Obama/Kaine-the least experienced ticket in 60 years?

[NeoCon65]

So the news is that Barack Obama will pick Tim Kaine, possibly to the Democrat party ticket as VP. As we all know, Barack Osama has a mere 3 years in the senate. Tim Kaine has more experience than Obama, 4 years as governor of Virginia. I know this would be a pretty novice ticket, but how novice? To find a ticket this inexperienced, I had to go back far, even past Peanut Farmer, as at least his VP, Walter Mondale had 12 years as Senator and 4 years Minnesota AG. The most recent ticket with as little experience as Barack and Timmy Kaine will have is... Adlai Stevenson and John Sparkman in 1952 when Ike Eisenhower landslided them! Stevenson had 4 years as governor, and Sparkman 6 in the senate. So Obama/Kaine will be the least experienced, or most inexperienced ticket in almost 60 years!

[gracesdad]

Actually, Kaine has less than 3 years as governor at this point. He was lieutenant governor for 4 years, but that’s a largely ceremonial job.

[andy58-in-nh]

Obama has not really spent 3 years in the Senate: he spent 143 days actually “working” in the Senate, but occupied the rest of his time with campaigning and fund-raising. Inexperience and naked ambition is never a good combination.

[pepsionice]

I suspect that Obama went to two or three of the top picks...and they declined...either with a history they didn’t want uncovered or playing second fiddle to Obama. As for Kaine...he is a virtual unknown throughout the south, and this would not gain a single point. I doubt that this would help in carrying Virginia. If you put Kaine up against Mitt Romney....Romney wins hands down on debate talents.

[seabreezelover]

Local poll by popular radio station this morning ... results so far:

IF TIM KAINE IS OBAMA’S VP CHOICE:

Great for Virginia and our country.
0.00 %

He’s a good guy, but he’s not qualified.
7.41 %

Great for Virginia Republicans ... as long as Obama loses.
92.59 %

[Munz]

I think if this is the ticket, Mac has the election. If this is the line up, that is when the republican machine will start moving and go on the offensive.

[isrul]

1952 is the first campaign I really remember. But sometimes I confuse it with the '56 campaign. Because I was pretty young. I must have been a pretty disturbed little kid because I watched the conventions as long as my parents would allow me to stay up.

The two highlights I remember from the time (but I don't know whether '52 or '56)

Ike's thugs storming Taft supporters with "Thou shalt not steal" signs. And Stevenson giving the interview with the hole in his shoe.

And of course, in the '52 campaign, the little ditty I learned from my classmates in public school: "Shoot that cat. shoot that rat. shoot that dirty democrat". In hindsight, I think I lived in a Republican neighborhood. It did have a dark side which I may articulate, someday.

[TheThinker]

But Sparkman and Stevenson even had more experience than an Obama/Kaine ticket. Sparkman had more years in the Senate and Stevenson and Kaine are essentially ties so let’s just call it what it is. This would be the most inexperienced ticket of all time.

[iceskater]

Richmond ping....

more effluvium about Governor Gridlock and the VP candidate.

[Corin Stormhands]

If you put Kaine up against Mitt Romney....Romney wins hands down on debate talents.

Oh geez...hadn't even thought of that...

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[wagglebee]

He was lieutenant governor for 4 years, but that’s a largely ceremonial job.

Lieutenant governor in Virginia is ENTIRELY ceremonial, this is due in part to the fact that the governor and lieutenant governor are often members of different parties. The executive power is with the governor and the attorney general (who is also elected).

[11th Commandment]

Here is the rub how I see it. If either McCain or Obama pick someone with a "Sen" in front of their name they are done. For McCain, he has a host of GOP Governors to choose from.

Barak of Obama has a limited list and they are not good. The Blue Democrats do not want to be on the ticket. He is hurting with Women so the Gov of Kansas has been mentioned, but she has the doctor of death issue to deal with. Kaine is really the only on left that won't hurt him with and maybe able to help him get VA.

For McCain, Sarah Palin is looking good because of Obama's women problem and she will bring credibility to the energy issue. The other choice is Michael Steele. He was only a Lt Gov. but will energize the conservative base.

[Fido969]

My prediction - no way. I think this is just a ploy to keep the talking heads talking about Obama until he figures out what to do next.

[seoul62]

What is wrong with his hair and that eyebrow? I thought Jim Traficant’s-rug-toupee, stole the show but now I am undecided. Also another unsettling picture: Senator Christopher Dodd’s turkey wobbler and Senator Richard Shelby’s prune face kiss-kiss, truly disturbing on all counts./Just Asking - seoul62.......

[Portcall24]

If Kaine is selected it will make it hard for many folks from VA to decide who to support. Mainly because we would love to get rid of that idiot and ship him up the road to Washington. Kaine is a tax and spender of grand proportion.

[A_Former_Democrat]

Certainly the least competent.

[Maelstorm]

All Tim Kaine has accomplished in Virginia is try to raise taxes. Take him please is all I can say. His predecessor Mark Warner raised taxes and spending after lying his way into the Governors office.

[GOPJ]

Kaine has less than 3 years as governor at this point...

Yeah, but they both have loads of superficial charm. And for dems, that's a biggie.

[jonrick46]

There should be a caution sign out on the White House lawn:

CAUTION: THE PRESIDENCY IS NOT FOR KIDS

[saveliberty]

If we said that we were afraid of the ticket, they would go ahead and add him (until there would be an opportunity to throw him under the Obamabus).

;-)