Should Obama Pick Sebelius as VP? Great Article:

[mystieus]

by Randy Shaw‚ May. 12‚ 2008



Now that Barack Obama is clearly the Democratic presidential nominee, the question turns to his running mate. I made the case for Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown over a month ago, but he has garnered little national support. Ialso argued that Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius should be bypassed since she “has little national experience and is not ready for prime time;” but her support among the netroots has steadily grown. While some of the arguments for Sebelius—she is a Governor, a woman, and is from a Red state—are not convincing, a closer review of her record shows that she has been surprisingly progressive while maintaining her popularity in a conservative state. Obama's running mate should share his ideology and approach to governance, and, most importantly, help him secure the “working political majority” essential for implementing his agenda. Sebelius appears to meet all these tests, and may well be Obama’s best choice.

Try to read the whole article before commenting, Here: http://www.beyondchron.org/articles/Should_Obama_Pick_Sebelius_as_VP__5659.html

[woolldog]

1. Why he shouldn't pick Sebelius as VP:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5941971&mesg_id=5941971

[mystieus]

2. Read The Article.

[AllentownJake]

3. She's my second pick

However she's extremely qualified and would be a fine VP and eventual President.

[mmonk]

4. Recommended.

[mac2]

5. No.

She's a woman and a Catholic. A black man for President and a women VP who is a Catholic? Are they crazy? It's a good way to lose yet another election.

But they keep making bad choices don't they to lose? They will not get the Conservative vote from the South and the Midwest. Our country has not evolved that much. It's "a first" but so what our democracy and survival is at stake. This is not like the first women CEO or jet flier. It is the assistant to the world leader and possible next President.

No not another Catholic in the White House. President Kennedy as much he said he would not combine his religious beliefs with government did. He listened to the Cardinal regarding Vietnam. Senator Kennedy is doing the same with immigration and amnesty. We already have five members of the Supreme Court who are RW Catholics. The Vatican wants to rule us but people just won't buy it this time around.

We lost a lot of votes with Lieberman because he was a Jewish religious nut (the media and party won't admit it). Even our own party members didn't like him. His actions as of late proved them right.

She has no name recognition or national respect. It is too dangerous to play with such a candidate when you already have a woman or a black man for President.

I want to win this time and get our power back. This won't do it. I'd like to say it won't matter a bit but I know it will. Who are these leaders in our party who make such bad decisions? What America do they live in? Guess they've never been to rural America or the South and Midwest. Stay in the North East and DC and you become a bit isolated from reality.

Another reality is that this article and some on this blog think Obama has won the primary. It's not over yet to say or even speculate on that. So this might be a mute point to begin with.

[mmonk]

7. Ridiculous and a bit bigoted.

Catholics aren't monolithic or listen to the pope when making all their office decisions. You can't say someone like Kucinich or Kennedy is like Scalia or Keyes for instance.

[mac2]

8. It's reality.

I'm not bigoted because I speak the truth. There seem to be a lot of dreamers who won't. It's not what we want but what will work.

[mmonk]

12. Sorry but I'm Catholic.

Bigotry whether intended or not is based on a belief that the opinion is reality.

[mac2]

14. So what?

We have no children and people are bigoted toward us all the time. We're talking about winning an election not religion or your right to have yours.

If that was true and I voted for a familiar person of my religion and cultural background, I would vote for McCain. I won't because of his politics.

[mmonk]

19. There's not much sugar coating this:

"No not another Catholic in the White House. President Kennedy as much he said he would not combine his religious beliefs with government did. He listened to the Cardinal regarding Vietnam. Senator Kennedy is doing the same with immigration and amnesty. We already have five members of the Supreme Court who are RW Catholics. The Vatican wants to rule us but people just won't buy it this time around."

Nothing more to say about that.


She's a good candidate in my opinion whether she's Catholic, Methodist, Jewish, Mormon, or whatever. She is so based I think on her credentials as a successful democratic governor of a red state and Washington outsider when Obama is stressing change.

[Beregond2]

9. What bad decisions

are you referring to? How many controversial picks for VP have there ever been? Lieberman had none of the negatives then he has now. I doubt most Americans even registered he was Jewish. Being RC stopped being an impediment ages ago. The truth is, nobody really gives a damn about the VP, unless and util they run for the Presidency. I mean, honestly, do you think Cheney was any kind of an asset?

I don't know a thing about Sebelius, and I don't see what she brings to the ticket; but I don't see her being a problem either.

[mac2]

10. Oh get real.

Everyone knew Lieberman never turned down a war for Israel. He was not liked outside DC.

[democrattotheend]

17. Isn't Obama having trouble with Catholics?

And wouldn't having a Catholic VP candidate help? Especially if she is a practicing Catholic...I think Kerry lost the Catholic vote because Catholics did not think he was religious enough and saw his playing up his religion as just that.

[mac2]

26. Yes...that Rev. Wright deal.

[Bear down under]

25. Isn't John Kerry a Catholic?

I seem to recall he ran for the Presidency a couple of years ago.

[mac2]

27. He didn't win the majority vote when change was wanted.

The party just couldn't face the truth.

[mystieus]

46. True.

[Usrename]

29. It's hard think of a VP who had much name recognition

going all the way back to LBJ.

[mac2]

30. Gore did.

[Usrename]

40. Really?

I wouldn't have thought so. Clinton was an unknown on the national level, and it seemed like Gore was less known.

[mac2]

44. Did you forget about Gore?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Gore

Gore was in DC for a long time. His father was a long time member of Congress too.

[mystieus]

51. True.

[mac2]

45. Some very famous VPs of the past.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Vice_Presidents%27_tie-breaking_votes

Some very well known before becoming VP because they were in the Congress, etc. Adams and Rockefeller...

[texshelters]

48. I don't like Sam Nunn

but he just might deliver the vote.

Tex Shelters

[Thrill]

6. Its going to be Webb or Nunn

I'm convinced of that

[mac2]

13. Webb is from VA and an X military person.

Nunn is an experienced politican. Yes..that would add to Obama's lack of either. If Obama is the candidate and has the ability to pick a VP.

[mac2]

16. Sam Nunn is retired right?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Nunn

[Cha]

21. At least these people support Obama and

it wouldn't be bringing in someone who has spent the last year tearing him down to build herself up.

[mac2]

33. Obama doesn't do it...but you do.

He like Bush as others do it for him.

[Bullet1987]

11. I agree...Sebelius is a great choice

[mystieus]

37. I'm for Kathleen Sebelius

[mystieus]

15. Check out dailykos Kathleen Sebelius VP poll

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/5/7/131428/0298/538/511023

[PM7nj]

18. I think she is wonderful.

She has so many things to bring to the ticket...

She is an amazingly popular Dem governor in one of the most Republican states.
She is the daughter of a former Ohio governor, so she could have some appeal there.
She seems like an amazingly kind, sincere, and intelligent woman.
She is Catholic, which is definitely a positive in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

The only problem are that she doesn't bring any foreign policy or military experience. I am not so sure how important that will be this year. Also, she can be a bit dull sometimes.

[mystieus]

38. Sebelius brings excellent experience, and puts a red state in play.

[sfam]

20. K&R #5...She's my choice as well. :)

[LulaMay]

22. Sure! Then we'd have TWO inexperienced folks in the WH! What an insulting ploy

[sfam]

23. Exactly! Double-down on the change message. I love it!!!

It really is a great idea.

[Gore1FL]

28. Inexperienced?

34 years combined holding political office, and that is an inexperienced ticket? really?

[mac2]

31. Not experienced in foreign affairs or DC government.

Clinton admitted he wished he had more when he entered office as President. He had been a governor. Gore did have some as a Congressman and his father was in Congress for many years.

After all the Bush administration did to this country Clinton wanted to include them in his new government. That blew my stack. We voted for change. It was his downfall too since he had trouble getting thru the White House spy scandals. Government was hindered.

[Gore1FL]

32. There is enough executive and legislative experience to go around

as far as foreign policy goes, he has more experience than the last two presidents by a long shot. One would hope that he would havea competent National Security Advisor and Strong Sec of State. Bush did not have the first, only had the second for four years, and didn't listen to him.

Obama/Sebelius promises the most competent ticket in my 42 years.

[mac2]

34. Was Obama a governor? I live in IL and didn't notice it.

[Gore1FL]

35. Who ever said he was?

Sebelius, however was elected to that position in the state of Kansas in 2002.

[mac2]

42. If he was so experienced in government he would have been.

[Gore1FL]

47. Huh?

What state was Kerry Governor of? What state was Gore governor of? What state was Mondale governor of? What state was Johnson governor of? What state was Kennedy Governor of?

You are taking an argument I made and you misinterpreted and trying to turn it into something else because of your misinterpretation?

[JohnnyCougar]

24. That is a very good article.

Sebelius has to be my second choice. My first choice is still Joe Biden. He has foreign policy experience, he's older, he's also Catholic, and it would make for a good story after the flap created earlier about Obama being "articulate" that those two could come together and run on the same ticket.

[Mojorabbit]

39. Mine is Biden too

I think they would make a wonderful team.

[mystieus]

36. You know what, Sebelius has been in more videos on Obama site than any of his major supporters,

except Michelle of course. I think she's our VP :)

She's even in the voter drive video I just posted. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x131338

[mac2]

43. She's been a supporter and on videos so she should be

VP?

[barack the house]

41. Sebelius does seem very complimentary to Obama's ideals.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

49. her response after *'s State of the Union was one of the most frightening performances I've seen

horrendous!

[mystieus]

50. She may have over analyze it.. but her endorsement speech for obama was great. see here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nHp90Z2NJk