Sebelius? Is there anyone here who honestly thinks she'd be a good pick?

[GarbagemanLB]

If there is going to be a female as VP, it will be Hillary...and it won't be her.

Does Sebelius bring a state? Can she be an attack dog? Does she have any foreign policy/national security experience?

What a horrible pick, and I am sure the Obama campaign dropped that idea a long time ago.

[saltpoint]

1. I hope the notion is alive and well.

I think she's a class act, start to finish.

[FrenchieCat]

43. Hey.....we agree!

Class and finesse and low keyed. Excellent!

[saltpoint]

46. Hi, FrenchieCat. Yep -- Sebelius is the kind of person who'd likely

be bedrock loyal, too.

It wouldn't hurt to have some feminine intelligence in there after 8 years of Testosterone Dick Cheney.

[ProgressiveVoter]

45. Yes, she is. And she represents change. Plus experience.

Perhaps not in foreign policy, but, definitely with managing a state economy and being Commander in Chief of the State National Guard. She was a fierce critic of Bush taking away equipment for his war while her state suffered through tornadoes.

[saltpoint]

48. Agree that foreign policy is not her long suit, but she'd have tobe

a quick study to be a 2-term Democratic governor of Kansas.

Also, if Obama were to choose Sebelius as the veep nom, he could as easily choose Biden as Sec of State, and we'd have gained two great Democrats, both serving President Obama.

Hell, why not field an all-star team, as long as we're in town!?

[ProgressiveVoter]

51. It's not a bad idea.

Sebelius strikes me as a very bright person. The only thing I have against her so far is what a lot of the so-called conspiracy theorists point out: that she, like other politicians (and a majority of possible VP picks), has attended the secretive Bilderberg conference.

[Drunken Irishman]

2. I do.

She's a moderate Democrat from a right-leaning state, which brings instant credibility to Obama's message. Yeah, she probably doesn't have enough pull to win Kansas, but it isn't about Kansas. Her father was a popular governor in Ohio, so I'm sure many people remember her, which can only help there.

She's Irish-Catholic and could help shore up the Catholic vote in many swing states. Is from the midwest, which fits perfectly, since Obama is from Illinois. Is it a safe pick? No, but it's not a bad one, either.

[emilyg]

3. Bayh

and I don't like him.

[LSparkle]

4. If he's going with a "comfortable" pick, it's Kaine, not Sebelius ...

She's not THAT good a campaigner -- Kaine is SO much
better than Sebelius -- and we need someone who can
HIT BACK after the recent Bomb Bomb attacks. I was
thinking it might be Sebelius back in ... June ...
but not now.

[Joe the Revelator]

5. Why do some think that Hillary is the only female qualified to be VP...

I mean, on its face, thats just an amazing idea.

[GarbagemanLB]

14. It's called politics. She gained 18 million votes and made history as a woman. It isn't about

what is fair, it is about politics. It would be seen as a slight towards Hillary, and it would be even worse for party unity.

[Joe the Revelator]

19. There is no consolation prize in the primaries...

Her "18 million votes" do not buy her the VP slot. Sebelius is qualified to be VP, would be a great VP, and its disgusting that there are those among us who would not give it to her because she's a female not named Hillary.

[GarbagemanLB]

25. Again, politics isn't about fairness, it is about winning. There is a minority of Clinton holdouts,

and picking a woman other than Hillary would be a bad thing. Polls show there is still up to 25% of Democrats holding out from supporting Obama, while McCain gets up to 90% support. This isn't something to ignore.


Again, it isn't fair that other qualified women can't be considered for VP, but if we want to win in November, it is necessary.

[Joe the Revelator]

27. Its not nessasary...the party needs to put its foot down to continuing to be held hostage by a bunch

of DINO cult of personality following whiners (PUMA). Fuck them. If winning means having to court to the insane, then I no longer want to win

[TreasonousBastard]

57. I don't buy this Holdout for Hillary nonsense, with...

most of this PUMA stuff being paid for by Republicans.

What I do think is that the last thing Obama wants is Bill being the husband of his Veep.

[JackORoses]

62. you're right. it's about winning.

That's why Hillary won't be picked.

Biden and Bayh both voted for the War. They will not be picked.

Kaine is her strongest competition, but she has more experience than him and is more in line with Obama's platform.

[JeffR]

39. It's called reality.

Clinton's candidacy put the lie, one hopes forever, to the idiotic notion that a woman cannot be a viable choice for the presidency. She was, though she didn't win. She proved that gender is an absurd impediment to political power in America. She opened the door in a way that Ferraro, for example, never could. She didn't open that door solely for herself, even if that was her intention.

Let's posit a scenario where Clinton didn't want the VP spot, which doesn't strain my imagination at all. Don't you think she'd be delighted to see another woman on the ticket? I do.

[MrsT]

28. Some people want to celebrate the Hillary breaking the glass ceiling by placing a new one

directly underneath her.

[JeffR]

41. Thanks, MrsT. I was trying to make that point

much less elegantly than you did. Nicely said.

[redstate_democrat]

6. It's Kaine.

I thought it was Biden, but it's Kaine. Obama is flexing right now. He don't need no stinkin' VP with foreign policy experience. HE is the CIC. Everyone is trying to mindtrick him into going with Biden by saying he would be reassuring to people because of foreign policy. Obama will be the president. He would simply be confirming people's fears by choosing Biden.

IT'S KAINE AND I'VE KNOWN IT ALL ALONG!!! :D

[grantcart]

12. I agree and have been taking shots for it from the begining too

but I really don't care personally

just think thats who its going to be

[redstate_democrat]

22. Yep. It has crystalized.

I've gone through the many stages of V.P guessing (sort of like stages of grief) and Kaine is crystalized as The One.

Kaine endorsed him right after he announced.
Parents from the same small, Kansas town.
Both are change people.
Both wives went to Princeton and they went to Harvard Law
Both are very religious
Both fit like a hand in a glove with each other.

Kaine is it. Obama probably only needed to weigh his options because the elites in the party probably wanted him to go with a Biden or Bayh, but in the end, he had to go with his gut. That's how he rolls. He isn't one to give in to outside pressure of forces. He went with the Guy, his ace boom koom. Not the guy who called him the first clean, articulate mainstream black. Just sayin. :D

[Barack_America]

38. Agreed. And Biden will be chosen as the one Senator to join the Cabinet...

As SOS.

That's my prediction anyhow.

[mmonk]

7. Yes.

[BeyondGeography]

8. Puts the focus on domestic issues which is how we win

Obama could do far worse.

[thewiseguy]

10. Far worse? wow so much for a good pick...

Why cant we have a great VP pick?

[BeyondGeography]

24. There's a downside to every option on the table

and I haven't seen a campaign yet where you could reasonably second-guess the choice. The best option for me is Schweitzer, but he's not even in the mix. Shows you what I know.

[msongs]

9. somebody better be on this ticket that is not gonna be another john kerry nt

[Seen the light]

11. .....

- Can someone please explain to me why the only qualified woman to be vice-president is Hillary Rodham Clinton? I think the thinking that choosing her would be a slap in the face to Clinton is complete bullshit. Hillary Clinton is NOT the only woman that is up to the task.

- Governor Sebelius very well could bring Kansas into play (or at least make McCain spend money there) and she has strong ties to Ohio as well.

- Attack dog? So what? When was the last time that we actually had some sort of vice-president attack dog? Edwards wasn't one, Lieberman wasn't one, Gore wasn't one, Quayle wasn't one. I guess you could say Cheney is, but so what?

- Since when is foreign policy experience a requirement?

Look, no matter which one of the Big Four Senator Obama ultimately picks, you'll be able to make a list of all of their negatives. Fact is that Governor Sebelius is one of the best governors in the nation, appeals to redstaters WHILE maintaining her progressive identity, has Ohio ties like I mentioned, definitely sends a message of change with a black man and white woman neither of which is a long-time Washington insider.

[thewiseguy]

16. She does not put Kansas in play. She brings very little to the ticket. She is not ready to lead.

Mark my words. We will lose if she is the VP choice. It may not even be close.

[Seen the light]

20. "Ready to lead"

What does that even mean exactly? You have to have served in Washington in order to be on the ticket? Governor of a gargantuan state? I don't get it.

[thewiseguy]

26. Yes, ready to lead. She has no track record.

[Seen the light]

31. A 2-term progressive governor in a Republican state that won by 17 points...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathleen_Sebelius

She has an extensive track record. Just because she's from Kansas doesn't mean that she's not ready for this.

[thewiseguy]

32. She is going to hurt the ticket.

http://www.surveyusa.com/index.php/page/3/

[ProgressiveVoter]

52. That is a two and a half month old poll at least. I think people would love her.

I don't even think Obama had gotten the nomination by then.

[ProgressiveVoter]

54. In addition, from looking at it.

Considering the press she will get once picked, she does quite well for someone many call unknown. 76 days ago too...

[pnwmom]

61. Most Americans don't know that much about her -- which would change

quickly if she becomes the nominee.

[jonestonesusa]

56. Sebelius has 6 years more executive experience in politics than Clinton.

Instead of carpetbagging in a majority democratic state like Clinton did in New York, Sebelius has been very successful passing progressive policies in a red state. Why would you think that track record doesn't show strong campaign skills?

And, Sebelius would bring excitement to the ticket as a female candidate, just as Hillary Clinton would, unless you're a PUMA.

Sebelius would also reinforce the theme of change in this election. After all, Democrats in Washington contributed to the current mess just as Republicans have, with their pro-IWR, pro-NAFTA, pro-telecom reform votes. If Joe Biden had had guts enough to conduct a real hearing in the Senate over Iraq in 2002, the momentum may have built to oppose the invasion. But he's every Dem's favorite now that we've forgotten recent history.

I would be pleased and surprised to see Sebelius on the ticket, but there are probably too many stand pat Democrats to have that happen.

[avaistheone1]

13. No.

No track record of note. And no sizzle.

What the heck does she bring to the table?

[MrSlayer]

15. I don't see what she brings to the table.

I think it would be a poor choice.

[DCBob]

17. She would be great! The more I think about it the more I like it.

It would amazing combo! Sure winner, IMO.

[AZBlue]

18. Why are we wasting time debating this? Why aren't we working for the campaign instead?

[GarbagemanLB]

21. Do you normally canvass at midnight?

[faithfulcitizen]

23. lmao!

[QC]

29. You could canvass Goths!

Would you like to borrow my Robert Smith wig?

[AZBlue]

30. Yeah, cause that's the ONLY time these threads appear.

Wow, aren't you smart?
:sarcasm:

[Phoonzang]

33. Not this time around.... n/t

[TwilightGardener]

34. I don't think she's a good pick. If he's going to make it the "social engineering" ticket, he

should pick Hillary, who actually has a following of voters and supporters.

[thewiseguy]

35. Exactly.

If you are going to go by "Connections" to Ohio or the female voters then just freaking put Hillary on the ticket.

[TwilightGardener]

36. This makes no sense. Why pick someone who DOESN'T bring

a state (she's not gonna win us KS) and DOESN'T bring foreign policy or national security creds, and DOESN'T bring name recognition, and DOESN'T bring any excitement, or really sharp speech/campaign skills? When I think of Sebelius and Kaine, and about how Obama is considering them 'cause they're his loyal buddies and he likes them, I want to slap the poop out of him and scream, "We don't CARE who you like!!" x(

[thewiseguy]

37. I think these are mostly rumors

There might be 2 or 3 people on DU pushing that story which they saw on another blog or forum!

Heck I can start a rumor too and tell that Gore will be the VP!

[ProgressiveVoter]

50. You saw one TV spot.

She's an incredible campaigner, in reality, if you skip the SOTU response. She would not have won as many positions in state government as she has had she not (two terms now as Governor) . She is heading up Obama's DNC and he is having her campaign everywhere for him, including in Iowa and Michigan in the coming days. Her father was a very popular Governor and a lot of Kansans love her. Obama won 70% of the Dem caucus, and this was when Hillary was still in the competition.

She won't be picked, but your arguments are not the reason why.

[loyalsister]

40. I like her

She's a very dignified leader.
Strong ties in KS and OH.
She also may contribute to MO, where Obama is putting in a great deal of effort.

[nsd]

42. I like Sebelius but this ticket feels too risky.

A black man and a white woman (who isn't named Clinton)? That's probably too much history-making for one election cycle. Also, neither has foreign affairs or military experience.

Turning Kansas blue would be an incredible thing, but it's really unlikely even with Sebelius. Most people think VP candidates only add a few points to the ticket in their home states. Kansas is not that close. If Obama is doing so well by November that he's in a position to win Kansas, he's also poised to win a tremendous national landslide, in which case he doesn't need Kansas.

The idea that she would have special pull in Ohio because of her father is wishful thinking. She moved away from Ohio in 1974. Her father, who is 87, served a single term as governor and left office in 1975. I don't get how anyone can believe that that's enough to flip the state 33 years later.

Then there's the question of women voters. If she's picked, you have to know that on the announcement day every single story will begin with: "Obama chose a woman other than Hillary." And news coverage of the convention will be dominated by: "How do Hillary supporters feel about a different woman being chosen?" I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people didn't even bother learning her name; they'll just call her Not-Hillary. This isn't fair to Sebelius, but I think it's true. The controversy would drown out a lot of the female appeal.

[ProgressiveVoter]

47. I unfortunately agree regarding the whole black/white woman thing.

She is older, however (age 60) so perhaps the nastiness wouldn't work as well. She has more experience than Hillary - and more relevant experience than her, as well.

[ProgressiveVoter]

44. I think she'd be wonderful.

She's won two elections as Governor in a red state. Obama won the state with 70%+ of the caucus.

[Hepburn]

49. No, she is not a good pick. n/t

[SheilaT]

53. As someone who lived in Kansas for the past 18 years,

and as someone who has been fairly involved in local Democratic politics for the past six years ago -- I got started going door-to-door on behalf of Kathleen Sebelius, I can tell you that she's been an impressive governor in a largely Republican state. She has worked well with a difficult, Republican dominated legislature. She herself served in the state legislature in the 1980's, and knows how things are done to pass laws, to get along with members of the other party. To say she doesn't have a track record only means that the person who says that knows nothing of her, and assumes that because she's not well known on the national stage she has no experience.

She would make an exceptionally fine vice-president. I'm just not sure Kansas is ready to do without her. The lieutenant governor, Mark Parkinson, was persuaded by Kathleen to leave the Republican party -- he was their state chair from 1999-2003 -- and run with her in 2006. She's not an "attack dog" and I don't think that's what's needed for the VP. But she is articulate, intelligent, and can more than hold her own against Republicans, as evidenced by her success as governor.

The last time I saw here at a political event (election eve, 2006), I told her I hoped we'd be seeing her on the national stage eventually. She just smiled, and thanked me for my kind words. Perhaps it's coming true sooner than I'd thought.

In general terms, I think picking a woman as his VP would be a very smart move on Obama's part. I don't think Hillary is the right choice for many reasons. But Kathleen Sebelius, now there's a great choice.

edited to correct when she served in the legislature

[Fovea]

55. She has made Kansas a bluer state.

We could do far worse...
Obama could choose a plagiarist.

[grillo7]

58. Not a good choice...

There's no doubt she's been a fine governor, but she's not a good VP candidate. Not because she's not technically able, but she's a terrible speaker. In terms of public speaking, she's basically the female equivalent of Joe Lieberman.
Not only that, we need someone with more experience, unfortunately. McSame and whoever he picks will play up the "foreign" angle without having someone on our ticket most people are already familiar with.

[countmyvote4real]

59. I don't have a problem with her, but I think we've moved on. You should, too.

There can be no woman VP if it is not HRC. And it is not going to be HRC because of Big C. (And I don't mean cancer.) Big C aka Big Dog is still dragging his ass all over the presumptive party nominee's credentials. I don't think it's even close to a "Patrick Henry" moment, but I'm not dragging my ass across the floor trying to lose imagined (or otherwise) dingle-berries from my agenda. I guess I disagree on the agenda. I want real change.

For the record, I was not an early adopter of Obama-mania. I was quite cynical about it, especially because of HRC's initial Iraq War vote and her continued hollow justifications for the war/occupation. I did not cast my vote for her second term as my NY Senator in the 2006 Dem Primary. That left me with Kucinich and ultimately Edwards as my preferred '08 candidate. Silly me.

It's just not possible for a progressive leader to promote progressive policies if they're having an extra-marital shag. On the other hand, conservative aka corporatist leaders are given a free pass to remain in office even if they are having extra-marital diaper sex. It's all in the hypocritical eye of the beholder.

I initially suggested that you move on, but I now think you should choose the baggage that you want to carry with you. There is more than enough to go around if you believe everything you hear. Go with what you know that can be verified. As far as we know, there is only one current presumptive nominee for POTUS that has a history of infidelity. That would be Senator McSame. However, there are two Democratic former candidates that have a similar history. That would be Edwards (no longer a candidate since super Tuesday) and HRC. I'm sure the shoe on the other foot perspective might set off a martyr situation, but I think it's ill advised when one considers all that is at stake for the future of our country and our current standing in the world.

Move on with the baggage that you can carry. It will be lighter if we can agree on what we can carry together.

Peace.

[pnwmom]

60. I do. And I don't understand AT ALL

why some people think that if the candidate is a woman, she must be Hillary. My gut feeling is that if Sebelius becomes the candidate, then the vast majority of HRC supporters would quickly grow to like her and strongly support her candidacy.

Sebelius and Clinton should be judged against ALL the other contenders, male and female -- not just each other. We don't expect that the male candidates for VP must come from the ranks of former Presidential candidates. Why should we expect that for a female VP possibility?

[aaroh]

63. Sebelius is best qualified for the job, the only downside is a misguided perception of her vagina

If only die-hard Hillary supporters would stop whining like stupid babies and get out of their dim-whitted misguided thinking that Hillary is the only woman right for the VP job then yeah Sebelius would have a strong chance of being the VP nominee.

[dkf]

64. All I know is her SOTU rebuttal put me to sleep.

[SheilaT]

65. That was so unlike her normal dynamic

speaking ability, that all of us Kansans were not only quite amazed at how bad she was, but all agreed that she'd been told what to say and how to say it. If she's the VP choice, I bet that won't happen again.

Once again, all of you who are railing against Sebelius seem to know nothing about her except her name. She's very popular in Kansas, and the only downside to her becoming VP is that the state will be the worse off without her.