Great Veep choice for Obama?

[HooptieWagon]

Bob Graham.

>Very experienced, US Senator and Florida Governor.

> Still loved by Flordians, just might deliver state to Obama (I don't think Dems can do it otherwise).

> A policy wonk - knows Foreign and Domestic Policy inside out. Excellent person for Senate president to lobby Senate on behalf President's policies and nominees.

> Not a charasmatic speaker before large crowds like Obama, but will do well in Town Hall type meetings.

> Only a fair debater, but very knowledgable on issues and can likely destroy the Rep VP (whom I strongly suspect will be a fundie - prob Huckabee) on experience and knowledge.

> He was former Chairman of Senate Intelligence Committee, he was one who insisted on NIE before war vote. He was one of only 6 senators to read the full uncensored report. All 6 voted against IWR. Graham strongly urged fellow Senators to read the uncensored NIE, said there wasn't the evidence that bushCo was claiming in the censored NIE or publicly.

> He's been a professor since he dropped out of '04 Presidential race - can't remember school (Yale? Colombia?)

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

OK, what do y'all think?

edit to add wiki link

[Paulie]

1. Horrible idea

We need someone who can continue the Obama legacy in 8 years. Graham isn't it.

How about Barbara Boxer instead? :) :) :)

[MadBadger]

3. Barbara Boxer will be 75 in eight years. Dont count oh her continuing his Legacy.

[Paulie]

14. She's younger than Graham

Which is where I was heading. :)

Obama will find someone. :D

[XemaSab]

5. Don't poach our only democrat!

:o

[Paulie]

6. Good point

I rescind my nomination. :D :D :D

[jgraz]

9. The "legacy" pick may be out after the damage that Hillary is doing

Edwards, Feingold, etc. After all the bullshit questions Hillary has raised about his experience, Obama's going to be forced to go with someone short on charisma and long on resume.

I think Richardson is practically a lock for the Veep slot. Hard to beat his foreign policy cred + hispanic appeal.

[HooptieWagon]

15. I would personally be very happy with Boxer

but Cali will almost certainly vote Dem even without her. I'm not sure how she stacks up on foreign Policy experience (which will be an issue of the McCain Camp and M$M), but she might be tagged as "too liberal" by M$M which might cause cross-overs second thoughts. Bob Graham is a moderate Dem, but not DLCer or anti-choice or anything similarly repugnant to most Dems. Like I kind of led to in the OP, Graham is a very experienced "safe" choice as VP - no scandals, no real reason for anyone to hate; in fact fairly bland, except very knowledgable.

[olkaz]

17. dear lord

The same Barbara Boxer that keeps voting for telecom immunity?

No thanks.

[AnarchoFreeThinker]

2. forget Florida. Everybody, please forget Florida. It's a money pit, and ....

if Dems rely on it in November, they'll lose.

[olkaz]

4. I want Bill Richardson or Joe Biden

Richardson is good all-around, Biden is fan-freaking-tastic on foreign policy.

[hogwyld]

7. Would love to see Biden or Webb

With Webb, we have a shot at turning VA blue.

[DevonRex]

13. I like Webb, too.

But who would get his senate seat if he were the VP? I confess I don't know the rules about replacing a senator. Does the governor appoint or is there another election?
This is something I used to know, but for some reason I'm brain dead with all this primary stuff.

[hogwyld]

23. The seat would be filled by the Governor

Tim Kaine, a Democrat, until the next election cycle.

[DevonRex]

27. Thanks.

And can you believe I have to go to work with this dead brain? Oh brother...

[hogwyld]

29. No Problem. Been there, done that

Although DU is a nice diversion for the weary at times.

[snooper2]

11. agreed

nt

[Flabbergasted]

16. Richardson.

[DevonRex]

8. How old is he?

I think he'd be a fine choice. I've often wondered why another dem senator (who shall remain nameless) didn't follow his lead back in the day. I mean, obviously he had a reason to vote NO.
I'm not sure anything will bring Florida into the dem column, though, with all the disappearing votes and whatnot.
What do you think of Richardson? We like him out here in the west.

[HooptieWagon]

19. 72 about time of election.

So he may be willing to just serve one term as VP, and let Obama coose a Pres heir in 2012. Anyway, I don't see Graham making another bid for presidency.

[HooptieWagon]

26. richardson would be a good choice also, IMO. n/t

[muntrv]

10. Good idea. I thought Gore should have chosen him in 2000 over Joementum.

[d.amber]

12. Richardson or Biden

Personally I love Biden. But Richardson is out there as a VP choice on either side. I love Edwards too, but not as VP.

[olkaz]

18. agreed

He was my candidate, but I don't think he would make a good VP for the general.

[invictus]

22. Biden voted for the Iraq War. He is a member of the neo-con organization PNAC. n/t

[all.of.me]

20. Richardson. nt

[invictus]

21. It should probably be a current or former governor. Maybe Mark Warner?

Under no circumstances should the VP nominee be a Senator who voted for the Iraq War Resolution!

[HooptieWagon]

24. Graham is former Gov of Florida

and he not only voted against the IWR, he strongly spoke out against it.

[Milo_Bloom]

25. I got a funky one for ya... Richard Clark

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_A._Clarke

Foreign policy experience... Seen as fairly party neutral, but leans Dem after getting savaged by the bush admin.

[On the Road]

28. Actually, I Really Like Graham as a Choice

Graham is respected, experienced, and has gravitas. He has the terrorism and security credentials without being a hawk or a neocon. He was the #2 choice of a lot of people in 2004.

Plus the geography is ideal. Graham could easily make the difference in the election by swinging Florida.

[HooptieWagon]

30. Thats exactly the reasoning behind my thought.

And, given his age (72 at GE), he might be willing to serve one term as VP to help Dems get the WH and get the country back on track; then in '12 step aside for another VP who would be a little younger and could be groomed for his own '16 bid.
The more I think about it, the more sense it makes. He negates the experience argument (he's got as much if not more, than McCain), he's solid on security without being a hawk, he's solid on economic and domestic policy, he knows the Senate and can help guide the Pres's legislation and nominees through, and will be a big help in lining up FL in the Dem win column in Nov (which otherwise is assuredly red).