Equal Opportunity Running Mate / VP Poll

[FlyingSquirrel]

Poll question: Equal Opportunity Running Mate / VP Poll

Whether you support Clinton or Obama, choose the running mate of your choice for the candidate of your choice.

I picked the ones I've heard the most who I liked the most.. Only 10 slots available I'm afraid. There'll be many more of these polls in the future of course.

:)

Edit: Since nobody's picked Tim Kaine yet, I'm gonna substitute John Kerry in that slot. If you like Kaine, write him in below (or anyone else not on the list.)

Further Edit:

Nobody's picked Bill Bradley either. Just for hoots and giggles, let's put Kooch in there.

:P

[NewJeffCT]

1. I voted Clark, but I think Richardson is a finalist for either Obama or Clinton

I like his resume and his experience. He might not make the final cut, but I bet he'll be among the final three for both.

[Hestia]

2. I have issues with Richardson - according to "Armed Madhouse"

by Greg Palast, Richardson was personally responsible for the suppression of Democratic votes in New Mexico during the 2004 election recount. Whole counties were disenfranchised by a repug Secretary of State. Ever since I have read that particular chapter about Richardson, I don't trust him as far as I can throw him.

I vote "none of the above" because I nominate Clark for either Secretary of State or Defense; Edwards for Attorney General. If you twisted my arm, I'd say Dodd. He seems Old School Union to me.

[donheld]

3. Richardson doesn't seem to think being gay is NOT a choice

I'd rather Obama or Hillary pick someone else.

[TwilightGardener]

4. My top three for Obama, in order: Jack Reed, Joe Biden, Chuck Hagel.

Clark is not experienced enough in other areas of government (economy, entitlements, etc.). Obama is already getting hit with "liberal lefty socialist radical" stuff from the GOP--while Reed is a liberal, he graduated from West Point and served in the Army (which can help neutralize GOP critics) and has a lot of relevant experience on the Armed Services and Banking Committee--he's also nice and low-key, and well-spoken. Biden probably wouldn't take the job, and I don't think he and Obama would get along very well, but he's effective at making clear points and telling it like it is, and would bring a lot of experience and gravitas to the ticket and appeal to swing-state voters in places like PA and OH. Hagel might seem like a crazy choice, but he and Obama have identical foreign policy views, and also agree on other issues, like immigration and torture. He's got lots of relevant and varied experience, a decorated veteran, gravitas, very competent, and wouldn't let the Repubs pull shit on Obama. He would just have to pledge to appoint justices from a pre-approved list in case anything happened to Obama, or otherwise promise to follow a pro-choice, socially-progressive agenda--don't want to risk SCOTUS. I don't think he's any more conservative than General Zinni, and is much better known and an experienced politician, and yet I see Zinni's name all over DU as a viable choice.

[FlyingSquirrel]

5. I don't like Hagel or Zinni.

But hey, what do I know?

:shrug:

[TwilightGardener]

6. Somebody on MSNBC said "Zinni" as a choice a couple weeks ago, and

a lot of people latched on to that, without knowing anything about the guy other than he isn't into the war. Hagel is my Senator, and thus I know his history and voting record, so he doesn't scare me--I think he's more honorable, and smarter, than some Dems in the Senate, frankly. He and Obama like each other and have worked on stuff together, so while I doubt it would happen, it's not totally out of left field as a ticket. I think Jack Reed is overall the best choice. Webb is a newbie--two freshman Senators on one ticket--ack! Too much ammo for the GOP.

[FlyingSquirrel]

7. Actually I do like Hagel, he's my favorite Republican.

Now if only he'd switch parties I'd say sure, you can put him on the ticket.

:)

[TwilightGardener]

8. He's suggested publicly that he may not be a Republican very much longer, so

he might become an Indie, I'm guessing, like Chafee. Speaking of Kaine, since you edited, another DUer pointed out that "Obama/Kaine" sounds like an anesthetic--I don't think it would work.

[FlyingSquirrel]

10. Oooooo, or like a new kind of Cocaine... bad news, I could see the Repugs using that

to great effect.

x(

[NewJeffCT]

14. Hagel is far right on most social issues

that means he's a no-go for me.

[TwilightGardener]

17. He is, but he also represents Nebraska. He'd have to be willing

to make it clear that he intends to honor the Dem platform on social issues, for me to consider him. Since I've never once heard him spout BS about "family values" and Christian-right stuff, I get the sense he doesn't think the RW social agenda is all that important to the future of America. He'd be an interesting choice, but Reed and Biden would present less of a conflict, which is why they rank higher.

[Inuca]

37. LOL!!!!

You are guilty of scaring my dog out of his mind. He was peacefully sleeping at my feet when I started laughing like crazy. Now he is trying to settle down again, but I am afraid he may have nightmares. Obamakaine :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[Inuca]

38. About Webb

He may be a freshman Senator, but he definitely is not a newbie overall. Unusual background. He may be a useful choice, I don't know... I also find your choice of Jack Reed interesting. And one last comment about Hagel: I remember how last summer/early fall or so, he kept commenting about the highly unusual political undercurrents, everything being in flux and unpredictable. I kept wondering what the hell is he talking about, since that was the time when the MSM and not only have all but settled on Clinton and Giuliani! Well... he was right. I don't know whether based on more information than the rest of us (including the media) or some weird political sixth sense or a combination thereof, but he was right. It surely looks a lot different now than not so many months ago. Thankfully so.

[Pogue.Mahone]

42. I like...

webb. he's a great balance for obama and would appeal to independents and more progressive/moderate republicans. but he's his own man and somewhat acerbic and could be a sword that cuts both ways! remember what he did as secnav under reagan!

[Inuca]

43. Perfect description of Webb

What did he do as Navy Secretary? I have no idea...

And one more thing: welcome to DU :-)!

[tokenlib]

35. Clark taught economics..if I recall....n/t

[FlyingSquirrel]

9. Removed Bill Bradley and Tim Kaine since they had no votes yet

Added Kerry and Kucinich. Let's see some love for Kooch!

:)

[Firespirit]

11. Nonononono, keep Kerry and Edwards AWAY from VP

Kerry should be Attorney General, investigating and prosecuting Bushco, and Edwards should be Sec. of Labor, Commerce, or Housing.

[FlyingSquirrel]

12. Some of the names are just feelgood options. (What, no love for the Kooch?)

[NewJeffCT]

29. One thing that disappointed me in DU in 2004

was when everybody was picking their "dream" cabinets for Kerry and then Kerry/Edwards, it was almost exclusively limited to white males... Clark or Holbrooke for Sec of State; Spitzer for AG; etc.

I hope we get more diversity this summer and fall.

[Bullet1987]

13. Webb too inexperienced...chose Sebelius

- A 2nd term, Red state Govenor
- Well known and respected
- Good balance

I don't buy this notion that Obama NEEDS to chose someone with a military background. That simply plays into the Rethug argument anyway.

[Inuca]

39. Webb is not inexperienced

Just a short time in the Senate, but has lots of relevant experience before that. And I really do not think that in Obama's case a governor would be a good choice. I think that indeed he would be greatly helped by somebody with foreign policy/ national security experience (which of course is not the same as military). It may be a point the republicans will hammer on, but that does not mean it is not a valid point.

[cloudythescribbler]

15. What about BOXER -- a number of DUers including me, support her for VP

[FlyingSquirrel]

18. She'll undoubtedly be in a future poll, especially if Obama wins. nt

[Bullet1987]

19. Boxer I would love...along with Feingold

But too many people would label Obama/Boxer or Obama/Feingold as being too liberal of a ticket. Which I think is bullshit personally, but it's reality.

[TwilightGardener]

21. They ARE too liberal, for Obama, because he's already getting slapped

with the "radical left" label--heard it just today on the radio.

[FlyingSquirrel]

22. Blah blah blather radical left blah blather spew

Don't know how you can stand to listen to it. Must not have Air America in your area!

[TwilightGardener]

26. It's Nebraska! We have our choice of: Rush, Laura, Hannity, Boortz, Beck...

seriously, that's it.

[slick8790]

16. In order: Kaine, Bradley, Sebelius.

Figures my top two choices were both eliminated before i could vote for them.

[FlyingSquirrel]

20. It's ok, they'll be back. :-) But see above comment re Kaine. (Reply 8)

Don't know if that would be enough to disqualify, really.. but in our present political environment, everything has to be considered.

[KittyWampus]

23. Bob Graham is the perfect VP candidate.

[FlyingSquirrel]

27. Why?

I just looked him up... he could possibly deliver FL, so that would be a reason in and of itself.

[NewJeffCT]

28. Expert on intelligence/security issues as well

He'll be able to speak from experience when he debunks McCain's lies.

[FlyingSquirrel]

32. It's so annoying that we may have to be limited to "security" VP picks

When in fact that is not the job of the VP, (with the exception of Cheney of course x( ...)

That'll really knock a bunch of very well qualified people out if that's what we have to make our main priority.

[RonaldK]

24. none of the above

I'd say Tim Kaine is a better choice. Obama needs an anti-war male. If he picks a non-white male or female, I think it may be too much change for people at once. If he picks someone pro-war, he undermines the reason he ran for President. Tim Kaine is perfect, he has no record with this war, or anyone. He can be above the Washington fray.

[sandnsea]

25. Webb or Clark

They've both served in DC Administrations and would be very reassuring counters to McCain. I also don't think they could smear Clark with WIII crazy-making considering McCain's temperament. Either one would be terrific choices and help enormously in the south.

[hippywife]

30. Kick for Kucinich!

Love that man!!

[FlyingSquirrel]

33. I put him in there just so this thread would keep gettin kicked

;)

He and Kerry were kind of "feelgood" options, although now that I think about it, Kerry's early endorsement of Obama could signal that he really would be willing to accept the position.

Kucinich of course is much too good to be even considered.

[hippywife]

34. I guess we'll never have him

until we ALL believe we truly deserve him. I've said it before, and I'll say it again...he's the very best this country has to offer. The very best. :hi:

[Alexander]

31. Feingold is the best possible choice.

[FlyingSquirrel]

36. .

[FlyingSquirrel]

40. ..

Kickin' cause I am interested in getting more thoughts on the various VP possibilites out there (REAL ones, not friggin' PETRAEUS for jeebus sakes)

[FlyingSquirrel]

41. ...

[LWolf]

44. Of that list, Edwards or Richardson.

I'd rather see DK as Speaker.