Well, damn it to hell and back! Would someone PLEASE tell me why

[SeattleGirl]

Sebelius would be a good candidate for VP?

I have asked this in 4 different threads, and no one responds.

My only encounter with her (well, not an encounter, but a view instead) is her response to one of Bush's Saturday radio addresses. I found her whiney and uninspiring, but I've seen a number of DUer's promote her.

I'm pretty open-minded, so I'd really like to hear from those of you who think she would be a good choice for Obama.

I'm not snarking her here; I just really want to know.

[dkf]

1. I don't get it either.

But I don't know much about her.

[SeattleGirl]

6. Yep, it's frustrating.

I keep hearing folks who say they back her, but none of them seem to want to tell me WHY!

[cboy4]

2. I would much rather see her run for the jackass Brownback's

seat in the Senate in 2010 when he's up.

She's apparently very popular in a Republican state, and how great would it be to get another Democrat in the Senate!!

[SeattleGirl]

4. That would be great indeed.

I am, however, still waiting for her supporters to chime in.

[cloudythescribbler]

3. I think basically she's (a) a woman (b) alternative to HRC, (c) popular in KS & (d) is on good ...

terms w/Obama. I had never heard of her before 2008. I have nothing against her, and think that she (or Napolitano, also a frequently mentioned candidate for similar reasons) would be fine for the ticket.

I myself have been insisting that CA Sen Barbara Boxer (though not from a red state or state "in play") would be best -- LOTS of foreign policy experience, voted NO on Iraq War Resolution, good on issues a to z as politicians go, also a woman not HRC w/o baggage and high negatives, considered highly intelligent & competent, might very well help carry Florida as well as with other swing constituencies (eg suburban women). Would unify the Party, is VERY popular and not 'charisma deficient' and in my view probably bring in as much support as Napolitano and Sebelius, the notion of the latter two as "moderates" notwithstanding.

[SeattleGirl]

5. I could definitely get behind Boxer!

And agree with your assessment of her.

[Youphemism]

11. Boxer has pretty strong positives but also some negatives...

I think the negatives are more minor than the positives, but I don't know that I have an opinion on this. I guess I'm pretty neutral. I don't feel that great about her scruples -- she really seems like a political opportunist/grandstander to me. But politically, she's an interesting consideration, even though I haven't heard anything about her being on the short list. So, here are some thoughts, without any conclusion.

First, the positives:

She would vote the party line on most issues. She's been on the right side of a lot of legislation.

It would be hard to find a better choice for womens' issues -- she supported Anita Hill against Clarence Thomas, she's worked with Hillary on womens' healthcare and on legislation for violent crimes against women, and even lobbied to get women roles in the Afghan government.

She's won by ever-increasing margins in elections, and is very popular among California democrats.

She is Jewish, so she might help Obama in that demographic as well.

Negatives:

Possibly the biggest negative is that there are some heavyweight republicans considering trying for her seat in 2010, including Schwarzenegger. I think she's popular enough to beat any contender but if she left, a republican would probably win her seat in the next election.

She doesn't help bring in any state.

She was one of the senators involved in the House Banking Scandal -- she bounced 87 checks. Not the biggest deal, but you can bet it would come up.

She's pretty far left which, though not likely to disagree would not help Obama position himself to the center for the GE.

She's polarizing/confrontational -- she lacks aisle-crossing diplomacy skills and seems to be reviled by republicans almost like Hillary. Again, not a bad thing in itself, but it doesn't help Obama appeal to independents.

---------------

[SoCalDem]

14. Boxer's too old.. Obama needs a vp who can run and WIN in 8 years

that means someone who is about 50-55 NOW..Boser's too old..

Janet Napolitano is my choice.. and we would win Arizona with her onboard:)

[barack the house]

7. Firstly they get on well she delivered him Kansas, stronger than she looks & she's very progressive.

Sebelius is also rated in the top Governors in the country. Also backed by Camille Paglia for the vp slot. She also is wary of the use of coal which would go down great with Bob Kincaid.

[SoCalDem]

15. ANY dem would have won a democratic primary in Kansas

He won there mostly because HE campaigned there and HRC did not bother..

KS would not be likely to go blue in Nov, and they might end up with a republican governor if she left :(

[Lucinda]

8. I was also less than thrilled with her rebuttal appearance

[Chovexani]

9. Fuck if I know.

[barack the house]

10. I think she comes across very impressive in this video clip....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nHp90Z2NJk

[Indi Guy]

12. Is Sebelius in the running?

???

[barack the house]

13. One early rumor said she was top of the list. We need the senators to pass the laws to fix stuff.

It should be a given if you are in the senate and a majority is weak then VP is off the table. Nothing against any viable senator for VP it's just the math.