Flame Away (I'm used to it). Obama MUST add some gravitas!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

He doesn't think he needs it. He thinks he's got
foreign affairs covered. He thinks he's figured
everything out about Washington. And he probably
has.

BUT..what he must realize is that many, many voters
will not take a chance on him if he picks someone
as politically lite as he is.

Picking a soulmate is not gonna cut it.

He has to forget his ego and add a calm, seasoned
political veteran. The yin to his yang.

Biden
Richardson
Kerry
Gore

I hate to say it - but if he doesn't - McDummy will win.

[Marrah_G]

1. Holy crap hell just froze over.

I agree with you completely !

[chimpymustgo]

I agree too. NOT doing it gives too many reasons NOT to vote for him He really needs to man-up

and pick Hillary.

[JoFerret]

51. He probably doesn't have

the guts for that.
And with luck she has other plans.

I think Obama is doing a pretty good job campaigning right now. He will have to focus and focus hard on the economy. And gravitas gained or vanitas lost? More the latter I think.

Meanwhile McCain seems to be running a gaffe campaign and getting away with it. This election should be a landslide for any good dem. If by some remote chance Obama does not win (god forbid, it seems impossible) the blame and recrimination will run wide and deep.

[psychopomp]

54. Should Sen. Obama decide to opt out of putting Sen. Clinton on the ticket

I am sure that he has well-considered reasons for not doing so.

Lack of guts would have nothing to do with it.

Sen. Obama has proven that he has enormous courage: the mere fact that he has put his life on the line by choosing to run as a serious contender for the presidency should be proof enough of that!

[JoFerret]

63. For sure, for sure.

.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

7. HAha. I have to say (and not just because you were nice) - I sincerely

apologize for acting like a crazy girl and treating you without
respect.

I am totally sorry - don't know what got into me.

[Marrah_G]

10. I apologize also- sometimes I lose my cool too

I'll promise to work on that.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

18. me 2 ! Peace from now on!

[thewiseguy]

2. Forget his ego and pick Richardson?

:eyes:

So now this has become a matter of ego?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

16. Well, ego. Ego in that - you are so confident in your abilities

you see no weakness that others may perceive (whether it's true or not).

Perfect example. Obama has an amazing grasp of what's going on in
the middle east - and what needs to be done. He knows it in his
soul. Therefore, he can't even comprehend that people could think
otherwise. He has said many times that he's got the "foreign affairs"
thing covered. He can't see that others may not be so confident
about those capabilities and that he needs to add someone to quell
the fears about it.

Maybe ego isn't the right word?

[thewiseguy]

20. FYI, Kaine is the governor of Virginia.

You are making it sound as if he was Obama's college buddy and did nothing after that.

Most probably Kaine will further help Obama's chances in Virginia which is a huge deal. That means Obama could win Pennsylvania and Virgina and still win the election. (Without Florida and Ohio)

[Laura PourMeADrink]

21. Yep - for a short while. And yes, hopefully VA. I just think he

needs someone with supreme depth of experience. Just my two cents.

I think Kaine would be a great choice - if someone like say Biden
was the nominee.

[Whisp]

35. Obama specifically said he wants a vp that will challenge him

and not be a yes man/woman.

I don't think he has it all figured out at all and ego is the wrong word.

We're just so used to royal dumbasses ruling the roost so long that the contrast may falsely appear to be all about Obama and his ego when it's really good policy thinking and true leadership qualities.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

39. Guess I am looking at it more from the "get elected first" perspective.

[ErinBerin84]

3. "Picking a soulmate is not gonna cut it"

:rofl:

[polichick]

4. I agree, and it's not just foreign policy gravitas...

To choose someone as unknown as he is (to low-info voters) could be a big mistake.

[Buzz Clik]

5. No flame.

[Rabrrrrrr]

6. Gravitas? The guy exudes gravitas - maybe too much.

Perhaps you mean something else?

[depakid]

15. Obama?

errr -he's a less than one term Senator with no executive experience running anything other than a voter registration drive.

Gravitas would be something like say having been Supreme Allied Commander Europe -with a successful war under one's belt.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

19. Yes. Wes !! I wonder, if he hadn't made the comments on McDummy

if he'd be way up there. What a loss.

[depakid]

23. My take is that he's precisely what the ticket needs

because of his his willingness to stand up and say what everyone already suspects or knows.

In years past, that was the VP's job. For good reason.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

32. Is he completely out? I read somewhere that he was - but missed

any kind of announcement.

Wes was my first choice since 04. I just don't understand. Think
he needs a PR agent.

[depakid]

41. No, only the corporate media and their sycophants raised a fuss

and as usual when they bark- the timid run and hide.

All the more reason to pick Clark. A big (and well deserved) FO to those who want to project images of Democratic weakness.

[Dinger]

55. Yeah, He Told The Truth. Fuck That

NOBODY has the gravitas that Wesley Clark does, nobody.

:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

[Rabrrrrrr]

49. You do know that gravitas means "seriousness" and "sobriety"

and "substance" and "weightiness", yes?

Gravitas doesn't mean "experience" or "political ability", which you seem to be thinking it does.

If you mean to say that Obama needs to have someone with experience in the political system, then you are probably quite right. But to say he needs gravitas is not true. I find him to be thick with gravitas, more than any other candidate I can remember.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

66. Actually, I am using it like 99% of the population does - depth,

experience, sobriety, safety, etc.

[Rabrrrrrr]

71. Well, gravitas has never meant experience.

Gravitas describes one's demeanor, not one's skillset or history or anything else.

Even a tyro can have gravitas, because gravitas has nothing to do with the part of life that being a tyro has to do with.

Obama has gravitas.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

73. I am usually a stickler for words too. But, in this case- when most of

the population interprets the word incorrectly - I'll stick with it.

But thanks for correcting me. I always want to know.

[politicasista]

8. No flame here n/t

[elocs]

9. Gore would never accept the VP because he now has a much higher calling in life,

so he would not chain himself to an Obama administration. I'm not sure why Kerry would want to be VP. No matter what, I do not see McCain winning. You are entitled to your opinion, however.

[gateley]

11. From your list, it would have to be Biden, according to Fineman on KO.

He said he spoke to one of the three (Bayh, Biden, Kaine - but he couldn't say which one) - and was told that those three ARE the short list.

If he's correct, it would be Biden if they were going for the gravitas.

There's a lot to recommend your argument, but I've also heard the opinion that if he were to choose a Biden, it would look as though he (Obama) was weak and needed "strength" from his running mate.

It's all so convoluted and we're all a-tizzy.

I'll be glad when Obama announces, and we can move on to the next step.

[BlooInBloo]

12. George bush called. He wants his FAIL back.

[panader0]

13. I think Clark should be on that list too

I agree about Kaine. Some of his positions on the issues may be seen as "crossover" (pro life and gun), but he seems too bland and I don't think he will be seen as strong.

[Drunken Irishman]

14. People need to realize this is a DOMESTIC ELECTION THIS YEAR.

It isn't about experience or foreign policy. If it were, Obama would be toast regardless, since McCain has him beat on every level there and no VP candidate is going to change that. This is about the economy, stupid (no offense) and Kaine helps in that regard since he actually HAS been a governor. Call his experience weak all you want, but he does have the executive experience Obama lacks.

If not Kaine, then I'd go with Richardson.

[depakid]

24. Wes Clark has an advanced degree in economics from Oxford

Tell me what Kaine knows about economics again?

[Drunken Irishman]

30. While not Oxford, Kaine has a degree from Missouri in Economics.

And he's governed a state.

[RoyGBiv]

17. I don't think that word means ...

... what you think it means.

If you mean he should pick a VP candidate with more political seasoning than he has and possibly somewhat differing views, I believe you are correct.

[saltpoint]

22. I see your point, but I just disagree.

If he were to choose any of those 4 folks for the job I'd be very, very happy, but if he chooses none of them and picks Kaine or Sebelius or Schweitzer instead, I'd be happy then, too.

Obama may wish a clean slate.

He's the decider in the process, and while I think any of those four people would be fiercely loyal and greatly contributive to his presidency, I don't think he needs them to get elected.

McCain is a goddamned mess. He can't talk. He forgets his facts. He admits to not understanding the economy. He doesn't know what country borders the next in the Middle East. He speaks disrespectfully in public of his wife. And no one identifiable base in the GOP likes him all that much.

Obama is going to kick his sorry ass from one end of the country to the next. And he'll do it with any veep pick he chooses.

[Cha]

26. Thanks, Crusoe..I always look

for posts like yours when hysteria starts hitting the fan like it seems to be now.

I also see your point, Laura..I just don't agree, either.

[saltpoint]

34. Hi, zidzi. Well, I could be dead wrong on this and Obama may be

danging names out there to keep the media off the scent of his actual choice.

He's a pretty sharp campaigner and I probably shouldn't be second-guessing him.

But it is discouraging to me when people attack a choice he's made when he hasn't even made it. He's about to undertake a mighty tough assignment, and I think Laura's 4 folks plus any number of other Democrats will be heart-loyal in helping Obama govern.

The Pukes are going to do whatever they can to subvert Obama and the more pals he has the stronger we'll be against the Pukes.

Good to see you as always on DU.

[Cha]

45. Yeah, I don't who Obama is going to chose but whomever

will not be perfect just like Obama isn't perfect but we have an election, against fascism and propoganda central, to win.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

27. guess we'll see. His lead seems so tenuous. Don't know if

he can withstand some newbie. I much prefer a choice of someone
everyone knows and respects already. that "OH GOOD" moment
instead of "WHO?"

All I know is my repuke inlaws love Richardson.

[saltpoint]

31. Hi, Laura. Well, I can make the case for Richardson, no problem.

And I have some very deep affection for your four finalists.

If one of them is the choice, I'll buy you the coldest beer in town and hug your Republican relatives!

And believe me -- I don't hug a whole lot of Republicans!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

36. Deal. I have been a total Obamaniac. But lately, after watching

him so much and listening to him - my intuition is telling me something
and it's not good. If you listen enough - he never remotely admits
anything he may have done wrong. He seems stubborn and defensive. Oh,
I know he knows where he needs help - but he is automatically assuming
that he is right about everything else he says.

No worries. I will still work my ass off for him. And I still
want him to be president, more than anything.

Just some gut feelings that I don't like. And if I feel them - then
there are bound to be many, many others who are on the fence that
sense the same thing.

[saltpoint]

38. I worry a bit about the desperate sleave the Limbaughs and Hannitys are

going to throw onto the path.

There seem to be very dark forces at work in the Republican Party generally that didn't seem to be there when Chuck Percy represented Illinois, for example.

So the path forward could be a bruising one. I just hope McCain is still in one piece at the end of it. I think he's in for a devastating few months here.

[treestar]

58. He really shouldn't admit to doing anything wrong

The media would go on and on about it.

The "arrogant" and "confident" thing will backfire - Americans love someone to be arrogant, especially where it's on their behalf. They just see it as strength. Rove may be wrong on this one.

[DFLforever]

62. Isn't Richardson's problem he can't pass vetting?

Because of a background of rumors about women. And wasn't his inappropriate touching of his lt. governor a front page story in NM not so long ago?

[Faygo Kid]

25. He needs to pick me. Grumpy 50-something white male, and victim of gravity.

Gravity, gravitas.

God damned vowels.

See? I'm perfect.

[Whisp]

61. I'm hoping Obama will change that law of gravity too

within the first 100 days.

i am getting saggy and imperfect.
:P

[MrModerate]

28. At this point, the only way McCain can win is by stealing the election . . .

Of course, he and the Legion of Mordor are already well advanced on that front (Google "Palast"). Election theft notwithstanding, what Obama "needs" is someone who's a good surrogate for him, who can "be" Obama in places Obama doesn't have the time to go. And who could, not incidentally, credibly be president if needed.

I've always liked Biden intellectually/policy-wise, but he's got a big mouth and a fair amount of baggage. Richardson IMO isn't big enough for the job, and has earned the hatred of the Clinton camp, which is a problem going forward. While I liked Kerry in 2004, he didn't run that good of a campaign, and his premature capitulation to Bush was craven and confidence-destroying. Gore is bigger than the job of Veep and would probably be more effective as head of EPA (if he's interested).

Frankly, despite his relatively short tenure, Obama already looks like a calm, seasoned veteran. I don't think he gets any points by going for an elder statesman.

I'm reluctant to say it -- because the implications are uncomfortable and the outcome uncertain -- but what Obama needs might be Hilary Clinton.

[MoonRiver]

29. A mile wide and an inch thick?

Just saying. :shrug:

[Drunken Irishman]

33. Ouch, I remember hearing that all the time in 2004.

:(

[Laura PourMeADrink]

37. I am dense. What does that mean?

[MoonRiver]

59. I guess the word "shallow" explains it.

[Hippo_Tron]

40. I think McCain needs some gravitas

Or at least someone who knows that Czechoslovakia isn't a country anymore.

[polichick]

56. McShame has faux gravitas, which fools the faux news watchers he needs.

[nevergiveup]

42. Come voting day Obama's VP choice

won't mean diddly squat. Name me one modern day VP who made a difference on election day. Maybe Johnson helped Kennedy carry Texas but in those days, if I am not mistaken, Texas was still solidly Democratic.

[Sensitivity]

43. We have seen this before -- CLOSE UP. Lobby groups box NOMIMEE to pic lightweight

Kerry was cornered into picking Edwards over Clark.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

67. Interesting. What lobby groups? Are you saying that they want

a lightweight so the repuke wins? Or because if the lightweight wins,
it would be easier to get away with shit? Obama is lobbyist-free
so there would have to be another explanation for him picking
a lightweight under his own free will.

[Sensitivity]

44. We have seen this before -- CLOSE UP. Lobby groups box NOMIMEE into picking lightweight

Kerry was cornered into picking Edwards over Clark.

[Pryderi]

46. The Young Turks and Wes Clark Vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHEYcHmNDX0

[KittyWampus]

47. "picking a soul mate"? He's not going to be French-kissing his VP

[Sensitivity]

48. Gravitas is KERRY, GORE, CLARK, WEBB, HAGEL, ZINNI ... a bunch of folk not on list anymore it seems

[Laura PourMeADrink]

68. Exactly. Why? If it was me, I would want someone strong like

that. Even if I thought I didn't need it. But, I would
realize that there were people out there who might not
be so sure about me.

[WillyT]

50. As Long As He Shares...

:evilgrin:

[H2O Man]

52. While I usually

agree with your opinions, or in other cases, think that you raise interesting points, in this case I do not believe that you know what Barack Obama "thinks." But I do not intend that as a "flame."

[Laura PourMeADrink]

69. You know, you are right. I don't know what he's thinking. But, I

do know what he has said. He has said he doesn't think he needs
foreign policy help (in so many words). The only thing I've
heard him say he needs help on are the finer points about
healthcare. He said that he wants someone who shares his
vision. And, who can help him achieve it.

This is all fine - and admirable. But, to me, it is solely
focused on being there- in the WH. It's just my intuition
that he is so sure he'll be there - he's not looking at
what will get him there. Sure, he may be thinking that
a Virginian or Catholic would help. But it is only
from the perspective of the numbers. Not in winning
minds.

And,he may just pull it off,in a squeeker.

I just think that he could kill all the birds with one
stone - and absolutely guarantee the presidency.

[H2O Man]

75. Where we disagree

is where you say "in so many words." We hear his words differently. I do hope that you would agree that it would be foolish for Obama to publicly say he is picking a VP based on his need for help in understanding foreign relations.

When Obama announces his choice for VP, I think that you will most likely be pleased. And when he debates McCain, I know you will be. The debates will prove to be a far more significant factor in determining the outcome than either VP choice.

The contest will be reported as being "close" in the media through the summer and early fall. After the debates, the contest will not be viewed as close. (It really isn't that close now.)

[CTyankee]

53. Hi Laura!

I havethe feeling that this is a discussion that Obama has been having with his VP selection committee for weeks now. IT is becoming clear that McCain has just stopped talking about HIS agenda and is only attacking Obama. That's the mode the desperate repubs have gotten in.

You may be right. When I see the way this thing is going, I think he may have to modify his earlier desire for a "soul mate," so to speak. Sad, in a way.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

70. Hi Yourself !

I just heard Obama say the exact same thing. Something like - "funny, McCain
doesn't say anything about his own positive message - he's just attacking me."

I guess I am just very worried. I want him to do everything possible to win.

Ha, maybe he could pick a gravitas person and then replace him/her with
a soulmate later on! that would be a new one.

[dkf]

57. I think you are right too...

I wish Tim Kaine had more of a national presence, then I could judge better.

But I simply don't feel confident in him and I don't know if there is enough time to gain that confidence.

[TwilightGardener]

60. No flames, I agree.

[Bullet1987]

64. It won't be Richardson, Kerry, or Gore

Gore doesn't want back in politics and has already been VP, Kerry won't help in any way, and Richardson is Hispanic (it's sad that the country is not ready for a Black man and a Hispanic man to run the country...but it is truth).

[politicasista]

65. Gore is more focused on his cause. Kerry is running for Senate in MA

Richardson, like Biden has foreign policy experience.

All those Gore, Kerry for VP were rumors fueled by the MSM and turned in to stupid, unproductive, vitriolic flamewars here at DU.

[Catchawave]

72. Hillary? Edwards?

Can't get more gravifantasic than that :D

I do love Biden, Richardson, Kerry and Gore....but would they, could they meet DU's very high bar?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

74. well whenever we do a poll -- Hill is always the top "worse choice"

And isn't edwards out and totally screwed with his affair?

There is no one that half of us wouldn't dislike and the other half
like. Except maybe Gore?

[DFW]

76. While Richardson has the credentials, he does not have the TV presence

And, sadly to say, that is a necessary component these days. Even Cheney held an
evil fascination for people.

Al Gore said he is not interested in elective office again. He said so when I was
standing 3 feet from him in a small apartment 2 months ago, and either he is taking
acting lessons, or he meant it.

I just don't see Biden or Bayh doing this, although Biden is great on TV.

I think Sibelius, while tough and smart, is not enough of a presence nationally
and internationally. And I shudder to think about Kaine. He has a LOT of negatives
in progressives' eyes, and if he resigns, look out when you see who takes over
as Governor of Virginia. Except for the fact that he's governor of Virginia, I fail
to see what he brings to the ticket. For now, I think the two best choices are Hillary
(if she still wants it, which I suspect is less and less the case), or, better yet,
Wes Clark, who brings a lot of positive weight and hardly any negatives. If the radical
right starts whining that Clark said McCukoo was unqualified to be president, just play
back the TV clip from the Schieffer interview over and over. He said no such thing. The
whole "uproar" was a Republican-manufactured story, a non-event. Then, of course, there
is the big Mr./Ms. X--the unexpected. Howard Dean or Janet Napolitano, whatever. Even
Barbara Mikulski--now THERE would be a fire and lightning candidate from the rank and
file of the working class.

By the way, I heard from a friend in Hawaii that McCukoo was secretly vetting Hawaii
Governor Linda Lingle as a possible VP. Considering the lack of appeal of all his other
publicized choices so far, it might even make sense.