Obama-Feingold anyone?

[OneDemsConscience]

That's my dream ticket. Feingold evokes qualities Obama is already trying to personify--respect for the Constitution and individual liberties, non-partisanship, integrity, and dignity. While Obama is inexperienced, Feingold has been correct on most of the most important issues--having Feingold as VP would shore up skepticism about Obama's ideology and agenda. Feingold looks good and comes from a swing state. He has consistently attracted GOP voters in order to maintain his Senate seat. He's young enough to still be a contender in 2016 if need be.

I realize Feingold has his faults but I'm curious to see if any here think the faults outweigh his strengths. Sure, there are probably better candidates for the purpose of attracting votes but Feingold seems to me both well-qualified and deserving as well an electorally intelligent choice.

[DJ13]

1. I would love it, but the 'Republicans' in our party wouldnt

Unfortunately, Hillary's move to the (far) right against Obama pretty much forces him to seek a middle of the road VP candidate in order to try and appeal to the Hillary voters.

[lisa58]

2. To close geographically...

...I love Feingold and really hoped he would have run for president.

[MinM]

4. Obama-Edwards?

Chet Edwards (D-TX) that is :kick:

[MinM]

11. Plus you don't burn a Senate Seat this way.

With either Edwards

[NewHampshireDem]

3. Way, way back when people were still 'exploring'

I was hoping he would run. Sadly, I think the response in NH was tepid, at best. He sort of stuck his toe in the water then pulled back pretty quickly. :(

I would like to see him continue in the Senate and continue the (mostly) good work he's done there.

I also don't really like him, or any other Senator, for the VP slot because I think we need someone who has experience as something other than a legislator. I don't believe in anything as foolish as the presidential equivalent of the 'Curse of the Bambino,' but I do think it makes a difference to good government. (Which is not to say that Gore didn't do some really great things as VP--for which he seems to have gotten little credit.)

[JimGinPA]

5. Watching Him Debate Romney Would Sure Be Fun

B-)

[DevonRex]

6. I love Feingold. He's brave and tough. At this point I'm glad

Obama's the one making the decision and not me. I've flopped all around like a fish in the bottom of the boat.

[GreenEyedLefty]

7. They're both handsome as hell, too.

Whee!

:)

[Bucky]

8. You need to nominate a low-distraction candidate (like, surprisingly, Obama is)

Feingold, while imminently qualified, is a high distraction candidate. It's not fair, as I'm sure he'd be a great VP (and a great P for that matter).

Obama is an example of a low distraction candidate: the only way to smear him so far has been with proximity-hits (Ayers, Wright, race). He himself is squeaky clean--almost impossibly so. The smears have been so over the top because he's effectively insulated himself from direct attacks--no marital or financial or policy-based improprieties.

I'd hate to see such a brilliant public servant like Feingold put through the wringer when he has so much to offer the country as a senator still.

[OneDemsConscience]

16. Yes you are right

Only the candidates themselves know whether the right-wing slime machine has anything on them.... Personally, I wish the selection process was based on qualifications and accomplishments rather than spin and distortion.

[RainDog]

9. I love Feingold too

but I don't think he brings in yet another portion of the demographic.

My dream would be if he is the v.p. for the second term ticket to head up the ticket in 2016. FDR went from liberal vp (Henry Wallace) to conservative (Truman) - it's been done in the other direction - so to start with a more conservative vp this time... not saying it's likely, but it has been done.

[TexasObserver]

10. Feingold, Edwards, Richardson, Webb as work for me.

Russ is my boy.

[Peace Patriot]

12. Clark is the best suggestion I've seen. Obama really needs somebody watching his

back with the "military-industrial complex" and Bushbotted Pentagon.

Topnotch military, command and diplomatic experience. Early, strong and public opposition to the Iraq War.

Although a westerner and/or a woman would also be great, as to the perhaps overrated "balance" idea. But not just any westerner and/or woman. Somebody REALLY smart, dedicated public servant, passionate, committed.

Although I think it's just a tad early for her--as to national recognition--I am very, VERY impressed with California's new Sec of State Debra Bowen. Smart as a whip. Extremely knowledgeable about electronic voting and our voting system in general--a rather CRITICAL issue for November. A lifetime of dedication to OPEN government. Courage and spine of steel in dealing with the election theft industry and corrupt election officials. Came into it after some really bad shit in CA, going back to the ouster of our last good Sec of State, Kevin Shelley, who was driven from office on bogus corruption charges, after he sued Diebold six months before the 2004 election. Bushbots didn't like that, drove him out; Schwarz appointed a Diebold shill, then the CA Progressive Dems revolted, got Bowen nominated and elected, against a Puke tide. And she immediately started suing the fuckers again. The woman is fearless. Upshot: she's seen a couple of wars. Very poised, self-confident person like Obama. With Bowen's devotion to good government, wonky intellect and determination, they'd make a helluva great team as to cleaning up our putrid government in DC.

[grantcart]

13. Webb was secretary of the Navy

[NewHampshireDem]

14. Under a Republican, no less

(In case anyone is wondering: Yes, in this case, that is a good thing.)

[and-justice-for-all]

15. Love Feingold!!!

But I do not think it is a strong enough ticket..

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

17. Here.

[TexanDem]

18. I like Fingold a lot, but I think he's perceived as too far left and not a change

[scarletwoman]

19. Nope. A ticket with 2 Senators? Bad strategy. (nt)

[DearAbby]

20. I would prefer we didnt nominate a Senator for VP

We need our Senators in office, especially those who are known to fight for progressives.