I have a feeling it's going to be Evan Bayh

[aaroh]

After the primaries Obama has been moving towards the centre with his support of FISA, off-shore drilling, support for religous groups, etc. If this political wind is any guide to Obama's thinking then he is likely to sail towards the right when choosing his veep. Either Bayh or Hagel. Bayh would be the more likely choice out of the two.

[eshfemme]

1. I don't think so. Most of Obama's "centrist" moves were practical minded.

So, he's not gonna want an empty suit like Bayh. And selection of Hagel is restricted by certain regulations concerning party registration. He's gonna want someone who's as pragmatic as he is but is also guided by idealistic motives.

I'm a little unhappy with the FISA thing but I can see why he thought it was a necessary compromise. However, he doesn't outright approve of off-shore drilling-- he's only saying that he's not going to be dogmatic about refusing it outright. Like, if there's no way to negotiate an alternative energy package without including it, that's when he would support it. But it doesn't mean that he'd support it on its own without anything else in the works for energy. I think the religious thing might feed into his community organizing roots and is to be expected although I'm not too hot about it either. But I'm hoping that he'll implement that a lot better than Bush did as Bush politicized it while I'd imagine that Obama would encourage charity work that religious groups already do but enforce stricter guidelines on the funding.

[FrenchieCat]

2. Very well analyzed each of those moves.

and I agree.....and some I wasn't to happy about, but I decided to give him latitude a while ago, and that will include who he determines should be his Veep selection, even if it is Bayh who is far, far from my favorite.

[johnnypneumatic]

3. just as a selling point, that sucks...Obama? Bah!

bah humbug ObamaBayh. nope
same for Obamakaine. nope
ObamaSebelius nope

Obama/Clark - hey that looks good...
who else?

[nsd]

4. I also think Bayh is most likely.

But I wouldn't be surprised if it were Biden or Kaine instead. (There's no way he'd pick Hagel.)

However, I don't think of this as a move to the center. Obama has always seemed to me to be more a pragmatist than an idealist. My take on him is that he recognizes the need for compromise to get things done and instinctively distrusts partisanship. I think, temperamentally if not ideologically, he'd be comfortable with a middle-of-the-roader like Bayh.

[book_worm]

5. Bayh was the flavor of the week last week, I don't think he will.

[ncteechur]

6. I freaking hope it is not Bayh--talk about grinding your excitement to a screeching halt.

[dansolo]

7. Won't we then lose a Senate seat?

Isn't there a Republican governor of Indiana? Wouldn't picking Bayh as VP cause us to lose a Senate seat? We need a filibuster proof majority in the Senate. We can't afford to lose any seats. I don't think it will be Bayh.

[aaroh]

18. yes we will

that's 2 major things going against bayh
1. lose a senate seat
2. bayh voted for the IWR which is counterintuitive to obama's argument of good judgement as a requisite for a good leader

[JNelson6563]

8. I dunno

Isn't the VP candidate traditionally the "attack dog" on the campaign? I just can't see Bayh playing that role.

Julie

[Rosa Luxemburg]

9. Bayh is as exciting as watching grass grow!

Obama can do better than that.

[Steerpike_Denver]

10. This is all a game

I can almost guarantee NONE of the main names that have been "floated" or "leaked", "bruited", "bandied", "whispered", "considered" or especially "demanded" (I'm looking at you, PUMA) will be the final choice. These are all put out there to generate buzz. The final, actually fer-real name has undoubtedly been decided on long since, and the running mate will be someone no one has had a chance to disect yet. It will be someone seemingly completely out of left field, but as soon as the decision is announced, will have everyone saying, "Of Course! How Perfect! Why didn't WE think of that!" All the rest is pure Kabuki.
In no particular order:
Hagel? Nope. Forget a Republican unity ticket. Won't happen.
Bayh? Nope. Nope--can't give up a Senate seat, even though the state does have a Democratic governor, it would be mistake to sacrifice the seniority.
Feingold? Same problem, plus a twice-divorced, liberal Jewish bachelor?
Hillary? Ditto, plus, sorry, just too much bad blood.
Webb? Same problem, plus he already said no.
Biden? Same problem, plus he has the charisma of a dishrag on a doorknob.
Sibelius? Might be good, but a black and a woman on the same ticket? Nope.
Schweitzer? For what--Montana's whopping 3 EC votes?
Richardson? Also good, but two minorities? Nope.
Kaine? OK maybe, but not good pro-choice cred
Strickland? Also might be good, but has pretty unequivocally ruled it out.

No, whoever Obama names will almost certainly be a surprise, and a welcome one. Relax and enjoy the show.

That having been said--BOB GRAHAM!!!

[nsd]

11. It won't be Graham.

He's too old (same age as McSame).

[Steerpike_Denver]

12. That's an advantage!

Since he is older, he will be like Cheney, in the sense that he won't be expected to run as a sucessor (and that is the ONLY way in which he's like Cheney). In fact, he may choose to serve only one term as Veep, clearing the way for another Democratic up-and-comer to step in to continue the legacy. In the meantime, for '08, he would absolutely deliver Florida, and the election!

[salonghorn70]

13. Don't think it will be Grahm

Hoping for Bayh :bounce:

[Sparkly]

14. I just loooove your sigline image.

:bounce: :D

[aaroh]

15. thanks. I give you permission to use it.

[Sparkly]

16. Thanks!!! Did I do it right?

:hi:

[aaroh]

17. you sure did

now run along little fella and go play with your friends.

[Renew Deal]

19. I don't think picking Bayh has anything to do with moving to the center.

Not at all. I think is has to do with resume, character, readiness, etc.

[cbc5g]

20. I agree..it'll be bayh. He has to pick who will help him win the most and Bayh is probably it

[TheWraith]

21. No way. "Securing America's Future": Wes Clark's slogan and the theme for VP night.

No coincidence in my opinion.

[TwilightGardener]

22. I agree--Bayh makes the most sense.

[zulchzulu]

23. It would be like having the Lawrence Welk Orchestra be the final band at Lolapalooza

You're at a great sushi restaurant and your pal wants a friggin' bologna sandwich with nothin' but white bread.

Besides, for us grassroots soldiers out in the field, thanks a fucking lot for a ticket named Obama Bye. Ferchrissakes...