney General

I realize this is not often proposed, but it really makes a lot of sense. Someone will need to investigate and prosecute the many domestic crimes of Bushco that revolve around corruption, bribes, blackmail, privacy invasion, etc. -- basically anything that Rove had his hands in. Kerry has been a DA before and investigated BCCI in the Bush1 days. He knows this stuff.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

24. Would Kerry accept the AG job?

"Senator" seems like a pretty good gig. Why would Kerry accept AG (or Veep)?

[Firespirit]

29. Well...

Let me just say that Massachusetts does not appreciate this man. He's consistently given low ratings, god knows why. I only moved here last year and I haven't figured it out yet.

He's running for re-election, and may feel a sense of duty to stay in the Senate after being re-elected, regardless of how the voters feel about him. That's just the sort of guy he is... if it were me, I'd give them a big F you, but then, that's me. Whether he'd accept a spot would depend on how strong that sense of duty was.

[peoli]

17. Biden!

[invictus]

18. A non-DLC governor n/t

[Kber]

21. Katherin Sabilus (sp)?

[stellanoir]

20. Senator Barbara Boxer

The problem in choosing a Senator is that whomever gets the nomination, the majority in the Senate is so slim we'll lose one if not two Senators.

Oh heck.

Let him run with Oprah.

what the heck.

[arundhatiroyfan]

22. Kucinich. nt

[Warren DeMontague]

23. Out of your choices, I pick Dodd. My top choice would be Russ Feingold.

I suspect Richardson is on the very short list, he wouldn't be a bad pick either.

I also like Al Gore.

[Firespirit]

27. Replacing Dodd

Hypothetically, if Obama picked Dodd, how would Dodd be replaced? CT's Governor is Jodi Rell, a Republican. How does the replacement system for senators work in CT?

[Warren DeMontague]

31. I have no idea, but that's a good point. And the fact that BR isn't in the Senate is another point

in his favor.

[lmbradford]

26. Barbara Boxer

I think a woman will bring in the feminists who are voting for Hillary b/c they want to see a woman prez. Besides, unlike HRC, she is awesome.

[havocmom]

28. Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer

Western governor (we need to leave DEM Senators in the senate). Good good balance to Obama

Stood up to bush and got MT Guard helicopters back in Montana

Level headed, smart, good with people, solid on working with everyone to bring about SOLUTIONS instead of continuing partisan deadlock. Knows problems are too serious to toy with, gets a lot of cooperation from most but the bitterest partisan hacks. Looks to win/win solutions instead of party grudge matches.

Into energy solutions. Use what is available now to cut oil imports WHILE working on really clean and renewable and get those methods up and running.

Soils scientists- understands farmers/ranchers, people who grow the food. Always working on better methods to get people fed. Understands the coming importance of critical water issues.

Worked in Arabia and not in love with the House of Saud. Not their water carrier. BOY is he not their water carrier!

Solid, stand up guy.

NOT one of the same ol Belt-Way Faces. People, we have some great DEMS across the nation. Time to stop recycling the same ol faces. The public wants CHANGE. The nation requires change if we are to survive.

Oh, yeah, DHS recently gave Montana 'a extension' on compliance with Real ID. Schweitzer and Montana did NOT ask for one, just said we ain't gonna comply. DHS blinked. Schweitzer is not afraid to speak truth to those who THINK they are the power. When DHS gave an extension to MT, Schweitzer remarked that "I sent them a horse and if they want to call it a zebra, that's up to them. They can call it whatever they want, and it wasn't a love letter."

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/03/montana-gov-dhs.html

http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/03/montana-gov-dhs.html

And he loves his dog

[Gidney N Cloyd]

44. Good man & too often overlooked. Has good TV presence, too. nt

[EFerrari]

48. I heard him once talking about electric cars.

He is fantastic! I bet you'd have to fight MT for him.

[havocmom]

77. We could still use him here, but most of us Montanans are pragmatic folks

We know the whole nation is in a shitload of trouble and we know our gov is a problem solver. We might just be patriotic enough to share him... for the good of the Union ;) Besides, he seems to do us a lot of good when he goes on road trips and talks to other people in other places.

[Bullet1987]

32. Out of those listed...Bill Richardson

Out of unlisted...Kathleen Sebelius.

[PresidentObama]

34. Wow, Richardson's dominating with nearly 50% of those of you who have voted.

Keep voting people!!

[Barking Spider]

35. Here's a possibility to be considered... Chuck Hagel

FWIW: I personally would like Richardson. But I thought I'd toss this grenade out there.

I know its a cardinal sin on this board to promote a Republican in any way. But this is an intriguing choice because, in one shot, you remove a Repub from the Senate and you stand to turn some midwest red states into blue states.

I don't harbor any warm feelings for social conservatives, but honestly, where can Sen Hagel be less problematic to this end? Voting in the Senate, or as the country's official funeral attender and greet-the-dignitary-at-the-airport guy?

I know this idea will float like a lead balloon here at DU, but if Hillary supporters are going to take their ball and go home if she is not the nominee, and we therefore can't rely on them, why not go chisel away McCain's support?

Give me a sec to put my hardhat on...




Thanks. Fire!

:hide:

[PresidentObama]

36. Or Bloomberg?!? n/t

[Barking Spider]

50. Bloomberg brings nothing to the table.

Hagel has the veteran status, the Senate Foreign Relations and Senate Intel Committee experience. Plus he comes from a red state. And he has been a vocal critic of the war.

Bloomberg is a bazillionaire from NY. I think his 15 minutes of fame are almost over unless he buys a few more.


Again, Hagel's not my choice, but I think its an interesting question.

[Bullet1987]

41. A unity ticket is a pipe dream...even more unlikely than Obama/Clinton

[TwilightGardener]

43. Hagel would make a good matchup against a McCain/Lieberman ticket--

that way the other side doesn't get to steal the "unity" title. But Hagel would have to become an Indie, and promise not to mess with the Dem's social-issue and abortion platform, for me to be comfortable with it.

[lumberjack_jeff]

61. "Cardinal sin" to promote Republicans? Not these days. n/t

[fifthoffive]

38. How about another Democratic woman...

Pelosi or Boxer?

[lumberjack_jeff]

62. Welcome to DU.

:hi:

[pdx_prog]

39. I think he has already chose Edwards

I remember a month or so back when Obama visited Edwards......just a hunch

[4_Legs_Good]

46. I think Edwards is the only person he cannot choose

I like Edwards fine, but I think he showed in 2004 that he doesn't bring anything to the ticket. Nothing appreciable from NC or SC in the General, and he did not bring the fire I expected him to bring to the ticket, which was much needed, and which I had expected. He was my choice for VP in 2004, but I have to say he let me down.

Just my thoughts.

David

[Leopolds Ghost]

59. That is why I'm thinking Wes Clark. he helped Kerry than Edwards did -- Bill/Hill sat on sidelines.

[thoughtcrime1984]

47. Hil visited him as well

Wouldn't it have been in JE's best interest to publically endorse Obama, if he was offered VP? Or is it possible he was offered VP by both and is waiting for the moment when victory appears certain to jump in? Either way, I don't think he will be VP. I have been saying Richardson for about a month now. Makes sense in several ways.

[Jack Bone]

42. Fmr Sen. Bob Graham (FL)

[dansolo]

81. Absolutely

Frankly, I've given up on Florida, but with Graham on the ticket, we could have a chance.

[4_Legs_Good]

49. I'm going Richardson right now, though Boxer would be my #1 choice if they could win, and...

I think Webb or Warner from Virginia would be great choices. I think Biden would be good too.

But I'd love someone strong from a deep purple, leaning red state, like Texas perhaps. Or someone from a big purple leaning blue state that we then wouldn't have to worry about, like Michigan or Pennsylvania.

Such a tough choice!

David

[SharonRB]

53. There's no one in Michigan who would make any sense

I'd like Boxer, too, and voted Richardson in this poll. I was torn between Dodd and Richardson, but I agree with others here who would hate to lose two good senators. It would be nice if the VP wasn't a senator, which would leave Boxer out. I think she'd be great, though.

[AgadorSparticus]

52. Of course my vote would have to be for John Edwards.

[Doctor_J]

54. Obama/Richardson would be a little too diverse, IMO

sadly. Give me Webb.

[burythehatchet]

55. MICHELLE!!

[totodeinhere]

56. Senator Boxer

[anamandujano]

57. He won't be needing one.

[gmudem]

58. General Wes Clark.

Clark would be the perfect choice as long as he can be a realistic Clinton supporter and proudly go with Obama once he gets the nomination. We wouldn't lose any office holders and he would completely cancel out McCain's "experience."

If not Clark, then Biden or Webb.

[lumberjack_jeff]

60. Patty Murray, Christine Gregoire or Barbara Boxer.

[galaxy21]

63. Webb, older, outspoken, military expereince....he makes up all of Obama's flaws

[LWolf]

64. Joe Lieberman is a good match. n/t

[Name removed]

67. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LWolf]

74. I am not "being a jerk on purpose,"

and I consider that to be a personal attack. Against DU rules.

I'm perfectly serious. I think Obama and Lieberman are a good fit. Both of them are quite fond of republicans, and of republican agendas, for example.

[cloudythescribbler]

65. Xcept HRC, this list is ALL MALE -- best would be a woman NOT Hillary -- eg Barbara Boxer nt

[maddux530]

66. At one time, I had a couple in mind...

I initially wanted Clark for VP, but his recent comments were discouraging to me as well. Doesn't mean he wouldn't be a great VP, but I could see the McCain campaign jumping all over it.

I liked the idea of Obama/Kerry, as well, but Kerry all but squashed it in his campaign visit to California back in February. An audience member yelled out, "Kerry for VP!" Kerry just chuckled and said, "spare me," which brought about lots of laughter.

I think Obama/Clinton would be fine, but this primary season has been pretty divisive and increasingly bitter, and the sound bites from either side could be fodder for McCain.

I really don't know much about Richardson or the other presumptive VP "front runners," so I'll just have to wait this one out.

[Khaotic]

68. Obama/Gore

Gore for VP!

[BigDDem]

69. Tony Rezko

[Yukari Yakumo]

70. Other - Gov. Schweitzer

First why not the others...

Senator Hillary Clinton - Considering what this she-bitch has been doing lately, I just want her gone. And I doubt I'm alone.
Former Senator John Edwards - Lacks the credibility others could bring. And a dud in '04.
Senator John Kerry - Also a dud in '04. I doubt there'd be any difference in '08. Also lacks appeal outside of already established Dem bases.
Senator Joe Biden - Adds little to the card. Others (such as Sen. Webb) can offer the same he can and then some.
Governor Bill Richardson - Poor debater and lacks charisma, but of which are mandatory for a national campaign.
Senator Chris Dodd - See Biden.

Why Schweitzer? One, he'd help put the West in play. Two, the people do not want an establishment candidate. And most importantly, he'd appeal to the average Joe who Bush hoodwinked into voting for him in 2000 for exactly the same reason.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

71. Anyone On The List But Richardson. He Totally Sucked.

He is completely uninspiring and would only bring the campaign down, not up. It was almost torturous to listen to him in the debates. I don't want him anywhere near our ticket, to be honest with ya.

[PresidentObama]

72. The guys defines experience, and you don't want him because he doesn't have personality? Psh.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

76. He Defines Nothing In My Opinion.

I was so enthusiastic about him at the start of all this, but I don't think I've ever been that disappointed in a candidate in my life. By the end of the last debate he was in, I was sick of even seeing him up there anymore. He seemingly had no grasp on issues, couldn't answer off the cuff to save his life, and looked like a complete amateur. Perception is everything.

No. I don't want him anywhere near our ticket.

[Milo_Bloom]

73. Richard Clarke

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_A._Clarke

[QC]

75. Joe Lieberman. n/t

[Alexander]

79. Nah. Holy Joe's sore that Obama campaigned for Lamont in '06...

While the Clintons were saying the CT Senate race was "win-win" for the Democrats.

[Alexander]

78. Senator Russell Feingold.

Kerry would approve.

[dansolo]

80. 5 out of your 6 voted for the Iraq War

The Iraq War will be a major focus of his campaign. He won't pick any of them.

My preferences are Bob Graham or Gary Hart.