Posted on 07/14/2008 4:36:35 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Franklin D Roosevelt's vice president John Nance Garner referred to the job as "not being worth a warm bucket of spit" - he used another word - but it seems Washington is abuzz with the ultimate parlour game: Who will be Obama's and McCain's vice presidential choice?
Historically "Veeps" (vice presidents) have been an interesting lot.
Since the assassination of William McKinley, when Theodore Roosevelt took over as the nation's youngest president, seven former vice presidents have either by election, assassination, succession - or in the case of Richard Nixon elected eight years after a failed bid - taken the oath of office to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America".
Although both John McCain and Barack Obama have unique and appealing virtues they both come up a bit short as heavyweight contenders in the main event.
Whether the selection of a vice presidential running-mate really affects the outcome of an election is a well debated topic.
Presidents have used different criteria to decide who will make the best partner on the political journey to the White House, for example, which running-mate will help them:
- fill gaps in their resume on national security or economic expertise, - win a particular state or region, - win over a key group like women, Hispanics or the youth vote.
Sometimes the choice of an experienced and polished running-mate backfires, as it did for Michael Dukakis in 1988 when he chose Lloyd Bentsen.
Bentsen's stature and presence had many people asking: "Why isn't the ticket reversed."
In that same year, the fractured rhetoric of novice Dan Quayle did not prevent the first President Bush from assuming the reigns of power from Republican icon Ronald Reagan.
As recently as 2004, the Democrats were salivating to watch the smooth-talking litigator John Edwards dissemble the rather laconic Dick Cheney in the debates.
Just the reverse happened and Cheney literally made mince-meat out of "Handsome John", weakening the already faltering John Kerry's bid for the White House.
Since everyone including Aunt Millie from Philly has their own opinion on this Veep Pick, here goes mine:
Obama's Challenge - Obama needs to address his "youth" and perceived "experience gap", especially in the areas of national security, foreign policy and the economy.
He also must improve his standing with white, working class voters, win over the Hillary wing of his own party and maintain his image of "change" and a "new kind of politics".
As the first Black candidate for president, he can either go with a very traditional white male candidate or make this entire ticket a true historic first by selecting a woman or another minority.
Obama must make his VP selection before John McCain since the VP will be officially selected at the Democratic Convention, which occurs just before the Republican Convention.
As a result, Obama must anticipate McCain's choice in this political chess match. The lists are endless and growing every day.
With about six weeks to go before the Democratic Convention, the top contenders appear to be:
Among the former Democratic Candidates for President - John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson and Chris Dodd.
Among the Senators (who were not candidates), Chuck Hagel (Republican), Claire McCaskill (MO), Evan Bayh (IN) and former Senator Tom Daschle.
There is also Dianne Feinstein (CA) who has not been mentioned but has significant national security expertise, was the Mayor of San Francisco and was a strong Hillary Clinton supporter.
Among the Governors (who were not candidates) are Tim Kaine (VA), Kathleen Siebelus (KS), Ed Rendell (PA), Ted Strickland (OH) and Jane Napolitano (AZ).
Strong on Defence - Former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn, Former Secretary of Defence William Cohen, General James Jones or General Anthony Zinni.
Then there are the "Wildcards" - New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Al Gore and Colin Powell.
Of these choices, at the moment, Edwards, Biden, Richardson, Hagel, Clinton and McCaskill are probably some of the most interesting options.
John Edwards is a seasoned campaigner with tremendous working class appeal. He shares Obama's values and vision and is the traditional white male candidate.
It is not clear whether he would do this again. This "GQ-style" presidential team is reminiscent of the 1992 Bill Clinton/ Al Gore ticket.
Joe Biden who has spent over two decades in Congress is one of the leading voices in foreign policy.
He brings a mature and seasoned approach to complex issues on the international front. He could also be considered for the position of Secretary of State.
Bill Richardson is the Governor of New Mexico and as such has executive experience.
As former US Ambassador to the United Nations, he also has had a broad portfolio including significant international experience successfully negotiating with foreign governments including North Korea, Iraq and Cuba.
Last, but by no means least, Richardson would be the first Hispanic VP could help Obama win that key voting group as well as The West.
Note: If Richardson shaves his beard it will be a sign he is in play.
Chuck Hagel is a Republican Senator from Nebraska, a decorated Vietnam Veteran who opposed the War in Iraq.
Choosing Hagel would send both a message of stability - an experienced Washington hand - and someone who can match McCain in national security, foreign policy and public service.
Hagel clearly has the gravitas to be president and this choice would show Obama is willing to reach across party lines. Hagel is going to Iraq with Obama this month.
Hillary Clinton has proven she is a tough and formidable campaigner. She brings with her a large group of committed woman voters, working class white voters in key battle ground states but lots of baggage from the "Clinton Years".
Hillary would make it a truly historic ticket as the highest profile female choice. She clearly has the ability to go head-to-head with any choice McCain may make especially if he chooses a woman.
She would even be a cleaver choice for John McCain if she were willing to cross party lines.
Unfortunately Clinton fell into the Primary trap, attacking Obama on the record in ways that would delight the Republican strategists if she were the VP choice.
And then there is Bill. If Hillary could not successfully control him to help her win the nomination, it seems unlikely that Obama will take on this challenge. If Hillary starts to "distance" herself from Bill this is a sure sign she is in the running.
Claire McCaskill is a first-term senator from Missouri. She is an ardent and early Obama supporter. She appears as a high-profile Obama surrogate on a regular basis attracting strong support from women. She delivered Missouri for Obama.
McCain's Challenge - McCain needs to address the age question and his experience gap on economic issues. McCain needs to win over the conservative "religious right wing" of his party while at the same time appealing to the centre. He needs help with fundraising and his appeal to women.
McCain's choice must bring a "spark of excitement" while at the same time clearly be ready to be president on day one. McCain needs to separate himself from the Bush Administration and find a way to counter the charges that his would be a Bush third term.
Among the former Republican candidates for President are Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson.
Among the Senators (who were not candidates) Lindsey Graham (SC), Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX) John Thune (SD) and Joe Lieberman (Independent and former Democrat).
Among the Governors (who were not candidates), Charlie Christ (FL), Tom Ridge (PA), Tim Pawlenty (MN), Bobby Jindal (LA), Mark Sanford (SC), Hailey Barbour (MS) and Sonny Perdue (GA).
Then there are the "Wildcards" - Carly Fiorina (Former CEO of HP), Chris Cox (SEC), Meg Whitman (former E-Bay head), former Office of Management and Budget Director Rob Portman and Condeleezza Rice, Secretary of State.
Of these choices, Romney, Huckabee, Lieberman, Pawlenty, Jindal, Crist and Fiorina are probably some of the most interesting options at the moment.
Mitt Romney was the former Governor of Massachusetts - a Republican in a very "blue" state. He was a successful businessman, a mega fundraiser and a favourite with the Republican business community.
Romney beat McCain in Michigan and could help him deliver this state in November. Romney clearly has the ability to be president on day one.
Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas and minister is a favourite of the "religious right". Huckabee has considerable campaign skills and the ability to deliver the conservative message in a very appealing way. Huckabee has the some youthful appeal combined with executive experience and beat McCain in many southern states.
Joe Lieberman is an independent senator from Connecticut who was a Democrat and still caucuses with the Democratic Party.
He was also a former VP candidate with Al Gore in 2000 and has been a staunch supporter of President Bush on the Iraq war.
Lieberman is traveling with McCain and will speak at the Republican Convention. He could help win the Jewish vote for McCain and could also help attract independents who lean right.
Tim Pawlenty, the Governor of Minnesota, won his second term as a Republican governor in a "blue leaning" state. Pawlenty was a McCain supporter before it was fashionable and stuck with him throughout the primaries.
He has managed to strike a successful balance between Republican values and a traditional Democratic agenda in areas like the environment. Pawlenty would bring youth, likeability and executive experience to the ticket.
Bobby Jindal is the Governor of Louisiana and the first governor of Indian ancestry. Jindal is a young, minority candidate with fresh new ideas and has turned around his state in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
He is a Republican rising star and would make the party look more inclusive. His choice would add excitement to the McCain campaign. On the other hand, the choice of such a young and inexperienced running-mate who is a "heartbeat away from the presidency" would make it harder to attack Obama on this same issue.
Charlie Crist, "The Man with the Florida Tan" is the popular governor of the 'Sunshine State'. He was instrumental in delivering the key state of Florida for McCain in the primary. He has succeeded Jeb Bush and has become a favourite in the state and the party.
Carly Fiorina is the former CEO of Hewlett Packard and McCain's spokesperson on key issues like the economy. She is an articulate and exciting surrogate who is very appealing to women. A choice like Fiorina could provide both the economic expertise and the charisma that the campaign currently lacks.
It is not clear which path either candidate will take in making this choice. Due to the difficulties within both parties and the shifting concerns of voters, the candidates may take their time and announce their choice at their respective conventions.
This would also increase the excitement and give a boost to the media coverage.
Other than Crist being rumored as gay, of course. Marrying a woman doesn’t cure that, any more than John Edwards having a “wife” does.
I stole the * , too.
I have no idea why you used it with the *omney guy, but, I found it amusing.
“Marrying a woman doesn’t cure that’
Still have the toe-tapper from Idaho around.
“$50 abortions “
Should be free. You be discriminatin’ agaisnt the poor!
or “against” maybe
Aww... so cute. Obviously struck a nerve with you since you can’t call me an anti-Mormon bigot. Face it, bud, you’re shilling for a liberal fraud.
I’m aiming to abort *omney (well, his “campaign” for VP), but I’m having to do it for free. ;-)
I used it with *uckabee during the primaries.
If McCain picks Rep. Duncan Hunter, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Sen. John Thune, Governor Palin, or Rob Portman, I will even contribute to his campaign, and I have never contributed to a “moderate” candidate before.
But if McCain picks Charlie Crist or Joe Lieberman, I won’t even vote for McCain.
I was thinking the same thing if he picked Carly Fiorina. A diversity hire at HP, we don't need that a heartbeat away. (same goes for Obama, BTW)
I want to see Fred as the next nominee to the Supremes!
Fred didn't let me down at all. He had the best ideas of all the Republican candidates put together, and was under the mistaken impression that that's what Republicans wanted; they'd said so in poll after poll. Republican voters let Fred down, because they seemed to prefer flash, dash and a pretty face this year. Too bad they didn't get any of that, in the long run.
Palin is the only one who can save McCain.
Romney a distant, distant, second.
Crist is a deal breaker.
He saved the Olympics. What more do the haters want?
We need someone to save a country in much worse shape than the Winter Olympics were
Romney destroyed the GOP in Massachusetts,
and bankrupted the Commonwealth by RomneyCARE AND his
coverup of the BIG-DIG.
Add in his failure to obey the Mass. Constitution as
he made gay marriage an institution, when he wasn’t putting
idiotic judges on the bench.
Sure, he’ll be great [/s]
Will this do?
any man who can go on national TV and argue so intensely FOR abortion and even FOR allowing underage girls to get an abortion with or without parental permission as long as she gets a judge’s approval is no conservative, no Republican, no Christian, not even a man at all. Not then. Not now. Not ever. This evil being has no moral bedrock.
Or perhaps this:
As soon as Romney falls down on his knees on national TV in front of God and everyone; and repents and begs for forgiveness for all the innocent young lives that were murdered in the womb on his watch after he ran on the pro-abortion platform, then I will consider it. If the man had any integrity at all, he’d resign and spend the rest of his life and the rest of his money trying to undo some of the wrong he’s done. But not as president. That office is reserved for honest men of the highest character and integrity.
Jim Robinson
Mr. Jim sure do have a way with words, don’t he ? ;-D
BTTT
Just another reason why McCain doesn't get my vote.
It's either going to be Palin, Pawlentee, or Romney. I'm rooting for Willard.
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