Kathleen Sebelius: Obama's Vice President? Salon.com and Huffington Post

[Bullet1987]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/28/kathleen-sebelius-obamas_n_115442.html">The Huffington Post

*SNIP*

Sebelius is among the vice presidential prospects mentioned most often by Obama's key supporters, including many who say that if Obama bypasses Hillary Clinton then he would do well to choose another woman. At 60, Sebelius is a popular two-term governor of a Republican-dominated state, and her reputation as a low-key problem-solver marks a contrast with Clinton.

Obama praises Sebelius highly when asked about her VP prospects.

Speaking to the Fox affiliate in Missouri yesterday, Obama had particularly forceful praise for Kansas governor and veep mentionee Kathleen Sebelius: I love Kathleen Sebelius. I think she is as talented a public official as there is right now. Integrity. Competence. She can work with all people of all walks of life, but I promised that I am not going to say anything about my vice president until I actually introduce my vice president.

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/07/07/sebelius/#">Obama Veepstakes: The Other Woman -Salon

*SNIP*

Since endorsing Obama in late January, Sebelius has been a tireless campaigner for the Illinois senator, who has Kansas roots on his mother's side. Obama, who often resists the sloppy excess of rote political praise, pulled out all the stops when asked last week about Sebelius as a possible running mate. "I love Kathleen Sebelius," he gushed. "I think she is as talented a public official as there is right now. Integrity. Competence. She can work with all people of all walks of life. But I promised that I am not going to say anything about my vice president until I actually introduce my vice president."

Perhaps more politically relevant than her gender, Sebelius as veep would accentuate Obama's professed vision of a post-partisan America.

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I have a feeling if Obama chose Sebelius, the collective jaws in the MSM would drop and they would call it a "shocker," even though she's a very REAL VP possibility.

[Bolo Boffin]

1. And Sebelius would be the natural candidate for 2016.

Sounds good to me.

[GarbagemanLB]

2. If it is going to be a woman, it will be Hillary. And it won't be Hillary.

[Bullet1987]

6. That's not true.

[damntexdem]

10. It should be a woman, and it shouldn't be HIllary.

Kathleen is the best choice.

[CTyankee]

3. "Integrity" and "competence" Weren't those two words he said were qualities he was looking for

in his interview the other day?

Hmm.

[AtomicKitten]

4. Hey, it could happen.

I'm not buying into the Clintonites' declaration that if it isn't her he must not choose another woman. Hate to break it to 'em but this is and has always been Obama's choice to make.

[karynnj]

7. Not to mention - if said by the Clintons, it ranks as the most sexist statement of the year

It rules out all competent women (other than HRC). How on earth is that reasonable? She owns the issue?

[AtomicKitten]

11. I think it was floated by the inner sanctum dwellers.

And I completely agree that it is the epitome of sexism to suggest other female contenders must not be considered. This doesn't surprise me, however, since much of the back-and-forth coming from the Clinton camp during the campaign arose from a singular sense of entitlement and the crass exploitation of the isms.

[demo dutch]

5. Nice but not an asset, lacks foreign affairs experience

[phoenixriz]

9. Kathleen not ready to pack her bags

Partial interview on REAL CLEAR POLITICS



MR. HUNT: Governor Sebelius, if you're not the running mate, you still - Obama says you are - he says there's no more talented public official in America than Kathleen Sebelius. He is very high on you. You would be a sure bet to be asked to be in the cabinet. Would that interest you, coming to Washington and being in the Obama cabinet?

GOV. SEBELIUS: You know, I love this state. I love being here in Kansas. There's no better job in America, I think, than being the governor of a state because you actually get to do things. You get to move an agenda forward and represent great people. And you were kind enough, Al, to mention the Jayhawk State and have a championship basketball team now and again is not a bad deal. But I would certainly look at ways that I can be helpful to a President Obama. I want to spend the next several months doing what I can to make sure that he is President Obama because I think that will be great day for this country.

MR. HUNT: But you don't rule out being a cabinet member?

GOV. SEBELIUS: Well, I'm not looking for a new job right now. We have some very exciting things going on in the state. I have two and a half years left in the term that the people of Kansas elected me to. I am very honored to be reelected to a second term, so I'm not packing my bags to look for any new position. But I want to do what I can to make sure that we have a new president

[skipos]

8. That would upset the "Hillary broke the glass ceiling so lets create one right below her" crowd

You know, the "any man is cool by me but the only acceptable woman is Hillary" double standard folks.

[polichick]

12. Too bad - what a bunch of idiots!

[otohara]

13. Clinton Women Would Go Nuclear

no, no, this is not a good choice.

[Alter Ego]

14. The media would be up in arms and beg Hillary supporters

to cause a riot out of "indignation". It would help their ratings--and I know the PUMA crowd would oblige.

[democrattotheend]

15. She's my first choice, I think

As a woman who supported Obama in the primaries but yet found myself sad when Hillary conceded because she was the first woman with a serious chance to become president, I love the idea of Obama picking Sebelius. But I don't know whether Clinton's supporters would see it the same way, or whether they would see it as a slap in the face.

[mystieus]

16. She's my first choice.

[book_worm]

17. She would be a good one to introduce tomorrow at his picnic in Missouri.

[MasonJar]

18. If he schooses a woman and it is not Hillary, there may be backlash.

I think Sibelius is great, but not as good as Hillary.

[mystieus]

19. Hillary doesn't want it. To deny another female this opportunity would be hypocritical

[Bullet1987]

20. I like your sig!

[mystieus]

21. I like yours :p

[saltpoint]

22. I see no reason to doubt that Gov. Sebelius is not on the shortlist at all.

She is damned impressive, IMO.

The argument that a female candidate must be chosen is misplaced. Either men or women can be vice presidents.

The argument that Obama has to choose Clinton to assuage her supporters is ridiculous. If they want to vote for McCain we can't stop them but it suggests that they're sore losers and in any case, McCain's a total jerk.

The argument that Obama has to choose a male if he does not choose Clinton doesn't work either. He's in a position where he can choose Dr. John if he pleases. Of the 25-or-so people more likely to be considered, I see no reason whatsoever why he has to choose based on gender.

Given those positions, Sebelius should be considered for any number of excellent reasons. She's a blue governor of a red state. She's Catholic. She's the daughter of former Ohio governor John Gilligan. She knows a thing or two about coal. She knows how to navigate tense political and cultural landscapes. She's a class act.