VP Speculation - Memorial Day Poll

[FlyingSquirrel]

Poll question: VP Speculation - Memorial Day Poll

Top winners from previous poll plus additional suggestions within that thread.

Theme for this poll is, the person either must have foreign policy creds or governing experience, or both. (These are not necessarily the criteria either candidate would actually use, of course).

Edit: Removed Tim Kaine (VA) since he only got one vote in last poll and so far zero in this poll. Replaced him with Brian Schweitzer of Montana.

Funny, Kaine used to be a big talking point here on DU (as VP for Obama) - what happened to that? (One thing I noted about it early on was that "Obama-Kaine" sounded a lot like "Novacaine" and rhymes with "Cocaine" - the Repugs'd have a field day.)

[Muttocracy]

1. Sensible criteria - can't see why they'd pick someone without one of those 2 attributes. nt

[Eurobabe]

2. Biden.

[Swamp Rat]

3. Bob Graham

:patriot:

[Jack Bone]

4. Fmr Sen. Bob Graham (FL)

[tokenlib]

5. Schweitzer...

He did business and agricultural costruction projects in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Speaks Arabic... I think that would be good for foreign policy--after all he'd be VP not Sec'y of State. he is pro-gun but also very pro individual rights!! Has intelligent alternative energy ideas. Has worked with republicans.

Also, the GOP will try to paint Obama as a liberal or elitist (stupid as it is). And even though he is from Illinois--he might as well be from the East Coast. So for geographical balance--we need to go the the West--the heartland.


I'm stuck between Richardson, Schweitzer, and Clark--they all would be awesome picks...

[FlyingSquirrel]

6. I added him in so you can vote for him (Kaine had no votes)

[tokenlib]

7. Thanks...n/t

[gateley]

28. If he does go with a Governor, I'm very enthused about Schweitzer. nt

[Warren DeMontague]

8. Due in part to his idiotic RAVE act, I really don't want Biden in the WH.

I acknowledge he's a smart dude, but I don't think he should be in charge of domestic social policy. I'd like to see his brains put to work on something like energy issues.

I voted Richardson. Feingold would be good, too.

[Why Syzygy]

23. What's his RAVE act?

I just chose him today, primarily due to his bill for violence against women and added police officers nationwide.

[Warren DeMontague]

32. Here's a link. Basically, it was an exceedingly draconian piece of "anti-drug" legislation

http://www.alternet.org/story/14259/

I think it's great that Biden is anti-violence against women and wants more cops on the beat; but his longtime status as would be gung-ho drug warrior is hopelessly out of step with the constitution, civil liberties, and reality.

Frankly, at this point in history we need to be scaling back an idiotic $40 billion-a-year "drug war" aimed primarily at keeping consenting adults like Willie Nelson and cancer-ridden grannies from smoking a relatively harmless plant.

Really, my position is that it's well past time to get the government out of the bedrooms and bloodstreams of consenting adults who aren't harming or endangering anyone else.

But the RAVE act was even worse than your run-of-the-mill dumbass drug war legislative turd, because it aimed to hold promoters responsible if, say, they put on a show where illegal drugs might be used by anyone in attendance.

Ever been to a rock and roll show where someone in the audience was smoking a joint? I certainly have. Biden's law as written would have turned the people in charge of putting on said shows into felons eligible for 10-20 years in prison.

Dumb fucking law.

[Why Syzygy]

37. As for

drug policy, I like Bill Richardson the best. He's actually my favorite of all runners this year.
I'm afraid of the racial bias of Americans, however.

Bill Clinton was no friend to recreational users. I agree the drug policy needs to be completely redone. It's nothing more than a money mill for services that exist for no other reason than collect money from otherwise law abiding citizens.

[Warren DeMontague]

38. I think Richardson makes sense on a lot of levels. Regionally, demographically, and in terms of

being a Governor (who also won't leave us down a vote in the Senate)

I like Dodd a lot, too.

All told, I think Biden's a smart guy; just not my top pick for veep.

[gateley]

49. I would follow Biden to the ends of the earth,

but I think "draconian" is an apt description of this. As is "dumb fucking law".

I think this was enacted out of fear and helplessness -- not an absolution by any means, but an effort to understand.

I would love to see this jettisoned.

[IndianaGreen]

9. Either Governor Sebelius of Kansas, or Bill Richardson of NM

Each would bring something to the ticket. Richardson may help a lot with Latinos, plus his resume is stellar.

[femmocrat]

10. Still rootin' for Richardson.

I think they look really comfortable together. Richardson has foreign policy creds.... and wouldn't cost the dems a Senate seat.

[tokenlib]

14. Being able to reach Hispanics without an interpreter too....

They looked good together today again!

[Secret_Society]

11. Sen. Hillary Clinton

I would also be happy with Edwards.

[David Dunham]

12. It has been reported Obama is considering Mark Warner of VA. Good choice

[FlyingSquirrel]

16. A lot of Virginians have been considered.. maybe this is the year of VA

I wanted Warner to run for President... not sure if he is interested, since he's running for US Senate, but he might be.

[FlyingSquirrel]

18. I like Edwards of course, but he's not in this one because

he doesn't really have a lot of foreign policy credentials and no governing experience.

Hillary Clinton is in a category all her own - I didn't include her because that would make the assumption that the race is over. Also it's a hot point of contention whether she has real foreign policy credentials.

[musicblind]

35. That's exactly how I feel. Clinton or Edwards. Either one.

I think Clinton would be better for strategical reasons (think it will really promise a win in Nov), but I also feel like Edwards would be such a great choice. Really, either one of those two.

[Buzz Clik]

13. The dream ticket: Tom Toncredo. He's not quite as rightwing as Hillary.

[zeemike]

15. I voted for Richardson but

The more logical place for him would be Secretary of State
It would be a big boom to our relations with South America to have a SoS that could speak their language
But I suppose as VP he could have the same effect

[Mojambo]

17. I really like Biden as the VP

Good foreign policy chops and he's the most capable attack dog in this poll.

Obama likes to stay above the fray, more than ANYTHING else (foreign policy, executive experience, help with working class voters, regional electoral map help) he needs someone who will throw elbows.

Biden's that guy.

[lurky]

19. Good point about the attack thing!

Biden is so funny and quick on his feet, he could be devastating in that role.

[elleng]

21. WOULD BE

devastating in that role.

But we need him in the Senate, in FP role.

[MrSlayer]

20. Wes Clark.

He has nearly unmatched credentials.

[elleng]

22. Delete 'nearly,' and he should be POTUS.

HARD to imagine him as anyone's 2d chair.

Wes or Joe for me.

[Spider Jerusalem]

24. My guess at this point is that it'll be Webb.

He provides a lot of balance; Southerner, decorated Vietnam veteran, Reagan's Secretary of the Navy, against the war from the outset; he counters McCain's supposed strengths quite well, may turn Virginia blue, helps Obama with Southern and Appalachian whites, and is an economic populist along the lines of John Edwards. Sure, he's a first-term senator, but his record prior to the Senate balances out any claims of lack of experience, and Virginia has a Democratic governor who will appoint a replacement (not to mention that Kaine is term-limited and could run for the seat himself in a special election). He's a bit of a hothead, and there are some questions about his negatives with female voters, but he brings demographic strength and military and foreign policy credentials to the table that can't be discounted.

[george_maniakes]

25. Kaine! Kaine! Kaine! n/t

[FlyingSquirrel]

46. Wondering why he's not a popular choice anymore.

Last thread he got only one vote, and this time around he was the only one with zero votes till I dropped him and put Schweitzer in his place.

[Muttocracy]

26. someone also said Obama-Biden wouldn't work

because the Repugs would say it was like Osama bin Laden.
:eyes:

[Why Syzygy]

27. That might be a valid point.

That would bring the conspiracy whackos out in droves.

[Muttocracy]

30. Guess it depends on whether the conspiracy folks are already voting for

McCain or Paul or Mercer
:tinfoilhat:

[Aussie leftie]

29. Joe Lieberman

because of the support Obama gave to him against Ned Lamont

[Muttocracy]

33. Lamont endorsed Obama; which one did Clinton support in the primary?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ned-lamont/why-im-supporting-barack_b_80986.html

[Colobo]

31. Webb.

[Muttocracy]

34. nudge. nt

[WA98296]

36. Edwards!

[WheelWalker]

39. Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.

[truebluecollar]

40. Obama Sebelius may sound like a character from a Robert Graves

novel, but the governor of Kansas shares the one trait with Clinton that I believe is the true reason the most passionate Hillary supporters allow themselves to overlook Clinton's many flaws and misdeeds--she's a woman. Could an honest, competent, steady, measured, if not "battle-tested," Mid-Western governor bring unity to our badly cleft Party? I hope so. After that, I'm partial to Gen'l Clark as second choice for Veep. Then Joe Biden(or Clark) at State, John Edwards at Justice, maybe a "redeemed" Colin Powell or Chuck Hagel in a grand reach across the aisle or even Gen'l Anthony Zinni at Defense, Robert Reich at Treasury and Stephen Colbert as Press Secretary. As for Clinton, to the Rethugs and Dittohaids everlasting consternation, Associate Justice to the United State Supreme Court is a consolation prize that would damn well take and need a "fighter."

[FlyingSquirrel]

41. kick

[nadinbrzezinski]

42. I'll go boxer

no geographically she adds little since Cali should be an easy blue pick

BUT

She is a woman, and a good solid candidate, and she is my senator and I "know her"

[Alexander]

43. Russ Feingold.

[ObamaKerryDem]

44. Since my first choice (Edwards) is not on here, I went for my 2nd..

Richardson! :) But there are so many good choices here, it's hard to pick, LOL. I also really like the idea of Feingold..

[FlyingSquirrel]

45. I'll probably do one with Edwards and Clinton added, drop off the two lowest

on this thread. Maybe add Mark Warner.

[RiverStone]

47. Oh, I already answered that a couple of days ago,,,

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6125476&mesg_id=6125476

:hi:

[FlyingSquirrel]

48. :-)

Lotsa support for him. Hoping for about 200 responses so I can be sure which two to drop off for the next poll (I'm gonna add Clinton and Edwards in)

[FlyingSquirrel]

50. One last kick on this one.

[BigDDem]

51. Rev Wright