I believe Obama has made his VP decision.

[kentuck]

And I believe he has called all the other VP possibilities and let them know who he wants to be his VP? I think that is why James Webb made his statement today. I would not be surprised to see one or two more well-known names make a similar statement in the next couple of days. Hillary Clinton, Bill Richardson, or Governor Schweitzer maybe? Just a hunch, but I believe the rumor about John Kerry is probably true. I have no problem with a good liberal on the ticket. :-)

[ronnykmarshall]

1. I think he's made up his mind as well.

But Kerry??? HELL no!

[kentuck]

2. It's either Kerry or Schweitzer?

He was in Montana on the Fourth of July. :-)

[gateley]

35. That would be my dream pick! (Schweitzer)

I think they'd make an amazing team.

[kentuck]

36. Well, Presidents tend to pick lower profile VPs...

so there is no danger of them being over-shadowed by their VP. Not always, but sometimes.

[gateley]

41. I heard a pundit say that the number one rule for the VP

is don't overshadow the President.

That's one of the reasons I don't see Biden on the ticket.

[Cha]

43. Did he hang out with

Schweitzer at all?

[kentuck]

46. Good question, zidzi?

I don't know. I never saw any video of them together? Maybe Schweitzer was his first choice and he declined? A lot of questions.

[ray of light]

4. OMG. you're right. We should get LIEBERMAN instead of Kerry.

Afterall, the media LOVES Lieberman and they wouldn't tell a lie about him like they do about Kerry.

[politicasista]

13. LOL!

:rofl: :rofl:

[Sherman A1]

33. I think you will get Lieberman....

it will just be on the Republican ticket......so he can lose at VP running for both parties.

[kentuck]

34. I think you may be right.

I noticed that he was with McCain in Colombia a couple of days ago. For what it's worth.

[JDPriestly]

47. Then McCain has picked Lieberman. Remember that Lieberman

was at McCain's side in Iraq.

[sofa king]

79. Maybe it's just a "bro-mance."

[verges]

85. Yet another historic first!

n/t

[ronnykmarshall]

56. Who the hell was talking about Lieberman?

I don't recall saying that.

[AspenRose]

9. I'm with you on that one

Among other things, it makes no sense to remove John Kerry from the Senate with Ted Kennedy being in his current condition.

[kentuck]

14. It's not like another Democrat could not win his seat?

There are plenty of good people in Massachusetts.

[AspenRose]

30. Mass needs to keep a senior senator, IMHO

and not start from scratch just yet.

[ronnykmarshall]

55. John also is running for re-election this year as well.

[ray of light]

3. Don't know if it's true, but I think John KERRY would be GREAT because

after all the damage Bush and the republicans have done to our economy, our integrity, our worldwide stature, John Kerry is the one person who the world still trusts! He's got a reputation of honesty, diplomatic integrity, anti-corruption. AND he's been saying for years how we need to find Osama and build the infrastruture in Iraq and unite with the world again.

Go Kerry!

[kentuck]

8. Oh, hell yeah !

John Kerry would be magnificent!

[beachmom]

10. Think about it. If Obama were to pick JK, then he is obviously

calculating that conditions are good for a landslide victory. Therefore he needs a good VP to help in governance. This would be a pick coming from strength. Obama would be saying: "Hey -- I am in the process of assembling my "Team of Rivals"" (yes, Kerry did consider running for prez in '08, so he was for a time a rival).

[Diane R]

24. I absolutely agree. John Kerry would be a wonderful Vice President.

[JDPriestly]

49. Kerry can't talk in simple language. He is too high falutin' for the

average American. He did not excite the enthusiasm of a lot of blue collar people. You have to pay a lot of attention to follow what he is talking about. Voters want simple language.

Bush was not that popular in 2004. Kerry/Edwards should have won in a landside. I like Kerry, but he uses too many big words. Also, Kerry's thinking is very complex. He is not a good choice for VP. He goes over in Massachusetts but then that is the home of Harvard, MIT and a lot of high IQ types. Kerry is not a good choice. Obama already has to deal with the elitist label. Between Kerry's money, his SUVs and his intellectual sound -- he would not be an asset to Obama.

I tabled a lot for Kerry. I know how ordinary people (especially certain immigrant groups) reacted to him. Too hard to understand.

[CoffeeCat]

5. I've been out of the loop a bit...

...temporarily running a daycare out of my home--so I haven't heard the Kerry rumors.

Is that the latest? Wow! Kerry...very interesting.

It works on many levels.

I would love to see Kerry exonerated. I know that's not why Obama would select Kerry, but it
would be a nice consequence of a Kerry selection. We all know that Kerry was Swifted to
shreds--unfairly and unscrupulously. It would be wonderful to see Kerry stand up for himself
and to remind everyone that he truly was a war hero--and that the dirty tricksters should not
be validated.

...especially when those dirty tricksters start slinging the same old mud within the same old
dirty Rovian games--that we know they will play once again.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

6. I think you're right.

Expecet a VP any day now.

[dailykoff]

7. I sure hope you are right.

But it sounds too good to be true so I'm going to keep my expectations low. I still remember waking up on Wednesday Nov 3 2004. Man that was one bad day.

[Lost4words]

11. for me Kerry would be a disappointment, for the second time!

8643

[DJ13]

12. In a perfect world I would hope he chose Caroline Kennedy

But in the real world I would be happy with either Richardson or Clark.

[dailykoff]

16. Caroline would be a GREAT pick.

and would do a wonderful job. An added bonus would be seeing all the old haters writhing in agony for eight years.

[politicasista]

19. I like Caroline too

She has been a nice asset for Obama. :)

[kentuck]

21. But Obama needs someone with military credentials...

We are in a war, remember?

[politicasista]

23. Yes. Very true n/t

[dailykoff]

31. You are probably right.

I think either one of them could handle the Commander in Chief part just fine but it might be a concern to voters.

[politicasista]

52. Exactly n/t

[Project Grudge]

15. hmm

Richard Gephardt.

Think about it: Major swing-state influence in Missouri, connects with Unions/working-class vote, a trusted name and democrat.

You don't lose a seat in the Senate or house, or a governor (which is needed in {R} states like Montana and Kansas to help turn them blue (50 State strategy at the more local level). He has also vocally distanced himself form the DLC, apologized for the vote over Iraq, and been vetted in previous Presidential campaigns. He also is the "bore" that some say would balance Obama's oratory.

What do you think?

[kentuck]

18. Possible but not likely...

He ran before and never done well. He is been out of the public eye too long to be an advantage, in my opinion. By the way, welcome! ;-)

[Lisa0825]

48. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[newmajority]

63. Even worse than Kerry.

Admittedly though, I'm a Deaniac, so I'm more than a little biased against Gephardt. It wouldn't bother me if I never had to see his Howdy Doody looking ass on my TV again.

(I suppose I could live with him being Secretary of Labor, but not VP!)

[dansolo]

69. Gephardt??!?!?!

That rat bastard was even worse than Lieberman in the run up to the Iraq War. He struck a deal with the Bush Administration to kill any debate on the IWR in the House. The blood of the victims of this war is on his hands.

[NattPang]

72. No Go.

Gephardt
engineered the Iraq War vote of 2002.
He has never won statewide office,
so he might be good in his own district
but no guarantee that he could help win
all of the state, let alone any other.
no executive experience.

[saltpoint]

83. If your prediction comes true, the New York POST wil run an edition the

night before that says, "It's Sebelius!"

Welcome to DU.

You live in an extraordinarily beautiful part of the country.

[EV_Ares]

17. Certainly would drive the Swift Boat Veterans nuts as everyone knows what a piece of shit they are

with their lies now.

[redstate_democrat]

20. I believe Obama has too.

OMG this is exciting. Governor Scweitzer or Tim Kaine. I'm leaning more towards Scweitzer. I bet the announcement comes before the end of this month. Take it to the bank!

[smoogatz]

22. I doubt very much that it's Kerry.

But you're probably right about Webb; you never know--something may have turned up in the vetting. I don't know if he's made his decision, but the shortlist definitely just got shorter.

Webb's demise moves Clark up a notch, I'm guessing. I'd say Richardson's the favorite at this point.

[beachmom]

27. Actually according to Marc Ambinder, when the Obama team

asked Webb for info to begin finalist vetting, that is when Webb said no, he was not interested. I actually don't think the VP slot would be a good fit for Webb. And we need to keep that Senate seat.

[smoogatz]

32. Well, there you go.

He'd have added a lot to the ticket, IMO--but apparently didn't want to deal with the intense scrutiny of the vetting process. A sane choice, no doubt. And you're right--we do need the Senate seat.

[ray of light]

37. We need Webb in the Senate. He is important to a state that is barely holding onto it's blue/red

status.

And it's important to get BLUE in both the House and the Senate to SUPPORT progressive legislation. Webb holds an important part in maintaining that BLUE majority.

[JDPriestly]

50. My choice is Clark. People really like him, and he has leadership

experience. He knows how to command, how to explain complex ideas in simple words. Clark is not an elitist and does not appear to be an elitist. Clark is not extremely wealthy. Clark is just the top pick.

[1Hippiechick]

62. Got my fingers crossed for Clark also. As others have said, he took a bullet for O with his

outspoken assessment of McBomb's POW experience not being a qualifier for the Presidency.

[JDPriestly]

82. That was not a good sign for Clark's chanced for VP.

It could mean Obama has someone else in mind.

[smoogatz]

65. The ONLY problem with Clark

is that he's about as exciting to watch as my vegetable garden. Plus, he's never held elected office (but neither had Eisenhower, I know). I guess that's two things.

[terrya]

25. I still think it will be Richardson

But that's just a completely uninformed opinion.

[kentuck]

29. John Kerry was on Face the Nation yesterday...

Speaking for Barack Obama and attacking John McCain for lack of judgment. So, I don't know?

[terrya]

42. No...I didn't dispute your judgement.

Kerry may well be. I'm not attacking you.

Hell, what do I know? I just think it will be Richardson.

[kentuck]

44. Sorry, terrya....

I did not intend my comment to be confrontational. Sorry it was interpreted that way. :-) peace

[terrya]

66. I overreacted, kentuck.

I have a tendency to do that, sometimes. :-)

Peace.

[JDPriestly]

51. He would be OK, but lacks intensity and would be a better Sec. of State.

[kentuck]

26. Of course, he does have a big fundraiser coming up soon...

With Hillary and Bill. Would he name his VP before the fundraiser??

[dailykoff]

28. I don't think he would do that.

It would be awfully embarrassing for the Clintons.

[gateley]

38. Would Kerry attract votes from outside the Dems?

I find myself usually picking someone I really like and who we know are fabulous people and patriots, but several of them would leave some of the undecideds cold.

I honestly don't know the rep Kerry has with independents and moderate repubs,.

[kiranon]

39. No.

[beachmom]

54. Okay, going against CW here. Since when since 1964 has the VP

pick made a difference in the candidate winning? I just think it is just as important to have a VP that is trustworthy and highly qualified to be a great force in the WH.

[nsd]

40. My prediction is that it's going to be Evan Bayh.

Moderate, Red state, former governor, US senator, former Clinton supporter, relatively young.

Perhaps a rather bland choice, but I think that's generally what's desired in a running mate.

[Mz Pip]

45. That's what I think, too.

I've heard his name come up before and I think it may be a good choice.

We shall see.

[JDPriestly]

53. You know. I think you might be right except that Indiana and Illinois

are both midwestern states.

[nsd]

57. True, but Arkansas and Tennessee are both Southern states ...

... and that didn't hurt Clinton-Gore.

Also, Indiana and Ohio are not safe Democratic states, even though Obama is a Midwesterner. Indiana in particular has voted Democratic just once in the last 60 years. If Bayh can help in either, it might be worth it.

[ErinBerin84]

58. Oh god, that WOULD be bland...

:)

[beachmom]

60. Not just bland. War-like (see my comment below) nt

[beachmom]

59. Ideologically, that would be bad:

http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:SE00580:

110th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. RES. 580

Expressing the sense of the Senate on preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 2, 2008

Mr. BAYH (for himself, Mr. THUNE, and Mr. SMITH) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Senate on preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability.

Whereas Iran is a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, done at Washington, London, and Moscow July 1, 1968, and entered into force March 5, 1970 (commonly referred to as the `Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty') and, by ratifying the Treaty, has foresworn the acquisition of nuclear weapons;

Whereas Iran is legally bound to declare all its nuclear activity to the International Atomic Energy Agency and to place such activity under the constant monitoring of the Agency;

Whereas for nearly 20 years Iran had a covert nuclear program, until the program was revealed by an opposition group in Iran in 2002;

Whereas the International Atomic Energy Agency has confirmed that the Government of Iran has engaged in such covert nuclear activities as the illicit importation of uranium hexafluoride, the construction of a uranium enrichment facility, experimentation with plutonium, the importation of centrifuge technology and the construction of centrifuges, and the importation of the design to convert highly enriched uranium gas into a metal and to shape it into the core of a nuclear weapon, as well as significant additional covert nuclear activities;

Whereas the Government of Iran continues to expand the number of centrifuges at its enrichment facility and to enrich uranium in defiance of 3 binding United Nations Security Council resolutions demanding that Iran suspend its uranium enrichment activities;

Whereas the Government of Iran has announced its intention to begin the installation of 6,000 advanced centrifuges, which, when operational, will dramatically reduce the time it will take Iran to enrich uranium;

Whereas the 2007 National Intelligence Estimate reports that the Government of Iran was secretly working on the design and manufacture of a nuclear warhead until at least 2003 and that Iran could have enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon as early as late 2009;

Whereas allowing the Government of Iran to obtain a nuclear weapons capability would pose a grave threat to international peace and security;

Whereas allowing the Government of Iran to obtain a nuclear weapons capability would fundamentally alter and destabilize the strategic balance of power in the Middle East;

Whereas, if it were allowed to obtain a nuclear weapons capability, the Government of Iran could share its nuclear technology, raising the frightening prospect that terrorist groups and rogue regimes might possess nuclear weapons capabilities;

Whereas allowing the Government of Iran to obtain a nuclear weapons capability would severely undermine the global nuclear nonproliferation regime that, for more than 4 decades, has contained the spread of nuclear weapons;

Whereas it is likely that one or more Arab states would respond to Iran obtaining a nuclear weapons capability by following Iran's example, and several Arab states have already announced their intentions to pursue `peaceful nuclear' programs;

Whereas the spread of nuclear weapons capabilities throughout the Middle East would make the proliferation of nuclear weapons elsewhere around the globe much more likely;

Whereas allowing the Government of Iran to obtain a nuclear weapons capability would directly threaten Europe and ultimately the United States because Iran already has missiles that can reach parts of Europe and is seeking to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles;

Whereas the Government of Iran has repeatedly called for the elimination of our ally, Israel;

Whereas the Government of Iran has advocated that the United States withdraw its presence from the Middle East;

Go to link to read more "Whereas" statements. I really don't like the idea of Bayh. I mean, look at who co-sponsored this bill:

Sen Cantwell, Maria - 6/3/2008
Sen Cardin, Benjamin L. - 6/25/2008
Sen Casey, Robert P., Jr. - 6/12/2008
Sen Chambliss, Saxby - 6/26/2008
Sen Coleman, Norm - 6/16/2008
Sen Collins, Susan M. - 6/4/2008
Sen Conrad, Kent - 6/11/2008
Sen Corker, Bob - 6/10/2008
Sen Cornyn, John - 6/5/2008
Sen Crapo, Mike - 6/12/2008
Sen DeMint, Jim - 6/16/2008
Sen Dole, Elizabeth - 6/4/2008
Sen Dorgan, Byron L. - 6/26/2008
Sen Isakson, Johnny - 6/18/2008
Sen Johnson, Tim - 6/16/2008
Sen Klobuchar, Amy - 6/10/2008
Sen Landrieu, Mary L. - 6/24/2008
Sen Lieberman, Joseph I. - 6/16/2008
Sen Martinez, Mel - 6/4/2008
Sen Menendez, Robert - 6/16/2008
Sen Mikulski, Barbara A. - 6/10/2008
Sen Murray, Patty - 6/3/2008
Sen Nelson, Bill - 6/26/2008
Sen Roberts, Pat - 6/5/2008
Sen Sessions, Jeff - 6/18/2008
Sen Smith, Gordon H. - 6/2/2008
Sen Snowe, Olympia J. - 6/12/2008
Sen Sununu, John E. - 6/6/2008
Sen Thune, John - 6/2/2008
Sen Vitter, David - 6/12/2008
Sen Wicker, Roger F. - 6/25/2008
Sen Wyden, Ron - 6/9/2008

Both my Senators, Chambliss and Isakson, co-sponsored it. Right there, it means trouble. Neither Biden nor Kerry signed on. Give me either of those over Bayh any day of the week.

[ErinBerin84]

71. yeah, that would be a very disappointing choice for me.

[nsd]

76. Look at the other co-sponsors of that bill.

By my count, at least 14 are Democrats and several (Casey, Conrad, Dorgan, Johnson, Klobuchar) were Obama supporters during the primaries. We can't win a national election without the support of that portion of the party. Also, Obama himself has spoken about the threat of a nuclear Iran (link); Bayh's position isn't really much different (if at all).

[Colobo]

61. I'd hate to see that guy as VP.

[newmajority]

64. Did this just become the thread for WORST possible VP choices??

First Gepheartless, then DLC Bayh?? :puke: :puke:

[Midwestern Democrat]

67. I don't know about Evan Bayh - he probably won't flip Indiana AND

we'll lose his Senate seat to a Republican (if the incumbent GOP governor manages to get re-elected this year). Those are two pretty big strikes against him, IMO.

[nsd]

78. You make a good point.

I don't know how much Obama will weigh the Senate margin in this decision.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

68. Ugh - I hate him. I will never forget how he acted when Bush stole

04. He said it was on the up and up. stupid shit head

[saltpoint]

70. Evan would play on the team, although he is not by any means the

most electrifying speaker out there.

I would call him bland and unexciting as a speaker, but it's more to the point to suggest he could put a hyperactive chimpanzee on methamphetamine into a coma in 8 seconds flat.

Nice fellow. Just not electrifying.

It might work for the national ticket politically. I'm not discounting that at all. He is a viable choice for a couple interesting reasons, including his loyalty to Sen. Clinton.

His wife is also a very accomplished career woman. In fact they met at the same law firm. I think they have twins, but I'm not sure.

Smart and wholesome ain't bad on the national stage, I grant.

And it would arguably make Indiana quite a bit closer, maybe even within reach.

Independent voters would not be scared off of voting for Obama were Bayh on the ticket, but IMO more would be mosre strongly inclined to support Obama if he chooses someone a bit less, well, Boy Scoutish.

[NattPang]

75. Obama-Bayh = Obama Bye

Is that the message
we want to send?

[StevieM]

73. First of all, I doubt that Obama has made up his mind. I think that he is still evaluating all the

options.

Second, I agree with those who say that Bayh is the front-runner, possibly by a decisive margin.

Third, I have a dark horse--Tom Vilsack.

Steve

[flush left]

74. I believe Sebelius has been agreed upon

A woman is said to be needed in the ticket, and she's a Southerner as well.

[NattPang]

77. I think she is from Kansas by way of Ohio.

[nsd]

80. Sebelius would be an interesting pick.

In Kansas as governor she's been able to work well with Republicans, which meshes with Obama's desire to reach across the aisle and move away from bitter partisanship. I worry about her campaigning skills though. Her State of the Union response a couple of years ago wasn't too impressive, but maybe that wasn't representative.

[saltpoint]

81. flush left, welcome to DU.

Nice to have you aboard.

I think you may have a strong case there for Gov. Sebelius.

I think she would appeal to a lot of folks.

[flush left]

84. For sure

She seems clean and I don't see her failing the famous background check that's being performed on prospective candidates.