I do think Obama should pick a woman VP

[mudesi]

Not Hillary, obviously, but I think it would be a great move if Obama picked a woman as his running mate.

I just saw a story on CNN talking about how Obama has a problem with women voters right now. One of the ways they discussed "fixing" that problem would be for Obama to have Hillary as his VP. That is unacceptable, of course, for the obvious reasons. She has forfeited that with her disgusting campaign.

But that doesn't mean he can't pick another woman, and I think he should. Wouldn't it be fantastic to have 8 years of the first black president followed by 8 years of the first woman president? I believe Obama's time as president will be historic not only for the fact that he will be the first black one, but also because his presidency is going to go down as one of the greatest in history.

His vice president would have 8 years of peace and prosperity under Democratic leadership to build a successful campaign on. I do believe a woman president is long overdue, and it's unfortunate that Hillary Clinton blew it the way she did, but if Obama picks a woman to be his vice president, I believe a woman president will be coming much sooner than we think. Eight years, to be exact.

[TwilightGardener]

1. He won't have a problem with women voters once the woman candidate is out of the race.

[PoliticalAmazon]

18. ITA. Pandering stinks, no matter what group is targeted. ...

He should pick the most qualified PERSON.

[KittyWampus]

2. Obama doesn't have a problem with women voters. And suggesting he pick someone

because of their sex is so sexist and unsupportable, my head is ready to explode.

[crickets]

19. Seconded, says this feminist woman voter. -nt

[gcomeau]

26. When considering VP candidates...

...their demographic appeal is, always has been, and always will be part of the calculation. Yes they have to be qualified and up to par on policy and ability and suitable as an emergency backup... but NOBODY gets selected to be put on a presidential ticket for those qualities alone because the bottom line is no candidate running for president really expects it's going to be necessary for someone else to have to step in and do the job for them. They're thinking about how to get the job in the first place when they're making a VP pick.

If he picked some token female to go on the ticket who was NOT properly qualified but was clearly chosen as some kind of showpiece primarily to pander to female voters then yes, you would have a point. If on the other hand he selects a female running mate who is entirely qualified to be VP and her demographic appeal among female voters just happens to put her over the top in a crowded field, suck it up and get over it that's how it works every election.

Plus, choosing a female VP specifically has another consideration beyond your worries about pandering. It's a flat out worthwhile thing to try to repair the damage Hillary has done to the prospects of another female candidate in the near future contests by putting a woman on the ticket this time around to adjust some of the associations people are beginning to draw with that idea thanks to the way Hillary has conducted herself these last few months. The bottom line viable AA AND women candidates making showings in presidential elections is just plain overdue. Do if Obama thinks he can create a winning ticket with that combination and set that precedent for future contests, I'll cheer him on all the more for taking the shot at it.

[AtomicKitten]

3. IMO it would be too much identity politics on one ticket.

[adoraz]

4. No, because I don't believe it would help him.

He is doing great in the polls right now. He is a little ahead of McCain and Hillary isn't even out yet.

Hillary fans will come around, except the racist ones who NEVER will.

A black man and a woman on the same ticket today seems like suicide.

I want Richardson, but I don't think that would be a good idea due to his race. 2 non white guys sounds like suicide as well.

I just want him to win. We can't gamble with a risky VP.

[Straight Shooter]

25. "Hillary fans will come around, except the racist ones who NEVER will."

There are plenty of women voters who simply don't like him. Not everything is about race.

[book_worm]

5. I like either Sebelius or McCaskill if he did choose a woman.

[TwilightGardener]

9. McCaskill's creds, besides the Missouri thing? What--she's blonde?

She's brand-new to the Senate? What makes her Presidential material?

[sfam]

24. Agreed. No Senators. I want the executive exp. of a governor - Sebelius for me!

[maui9002]

6. What other woman would you pick?

Once you start naming names, then the choices get fairly narrow and those that would be considered have some perceived disadvantates: Sebelius, Napolitano? Who else?

[phillysuse]

12. Lincoln, of course

See my post below.

[sfam]

7. Obama has a problem with a number of constituent groups...but...

yeah, picking a woman is certainly an option he should consider, especially if the woman happens to be one of the most qualified out there anyways. I think Sebelius would be a great choice for Obama if he goes that way, but clearly an argument can be made for a Bill Richardson or someone who appeals to hard working white people.

[Fredda Weinberg]

8. No thanks. Next time, we'll play by Chicago rules n/t

[sfam]

21. Next time? And what rules have you been playing under this time?

Inquiring minds want to know...But personally, it seems clear that the "Clinton Ethical Rules of Order" have been applied.

[MercutioATC]

10. Obama/Schweitzer..

I think he needs to increase his appeal to white rural voters more than he does to women voters.

He actually has decent support among women.

[Straight Shooter]

27. You mean Schweitzer?

:shrug:

[MercutioATC]

33. Oops...posted without checking. Of course I meant Schweitzer.

Thanks.

[Straight Shooter]

34. :)

I agree on Schweitzer, 100 percent. :hi:

[phillysuse]

11. Obama/Lincoln 2008

Blanche Lincoln should be on Obama's short list. She
brings more to the table than any other female
candidate out there - none of them have military or
foreign policy experience the way Wesley Clark or Bill
Richardson or Jim Webb have. But compared to Sebelius,
Napolitano or McCaskill, she is a better candidate.
Here's why:

1. 48 years old - looks like generational change as
compared to an older candidate who looks like his
mother.

2. White woman from Arkansas with a GENUINE Arkansas
accent

3. The name - alone - Obama/Lincoln will get Low
information voters to vote for her.

4. Two twin teenage boys - imagine the contrast with
Obama's beautiful girls - and neither of them selling
inappropriate board games as per Sebelius

5. Married - no hints of being a lesbian like
Napolitano or Barbara Mikulski

6. Husband is infertility doctor - Her connection to
health care is therefore as good as Hillary's
connection to what a president does.

7. Youngest woman elected to the Senate ever

8. 16 years legislative experience in Washington but
not known to the public as a Washington insider - 6
years in the house, 10 in the Senate

9. Co-founder Blue Dog coalition

10. Very active in rural issues in Congress as well as
agriculture, food, energy policy, health care,
geriatric issues. Great on domestic policy issues

11. Very attractive - would look great with Obama


And finally, the bumper sticker:

OBAMA/LINCOLN 2008

[cbayer]

29. I suggest you lose number 5. nt.

[Bucky]

13. Obama-Ferraro 08!! YES!!

We can't

[gateley]

14. Regardless of how qualified the woman is

(and there are several VERY qualified candidates) -- we can't break two glass ceilings at once.

We like the idea. We're Dems. But we have to be strategic and think what will win the GE -- and such a ticket wouldn't.

[gcomeau]

30. In this particular election...

..that may not be true. Frankly, the bigot vote that would vote against someone for having a female running mate, is less than likely to really be on board with the black guy at the top of the ticket in the first place whoever he has as his VP choice. So I don't think Obama is risking a great deal by going down that path. And after all these months of constant campaigning with these two candidates frankly I think a lot of the middle ground voters who might have been marginally turned off by or uneasy about the idea have been numbed to having any kind of adverse "that's too new" reaction to it. We're had a woman and a black guy headlining the election coverage non stop for half a year, it's practically the status quo at this point. That might not hold up in another four years if we end this cycle with the Hillary being the sole association in people's mind of to think of when presented with the idea of a female participant in a presidential campaign.

[nichomachus]

15. But Hillary supporters keep saying there's rampant sexism

that prevents a woman from getting elected. If that, the case, how exactly would putting a woman on the ticket help him -- since Hillary says he has problems with racist whites? Why would he add another big negative?

Or maybe there isn't that much sexism.

Which is it?

[XemaSab]

16. I don't

I think he should pick the person best qualified for the job, and not try to pander to any constituency. :shrug:

[Road Scholar]

17. Yes, but this time one who could be President. I'm sure there

are just as many women as men who could be president.Hillary is not one of them. Sorry she doesn't have the integrity necessary to be a good president.

[Youphemism]

20. Any woman other than Hillary will piss off Hillary supporters

They'll see it as a slap in her face. It will be interpreted as a negative.

Oddly enough, Hillary, supporter of women, will be the person who ensures that we don't elect the first female VP this season.

Unless, of course, it's her.

[sfam]

23. "There can be only ONE"...

Only one vagina candidate per election cycle, thank you. Just imagine how crazy that would be if we said that about men. So Clinton supporters would be pissed if Obama selected a woman other than Hillary? And, um, they would still refer to themselves as feminists?

[Youphemism]

32. To be fair, I'm a guy... and I tend to hog the remote.

However, I don't leave the toilet seat up. But that's partly because I'm clumsy, and have to keep the lid down to make sure I don't have to fish for things I accidentally knock into the toilet bowl.

But yes, I believe that any woman selected for VP other than Hillary would be interpreted as -- bad word here -- appeasement.

I've heard that suggested already among Hillary supporters, so I think it's a reasonable bet.

[AtomicKitten]

22. Obama is kicking her butt in CA and NY now among women, so the tide has turned.

Most Democrats are jumping on the bandwagon and supporting the candidacy of the presumptive nominee, Barack Obama.

Her last ditch effort to yet again exploit an ism - this time sexism (again) - is for naught. It's over. Stick a fork in it.

[cloudythescribbler]

28. Should be a WOMAN who NEVER supported the Iraq War Resolution -- I like CA Sen Barbara Boxer ...

She's extremely qualified, LOTS of foreign policy background w/o seeming to be a pick for that reason, said to be very smart and competent, lots of experience

Low negatives from other than ideological RWers, no serious baggage AFAIK

could help in Florida especially, possibly swing vote of not staunchly Democratic suburban women who MIGHT vote for McCain (eg in PA, Phil suburbs, said to be classic swing vote area)

[Rosemary2205]

31. Well THIS woman wants him to pick whoever best helps him beat Grandpa's ass.

I don't care if he picks a Jewish Asian in the middle of sex reassignment.

[billyoc]

35. Sounds great. A non-DLC member, please.