Here's hoping Barack chooses Sebelis or McCaskill as VP

[pettypace]

Two thoroughly fresh candidates who don't need to ride coattails to get elected to higher office.

[MadBadger]

1. NO To McCkaskill!!

[maddiejoan]

2. Why?

Obama's not veering enough to the right for ya?

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. Reach across the aisle & with a facelift!

[jackson_dem]

4. Sebelius comes from a political family

Obama-Sebelius will be a great ticket for Al From and company!

[lapfog_1]

8. I'm from Kansas... and while I'd like to think that would be a good

choice... it isn't.

I don't think she would even carry Kansas for Obama. And, from watching her give the Democratic response, she isn't a very dynamic speaker.

VP choices are really hard. You want regional diversity and someone who is a great speaker and debater, the attack dog of the campaign while the top spot appears "Presidential".

Most of my top choices are already serving somewhere either in the Senate or as Governor somewhere. Things are so close, and likely to remain so, would anyone give up a potential razor thin Senate majority for a good VP? If you pick another Senator, for example, you might be wise to restrict your list to that of "safe" states, where even the temporary replacement would be a Democrat.

Someone out of government but still a national figure would be great. But that leaves Gore, who probably wouldn't serve as VP again, and John Edwards, who already ran as a VP candidate.

Otherwise you are into the list of former cabinet officers or members of House, very few of which are really national figures... and if they are, they are likely chairpersons of powerful committees.

So... that leaves Governors and ex-Governors.

Bill Richardson would be a good choice, especially for Obama, but not a bad choice for either Edwards or Clinton either. But he doesn't really do that much for me either.

[LordJFT]

9. oh c'mon the last thing Obama's ticket needs is a dynamic speaker

[lapfog_1]

13. Oh yes, absolutely...

It would be very hard for any Democrat to outshine Obama so I wouldn't worry about that aspect, but the ticket splits up and does the exhausting tour, only rarely appearing together. And to get people excited about the election, you need a dynamic speaker.

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

12. More thoughts on potential running mates...

Sorry to go slightly OT. :)

Richardson has been mentioned frequently, and while I think he'd be a good VP fit across the board, and has the necessary experience, I think he's quite happy with being Governor of NM right now. Biden would be an outstanding choice, and he has the know how to help our future nominee steer us in the right direction. McCaskill, Bayh, Mark Warner, Vilsack, and Ted Strickland, if any of them choose to accept, would also be solid VP choices for any of the three current Dems in the race.

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

10. She's been influenced by both sides of the aisle...

Her Dad is former Governor John Gilligan (D-OH), who served in the early 70's, and her father-in-law was Keith Sebelius (R-KS), who won Bob Dole's former House seat. Her wins have been largely due in part to a longtime rift among Kansas Repugs. Sebelius has been mentioned as either a potential running mate on a Dem ticket this year, or as a candidate for Senate to replace Sam Brownback, who is not running for re-election in 2010. (Thankfully, BTW!) She has actually done quite well as Governor here, and currently has a 64% approval rating, which is pretty impressive for a state that has gone red since 1968. Kansas seems to be having a blue resurgence in recent years, thanks to people moving here from more progressive parts of the country, and non-fundie natives who are sick of the neocon rhetoric.

[lapfog_1]

11. But do you think either Hillary or Obama will carry Kansas in November? - n/t

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

20. Honestly, I'd love to see it happen...

But not sure the fundies will let it.

[TwilightGardener]

5. And that will help Obama against McCain...how? McCaskill is a freshman

Senator--less experience than Obama, for fuck's sake. What will Sebelius bring him, besides a smart silver hairdo and the 3 electoral votes of Kansas? I don't think anyone's worried that Obama won't be able to work the budget or make appointments to various posts, which is pretty much what a governor does. The GOPers will hammer him on foreign policy (where he does have some creds) and national security/commander-in-chief issues. That's the gap we need to fill.

[Mojambo]

6. Yuck. Can we maybe get a progressive on the ticket?

I can maybe swallow Obama as the uniter blah, blah guy, but throw a lefty a bone over here.

[sandnsea]

19. Obama has the progressive record

Not John Edwards.

The real fairy tale in this election is the notion that Obama hasn't done more for working people than Edwards. He clearly did.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet90/sponsor/OBAMA.html

[Hoof Hearted]

7. Neither Obama, nor Clinton will choose a woman as V.P.

I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to figure that out.

[Skittles]

14. pretty sad

that it is 2008 and we still think crap like that, even if it's true :o

[johnnydrama]

15. right now

Besides the VA senator problem, right now I can't see a better candidate for VP then Webb.

[MadBadger]

17. Ignoring the fact that IMO Biden or Boxer are my favorite candidates, Richardson is the best.

[donheld]

16. Barbara Boxer would be great! nt

[FrenchieCat]

18. Dont' see it.

I see Clark (after Clinton is defeated, he'll still want to do what he can for his country...and Obama has hinted that he wants Veeps with credentials similar to Clark), or Webb.....