What about Bill Nelson D-FL for Veep

[ruggerson]

I don't know that much about him, but he seems to fit the bill for what Obama needs: an older, moderate to left Dem, a supporter of election reform (I think he wrote a paper-trail bill), good on social issues, serves on the Armed Services Committee and has national security credibility.

Most of all, he heals the Florida problem and makes it far more possible to carry the state.

From his website:

Perhaps the two most defining events in Bill Nelson’s life occurred in 1972 – he got married to Grace Cavert and was elected for the first time to public office. Today, over three decades later, he’s earned a reputation as a principled family man, a staunch advocate for all Floridians and a moderate voice in the increasingly partisan world of national politics.

Florida’s own Bill Nelson was elected to the U.S. Senate in November 2000, after serving six years as a member of the Florida Cabinet. He currently serves on the Senate Commerce, Armed Services, Budget, Foreign Relations, Intelligence, and Aging committees and is recognized as the leading congressional expert on NASA.

As a member of the Senate’s Commerce Committee, Nelson has taken on the cause of privacy by supporting measures to protect consumers from identity theft and working on legislation to stop unsolicited e-mails that plague individuals and businesses.

In his role on the Senate’s Armed Services Committee, he has worked tirelessly for the families of Florida’s men and women serving overseas by addressing their concerns about basic equipment needs, such as the lack of body armor, and the hardships facing many from extended tours of duty. He’s also opposed efforts to reduce the military’s aircraft carrier fleet as our nation continues to fight the global threat of terrorism.

Other priorities Nelson has championed during his tenure in the Senate include: preventing oil drilling off Florida’s coast; ensuring veterans and their spouses get the benefits they deserve and have access to quality health care; and, fighting for a meaningful Medicare prescription drug benefit for seniors that allows the government to negotiate lower drug prices from pharmaceutical companies. In the wake of the 2004 hurricane season, he has worked to secure adequate federal relief for storm victims and reform the federal agency charged with assisting people after disasters.

http://billnelson.senate.gov/about/biography.cfm

[shadowknows69]

1. Ha ha ha good one.

Yeah, um...No.

[ruggerson]

5. care to expound?

[Barack_America]

2. From following madfloridian's posts, it sounds like he was one of the main antagonists in FL.

He filed at least one lawsuit against the DNC.

That's an immediate disqualification in my book.

[ingac70]

8. Yes, he was.

[ruggerson]

10. but wouldn't that bring the party together?

I see it as a plus.

[Blue-Jay]

3. I don't think so.

See... he's kind of a douchebag.

[Muttocracy]

4. endorsed Clinton, thought he was very centrist for a Dem? nt

[ingac70]

6. He has been a total shitehead on behalf of Hillary...

NO!

[madfloridian]

7. That is so not funny.

[ruggerson]

15. from what I gather he has huge approval ratings in FL

If Obama can bring him and Dean together doesn't it make Obama look like a uniter?

[Barack_America]

29. Did you hear that DWS endorsed Obama?

Oh the sweet irony.

:rofl:

[Divine Discontent]

36. I paid them to ask, just to get that response. eom

[madfloridian]

72. That was a mild response. Bit my tongue.

[Orangepeel]

9. He's an ass and one of the most conservative Dems in the Senate

but he might be a good choice purely from a strategic perspective, if Obama were to pick another Senator (which he shouldn't).

But if Obama is going to pick a Floridian, he should pick Bob Graham.

[Divine Discontent]

42. he might be a little too old, but it would be a smart move, as he's well liked

by most voters, certainly. Bill is also, but I don't like his walkin' the line stances on everything.

Bob would have been a great VP candidate in 2000 instead of Lieberman... well, who wouldn't have.

[Orangepeel]

47. he is old, but he's a couple months younger than McCain

My dream plan is for an Obama/Graham ticket to run this year and then an Obama/Some Female Governor ticket to run in 2012.

:-)

[Divine Discontent]

53. my Mom loves Graham (and Obama for that matter)

so she'd LOVE that... and that '12 ticket is a great way to introduce Napolitano, Sebelius, or another Female into the White House!

[napi21]

11. you need to listen to more progressive radio! The job of the VP is to

snarl with curled lips and destroy the Pub candidate! Can you honestly see Nelson doing that? HA!

[ruggerson]

18. yes, I can actually, from what I've seen of him

[napi21]

22. Well, you must have seen a side of him that I sure haven't!

I kinda like the guy, but he's sure no bulldog from what I've seen & heard!

[ruggerson]

32. Well we don't want a Bob Dole either

[NRaleighLiberal]

12. You must be joking? Kind of a DINO, isn't he? ...he is what Obama does NOT need in my view. NT

[BlooInBloo]

13. tick tick tick tick

[ruggerson]

20. tick tick tick tick

[newmajority]

14. Great God Almighty in Heaven, please tell me you're joking?

I don't want that wannabe televangelist anywhere near the President. :scared:

[BlueJac]

16. NO

[Laelth]

17. I'd prefer a root canal. n/t

-Laelth

[Thrill]

19. He is boring and certainly not going to get anyone excited

[ruggerson]

21. kind of like LBJ was

[ingac70]

28. He's probably just as shady...

as LBJ was too.

[ruggerson]

38. LBJ carried Texas for JFK

if someone can carry FL for Obama, I'm all for it.

[ingac70]

43. LBJ...

was a warmongering sack of shit. Made loads of money off Bell Helicopter escalating Vietnam.

Florida isn't needed, not that bad!

[DarienComp]

23. I'm not sure...

You definitely have a point that bringing the party together should be a huge priority, and I think Bill Nelson has basically been a decent Senator... I must say that I found his performance at the DNC rules committee last week to have been... well... let's not go into it.

What about Wesley Clark?

[JaneQPublic]

24. Won't Gov. Crist replace him with a Republican?

That's how it works in most states: the governor replaces the senator with someone from his/her own party, who then gets to run as the incumbent at the next election.

If going for someone from Florida, former Sen. Bob Graham would be a better choice, particularly with his experience on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

[ruggerson]

26. Of the two, Graham has always struck me as less forceful

but you have a point about a sitting Dem with a Repub Governor.

[HooptieWagon]

25. For the love of God -NO!!!!!!!!

Nelson is the worst of the worst DLC Dinos... damn he'd be awful. If a Floridian is desired, Bob Graham would be much better choice.

[jgraz]

27. Here's an idea: let's pick an actual DEMOCRAT.

[QC]

30. Not my choice, but no worse than Sam Nunn.

A week or so ago he was all the rage around here, and you can't get any more DINO, bigoted, or uninspiring than Nunn, the author of DADT.

[ruggerson]

34. Exactly. Except Nelson is far more liberal where it matters.

[QC]

40. Well, I have to admit that it gave me great pleasure to vote for Nelson last time.

Of course, he was running against Katherine Harris ;-)

I'm not a Nelson fan, but what the purists here seem not to realize is that we probably cannot get Bernie Sanders or Barnie Frank elected in Florida. If we want a Democrat to win a statewide office here, we have to run a fairly conservative one. That means Nelson or someone like him.

I don't really want to see him as veep, though.

Wesley Clark looks interesting for that slot.

[ruggerson]

46. The Repubs are going to try to paint Obama as far left

thus he needs, as you note, a moderate running mate, in the mold of Nelson or Webb or Clark.

Barbara Boxer, Russ Feingold, etc. don't really fit the bill.

Geographically, someone from a state that Barack needs also helps.

[newmajority]

52. If Nelson's a moderate, I'm Elizabeth Taylor!

And I don't have 125 ex husbands (or even one) so I guess that's out.

[ruggerson]

54. So who do you propose?

[newmajority]

62. Bill Richardson

Moderate Western Governor. Excellent resume, especially in the foreign policy & diplomacy areas.

Will flip New Mexico. Could very well help flip most of the Mountain Time Zone.

Should help with the Hispanic vote. And at least until recently, was loved by a lot of Clinton fans.

[ruggerson]

64. I like Richardson

but I think we'll win NM regardless and there is absolutely nothing exciting about him whatsoever. (I realize the same holds true for Nelson's personality, but at least he brings a large state potentially.)

I like the idea in general of a Governor better than a Senator, but it narrows the gene pool drastically.

[newmajority]

66. Two senators on the ticket = McLoon landslide

Grandpa's batshit crazy, but he sees that truth. That's why he's talking to governors. Normally even one Senator on the ticket would be ill advised, but in this rare occasion, both parties have done so, so they cancel each other out in that respect.

Two senators is pushing the odds. I'd risk the money in Vegas (if I had any) but I'd rather not risk the country. We gotta go with a governor. A VP would be the other alternative, but Gore's not going back, and Mondale is electoral poison (except in Minnesota). I even considered Wes Clark (an executive of a different sort) before he started aping the other Clintonistas and kissed KKKarl Rove's ass.

[Patsy Stone]

31. No

Please, no.

[MadBadger]

33. If we pick a senator, it shouldnt be from a state that has a Republican Governor

[ruggerson]

35. I agree with that

that might rule him out. Doesn't FL call special elections for vacancies?

[Divine Discontent]

45. exactly... and surely Obama's people know this

Sherrod Brown, the long term Congressman, now Senator would be a good choice, or the Gov of Ohio, Ted himself...

Of course, no one who's in office is probably perfect - Wes Clark, John Edwards, and even 70 year old Bob Graham of FL.

[stillcool]

37. Personally, I do not like him...

I do not trust him, and I do not think he adds anything to the ticket.

[oviedodem]

39. I live in FL HELL NO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Name removed]

41. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ruggerson]

48. he is right about where Harry Reid and Jay Rockefeller land

your foaming notwithstanding.

http://www.electoral-vote.com/evp2008/Senate/senator_ratings-2005.html

[Ichingcarpenter]

60. Bill Nelson votes for torture, votes for wireless wiretaps, against net

neutrality, votes for media consolidation,

Voted YES on recommending Constitutional ban on flag desecration. (Jun 2006)
Voted YES on implementing CAFTA for Central America free-trade. (Jul 2005)
Voted YES on confirming John Roberts for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. (Sep 2005)
Member of Democratic Leadership Council. (Nov 2007)
Voted YES on designating Iran's Revolutionary Guards as terrorists. (Sep 2007)





http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Bill_Nelson.htm

[ruggerson]

63. From your own link:

Voted with Democratic Party 93.4% of 320 votes. (Sep 2007)

Education

Opposes parents choosing schools via vouchers. (Sep 2000)
Voted YES on additional $10.2B for federal education & HHS projects. (Oct 2007)
Voted YES on $52M for "21st century community learning centers". (Oct 2005)
Voted YES on shifting $11B from corporate tax loopholes to education. (Mar 2005)
Voted YES on funding smaller classes instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
Voted YES on funding student testing instead of private tutors. (May 2001)
Voted YES on spending $448B of tax cut on education & debt reduction. (Apr 2001)
Offer every parent Charter Schools and public school choice. (Aug 2000)
Rated 91% by the NEA, indicating pro-public education votes. (Dec 2003)

Corporate/Government reform

Supports McCain/Feingold campaign finance reform. (Oct 2000)
Voted YES on granting the District of Columbia a seat in Congress. (Sep 2007)
Voted NO on requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections. (Jul 2007)
Voted NO on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006)
Voted YES on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity. (Mar 2006)
Voted YES on banning "soft money" contributions and restricting issue ads. (Mar 2002)
Voted NO on require photo ID (not just signature) for voter registration. (Feb 2002)
Voted YES on banning campaign donations from unions & corporations. (Apr 2001)
Voluntary public financing for all general elections. (Aug 2000)
Restrict lobbyist gifts & disclose lobbyist info on Internet. (Dec 2005)
Post earmarks on the Internet before voting on them. (Jan 2006)
Prohibit 'voter caging' which intimidates minority voting. (Nov 2007)

Healthcare

Supports More Federal Funding for Health Coverage. (Sep 2000)
Voted NO on means-testing to determine Medicare Part D premium. (Mar 2008)
Voted NO on allowing tribal Indians to opt out of federal healthcare. (Feb 2008)
Voted YES on adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility. (Nov 2007)
Voted YES on requiring negotiated Rx prices for Medicare part D. (Apr 2007)
Voted NO on limiting medical liability lawsuits to $250,000. (May 2006)
Voted YES on expanding enrollment period for Medicare Part D. (Feb 2006)
Voted YES on increasing Medicaid rebate for producing generics. (Nov 2005)
Voted YES on negotiating bulk purchases for Medicare prescription drug. (Mar 2005)
Voted YES on $40 billion per year for limited Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Jun 2003)
Voted YES on allowing reimportation of Rx drugs from Canada. (Jul 2002)
Voted YES on allowing patients to sue HMOs & collect punitive damages. (Jun 2001)
Voted NO on funding GOP version of Medicare prescription drug benefit. (Apr 2001)
Establish "report cards" on HMO quality of care. (Aug 2000)
Rated 100% by APHA, indicating a pro-public health record. (Dec 2003)

[DarienComp]

50. is that truly necessary?

[QC]

56. Hell, that's downright loving and gentle for that particular poster.

I'm wondering how he will make it after 6/11.

[Ichingcarpenter]

61. What ever dino

[rhett o rick]

44. Is it April 1 or what? Check out his voting record. He is a friggin DINO. nm

[SwampG8r]

49. he is a turd

a DLC shill thru and thru and if i have my way wont be a senator here another term

[QC]

51. Who would you replace him with?

Liberal Democrats who can carry the whole state aren't exactly plentiful here in Florida.

[Blue_Roses]

55. Ugh...

:puke:

[Oilwellian]

57. Good grief...

you're not very astute.

[ruggerson]

58. yes you're right

someone who could bring a large state and heal the rift all at the same time is a terrible idea to float.

[hokies4ever]

59. He strikes me as very thoughtful and a good politician

You can tell that he has the utmost respect for Obama too.

[tsuki]

65. Obama doesn't need a Lieberman. nt

[cloudythescribbler]

67. I consider this VERY important: Graham voted NAY on the Iraq War Resolution (2002), Nelson YEA nt

[SoFlaJet]

68. no fucking way

we need Bill Nelson and Debbie Downer OUT of the senate and house...I want Robert Wexler in his or Martinez' seat and Debbie Downer who won't campaign against her "friends the Diaz-Balart brothers and Ross-Lehiten? You can replace her with a fallen coconut from my neighbor's tree

[Pisces]

69. No way, Wexler would be a thousand times better.

[Hugabear]

70. Absolutely fucking not

I live in FL, and would absolutely oppose Sen. Nelson. I'd sooner see Hillary in the #2 spot.

[MaineDem]

71. You're kidding, right?

The guy who wanted to sue the DNC?

Yeah, that'll go over well with convention delegates who have to vote for VP.

Besides, way too many times Nelson has NOT voted with the Party.

[Vinca]

73. No freaking way. nt

[ellisonz]

74. Oh Hell No

[JCMach1]

75. Graham of FL would be a much better choice

[book_worm]

76. GOP governor would appoint his successor, so NO. Graham, however would be a good choice.