All You Need to Know About Obama's VP Options
Now that Obama has nearly clinched the nomination, who's on tap to be his running mate? Your guide to the contenders.
There is not a lot of evidence that suggests vice presidential candidates make a serious difference (good or bad) for the ticket. Two words: Dan Quayle. One study showed that a veep pick can increase a ticket's performance by less than one half of one percent in the VP's home state. Presidential candidates do not assume the assets (or race, or gender) of their running mates, and voters generally focus on the top of the ticket. The most important questions for Obama may be the simplest. Which potential VP can be president should the unthinkable happen, and whom can Obama spend four (or eight) harmonious years with in the White House?
With these caveats in mind, let's look at the contenders. Hillary Clinton isn't on this list—not because she is an unlikely pick, but because the merits of adding her to the ticket have been debated ad nauseam.
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D-Kan.), 60
Sebelius is frequently mentioned because she is a living embodiment of Obama's message. She won the governorship of deep red Kansas in 2002 and 2006. In both campaigns, she convinced a Republican to switch to the Democratic Party in order to become her lieutenant governor. In 2006, Sebelius also recruited the then-Republican district attorney in Johnson County to run as a Democrat for attorney general against a Republican incumbent. He did, and he won.
Sebelius is also on the list because it is assumed she will strengthen Obama's support among female voters. But is that really true? Will women who are devoted to Hillary Clinton warm to Sebelius simply because she is a woman? That would be a fairly patronizing assumption for Obama and his strategists to make. And hardcore Clinton supporters may by angered if Obama selects a female running mate who isn't Hillary Clinton. A final consideration on the topic of gender is whether putting an African American and a woman on the same ticket is too much of a political risk in a country that has elected neither to the top office.
Sebelius has other advantages. Because she has worked with a Republican legislature, she has been forced to issue bold vetoes of abortion restrictions, a harsh voter identification measure, and the creation of new coal plants. She is also anti-death penalty. In sum, Sebelius is a strong and successful progressive in a state where one doesn't expect to find them.
Her lack of foreign policy credentials and Kansas' paltry six electoral votes are liabilities. And no discussion of Sebelius is complete without a mention of her soporific response to Bush's 2008 State of the Union address. Given the opportunity to showcase her talents, Sebelius came off as wooden and uninspiring. For one speech at least, she was the anti-Obama.
Gov. Ted Strickland (D-Ohio), 66
Governors and senators from Ohio are always going to be considered (Strickland isn't the only Buckeye State lawmaker on this list), but Strickland brings more than just pull with the swingiest of states. The son of a steelworker, and a former Methodist minister who promised to follow "biblical principles" when he ran for governor in 2006, Strickland can probably appeal to those fabled working-class whites, if anyone can.
Though Strickland has only been governor since 2007 (he won 20 percent of Republicans and 69 percent of independents in his fight against then-Secretary of State Ken Blackwell), he did represent Ohio for six terms in the House before moving to the mansion. During that time, Strickland was instrumental in creating SCHIP, the federal government's leading program providing health care for underprivileged children. In fact, it was during the genesis of SCHIP that Strickland came to know then-first lady Hillary Clinton, whose presidential candidacy he endorsed. That fact alone wouldn't make Strickland a thorny pick, but he did parrot some of the Clinton campaign's harshest criticisms of Obama.
Age is a factor with Strickland. Of concern to the Democratic Party, though perhaps not to Obama, is whether the VP pick will be able to carry its flag eight years down the line. Initiating an era of long-term progressive governance requires someone who is young, energetic, and inoffensive to most or all of the factions within the party. In that case, Strickland, who will be 74 in 2016, most certainly isn't their guy.
Page 1 of 4 
You forgot Tom Daschle and the guy, forgot his name, who endorsed Obama and campaigned with him in PA. Easy to forget in Oregon but a very impressive working relationship.
For the sake of the country and indeed the world lets hope Barack hussian Obama doesn't have to woory about a running mate and drops out of consideration for the presidency. if he is a man of honor that is what he would do now. america doesn't need him
I wonder if he's already paid for all these big endorsements such as sam nunns.
payback is going to be rough when he loses. could be the his extremeist backers maight want their money back
Why has Mark Warner, the former Gov. of Virginia not been considered?
Hussian could pick teddy kennedy as a running mate. both are about on the same level, and if teddy were to go swimming with michele he would have an excelance excuse for leaving her under water.
Sonia Lewis ; No one likes warner . in fact i cannot see where any of the protential vice-presidential hopefuls could withstand investigation. Obama himself is at risk if he does buy enough delegates.between now and november his terrorist roots will haunt him
Ronnie, you are in for eight years of enlightenment with Obama as President - you should not fear but prepare to rejoice! No more Bush lies!
I'd vote for the Tooth Fairy before I would vote any ticket that had Hillary on it.
Based on the comments this site is a magnet for kooks. Get use to saying President Obama.
Oh please do not let his VP be Hillary!
The Clintons:
Bill was impeached, did not inhale, did not have sex with that woman, and missed abundant chances to hit a less organized Osama Bin laden. The Trade Center bombing may never have happened if he spent more time working at his desk rather than "partying" with Monica on top of it! Hillary "well remembers!" being shot at in Bosnia also!
The Clintons belong in a '72 Detroiter singlewide trailer somewhere outside of
Little Rock! GOOD RIDDANCE!!!
All you need to know about the VP candidates is Hillary, Hillary, Hillary. She is strong where he is weak and he is strong where she is weak. They are a match made in heaven. They other most important thing is that polls show that if Clinton, Gore, or Edwards is on the ticket, Obama polls 10 pts higher against McCain. Gore isn't taking the spot. Edwards might, but if Clinton nods here head, she has the job. We are about to make history.
Ronnie, if you re-read your own comments you might understand (one hopes) why a high-school education, at least, would be a good thing (to paraphrase Gandhi..) The country has voted, overwhelmingly, for him ... so how do you infer that the country doesn't need him ? Never mind, perhaps you misspelled "County" ...
As I read these comments about who should he pick and how to win this state or that. This is a man who is running on the image of something new and giving the masses some form of hope that we can move on and into a new era. As I read the choices presented, I could not help feeling they are the same old message carriers as before. Then it came to me the name Kennedy. I thought of Robert Jr. and or Patrick and even Kathleen. They all know goverment, they all have fresh ideals and have fought for the people and the legacy of their name creates the illusion of a new era and hope and youth. Ideas, vision and the voice of the people is what is needed in the new Presidency of America. My choice would be Robert Jr. I know it won't happen but I would hope Obama would consider going outside the box and pick a running mate that will help the country emerge from the dark shadows of this current regime. We need intelligents, compassion and someone to work for the people and not against the people. Saddly this has been missing for the past 7 years.
What about Bloomberg? He has deep pockets, economic expertise and would help repair Obamas image in the Jewish community (hello, Florida).
this person named ronnie really has a problem
Yes indeed, ronnie has a problem. And that is why we should ignore him. He is really "georgie" in disguise.
I think it is also important to note that Gov. Kathleen Sebelius also has strong ties to Ohio, as she herself is from Ohio and her Father is Former Gov. John Gilligan of Ohio.
As long as Hillary McClinton is not being
offered the VP all will be ok.I wouldn`t trust her and her creepy,lunatic friends from the AIPAC,if I was Obama !!
Real change will only be possible when these evil forces are eliminated for good.
Let's keep in mind that the MOST IMPORTANT thing is to be sure Obama beats McSAME this November!
Although I don't like Hillary any more because I believe she should have dropped out about two months ago, she has so much strong support in some areas that she would help assure a win.
Obama/Clinton 08!!!
What about McCaskill? Arguably more than anyone else on your list, she and barack get along very well - their affection for one another is obvious. And she's from Missouri, an important purple state, she's young....
The war was a mistake and those that voted for it failed on the single biggest test of political leadership in our time. Having anyone on the ticket who supported the invasion would dilute Obama's ability to debate McCain and the Republicans on that critical issue.
No one is talking about him but I think that the Obama campaign should consider as VP, Former Republican Senator Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island. As the only Republican that voted against the war Sen. Chafee would be a walking talking example of a Republican that got it right and who was a true maverick who has not turned in his convictions to cater to the extreme right of his party.
Chafee would be a strong draw for disenfranchised Republicans and unlike Hagel, the fact that he is pro-choice, pro-basic rights and an early supporter of Obama's candidacy means little down side for progressive Democrats.
In his new book: "Against the Tide: How a Compliant Congress Empowered a Reckless President" Chafee advocates the kind of bi-partisan change that Obama has made central to his candidacy.
Jef Green
Portland, OR
i'd vote for the bloomberg obama ticket - i think that would be great.
ronnie - i hate to say this but you sound like a bitter republican - its amazing how trite you guys can be - you have been watching too much Bill O'Reilly. Say something intelligent and well informed if you're going to be on this - it will ultimately make you look better anyway.
I think Hillary would help win votes more than any of the other candidates. In head-to-head polls with McCain, she wins the key states of Ohio and Florida, whereas Obama loses Fla and is very iffy in Ohio. Conversely, Obama has a chance to win NM, NV and Co out west, Iowa, Wis and maybe Michigan in the midwest, plus Virginia.
They complement each other very well. Former Clinton advisor Dick Morris says she wouldn't bring in any extra votes, that the people who voted for her in the primaries who say they wouldn't vote for Obama wouldn't vote for any Dem candidate. I don't buy it. If Obama's advisors have any sense, they will at least commission some test polls to see if she brings all her top of the ticket edges over McCain to a ticket in which she is no. 2. If she does, she ought to be strongly considered, despite all the baggage. If not, move on, since I assume Obama's preferences are not to have her on the ticket.
Of those listed here, Richardson seems the best. He has a lot of experience, including foreign policy, but is not perceived as a long-time Washington player opposed to change. Plus he can help Obama win those three western states.
After that, Sherrod Brown maybe, but he is not very well known.
I think Hillary would help win votes more than any of the other candidates. In head-to-head polls with McCain, she wins the key states of Ohio and Florida, whereas Obama loses Fla and is very iffy in Ohio. Conversely, Obama has a chance to win NM, NV and Co out d to change. Plus he can help Obama win those three western states.
After that, Sherrod Brown maybe, but he is not very well known.
Why are so many people ignoring Russ Feingold? Kerry won Wisconsin by only a few votes. Feingold is a bodacious speaker and debater, extremely intelligent, was against the Iraq war at the same time Obama was, is totally in touch with Obama's domestic policies, AND he's Jewish so he can have a serious impact in Florida.
You can rule out Senators. The Dems need to hold onto Senate seats and a ticket with two Senators historically doesn't win. A governor would bring executive experience that Obama lacks as well as reinforce his Washington outsider message. The best pick would be Kathleen Sebelius. Her SOTU response was dull but she can be coached on how to deliver speeches. And while Hillary supporters may be angered at first that a woman other than Hillary was chosen, they'll get over it because just like with Hillary, the want to see the glass ceiling broken.
Ronnie, try to get some sleep. The grownups are talking.
Hillary! That way she will STILL become president after Obama is shot.
Blanche Lincoln anyone? Moderate, a Southerner, Female with that calm motherly feel about her, and can put Arkansas in play. Only draw down is a lost seat in the senate.
sherrod brown, does not accept the medical package available to him as a senator and says he will not accept it till it is available to all.
You mis-characterize Wes Clark as some "Johnny-come-lately" to progressive politics. All his life was spent as a progressive in one form or another.
It is time to appreciate just how lucky we are to have this national treasure. Just a few items:
--Clark was always butting heads with the stereotypical "macho" military Neanderthals because he saw the horrors of war firsthand in Vietnam and always espoused "diplomacy first."
--Clark was one of the leaders of the all-volunteer Army created after the Vietnam debacle. To keep personnel in you had to do a good job of providing for their family needs, health, education, equal opportunity.
--Clark actually won environmental awards at bases under his command.
--When Clark was working at the Pentagon in the mid-90s, he was virtually the only voice crying out to intervene in Rwanda.
--It was Clark's voice, along with Madeline Albright, who persuaded the Clinton Admin., over the objections of the Pentagon, to stop the ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. Tell the Kosovar Albanians that Wes Clark isn't a liberal, progressive, humanitarian.
--It was Wes Clark's voice prior to the Iraq invasion who urged that we exhaust all possible diplomatic means before any military action, including in testimony to Congress.
--It was Wes Clark who filed an Amicus Curiae brief in the University
of Michigan affirmative action case.
--It was Wes Clark who committed an ultimate act of political courage by appearing on the cover of the Advocate (gay rights magazine)during the '04 primaries.
I THINK SHERROD BROWN WOULD BE THE BEST CHOICE..........OBAMA NEEDS A STRONG ANTI NAFTA DEMOCRATIC VP PICK TO WIN BACK ALL THE VOTERS BILL CLINTON SOLD OUT........IF HE THINKS A FEMALE VP HELPS WIN THE ELECTION THEN
GO WITH MARCY KAPTUR ALSO FROM OHIO
I for one want to see Hillary on the ticket as VP. If not I won't be voting for anyone. Hillary was used really bad by the Media. SHE IS SMART AND SHOWED HER STRENGTH MANY TIMES! Without Hillary... Obama is nothing. Obama NO BETTER than McCain.
Hillary for VP and if Obama wants to win against McCain he better listen.
Becca, it would Obama/Bloomberg, if you mean what I think you mean. Mr. Bloomberg is not the Democratic nominee, Senator Obama is. The top person on the ticket is usually named first.
Comments by A Demo makes her seem like a child who takes his toys home when he does not get his way.(Using both genders in that sentence was not an error.)
"Hillary! That way she will STILL become president after Obama is shot.
Posted by:BeaJune 4, 2008 1:45:58" sounds like a terroristic comment. People like her should be watched closely. Unfortunately we have so many nuts that seem to harmless but could easily be used by astute malevolents. Bea is not capable of carrying out any such threat on her own but could easily be used as a Manchurian candidate.
Jim Webb. He has the resume, the focus, and the distance from politics-as-usual. Also, he is an impressive human being.
Of all those you profiled, Sherrod Brown seems to have the most appeal and promise, at first glance.
You neglected to mention Al Gore. Based on some things he has said lately, I think he could be convinced to do it.
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/243
There is an excellent article that came out in the U.K's Telegraph that says Obama's team is negotiating Hillary as the Secretary of Health with Edwards as the Attorney General and Joe Biden as Secretary of State.
God knows when I lived there they always seemed to know what was going on in U.S. politics before anyone here did.
Personally, I think Richardson would make an excellent choice; the thesis he wrote regarding his nomination bid was eloquent and intelligent.
If it is true that the VP choice adds almost nothing to the ticket - then why are we rehashing all these old politicians who would bring (fill in expertise, experience, etc).
Obama should choose someone he can work with, someone with the same vision who can help him advance his agenda. It is going to take a huge amount of work, a huge amount of arm-twisting in the House (and possibly the Senate) to get the legislation passed he needs.
Obama is advocating for a new way of doing things - he doesn't need a same-old, same-old bucking him at every step. And that includes Ms. Clinton, unfortunately.
Let him get someone really NEW!
Ryan...what are you talking about....quit drinking....bad for you
Hillery would be fine as VP. Trouble is her husband. Her vise presidency will be swallowed up by Bill and his ego.
