Obama veep vetting team looks at retired military

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Source: Yahoo News

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama is considering former top military leaders among his possible running mates, according to a senator who met Tuesday with the Democratic presidential candidate's vice presidential vetting team.

North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad told The Associated Press said the team asked him about potential candidates from three broad categories — current top elected officials, former top elected officials and former top military leaders.

Conrad would not disclose which names they discussed, and the Obama campaign has been keeping the process a closely guarded secret.

"We talked about many names," Conrad said, including "some that are out of the box, but I think would be very well-received by the American people, including former top military leaders."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/obama_veepstakes;_ylt=AtNhkXxPLypY8B3aD8rtiwys0NUE

[ananda]

1. Wesley Clark.

maybe

[Amerigo Vespucci]

3. That's the first name that came to mind

:patriot:

[Virginia Dare]

4. He'd be a great choice..

and would also bridge the Clinton divide.

[PunkinPi]

27. I agree,

plus we could keep Webb in Virginia.

[defendandprotect]

17. Wasn't Wesley Clark supporting HRC .. . ?? Am I wrong???

[elleng]

19. You are right;

that's one of the reasons its a good idea; he's a bridge.

[defendandprotect]

28. ...but he was supporting a DLC candidate . . .

the corporate-sponsored wing of the Democratic Party --- the DLC --- has an agenda to move the
party to the RIGHT . . .

I'm sure that he understands that . . . ???

[elleng]

33. 'A' DLC candidate?

Are you referring to Hillary?

I understand DLC, and I'm sure Wes does, too. SO WHAT, at this point?

Wes is liberal, AND understands the ways of capitalism in this country. He knows how to lead and how the system works. "Right," as in WING, is NOT his way, at all. But isn't this more relevant for POTUS than for VPOTUS or any other position?

[defendandprotect]

40. So you're defending the corporate-wing of the Democratic Party . . . . ???

Yes . . . Hillary Clinton is part of DLC leadership ---

So what? So what? are you kidding me?

Capitalism is dead --- it's another suicidal concept by patriarchy and organized patriarchal religion ---

Again -- the DLC exists to move the party to the RIGHT ---

That's why I wouldn't vote or support for HRC ---

and I sure won't support anyone else who supports the DLC ---

"So what?" --- !!!???!!!


As to your final question . . . once we established a two term president, we made the VP spot
either viable or more seriously viable than it was before that --- before that it was more like
a limbo ---

[elleng]

41. I'm not 'defending' anything;

I was stating facts.

It sounds like you have spent a lot of time listening to the cable shouters and accusers, and that you spend little time observing the ways businesses are moving and developing in the world today. To say that capitalism is dead is incorrect, whatever our wishes might be.

VP role depends strictly on what potus wants it to be.

[defendandprotect]

42. I think when you say: "So what?" about the DLC co-option of the Democratic Party . . .

that it is a at least an attitude which suggests that you're not interested in challenging their
existence in the party . . .

First, I don't watch TV --- well, other than in the sense of monitoring some of it during the day.
And other than a few movies ---
I certainly don't watch corporate-press reports ---
And, long, long ago I was writing about the "cable shouters and accusers" and trying to get them
removed.

It also sounds like you want to defend .... could it be trade agreements . . . ???
And behind them their harvesting of slave labor?

No capitalism is a ridiculous King-of-the-Hill system intended to move our nation's natural resources, wealth and assets from the many to the few.

Watch what is happening on DU . . . people are waking up to the crime of capitalism.
Unregulated capitalism is merely organized crime --- as we can all very well see today
with our "economy."

This is also short-sighted and suggests you aren't reading DU --

VP role depends strictly on what potus wants it to be.

No -- and even on current threads right now re VP you will find people confirming that they
want someone who will be VIABLE after 8 years.

***********************************************************************************************

[aquart]

32. LOYALTY IS THE ONLY CRITERIA!

So say the loyal Obamies. Bring on that purge.

[still_one]

2. I think that is a very pragmatic approach, considering the mess we are in with Iraq

and you know that mccain will be pushing his "military experience" as the reason we should stay in Iraq

which is why retired military would counter act that

[Bacchus39]

7. a VP Clark could also dedicate nearly full time to ending the war while the Big O

attends to all the other issues

[elleng]

18. I like the approach:

taking from groups, so no one person sticks out.

I've been a Clarkie forever, and think he's got to be in the admin, in a major role. I'm not sure about V.P., cause i think his talents might be better used elsewhere, like national security advisor. And another I(mark warner?) might better be used to pick up state (VA) and other more political roles.

'chief advisor to the President of the United States on national security issues. This person serves on the National Security Council within the Executive Office of the President.

The National Security Advisor is appointed by the President without confirmation by the United States Senate. As such, they are not connected to the bureaucratic politics of the Departments of State and Defense, and are therefore able to offer independent advice. The power and role of the National Security Advisor varies from administration to administration.'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Security_Advisor_%28United_States%29

[still_one]

38. I'll second that

[beltanefauve]

5. Jim Webb

Please, please, oh pretty please!

[Magleetis]

25. Webb

is my choice too. That guy is smart.

[Lex]

39. Nope, he'd be more effective in the Senate

by far.

I don't want to lose him in the Senate and I'm betting neither does Obama.

[Captain Hilts]

6. this is a very good move. nt

[nealmhughes]

8. I think we all know that means Webb and/or Clark!

Considering the way that Jim Webb was received at Stewart last night. . . or maybe "outside the box" means Chuck Hagel?

[yardwork]

9. It makes sense.

[Demeter]

10. Well, I don't Like It

I'd look for an honest and ethical person, one who I'd like to be the Next Candidate and President, who sees the same goals for the economy, the government, and progress.

Too often the military population has displayed a cavalier attitude to civil rights, economics, peace, and anyone who doesn't fit a very narrow definition of "normal, patriotic citizen", which excludes most everybody.

[Hekate]

12. Sure sounds like Wesley Clark to me. nt

[Bacchus39]

15. no, I don't think Obama should be grooming a successor

I like the Clark and perhaps Webb idea.

[defendandprotect]

16. This is an aside . . . but just want to point this out . . .

one who I'd like to be the Next Candidate and President

IMO, what we have done in limiting the presidency to two terms is pretty much annoint the VP
as the successor ---

I think it limits choice in both ways ---

[Pastiche423]

22. I agree w/you 100%

He'd lose my vote for sure if he did.

[BigDaddy44]

23. Is that so?

The US Military was integrated long before lots of the rest of US society was. You haven't spent a whole lot of time around military folks, have you?

[Demeter]

26. Enough to Know When I'm Not "Equal"

Some animals are more equal than others--Animal Farm

[keepCAblue]

30. Yeah right...

...and the military has been so *good* to gays and lesbians. But then Obama hasn't exactly embraced us either, so I guess it'd be two birds of a feather on the Dem ticket if BO does in fact pick a warmonger as his running mate (and it would certainly back up what he said to AIPAC about always keeping war on the table.) Flame away...

[elleng]

36. POLITICIANS are the war mongers!

The Military know enough to know how to avoid wars, and how to shorten them when they arise. They study diplomacy!

We seem to have lost touch with the fact that PRESIDENTS start wars, and then tell the military what to do; that's VERY important!

[saigon68]

37. Well Put -------JFK and LBJ started my war

And thousands of disabled Vets sleep in card board boxes tonight because of them

[aquart]

31. But we are in a war up against a war hero with a candidate who never fought

It's a logical choice. But I still say the economy is what we'll be voting on so I want a governor.

[Hekate]

11. Wes Clark. Jim Webb. There are some good ones out there, & he's right to look in that direction.

The nice thing about both of these guys (aside from their high intelligence and favorable records) is they not only have the foreign policy/military/let's not be warmongers quals but they are both Southerners. White Southerners.

Hekate

[defendandprotect]

13. Oh, no . . . !!!!

No military . . . no DLC . ..

[potone]

14. This is a good idea.

It will remove McCain's only selling point. I hope he asks Clark, I feel more ambivalent about Webb--his comments about women in the military in the past disturb me. But maybe he has changed; I don't think it is fair to assume that he still views this as he did in the 1980's.

[davidwparker]

20. Webb or Clark

[Crunchy Frog]

21. I hope Wes Clark would be willing to do this if asked.

And hope that he's asked. :)

[vinylsolution]

24. Wes Clark would be a terrific pick....

... either as VP, Defense Secretary, or Secretary of State. Or preferably, all three!

He couldn't possibly do a worse job than Rummy, Condi or Colin Powell.)

[elleng]

34. Hey Crunchy!

You KNOW Wes would accept if asked by the POTUS nominee!

[cal04]

29. Who served in the military?

http://www.awolbush.com/whoserved.html

Prominent Democrats
Register to Vote: Rock the Vote, powered by Working Assets Wireless

* Rick Noriega, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate from Texas -- joined the U.S. Army in 1979; currently Lt. Colonel in Texas Army National Guard, served in Afghanistan. (1)
* Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) -- rifle platoon and company commander with the Fifth Marine Regiment in the An Hoa Basin west of Danang; was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals, and two Purple Hearts. (1)
* Representative Tim Walz, D-MN - Twenty-four years of service in the Army National Guard, retiring in 2005.
* Representative Joe Sestak, D-PA - 31 years of service in the Navy, rising to the rank of Vice Admiral.
* Representative Chris Carney, D-PA - Lieutenant Commander in the United States Naval Reserve, Carney served multiple tours overseas and was activated for Operation Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, and Southern Watch.
* Representative Patrick Murphy, D-PA - extensive career in the U.S. Army from 1993-2004; earned Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation.
* Representative Phil Hare, D-IL - Served in the United States Army Reserve for six years.

* Representative Jack Murtha (D-PA) - distinguished 37-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts, retired from the Marine Corps Reserve as a colonel in 1990. (1)
* Former House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt - Missouri Air National Guard, 1965-71. (1, 2)
* Representative David Bonior - Staff Sgt., United States Air Force 1968-72 (1, 2)
* Former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle - 1st Lt., U.S. Air Force SAC 1969-72 (1, 2)
* Former Vice President Al Gore - enlisted August 1969; sent to Vietnam January 1971 as an army journalist, assigned to the 20th Engineer Brigade headquartered at Bien Hoa, an airbase twenty miles northeast of Saigon. More facts about Gore's Service

* Former Senator Bob Kerrey... Democrat... Lt. j.g., U.S. Navy 1966-69; Medal of Honor, Vietnam (1, 2)
* Senator Daniel Inouye, US Army 1943-'47; Medal of Honor, World War Two (1, 2)
* Senator John Kerry, Lt., U.S. Navy 1966-70; Silver Star, Bronze Star with Combat V, and three awards of the Purple Heart for his service in combat (1)
* Representative Charles Rangel, Staff Sgt., U.S. Army 1948-52; Bronze Star, Korea (1, 2)
* Former Senator Max Cleland, Captain, U.S. Army 1965-68; Silver Star & Bronze Star, Vietnam (1, 2)

* Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) - U.S. Army Reserve, 1968-1975.
* Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) - U.S. Army, 1951-1953. (1)
* Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) - Lt., U.S. Navy, 1962-67; Naval Reserve, 1968-74. (1, 2)
* Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) - U.S. Army Ranger, 1971-1979; Captain, Army Reserve 1979-91 (1)
* Former Senator Fritz Hollings (D-SC) - served as a U.S. Army officer in World War II, receiving the Bronze Star and seven campaign ribbons. (1)

* Representative Leonard Boswell (D-IA) - Lt. Col., U.S. Army 1956-76; two tours in Vietnam, two Distinguished Flying Crosses as a helicopter pilot, two Bronze Stars, and the Soldier's Medal. (1, 2)
* Former Representative "Pete" Peterson, Air Force Captain, POW, Ambassador to Viet Nam, and recipient of the Purple Heart, the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit. (1, 2)
* Rep. Mike Thompson, D-CA: Staff sergeant/platoon leader with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, U.S. Army; was wounded and received a Purple Heart. (1, 2)
* Bill McBride, Democratic Candidate for Florida Governor - volunteered and served as a U.S. Marine in Vietnam; awarded Bronze Star with a combat "V." (1)
* Gray Davis, former California Governor, Army Captain in Vietnam; received Bronze Star. (1)
* Pete Stark, D-CA, served in the Air Force 1955-57
* Wesley Clark, Democratic Presidential Candidate - 38-year career of public service in the Army, culminating as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO.

[bigworld]

35. Joe Stestak

would be an interesting pick. Never considered him for the job.

[woodsprite]

43. I like that idea too, but doesn't PA need him to clean stuff up around there. n/t

[Az_lefty]

44. Gen. Zinni would be the best choice for VP...