What about Carl Levin for VP?

[TomClash]

Here's why:

1. Knowledgeable about military affairs - has served on the Senate Armed Services Committee for years.

2. Voted against the Iraq War and proposed an Amendment to the IWR requiring Bush to get UN approval before going to war.

3. Generally known to be above reproach personally and well-liked.

4. At 74, he's an elder statesman who is still active in politics - unlike some of the others mentioned.

5. He's Jewish and that might help Barack in some areas - it would certainly wound the "Barack the Muslim" meme.

6. Michigan has a Dem governor so any appointment would not result in a lost seat in the Senate.

7. It would secure Michigan in the general election.

[mmonk]

1. I have no problem with him.

I doubt he will carry much excitement though. It would be more of a cerebral pick.

[newmajority]

2. Two senators on a ticket is suicide.

Don't have any particular problem with Levin, but that's just reality.

[MadBadger]

3. I dont agree with that, especially with Obama on the ticket.

[TomClash]

8. Huh?

Why is it suicide?

[grantcart]

18. not this year when you are running against a Senator

A governor would have advantages but Levin is an interesting idea.

[democrattotheend]

4. That's a possibility. Stabenow might be worth considering too.

She's a woman, she's from Michigan, and she's pretty popular. I think she's a Clinton supporter too...am I right?

[tokenlib]

6. Stabenow voted for Bankruptcy reform and got pissed off when....

...she found out how angry people were at her for the vote. She even sent out at least one letter trying to say that the legislation wouldn't be that big a change. Not a chance...

[navarth]

7. ehhh...please don't go there

I've voted for Stabenow twice and now I wonder why. Her voting record has been as troublesome as Hillary's.

[Joyce78]

5. If we think McCain is too old, would it make sense to have someone

even older on our ticket? The VP, supposedly, is a heartbeat away from becoming President. I like Carl Levin, but 74 is just too old.

[TomClash]

9. It might also indicate to older voters

that you give a damn about them.

If the Big O is elected, Levin can serve one term and then retire.

[grantcart]

19. good point

[terrell9584]

10. Obama has to have a white Southerner

He just has to, otherwise you're not going to sell his candidacy nationwide. His best pick would be a Sam Nunn type of candidate.

[TomClash]

11. That means Webb

or Bredesen or Kaine.

Kaine and Bredesen don't help alot.

Webb has baggage with women.

I'm not convinced.

If he is picking based on region, I'd go west.

[goclark]

17. Most people have baggage problems in the 21st Century

People are living longer and change partners more.

Most of the people that I know as a Senior have been married at least once and have a divorce from that person.

Isn't it that 50% of marriages end in divorce?

That is sad but true. :cry:

What are Webb's problems that are bigger than McCain leaving his sick wife to marry this one about a month later?

What about McCain's lobby girlfriend that went off the MSM radar in two days?

What about the baggage that HCBC carry in their marriage?

Was he violent or abusive?

Did he date his wife's best friend?

I just want to know, :shrug:

[DevonRex]

16. This is uncomfortable for me to say since I'm from the south

originally. But I'm kinda tired of the hold the south has had on presidential elections for decades now. I'd love to bring them into the fold like we did last night in Mississippi (my home state). But they didn't go with Gore in 2000 and Edwards didn't help in 2004. So I'm not sure how much a southerner on the ticket would help this time either.

[terrell9584]

20. public relations

powerful message is sent if the first black candidate picks a white Southerner from the more conservative wing of the party in the region, especially if said candidate is older with a reputation for integrity....hence Sam Nunn.

[TomClash]

23. I think that's right

Edwards got us nothing. Only FLA went for Gore. I don't think a white southerner helps that much.

[PBS Poll-435]

12. Nothing says energy and excitement like Carl Levin!

:-)

[TomClash]

21. Isn't Barack enough "excitement" for one election? nt

[BlooInBloo]

13. Do DUers only know Senators are something?

[TomClash]

22. Yeah

for some reason we wrote off Simon Cowell. :eyes:

[Tommy_Carcetti]

14. But didn't Carl Levin "break the rules"?

Shouldn't he be punished?

Oh wait, only the voters get punished, nevermind.

Besides..rules? What rules? I never heard nothing about no rules!

[mmonk]

15. I still prefer Richardson or Sebelius.