Radio Lady: Democracy for Dummies at the DU (or how I explained my current position to others)

[Radio_Lady]

There are people who are questioning why I posted my thoughts in my journal months ago (link here):

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Radio_Lady/238

Sometimes the ticket has to be put together very carefully to insure that the primary votes of the Democrats in the Democratic Party are accurately represented.

We have two extraordinary people who really speak the same language. Both have many features, benefits, and capabilities. They have worked well together in the past, and it appears that they might be able to form an alliance in the future. They both have been in this primary campaign for an exceptional length of time. Each came within a hair's breadth of winning this prize.

We now have a first place winner (the presumptive nominee), and a runner-up, who simply did not want to make any decisions on Tuesday night.

Now we have sort of a problem.

The older female white person got quite a big number of votes, but the younger male black person got more. However, the older female white person -- along with a vast number of other Democrats -- have some concerns that the younger male black person might not be able to win against the supporters of the Republican SUPER older male white person. That is reasonable, given some of the issues of this debate.

Part of politics is compromise and working together. There are approximately 50% of people (according to Tuesday's exit polling) who would favor putting both of them on the same ticket. Of course, that leaves some people not so happy -- perhaps the winner will pick one of the other also-rans, or someone completely unknown at this point. Each of them will have his or her positives and negatives. (There are many ways that this can happen both before or during the nominating convention. I believe it will happen quite soon, but it might take a little while until this decision is made.)

It has been suggested that the top person consider choosing his former opponent -- which would put BOTH of them together -- if appropriate and workable. Later, they will be pitted against that SUPER older male white person -- and also some as-yet-unknown person for his Republican second, who has yet to be chosen.

One would certainly hope that the winner thoroughly considers HIS own personality, style, pros and cons -- as well as those of his former opponent -- before he makes this decision. Also, that choice will have to be voted on when the party members meet for the convention.

This story isn't finished -- and it might take awhile, but some of us really like the BOTH scenario. That way, each of them brings their supporters into the Democratic tent, because a LOT of DEMOCRATS voted for BOTH of these people. However, we have to decide if what they carry is "luggage" -- or "baggage" -- as stolen from some soothsayer on TV.

By the way, if Hillary had won the primary, I would be posting the same suggestion, but reversed. I'd be emailing Hillary to choose Barack for his candidate.

Cordially,

Radio Lady in Oregon

[woolldog]

1. It is up to the nominee to choose his VP. Period.

Not the democratic party or anyone else. That is a privilege the nominee, in modern times, gets b/c this is someone he must work with. And Obama shouldn't be given any less discretion.

[Radio_Lady]

3. Where did I say that Barack Obama wouldn't be involved in this decision?

I'll fix the OP if you can cite it.

[woolldog]

5. He doesn't want her to be his VP.

So the only way she'll be on the ticket is if she's foisted on him.

[Radio_Lady]

10. Your opinion is speculation. There was no indication tonight that what you say is true.

Foisted?

That's a really archaic word.

Not happening.

[woolldog]

16. Yes I admit I'm speculating.

But I don't think it's a huge leap.

[Radio_Lady]

17. Tonight, two people are sleeping. They will be in the same cities for the next several days.

I've heard that will be New York and Washington, DC.

Apparently, others in the Democratic Party will be consulted.

I have no crystal ball and I don't know what will happen.

However, the GD: P "political theater" will be gone by midday, June 11 -- presumably with a flourish.

(Oh, dear, what WILL we do with all the chatter until Election Day and after??? Maybe there should be a General Discussion: Election forum?)

The post stands as it is:

"I will vote for Mr. Obama and the VP choice of (whoever is pledged) on the Democratic ticket in Oregon on November 4, 2008."

Actually, we will vote by mail several weeks prior to Election Day.

Oregon is very civilized. We don't have to dash to a school or firehouse. We place our PAPER ballots in an envelope, sign, seal, and mail. There's a paper trail and recounts are possible.

The only way we could improve this is making all PRIMARY elections on the same day -- as well as mail-in ballots.

But that's another debate for another night! Make it a good day tomorrow, woolldog...

Cordially,

Radio Lady Ellen Kimball in Oregon

[MattBaggins]

27. Actually quite incorrect

It is ultimately our VP, not his. The choice of VP is very much a choice for the party to make.

[DontTreadOnMe]

2. We need only one President...

not two.

In the entire history of American Presidential elections, never has a VP candidate been the deciding winning factor.
There are many Democratic stars than can fill the VP position. The next President will be chosen by the American people
by deciding between two people: Obama vs. McCain. Both VP candidates will not matter.

[emilyg]

4. In the entire history of American Presidential elections, never has a VP candidate been the deciding

This election is like no other.

[Radio_Lady]

9. Sorry, I don't understand.

[emilyg]

15. Just saying this is like no other election.

[Radio_Lady]

18. Of course. I agree. This one broke the rules.

Hillary looked radiant tonight, and her silver-haired husband smiled appropriately. Her speech was firm but kind.

It took a day like this to have someone point out that they have not lost an election since 1980 when they started to run. They have won eight elections in a row. (Of course, I'm saying "they" as a couple. I don't know why any of their records have become so tarnished in this truly hard-won primary.)

By the way, I hope Michelle Obama takes up a cause as First Lady -- whatever suits her. She doesn't look like the kind of a woman who will be sitting and knitting by the fireplace in the White House (no knock against knitters). I know so little about her that I have no idea what kind of fire is in her belly.

Cordially,

RL Ellen

[yourguide]

30. Yes and one of the candidates broke the rules over and over

again...

Not really sure how that helps her case to be VP.

[Spider Jerusalem]

6. I think it would be a tremendously bad decision on Obama's part.

Selecting Clinton as VP will make him look weak if it appears he's knuckling under to her. The only way she goes on the ticket is if it's clear that it was his decision and she was seen as the best candidate; not JUST because she's threatening to hold the party hostage by claiming her voters won't support Obama if she doesn't get the VP nod (which is arrant nonsense anyway, because most of them will).

[woolldog]

7. It's too late for that.

Her actions (public lobbying for the VP slot) have now ensured that if he gave her the VP slot, even if it was of his own accord, it will look like she forced his hand. And that will make him look weak.

[Radio_Lady]

12. Your argument is pure speculation. She has contributed to this party and

for that reason alone, many feel she would add to the ticket, not subtract from it.

[symbolman]

8. Between her attacks on him, squandering money, fame, and a solid lead..

Along with the baggage (with Bill that makes THREE to "vet") she carries Obama would be better off if he tied a dead animal around his neck and let it rot off all through the GE..

Excuse me, but this woman is WACKO, and HE is the greatest thing to come along since RFK..

SHE will bring out the Republicans IN FORCE, not to vote FOR McCain, but AGAINST Hillary.. Not to mention she's stuck in the 80's-90's and we are looking to move Into the Future..

It is just that simple. :)

[Radio_Lady]

11. You could be right -- or quite wrong. Have a good day tomorrow...

Actually, I will reserve my opinion until I have more information. Hillary's "baggage" with Bill was an important, positive, and hopeful eight years. She is respected in New York and there is no reason for me to think her mental health is in jeopardy. Perhaps you are projecting -- who knows? I'm no diagnostician.

Have your people call my people.

:-)

[woolldog]

13. She was introduced at her speech tonight as "the next POTUS"

you don't think that's a little delusional?

[Radio_Lady]

14. A lot of people worked on her campaign... was that Terry McAuliffe?

He may have had too much coffee today. He was on with Jon Stewart tonight. Seemed quite irrationally exuberant -- but I'd really chalk that up to the fact that they had just won the second primary out of the last three contests in this final phase.

It's just a shame to waste all of this talent!

Cordially,

Radio Lady Ellen Kimball in Oregon

[Lerkfish]

19. You feel the need to point out who is white and who is black

when I'm pretty sure everyone is hip to the respective races of both candidates.

[Radio_Lady]

26. Someone else posted a very complicated post-election description.

This was written as a parody called "Democracy for Dummies" -- and the subject line reflects that concept. Originally, I posted it in someone else's thread, but then decided to bring it up as my own post.

It does not prove that I suffer from a lack of "hip," nor am I a racist.

Thanks for your comments.

Cordially,

Radio Lady in Oregon

What is Ellen talking about now? Read her journal at http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Radio_Lady

[Lerkfish]

28. hm. did I say that?

you see what you want to see, apparently.

[WeDidIt]

20. There is only one thing that could keep Hillary off the ticket

and that's Bill.

Mostly due to his finance issues.

[billyoc]

21. Let's begin the vetting process immediately, to honor Hillary's supporters

and expose the DLC for the financial corsairs they are once and for all.

[Radio_Lady]

25. Appreciate your comments, billyoc.

Cordially,

RL

[Teaser]

22. Why do you put tag your posts with your handle "Radio Lady:"

when your handle appears next to the title anyway?

[Radio_Lady]

24. This is my way of identifying posts that I may wish to put in my journal.

I'm the self-confessed "Drama Queen" (some irksome DUer put it this way...) of the DU.

It's just a listing feature and also to call attention to myself so friend and foe alike can quickly find my posts.

But thank you for asking.

Cordially,

Radio Lady Ellen in Oregon

[endarkenment]

23. She has to be "all in" or not at all.

My concern is quite simply her motivation to keep 2012 alive as an option for her own presidential ambitions. Her inability to seize the moment last night to transcend the bitterly fought primary battle did not ease my discomfort.

[Doityourself]

29. It's not going to happen...they don't want to be vetted..Billy is balking at releasing info

in his library records.

Oh well.

[woolldog]

31. I'm going to start

putting my name at the beginning of the title in my OPs, like you do. That's clever.

Cordially,

woolldog