Kathleen Sebelius is currently "leading" the VP selection in the Obama campaign

[mystieus]

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/05/the_friday_line_veepstakes_1.html

The Washington Post said today.

[LakeSamish706]

1. That would probably be a very smart move on the part of the Obama campaign. n/t

[K Gardner]

87. I really like her :-)

[WA98296]

132. The darling of the DLC? That would make his OLD politics changing a Slogan

[PoliticalAmazon]

153. The way Hillary has her bigots empowered and stirred up, it might be too much for this election. n/t

[jasmine621]

167. Please grow up. nt

[PoliticalAmazon]

170. Instead of insults, try saying why you disagree with a poster's opinion....

Posting an insult and nothing else simply speaks to your inability to support your own opinion.

[jasmine621]

164. Based on her Dem response to the STOU address, she is weaker than weak.

She will only detract from the ticket.

[roguevalley]

182. I prefer clark. governors make me yawn.

[mystieus]

189. I don't want that typical "attack dog" VP candidate.

It's tired. I'm counting on Obama to raise the level of discourse for the ticket, not just pawn off the hard stuff to his running mate. Plus, if it's a female, you run the risk of her looking "bitchy." Far better to exploit man's natural tendency to not attack a woman.

[mckeown1128]

2. Her first order of business should be....

advising Obama to pick her as VP.

[newmajority]

22. Nah.... too Cheneyish

Not that she is, but the idea of the "VP selector" selecting herself would be.

I get the whole "female governor" thing, and under normal circumstances, Sebelius, or Janet Napolitano might be great additions to the ticket. But after 8 years of FEAR TERRA FEAR TERRA FEAR TERRA (and the obvious fact that McLoon is going to run on nothing but that) we're going to need a Veep with the "National Security" cred.

(And should anyone try to say Hillary would have been better off in this respect, uhh..... not.)

This is where all the calls for Richardson or Clark are coming from. I hope they're on her short list.

[mopinko]

91. no, we need someone to explode that stupid meme altogether.

and that is what this campaign does, like before their first cup of coffee in the morning. they are just quietly dragging these vampires out into the sunshine.

[proud2BlibKansan]

100. No, her duty is to the people of Kansas

[Bread and Circus]

3. I'm down for that, where do I send money? :)

[Thrill]

4. Add Kansas and Missouri to the Dem column

[Bread and Circus]

12. Michigan too, Sebelius is native born to the Traverse area and I think she'd be a ringer here.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

38. Plus Ohio...

She was born in Cincinnati, and her father is Jack Gilligan, who is both a former Governor and Congressman from Ohio. Jack is also revered among the party faithful, particularly in Cincinnati, where he came out of semi-retirement to serve on the Cincinnati School Board for eight years.

While I still think Jim Webb or Wes Clark would fill some significant demographic holes in the ticket, I like Sebelius a lot.

[SharonRB]

45. So was she born in Traverse or Cincinnati?

She can't have been born in both places!

Either way, I think she's an excellent choice, although I would like to see someone with foreign policy or military experience like Richardson or Biden or Webb. However, with a strong SOS that might not be as important for the VP.

[geiger]

72. she was born in Ohio, daughter of former governor John Gilligan

[Bread and Circus]

82. You are right, she has ties to Michigan but she is from Ohio. The information I had read...

previously was incorrect or I misunderstood it. However, she visits her current and childhood vacation home in Traverse.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

81. Cincinnati

But I believe her family spent a lot of time in Michigan when she was a child (summer house, maybe?) and that she still has some strong connections there.

[proud2BlibKansan]

101. Hi Sharon!

:hi:

I am adamantly opposed to this idea. We really need her in Kansas. She just vetoed a bill that would have built coal burning power plants in western Kansas and she is probably going to veto Voter ID which passed this week.

Sorry, we really need to keep her here in Kansas.

[SharonRB]

136. Hi, proud!

You mean you're not willing to share her with the rest of us? Selfish! :sarcasm: I totally understand. I think there's a long list of qualified people and we'll just have to wait and see who he picks.

[FlyingSquirrel]

161. What would happen if she left, who would her replacement be?

[Cheap_Trick]

134. why not?

Hillary is from wherever she happens to be campaigning....:rofl:

[Romulox]

175. Michiganders will vote for Obama/Sebelius *despite* the dreadful economy

And Barack Obama's continuing support for "free trade", NAFTA, H1B visas, etc, because Sebelius spent some time in Traverse city once?

Hoookay. :eyes:

[Onlooker]

57. Kansas? Zero chance

If Tennessee wouldn't vote for Gore, there's no way Kansas will vote for Obama.

[NeedleCast]

69. I think Obama can take Kansas

He's essentially a native son there and won the primary overwhelimingly. I'm not saying that winning a primary means you're a lock to win a state by any means, but Obama's Kansas roots are deep.

[proud2BlibKansan]

104. It was a caucus, not a primary

But yes, he swept the state. 75% to 25%

[Labors of Hercules]

71. Whatever.

:eyes:

[Fovea]

84. I think you'd be surprized.

Kansas is undergoing a sea change.

Dubya's cynical betrayal of PaleoCons and TheoCons hit Kansas pretty damn hard.

Indeed, Sebelius' conversion to Democrat has led a steady stream of Republican's who cannot stand to be a party to the culture war's most stupid warriors anymore.

Further, the wide stance party has been behind the curve on renewable energy, a commodity Kansas has a great potential for. Boeing is abandoning Kansas, and now suddenly everyone remembers what Eisenhower said about the military industrial complex.

[mopinko]

93. they stole tennessee nt

[Samantha]

184. Yes they did - by 70,000 votes

It was done to deliberately embarrass Al Gore. Thanks for standing up for him.

[proud2BlibKansan]

103. Obama took Kansas on Super Tuesday

3 to 1 vs Clinton.

[Cha]

143. Oh that makes a LOT of sense...That

was then and this is now.

[Gore1FL]

158. Mayb not. But it puts it in play

Any place McCain has to campaign or invest campaign funds outside of "traditional" swing states is money well spent.

Sebelius opens up the mid west a little and a few western states as well. -- The impact is making McCain fight for traditional red states. Obama and Sebelious combined put the 50 state strategy into action, and the GOP can't afford it.

[Zynx]

85. Kansas has about a 20 point greater than the national average Republican advantage.

That's a little daunting.

[Carrieyazel]

141. No way. Even a great candidate like Sebellius won't bring Kansas

And I don't see how you would think she would help him in Missouri (because it borders Kansas?). That's really flimsy.

The #2 pick doesn't help you win additional states that you wouldn't otherwise.

The top of the ticket is what people look at.

[Larkspur]

5. She better take some public speaking classes soon

She was awful in her response to Bush's SOTU address.

[SoxFan]

17. It was a bad night

I've seen her speak on other occasions, and she's much better. She's not fiery,but she comes across as articulate and level-headed.

[TwilightGardener]

Damn straight. "Robotic" isn't going to cut it.

[LibraLiz1973]

41. No kidding! She was AWFUL

[TheDebbieDee]

68. I agree. Gov. Sebellius put me to sleep!

But I'm sure I could grow to love her.

As long as Sen. Obama doesn't pick the ultra-conservative, DINO Sen. McCaskill to run with him, my head shouldn't be exploding...........

[proud2BlibKansan]

108. McCaskill a DINO??

No way. I am not a huge fan of Claire's but she is not a DINO. Ike Skelton is though. :)

[hokies4ever]

86. She did fine in the SOTU response

She definitely has a soft-spoken, laid back speaking style. She seems like the kind of person that everybody would like and nobody can hate. She strikes me as someone who would be great at helping a President govern, which is the most important criteria for a Vice President. Selecting Sebelius will throw McCain a curveball too. He might feel the need to select a female, but the list isn't that great on the Republican side.

[proud2BlibKansan]

107. She is a very good public speaker

That must have been a bad night for her. She is usually much better than that.

[Mz Pip]

6. I don't know if she would really

be the right choice. SOmeone with some national security/foreign relations experience would be a better choice IMHO. We really should not ignore that. It will still be an issue in the fall.

[leftynyc]

23. I'm soooo in agreement with that

While I think it would be great if it were a woman, it's waaay more important to bring foreign policy experience in. Our standing in the world has taken such a beating during this administration and it's going to take serious experience to heal the wounds. I'm for either Richardson, Biden or Clark.

[shraby]

32. Isn't foreign relations and the province of

the State Department and national security the province of the NSC? Neither are under the jurisdiction of the V.P. and never have been.

[Mz Pip]

92. That may be

but people are going to be voting for the Pres & VP and not having someone with that experience on the ticket is just asking for criticism from the Repugs who have the perception of being stronger on National Security.

Unfortunately it is all about perceptions.

[Apollo11]

7. Did you see Jon Stewart mocking Sebelius' response to Bush's State of the Union speech?

First of all, Jon Stewart referred to her as a "cougar" (I guess he means an attractive older woman).

Then he mocked the fact that she kept asking President Bush to "join us" - like she was some kind of zombie.

I think he also pretended to fall asleep because of her monotone voice.

But y'know - a woman, a governor, a Kansan. What's not to like? :eyes:

[AlGore-08.com]

35. Just F.Y.I. a "cougar" is an older woman who aggressively pursues much younger men for sex

It implies nothing positive about the appearance of the woman in question - - just that the woman in question is "old" (at least in her 40s) and on the prowl for much younger men. It's the equivalent of "cradle robber", but can only be used to talk about a woman.

[Apollo11]

43. well it kind of does imply something positive

Because if she can actually succeed in seducing a much younger man, then she must be kind of attractive.

"Here's to you, Governor Sebelius" - Simon & Garfunkel

[AlGore-08.com]

51. I think the term is negative - - society has never approved of older woman/younger man couples

Women in such relationships are almost always seen as pathetic, and the men are almost always seen as gigolos.

I'm just sayin'...

[Apollo11]

61. Madonna is about 10 years older than her husband, Guy Ritchie

But her new CD totally sucks, by the way.

[Kolesar]

64. How much money does she have?

... could use a new car :think:

[40ozDonkey]

152. Ben Franklin recommended older women.

June 25, 1745

...But if you will not take this Counsel, and persist in thinking a Commerce with the Sex inevitable, then I repeat my former Advice, that in all your Amours you should prefer old Women to young ones. You call this a Paradox, and demand my Reasons. They are these:

http://www.swarthmore.edu/SocSci/bdorsey1/41docs/51-fra.html

Although I've never been fortunate enough to have had the experience, I trust Ben's judgement.

[AspenRose]

187. Wow!

:wow: Go ahead on Ben, with your baaaaad self! :wow:

[closeupready]

8. Not sure about her. He needs someone with military credentials, IMO.

Sam Nunn, perhaps?

[book_worm]

11. She's leading the effort to find a VP, I believe, not the top choice to be VP.

[ProgressiveEconomist]

21. Wasn't that how Cheney became Dubya's regent? He was assigned the job of

finding a VP candidate, and he chose himself.

[MR. ELECTABLE]

19. Why?

Should the commander in chief defer his military responsibilities to the vice president? His foreign policy decisions? Obama will have plenty of advisors to help him in these matters, and I don't see any reason why a vice president would be required to fill those holes. It's not like the VP will ever be making the decisions for him.

[Bread and Circus]

25. I agree.

[knixphan]

55. agreed

[hokies4ever]

89. Agreed!

Sebelius for V.P., Richardson for Secretary of State, and then Obama has about 3 or 4 good choices for Secretary of Defense.

[Clark2008]

121. Because the electorate doesn't see it that way

right or wrong.

Besides, Obama needs to fill his white person, Southern-mid-Western-appealing gaps, as well as his FP gaps. And, no, that was not a racist statement - just a statement in fact. Those are the areas in which he's lacking a bit - and a good strategist would point that out.

[bluetrain]

20. He's a homophobe. But I guess Obama has already thrown gays under the bus along with so many other

groups which comprise the Dem base that losing even more votes at this point just doesn't matter.

[closeupready]

28. Right, I take it back. Nunn would not ever work.

n/t

[nichomachus]

30. I'm gay and I'm not under any bus

How did I miss out on that? I always miss all the fun stuff.

But then, I'm just one of them eddy-cated folks who went to college and actually likes a latte now and then and I don't work that hard either.

[nichomachus]

26. Not Sam Nunn -- no way -- no how -- never

If Nunn were on the ticket, I would have to bring a barf bag into the voting booth with me in order to vote Dem.

And if Nunn -- Mr Corporatocracy -- got in, I think Barack's life expectancy would be measured in months. The military industrial complex would love to have Sam Nunn in the oval office.

[smoogatz]

60. Jim Webb would be much better, though you'd hate to give up his Senate seat

in VA. I think Bill Richardson would bring a lot to the table in terms of constituency, executive experience and foreign policy cred.

On edit: Biden would be a good choice, too.

[Clark2008]

122. Wes Clark..if he'd do it.

[smoogatz]

129. The only problem with Clark is that he's the least charismatic person

in contemporary politics, pretty much, and has less vote-pulling capability than John Edwards, which is saying something. He brings military cred and some executive chops, but no constituency. Also, he's a Hillary endorser, for what that's worth. I like him, though, and I think if I was Obama I'd put him in charge of running Iraq, at least for as long as it took us to get out.

[Kolesar]

70. Ok, how about the Lieutenant Governor?

[Warren DeMontague]

135. Why? nt

[closeupready]

155. Because an Obama/Sebelius ticket would be thin on military musculature.

Before flaming me, just be aware, I am trying to consider the realities of what voters are going to be looking for. We've got a "war hero" on the GOP ticket, and so we've got to counter that with someone like Wes Clark to run with Obama.

[Warren DeMontague]

171. I actually think Clark would be an excellent choice. But I don't buy into the idea that we NEED

'military musculature'; it was that kind of thinking which told us John Kerry would be a shoo-in in 2004, and to some extent I bought that reasoning. I think it's fallacious. I think the American people are far less driven by that kind of thinking than the conventional wisdom gives them credit.

If someone like Nunn is the right choice (I don't think he is) then let's make that argument, but I think the idea that we just need to stick someone voters can picture in a uniform on the ticket is silly.

We need bright candidates who can articulate vision. Like I said, Wes Clark is a good one.

[Colobo]

9. Good choice.

[uponit7771]

10. She's smart, caring and a conservative progressive (very rare) but Richardson would round

...the two out more IMHO.

Thx

[nichomachus]

18. I doubt you will have a black and a hispanic on the same ticket

[ShortnFiery]

13. That's GOOD! eom

[Labors of Hercules]

14. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTT!!!!!!

I LOVE HER! :loveya:

[nichomachus]

15. If he picks Sam Nunn (#5 on the WaPo list), I may have to reconsider

my assessment of Barack. Nunn is a despicable bigot. He is personification of the corporatocracy. He is everything we need a change from.

In fact, the only difference I see between Nunn and McCain is the fact that Nunn isn't as crazy as McCain. He's only two years younger, and he organized the Gays in the Military Pentagon lie-fest that humiliated Bill Clinton in 1993 and gave us DADT.

[closeupready]

27. You're correct, Nunn would not be acceptable.

thanks for pointing that stuff out.

I still say that Obama has a lot of strengths, but one area where he may need help is with regard to the military thing, and I don't think any of the other choices on that list are strong there.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

83. Beyond that, isn't Nunn about 137 years old by now?

I think he served with the Spanish Armada...

[nichomachus]

88. Two years younger than McSame

[invictus]

16. Sebelius would be an excellent choice. n/t

[mystieus]

24. I wiki'ed her profile and she looks like she could make one hell of a VP/sidekick.

[Bullet1987]

29. YES!!! I love this choice if it happens!!!

1. She has executive experience because she's a two-time Govenor.
2. Her moderate credentials will put a number of midwestern states into play (including her state of Kansas).
3. She's respected. As seen in her being given the SOTU response.
4. She's a Woman. With that said, I'm not saying she's a token. But don't kid yourselves into thinking that there aren't women voting for Clinton simply because she's a woman. Just like I'm sure there are Blacks voting for Obama because he's Black.

[mystieus]

37. Kansas Governor, former head of the Democratic Governor's Association.

Bring the women back into the fold and not have the severe right wing hatred that Hillary brings along with her.

[TwilightGardener]

31. No, thanks. I'd go for an older white dude, frankly--we don't need the

"social engineering" ticket.

[dansolo]

36. Bob Graham or Gary Hart

Those are the two "older white dudes" that she should consider. Either one would rock in the foreign policy side of things.

[TwilightGardener]

124. Graham maybe. I think both are a little TOO old/has-been, though.

I like Jack Reed--older but not old, military experience, great resume, low-key, and Catholic.

[dflprincess]

146. As much as I hate to, I do have to agree with you on this

how about Wesley Clark?

[mmonk]

33. Interesting. She'd be on my shortlist.

[Bluebear]

34. Yay! Will she sell her son's homophobic prison rape game out of the Naval Observatory?

As she did out of the governor's mansion?

[marylanddem]

40. What are you talking about?

[Bluebear]

42. The son of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is peddling a board game titled "Don't Drop the Soap,"

A prison-themed game he created as part of a class project at the Rhode Island School of Design.

John Sebelius, 23, has the backing of his mother and father, U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary Sebelius. The governor's spokeswoman, Nicole Corcoran, said both parents "are very proud of their son John's creativity and talent."

John Sebelius is selling the game on his Internet site for $34.99, plus packaging, shipping and handling. The contact information on the Web site lists the address of the governor's mansion.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/01/28/dont.drop.soap.ap/index.html

[Bullet1987]

46. Who gives a flying fuck what her son is doing...

I can almost gurantee that she will be on Obama's shortlist. You simply can't overlook the positives of having her on the ticket.

[nichomachus]

47. I didn't see in the story where it was homophobic

Maybe I just missed it

[Bluebear]

49. You never do.

But that's OK, since you have a Red Sox avatar :)

[nichomachus]

54. Please point out where it was homophobic

Also, since the kid goes to RISD, I assume he's gay until proven otherwise.

[Bluebear]

56. "Games" about anal rape: not funny

Assuming he's gay because he goes to a design school? Okie dokie.

[nichomachus]

63. Couple of points

1. I'm gay

2. I'm very attuned to homophobia and have been since I came out nearly 40 years ago. (Ask me about the airline and travel "gay" sites -- if you want to know about homophobia.)

3. I'm not working up much outrage about the parent here -- please don't hold my parents accountable for things I've done.

4. I went to the school up the hill from RISD -- and it was a joke.

OK -- I know that's more than a couple.

[Bluebear]

65. I'm just as attuned to homophobia as you are. Also.

I don't think my one little post demonstrated any big "outrage". I did not post "Sebelius???? Absolutely not!!!11 Fuck no!!!!!!!!"

Fair enough?

[sfam]

110. Can you clear up the point about Kathleen selling the rape game in-between meetings then?

She sold this for money - meaning money she collected from the Governor's mansion? Kathleen did this? Are you sure? 'Cause this is what you said in your initial post.

My understanding is that its not for sale at the Governor's mansion (meaning I cannot walk up to the entrance and purchase a copy), but is sold through a website disconnected with the state government. Am I wrong here?

[Bluebear]

147. Can you walk up and buy a game from amazon.com?

The game's order address was indeed the governor's mansion.

[Apollo11]

58. The name of the game refers to the risk of being raped by your fellow inmates.

So you're playing a board game where the idea is to avoid getting raped.

Based on the idea that male prisoners are at risk of being raped by their fellow inmates.

"Don't Drop The Soap!" Man - that sounds like a real blast! :sarcasm:

[nichomachus]

66. Prison sex -- and violent prison sex -- isn't "gay" sex

It's an opportunistic crime of power involving sex. It's is not a gay relationship.

To make a joke about prison crime is not an attack on gay people -- the game also deals with putting glass in the mob boss' lasagna. Would you say that was an anti-Italian slur?

[Apollo11]

48. Not funny n/t

[thewiseguy]

53. And what the fuck does that have to do with her? You surely are a one trick pony.

[babylonsister]

59. That's tacky, but since he probably doesn't live at home,

it's not like they can reprimand him. I'll write her a letter if you want; or, we can get a bunch of people to protest.

I wish you wouldn't give the guy any advertising here though.

And wouldn't soap dropping potentially target all males in prison?

I don't even understand why he thought this a good idea, and I don't want to give the guy any hits on his website by looking either.

[Bluebear]

62. Nah, I could have done wihout her spokesman praising Junior's "creativity" lol

I don't know enough about her to have an opinion yet, seriously.

[NashVegas]

118. Sounds Like a Natural Pick for the Obama Campaign

[Name removed]

90. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mystieus]

39. I read her Wikipedia too and she sounds pretty good.

Education is one of her top priorities, she'd help pull in the female HRC supporters, and strengthen Barack's support throughout the midwest.

[sonias]

44. She has to veto that Voter ID bill that came her way again first

KansasCity.com 5/6/08
Voter ID bill sent to Kansas governor

TOPEKA | Lawmakers have passed a bill requiring Kansans to provide photo identification when they vote — starting in 2010 — but some Democrats expect a veto from Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

The governor’s office was noncommittal about House Bill 2019, but Rep. Tom Sawyer of Wichita said he expected Sebelius to veto voter ID as she has in the past.

The bill sailed through the Senate 27-3, but the House vote was 67-56, far short of a veto-proof majority. The legislation exempts people with disabilities, voters 65 and older and active-duty military personnel and their families.

Yes she can!

Sonia

[crankychatter]

74. Some Atty. Gen. action in KS over Republican's Voter Caging would be nice too - n/t

.

[proud2BlibKansan]

115. I am really angry about that

I contacted the state party and was told to write LTTEs and blog about it. I asked if there was a plan to deal with the results of this caging on election day and I was told no, cause voter caging is not illegal in KS. So I said well how about training poll workers and finding attorneys to be legal observers on election day and they said oh we will take care of it.

That was 5 months ago. And they haven't done a thing that I am aware of yet.

In the meantime, one of the republican blogs is using Google street view to 'expose' addresses in KCK (and only in low income neighborhoods) where voters are supposedly registered to vote and there is no house there. Only problem is they are looking at the wrong street view.

I have a very strong feeling the KS GOP is going to play games big time on election day and we will all just sit here and watch, not able to do a thing to stop them.

[crankychatter]

123. I'm from Seattle but Wintered up in Rural KS... In KCMO now... going to register voters this Summer

It just seems horrific, that they can cage them faster than we register them... it's an outrage

I believe it violates federal law

[proud2BlibKansan]

126. The head of the KS GOP

is a racist ass. Kris Kobach. I would love to nail him and his caging efforts right to the nearest wall. You bet it's a violation of federal law. But tell that to the KS Dems. They disagree.

[proud2BlibKansan]

139. You should come to our DFA meetings

We can hook you up if you want to get involved.

First Wed of every month at Californo's in Westport. http://gkcdfa.org/ :hi:

[crankychatter]

142. I've been here less than a week - bookmarked for later - I'm up by BB's 85th n Troostish

thanks

[proud2BlibKansan]

145. Welcome to KC!

We have a pretty active DU group of DUers here. Watch the MO and KS forums for meetups and other events. :hi:

[proud2BlibKansan]

109. Again??

Has the state legislature passed a previous Voter ID bill?

[mystieus]

50. Obama-Sebelius 08

Governor of Kansas.
Catholic
Big on funding education.
She also has a track record of standing up to insurance companies.

[eleny]

52. Ray Talafierro kept hinting at that on his program earlier this week

[Leopolds Ghost]

154. It's the Praying Hands!!

.......................................................................

[bigwillq]

67. She bores me.

But she's very nice. Maybe I'll warm to her.

[Bullet1987]

75. She's one of the most popular Govenors in the country right now

She's an opponent of the death penalty as well! She has a history of working across the aisle in Kansas too. IMHO, I don't think you could find a better fit for Obama. I say Kathleen Sebelius has to at least be Top 3.

[babylonsister]

76. Her post-SOTU speech was pretty anticlimatic, but I don't know

enough about her either way. This is the woman who lashed out at the lack of Nat'l Guard IIRC when tornadoes or fire(?) hit her state fairly recently?

[Bullet1987]

79. We already have an orator in Obama...she doesn't need to be that

But having her on the ticket is more than one positive outside of...she was once in the military. And I'm not making a big deal out of military service, because all you have to do is look at how the Rethugs trashed Kerry's military record and you'll see that they don't give a damn about that and neither should we. We need to stop allowing them to define who we are.

[proud2BlibKansan]

117. She is absolutely wonderful, the best governor in my lifetime

But we need her here in Topeka. I am strongly opposed to her candidacy. She is the best weapon we have against the KS GOP.

[babylonsister]

120. Well, that's an endorsement, sort of, or it that

a non-endorsement? ;)

[proud2BlibKansan]

127. We need her here

The state legislature is still controlled by the rethugs. They spent 4 months trying to cram coal burning power plants down our throats and Sebelius vetoed it. Then they passed yet ANOTHER law allowing the damn plants. This week they passed Voter ID and we are assured she will veto it as well. Until we have a Dem majority in Topeka, no way am I going to say sure, take our governor away from us.

Here is an editorial from today's paper about how awful this state legislature is.
http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/611928.html

[malik flavors]

73. I think that's just the reporters opinion. Not the Obama campaign's.

[Bullet1987]

77. I know...but her name is being thrown out from somewhere

Reporters usually always have contacts that they base their opinion off of. Journalists are different than pundits that you see on T.V.

[Connie_Corleone]

78. I've been saying that all along. nt.

Sebelius would be a great pick.

[Schema Thing]

80. Tough call

The benefits are obvious with her (especially with democrats), but as a tool against McCain, I can't help but think a Clark or a Webb or at least a Richardson would be the more powerful choice.

[Upton]

94. Good choice: you could break two glass ceilings with one vote

she would bring back most of the disillusioned female Clinton supporters.

[Phillycat]

95. Ha, you think?

You don't really understand female Clinton supporters very well, do you?

We don't want "a woman". We want HILLARY CLINTON.

(That said, I will vote for the nominee - I am a real Democrat.)

[mystieus]

190. An Obama/sebellius ticket would not alienate the people that have voted for Obama to date.

And it would be a strong draw for the women voting for Hilary because she is a woman. And I think that those people outnumber the hardcore Hilaryis44 style fanatics by a long shot.

Thing about Obama is... he's managed to draw in a lot of new and disenfranchised voters though his charisma, grass root politics, and the seeming appearance of great integrity. Sebellius is a great compliment to the ticket, and been a great economist, hopefully will attract more level headed fiscal conservatives.

Even if it's not the most effective voting ticket, the chances of Obama alone trouncing McCain is extremely high; and such a pair would hopefully have the skill and ability to put America back on track.

[mystieus]

102. I don't think people would say that.

It's not as if she a notorious feminist that he's just throwing on the ticket to get the woman vote. She's a good politician with stances and values regardless.

[PATRICK]

96. To clarify

This is the opinion of the OP writer and not an indication, which would be incredibly unlikely, that Obama was touting anyone over anyone else right now.

I thin some of WAPO's choices here are an attempt to tweak something old, something new into a more rational selection. Nor do I trust WAPO at all. In my judgment McCain will have to accept someone deep in
the Bush pocket with other pressures ready to pounce should he stray from that. That means Romney, a dead duck McCain, a President Romney and VP Jeb Bush in the future.

Obama at this stage is less constrained to balance the ticket, but the Clinton delegate bloc poses a question mark roadblock that can't be dealt at all with until at least Hillary packs it in. It might be smart to by pass her why she is busy campaigning, but very untraditional and possibly risky.

Sibelius is good and in the top five surely. I would put Richardson there and possibly Edwards, Clark and a few others way ahead of some of the WAPO guy's handicapping. We want to put Sam Nunn in and immediately lose the contrast between the old and new, young and old?

The posting is not exactly deceptive but letting it sound like they have a favorite already leaked out is not in the article?

[sfam]

97. Awesome! That would be my choice as well!

Go Obama-Sebelius!

[truebrit71]

98. No thanks.

...I don't thnk she brings enough to the ticket...

[proud2BlibKansan]

99. No! We need her in Kansas

We still have much work to do here. We need our governor.

[4_Legs_Good]

105. GOD NO PLEASE!!!!!!

PLEASE NO, OBAMA!!! NO NO NO

She's the most boring politician I've heard in years!!! Her response to the SotU was such a f*cking snoozer it made George Jr.'s BS look entertaining.

Please, please choose someone else! What about Claire McCaskill. She's been rocking this primary season?!?!?!

David

[Bullet1987]

162. How about somebody with some experience?

Claire McCaskill is nice, but she just got there in 2006 like Jim Webb. I wish people would wake up and realize having another Senator with less experience than you on the ticket is NOT a good idea. Obama needs someone who will balance what he's already got and add something too.

[4_Legs_Good]

177. Well my top choice is probably Mark Warner

Governor is always good, IMO, and swing state.

David

[onenote]

106. I would be surprised if its Sibelius. I think he'll look for someone more well known nationally

[Avalux]

111. I think she's the wrong choice.

She bores the hell out of me and I really think we need someone with FP experience.

[Bullet1987]

163. Alright...we're not picking someone who is exciting to watch

We have that in Obama already.

[LisaM]

112. Her response to the SOTU was horrible. I don't know why they picked her.

She didn't even sound like a Democrat.

[mmonk]

113. Another way to look at it (this is for the naysayers)

Woman-Catholic-White-Red State.

This is why she should be given a good hard look. She knocks down a lot of talking head memes.

[marlakay]

114. huff post did a great write up on all the possibles

and when it came to Kathleen they said she is good but remember her speech after the state of the union. she doesn't have any fire, she needs to really really work that out if she is going to go anywhere with him.

but then again Bush won with cheney and cheney can talk for shit..other than smirk smirk...

but it would help with the woman vote...most definitely and middle america.

[ShadowLiberal]

116. I don't think she can deliever a state to Obama in the 'strong republican' catagory

According to polls Obama is down by over 10% in Kansas, I don't think that she can deliver her state to Obama.

I'd rather see someone like the Ohio governor on Obama's ticket, he appeals to a lot of the same people who voted for Hillary, and Obama has consistently been behind by a few points in Ohio, but the governor could definitely secure his state's 20 electoral votes for Obama (and in process rob McCain of those 20 votes, giving Obama a 40 electoral vote advantage from him).

[sfam]

119. She cannot deliver Kansas, but she can deliver women and working class votes...

This would be similar to getting Richardson, who probably cannot deliver Arizona but could deliver hispanics in Florida and other places. The other approach of course is to get someone to deliver a specific state, as you point out. I think both approaches have value.

[mystieus]

125. Sebelius seems like Clinton without the evil.

[GetTheRightVote]

128. It would be nice to see a woman but only if she is qualified to do the job

and will work well with Obama and his ideals of sharing this nation with the people who have put him there to begin with....the America voter.

[sfam]

131. Sebelius is seen as one of the nation's top governors...

And Obama needs executive creds...this makes sense for a lot of reasons.

[TexanDem]

130. I think this is a very bad idea. Clintonites would feel dissed....>

if he went for a woman. "If he had a woman, he could have Hillary" I personally think we've had enough race/gender going on for this election cycle. I hope McCain won't pick a woman or a black either. I think we all need to let the waters settle some. Besides, Kathleen has no military. With Iran looming and maybe even will be attacked before November, I think he needs a strong military person -- i.e. Clark or maybe General Anthony Zinni. Clark is good because he's been a loyal Hillary supporter, so he would help with unity..

[Strelnikov_]

133. As I said . .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=5189038#5200511

[mystieus]

149. I agree with this.

[TheWraith]

137. To clarify, this is The Fix's predictions of VP candidates, not anything official from the campaign.

[zulchzulu]

138. The dynamic would be pretty striking since McSame has to pick a neocon theocrat

McSame is going to have to pick some knuckledragging theocrat to get the Repig base off their ass...

Elizabeth Dole could be a choice... wow...talk about geezers...

Tim Pawlenty is probably going to be McSame's VP:
http://www.redstate.com/stories/elections/2008/meet_tim_pawlenty

[Carrieyazel]

140. A #2 rarely helps you win an additional state.

Sebellius is a solid pick, but Kansas and Missouri? Forget about it.

[BigD_95]

144. this is who I wanted

her or Ed Rendell. Not that Im the biggest Rendell fan but he brings us PA & mostly Ohio.

[Leopolds Ghost]

148. It will be Clark or Obama is a fool.

Sebelius would have a chance if she wasn't a Blue Dog Dem from a solid red state.

Even if she was a NON-DLC Dem from Kansas, it would show that Obama understood Thomas Frank's thesis, "What's the Matter With Kansas."

Is the message of the Obama camp going to be "forget populism, the way to compete in states like Kansas is a Hillary or McCaskill style, business friendly white woman?"

[Leopolds Ghost]

151. I would reevaluate Sebelius if she wasn't apparently a DLC/Reagan Dem.

Anything less is a slap in the face to the whole populist, Thomas Frank approach and does not translate outside Kansas to boot. Why should voters in Arkansas care about KANSAS' or VIRGINIA'S pro-business, non-confrontational favorite son (Mark Warner) or daughter?

[NJSecularist]

150. Mrs. DLC Katheleen Sibelius?

Yet you O-bots get on Hillary all the time for supposedly being a "DLC candidate".

Do you people ever get tired of your double standards?

[AllentownJake]

157. Wahhh

They picked a woman....and it wasn't Hillary.

[MadBadger]

160. supposedly? She's on the leadership.

[VotesForWomen]

156. gee, looks like the O folks know they burned a few bridges. nt

[SoCalDem]

168. for the UMPTEENTH time, Obama supporters are NOT anti-women

we are ANTI- that ONE particular woman who ran this time..

We are more thoughtful than to grab onto (any generic female) who chooses to run..

There WILL be a GOOD female candidate who comes along, and SHE will get elected..count on it..

[barack the house]

159. They would be a lovely team. I can dig that selection.

[underpants]

165. R-I-C-H-A-R-D-S-O-N

PLEASE

[FlyingSquirrel]

166. I'm torn on this one.

I think McCain will likely choose a female VP, possibly Olympia Snowe of Maine, in an attempt to capitalize on the female voters upset at Hillary's loss. If Obama does not choose a female VP this could really hurt him. On the other hand if he DOES choose a female running mate and she doesn't have enough foreign policy creds, this could ALSO hurt him.

I'm thinking we may see a game of "chicken" here where neither candidate is willing to announce their VP pick before the other. And since our convention happens first, we'll be forced to choose first. That really bites the big one.

[jasmine621]

169. If only the Dems has someone like Carly Fiorina. She reminds of

Hillary with her brains and toughness and she has not been demonized and brutalized like Hillary has so she much more appealing to the general public.

[nsd]

183. Fiorina has been mentioned as a running mate for John McCain.

Which is odd because, in the business community, Fiorina is widely thought of as a failure. She was ousted at HP for performance issues and wasn't much better at Lucent before that. Too many CEO types seem to have perfected the art of "failing upwards."

[Wetzelbill]

172. I don't think she'd be all that good of a choice

Personally, I like her, but I don't think she brings all that much to the table that he doesn't already have. Contrary to belief, because Barack beat Hillary that doesn't mean that women won't vote for him. And even the women who are hardcore HRC supporters know better than to leave McCain to Roe v Wade. Right now, feelings are hurt and egos bruised but nearly 6 months is a long time to heal wounds. Plus, Sebelius looked wooden during her SOTU response, I'm not sure how good she'd be in a national campaign, let alone compared to somebody as dynamic as he is. She'd be a solid choice, but not nearly the best.

I like some of the ideas, like I heard Webb, Napolitano and Brian Schweitzer tossed out. I don't think for various reasons they work for me in the end.

For me, I think it comes down to Bill Richardson and Wes Clark, because they both have significant experience and foreign policy credentials. They both do well campaigning, although Richardson didn't look too good in the debates and Clark can sometimes get all wooden and academic. But their resumes and FP experience bring quite a bit to the table, and Richardson brings in hispanic votes in droves. Some of the others floating about, like Webb, who I mentioned, and Joe Biden are still in the Senate, and I'd hate to lose those seats, or potentially lose them. They'd stomp McCain on FP but I prefer them in the senate. Sam Nunn, I think he's unacceptable to me because of he's to the Right on a few key issues.

[Kber]

173. Well - I eventually learned how to pronounce Barak Obama

Sebelius can't be that much harder.

[jillan]

174. What about Claire MacCaskill?

I really like her.

[ShaneGR]

176. Strickland would by far be the best choice in my opinion....

He locks up Ohio and therefor locks up the Presidency. Plus Strickland's wife is one of the nicest "regular" people you could ever meet. She's just charming, in an Elizabeth Edwards kind of way.

[depakid]

178. "The Washington Post said today"

That in and of itself is reason to:

1. question its veracity; and

2. consider it to be a profoundly bad idea.

[mystieus]

179. Sebelius makes sense on many levels.

Obviously, she’s a woman and that would add another historic touch to Obama’s run.
She’s a governor and governor’s play better in the minds of voters than legislators.
More importantly, Sebelius is a Democratic governor in a Republican state, and so has obviously pulled in significant numbers of Republican and independent voters. Heck, she flipped a former state GOP chairman — Mark Parkinson — to become a Democrat and her lieutenant governor.
An Obama-Sebelius ticket would be more appealing to moderate Republicans and independents and plays into Obama’s message of tearing down walls between voters, parties, etc.
The major drawback is that there would be little foreign policy experience in an Obama-Sebelius pairing, but that may matter little. It seems the mood of voters is to re-focus on domestic problems.

[pettypace]

180. Looks like love

[mystieus]

181. lol, lets not go there

[mod mom]

185. this poll has Sen Jim Webb out far ahead:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/09/obamas-vice-president-who_n_101001.html

[wisteria]

193. Just what we need two inexperienced people on the first and scond ticket.

Webb is a lose cannon and is not very personable IMO. And, they don't even compliment each other.

[Blondiegrrl]

186. PLEASE not Ted Strickland. What a world-class douchebag.

I hope to God he doesn't get saddled with Clinton, either. But if that's the only way to keep her diehard supporters from voting for McCain out of spite, I'd hold my nose and cast my vote.

I like Tim Kaine.

My husband likes Kathleen Sebelius.

Either of those would be good IMO.

[mystieus]

188. Sebelius would be an excellent choice.

[Stinky The Clown]

191. She's as exciting as drying paint.

And two cornbelters?

Please ..... not her. Bad strategy.

She is getting buzz simply because she's a woman. She's waaaaaaaay too conservative and not nearly exciting enough.

If he feels the need for a woman running mate (and I cannot imagine why) there are other good choices.

Geraldine Ferraro, maybe? (<---- this is called a "JOKE". It requires a sense of humor. If you take it seriously, you need a funny bone implant.)

[mystieus]

195. Kathleen Sebelius is a strong female with solid executive experience.

She also happens to be a Democratic governor in a State long considered Republican. She shares his message of unity among Democrats, Republicans, Independents and all races and genders. Her message was filled with optimism for the future and spoke of the commitment to place the people's concerns as top priority for any decisions. As a governor she is not a Washington insider. The Democratic Party embraces her enough to ask her to deliver their response; this shows a great deal of respect for her.

There is little doubt among political pundits a Clinton candidacy is favored by the Republican Party if they are to retain the White House. Obama would present many more challenges during the general election campaign. The idea of Obama winning and teaming together with Governor Sebelius is an idea that very well could create sleepless nights for the campaign strategists behind any Republican nominee. An Obama / Sebelius Democratic ticket represents what very well could be an unbeatable ticket in 2008.

[Stinky The Clown]

196. "he Democratic Party embraces her enough to ask her to deliver their response"

I heard that ..... or at least the start of it.

I was asleep before she finished.

Sorry ..... she is DEADLY boring.

[mystieus]

197. We already have an orator in Obama...she doesn't need to be that

[Stinky The Clown]

198. Everyone is entitled to their opinion ...... and their ........

..... bumpersticker.

We'll have to agree to disagree.

[mystieus]

199. ..... nice talking to you

[wisteria]

192. Sorry, I am not impressed. n/t

[mystieus]

194. I think Sebellius as Obama's VP will be a good thing because so far she's shown the integrity and

good politick-ings that HRC lacks. If she does become Obama's VP endorsement, hopefully that will make a lot of Hillary's supporters see what an actually good female politician with integrity and common sense is like. Of course, from what I've read and seen of Hillary's fans, a lot of them are very .... bitter and cynical so this might not work.

[Sensitivity]

200. WRONG!!! Not in "Obama Campaign." Only in lobbying factions.

[atufal1c]

201. We need a National Defense VP. Ideally, with Military Experience. NT

[MrSlayer]

202. Wes Clark is the way to go.

Nothing against Sebelius but we need an attack dog with supreme foreign policy credentials and strong speaking skills. Clark brings that and much more to the table.

[mystieus]

206. I don't think we need the typical "attack dog" VP candidate.

It's tired. I'm counting on Obama to raise the level of discourse for the ticket, not just pawn off the hard stuff to his running mate. Plus, if it's a female, you run the risk of her looking "bitchy." Far better to exploit man's natural tendency to not attack a woman.

[mystieus]

203. I'm telling you my friends this is the winning ticket!

[Stinky The Clown]

204. We get it .... what's with the flogging?

You know this is bordering on spamming, right?

[mystieus]

205. We get it... you don't like the ticket.

You know this is bordering on annoying, right?