IF Hillary got the nomination (just 'IF')... who would be her running mate?

[renie408]

Would she pick from one of her fellow candidates or go to somebody else? Would she pick somebody with military experience? Or somebody who would help draw in the people more left of her?

Hey...can Bill be VP?? (that's a joke...don't jump me)

[wyldwolf]

1. two rumors in the last year was Evan Bayh or Wes Clark

[renie408]

5. I was wondering about Clark.

He's good looking, well spoken, got great military cred and fills that grey haired, tall white male niche.

I think she is going to have to go with somebody VERY 'traditional', if you know what I mean, to offset the novelty of the female candidate. I think Barack would be in the same boat. Needing to go with running mate with a more traditional look and background.

[phylla]

45. Actually Wes Clark is a little shorter than average, but gorgeous otherwise

[Warpy]

Right, she'll want a conservative.

That's why I don't want HER.

[blm]

2. Bayh, Warner, Richardson.

Her camp is targeting Obama as too inexperienced, so they've already taken him off the table.

[jefferson_dem]

9. Sure. Do you happen to have a link? Or perhaps you have more "insider's info" to share?

n/t

[blm]

16. All you have to do is listen to her camp.

Hey - I'm down with Obama if Gore doesn't get in. Obama and Dodd are speaking to open government issues I care about, so it's coming down to either of them for me. I don't WANT Hillary to be the nominee at all because I think she will continue to protect secrecy and privilege.
http://consortiumnews.com/2006/111106.html

And I think she has shown bad character and disloyalty regarding other Democrats when they're under attack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk1k0nUWEQg


This question was not about that - it was asking for a reality-based answer if she becomes the nominee. I gave it from what I've observed. Don't take it as an attack on Obama.

[jefferson_dem]

18. I've been listening and haven't heard the same thing you have.

Obviously, Hillary's camp wants to highlight what they see as Obama's weaknesses and her strengths...during the nomination stage. That's what elections are all about, eh. Whether they have resolved that Obama's not a good fit for the Veep slot is another matter entirely.

[blm]

23. Look to 1992 - they went with a VP they KNEW would look experienced

enough to make up for any of the questions about Bill. And Gore at the time was known as a conservative Democrat.

This primary has barely begun, and it's going to get alot more heated. TeamClinton is not going to hold back so they can keep Obama on the VP table.

[Skink]

3. Richardson

I personally would like to see Edwards/Kucinich.

[againes654]

6. I would really like

Kucinich/Edwards.

[Skink]

12. I want to see Kucinich in the white house in to 2020.

normally I don't look at strategy but a southern Democrat getting a boost from a canidate from Ohio looks good to me.

[Capn Sunshine]

72. Probably so

or Edwards as a nod to the grassroots.

[Hosnon]

4. Edwards

And good luck with the extra emphasis on "if"...you'll still get TONS of responses about how she'll never get the nomination.

[renie408]

7. I would prefer Edwards on the front of the ticket.

I am not nearly as sold on the fact that Hillary is a shoe in for the nomination as some are. I was just thinking that she might have to be extra careful about her choice of running mate. The dynamics of how Clinton (or Obama, for that matter) will choose would be different from, say, Edwards or Biden. They already have the tall white guy thing that some Americans are more comfortable with down.

[Taverner]

10. Despite the faux fighting, the two are actually closer than you'd think

Not in policy, but as friends in the Senate.

[renie408]

13. Sorry...you lost me.

I imagine that most of the candidates are friendly with each other. Like Pro-wrestlers when they aren't 'on the job', so to speak.

My comments are about the different qualities that different candidates will need in a running mate. I would think that Obama and Clinton who (while being serious people with serious points of view) could be considered 'novelty' candidates might need their running mate to be from the traditional mode.

[Ninja Jordan]

63. Yeah right.

Hopefully you're being sarcastic about Edwards; or perhaps you just don't follow politics much. How would Jack Kemp as GWBush's running mate in 2000 have looked? Critical thinking is fundamental.

[Hosnon]

65. No, I'm not being sarcastic.

And I follow politics fairly well. I think he would help with the base as he to the left of Clinton. Also, in the South, a white southern male would definitely help balance the ticket.

However, a relative "no-name" could be better, depending.

[Ninja Jordan]

70. Just like he balanced Kerry?

Edwards has no influence in the south at all.

[SteppingRazor]

8. Richardson would be perfect for her. ...

or any other candidate from the Northeast, for that matter.

Richardson fills in a lot of the gaps that Hillary has in support -- well, what few gaps there are, anyway.

[Adelante]

20. Richardson would be good for Hillary, I agree

He has foreign policy and executive creds, makes geographical sense, is a minority, and is agreeable policy-wise.

[CTyankee]

51. and a former governor and UN rep. Good combination. n/t

[obama_girl]

11. Obama

of course.

[DURHAM D]

14. Obama.

Would give him the experience he needs to run as Pres. for 2016.

Also, it would be a re-affirmation of the values of this country and raise our stature in the world.

[MannyGoldstein]

15. Zell

Or maybe Murdoch? They make such a handsome couple.

[jefferson_dem]

17. No question about it - - Obama.

Think in terms of politics and governance. He's the perfect (personality and policy) compliment to Hillary, and has a huge list of enthusiastic, energized supporters. Embrace the terrific history-making nature of the *Democratic* ticket. Time to turn the page indeed!

[rateyes]

19. As far as the joke is concerned...

the law says "no." The VP and the POTUS cannot be from the same state. (Although Bush and Cheney got around that part of the Constitution, too.)

[renie408]

30. Thanks. That's interesting. n/t

[rateyes]

21. Murdoch. nt

[rjones2818]

22. Rahm Emanuel.

From a big delegate state. Speaks well. DLC credentials.

:banghead:

[Skip Intro]

24. Tho he should be at the top of the ticket, a Clinton/Gore would do nicely.

[renie408]

26. Can I have some of what you're smoking?? Do you think Gore would go for being Hillary's VP??

I think he would feel a little 'been there, got completely fucked for doing that'.

[Skip Intro]

38. sure. I was just thinking about the political value in running another Clinton/Gore ticket.

For name recognition, and stoking memories of better days in America.

A kind of return to sanity campaign.


This nation twice went for the Clinton/Gore ticket...?


But, like I said, Gore should be at the top of the ticket.


Just speculating on the potential, built-in appeal a Clinton/Gore ticket might have.

[renie408]

39. I don't think they really play with each other any more. Gore picked up his toys and...

went home.

I think that if Gore gets in, he can do better than Clinton. Not dissing Clinton...Ok, maybe I am dissing Clinton. I just can't see that being even the remotest possibility.

[Raejeanowl]

40. Agreed

IF, big IF, Gore changes his mind, it won't be to play second fiddle to another Clinton.

[BenDavid]

25. It will not be Obama and will not hurt

her with the black vote. Do you all remember when Obama called her Bush-Lite? That in and of itself disqualified him.

"I agree that there is some risk if Hillary Clinton thumbs her nose at black voters by running with a white Southern guy after Barack Obama comes in second place. Even if Obama subsequently endorses her, the damage will still have been done. But does this mean that Clinton must ask Obama to be her running mate? No, because this assumes that there are no other black Democrats who can be her running mate, which is of course absurd. There are a lot of other black Democrats who would make great running mates without some of the baggage (i.e., ignorance, incompetence, and hubris) that Barack Obama brings with him." Plus, the same could be said about the Latino vote if she does not chose Richardson.....

There are two people that she could ask and would accept. The first is Wesley Clark. This would give her support from a military stand point and with his successful military career would be a big plus and of course his connections within the military.

The other is Harold Ford Jr. "ford is politically to her right. In a general election, this would help her rather than hurting her. Because of his leanings to the right (not all of which I agree with), it’s possible that Harold Ford could bring in some moderate and even center-right voters that Clinton herself couldn’t bring in. These could perhaps include some of the Reagan Democrats who have stuck with the Republican Party since the ’80s.

Ben David

[renie408]

27. Interesting analysis. I hadn't thought of Ford. But he would cover

quite a few bases.

Do you think the military cred Clark would bring would be more important than the black/middle of the road cred Ford would bring?

[Adelante]

42. Good point about Ford

I don't see her picking Clark, although he would be very good in many ways. I think as a woman she has a unique commander in chief bar to rise above and would have to firmly cut out that space for herself. Clark has already served as commander in chief and that could possibly work against what she needs to do for herself. I agree, if asked, he will serve. But Bill Clinton has already been commander in chief and will go the farthest to calming any anxiety on that score without calling unnecessary attention to the matter.

[w4rma]

69. Ford would kill her ticket. Her problems are with progressives (left) and racists/sexists (right).nt

[Catchawave]

28. She needs a governor....

Richardson? I think he's about perfect for VP on any ticket, as he brings in the latinos and southwest.

[renie408]

29. Do they worry about bringing in the southwest? How many electoral votes

are there in the southwestern states? I could latino votes being a factor. What is the rhetoric between Richardson and Clinton like?

[SteppingRazor]

33. Every electoral vote counts, and the Southwest is all battleground, except Utah. n/t

[2rth2pwr]

32. Richardson can't keep a single thought

holding through to the end of a sentence. His performance so far has been embarrassing.

[renie408]

34. What was the thing he said that he blamed on jet lag?? Something about gay marriage??

Yeah, that kind of thing is a little scary. If Hillary gets the nod, she is going to be in the fight of her life and she has to know that. She is going to want somebody who is next to bulletproof and a bulldog to boot.

I am thinking if not Clark, somebody like him.

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

58. That was Tommy Thompson

wasn't it?

[Catchawave]

43. The debate forums haven't been his best venue, but

I did get to meet and hear him at Yearly Kos. He's a really approachable guy, I liked him a lot.

Note to critics of candidates: Please step away from your computers and go out and get to know the candidates *live* :hi:

[renie408]

44. That's why I like Edwards so much, I think.

I have seen him in person several times. I know a lot of people will think it sounds corny, but no matter where you are standing, when he gives a speech, you feel like he is talking directly to YOU. I also believe in what he had to say, but his delivery helped.

[2rth2pwr]

46. I've said earlier that I would like to

have a beer with him, but a major part of being President is being Presidential in venues like debates.

[Adelante]

41. And he's got legislative experience as well as executive experience

Richardson looks good for Clinton to me, too.

[bigdarryl]

48. Its the other way around we need a Governor at the top of the ticket

[Imalittleteapot]

31. Richardson nt

[lurky]

35. Someone conservative and from a red state,

to help her tack even father right after the primary, as well as to give her an advantage in at least one R* stronghold. I think most of the other candidates are out because they are either to her left, or represent areas that are already safe for her. Whoever mentioned Evan Bayh was probably on the right track IMO.

[Milo_Bloom]

36. Hmmm.... I don't know... Could it be....

SATAN???

[renie408]

37. No, silly, he can't be VP again. n/t

[Clintonista2]

47. No, I doubt she'll take Obama

As the OP stated, he lacks the experience.

[Yukari Yakumo]

49. They'll be either from the Mid-West or Rocky Mountain West

Both of these regions could be considered "in play" for '08

Obama may be a good pick, not sure if would want the job though.
Another name that comes to mind is Gov. Brian Schweitzer of Montana, a popular western governor from a more-or-less red state that can play the "everyday man" role Chimpy used to get himself elected.

[CTyankee]

53. Well, I like Schweitzer but he has only been in office a short time.

However, he has great ideas on wind energy and that would be a lift for her presidency. Bad for him in that he would be more stifled in that role than what he has now, tho...

[Ninja Jordan]

60. And I doubt any Dem will win MT, especially Hillary.

[laugle]

50. It should be very interesting....I tended to think Edwards, but

I have to see how he does in the early races.....I also like Clark!

I have confidence that Hillary will make a very well thought out choice!

[Ninja Jordan]

61. Edwards? You're joking right?

Edwards as the VP nom two cycles in a row would be unprecedentedly embarrassing.

[w4rma]

68. For who? You? (nt)

[Ninja Jordan]

71. People with brains.

[sandnsea]

52. Breaux of LA

They'll go for what they know, the south.

[blm]

54. Good call. And Breaux is a close friend of Poppy Bush's too.

.

[LWolf]

55. Bill Nelson. Or maybe Lieberman. n/t

[Lord Helmet]

56. Lieberman.

right on

[renie408]

57. Is this one of those things where people forgot to add the sarcasm thing? n/t

[saltpoint]

59. If Senator Clinton is our nominee, then a lot of veep noms would work.

I expect her shortlist might include General Clark, Governor Richardson, and Senator Bayh.

John Breaux (mentioned upthread) is a provocative choice for a Hillary Clinton ticket.

Of her competitors in our primary race, some might not care to sign on, but others might. Ideologies can be fitted and trimmed and reshaped to make national tickets. If JFK and LBJ can be on a ticket together, I figure nearly any combo might occur and don't rule anything out.

Imagine the mood at Ralph Nader's house if Senator Clinton chose Russell Feingold. We keep the Senate seat, as Doyle is a Democrat and would likely appoint a blue replacement. It puts Wisconsin into pretty strong blue turf, as it's always a dogfight for us to win. And it would likely spill over happily into Minnesota and give an adrenalin shot to Ciresi or Franken to beat Norm Coleman. It would surprise me. But it would be quite a headline.

Warner appears committed to the Virginia Senate race, or I might have thrown him on that list.

Good question.

[OHdem10]

62. Maybe, Clark

[illinoisprogressive]

64. vilsack or Bayh

[DUlover2909]

66. How about Joe Lieberman?

He can bring us the Jewish vote, and the pro-war vote, and the Connecticut Idiot vote, and the Redcoat vote, and the "I don't understand what voting is" vote. He's a real winner! It worked for Al Gore. :sarcasm:

[CTyankee]

73. The Jewish vote in this country is tiny. Joe Lieberman is no longer a Democrat.

I think we need to get serious. IMHO, it looks now like Richardson or Wes Clark. I'm not sure that we MUST have a former governor on the ticket, but Wes Clark would certainly be able to speak to vets and white males as a group. Since we Dems have a deficit of white males in our party, this seems to be our imperative, at this point. I know the repubs will call him the "perfumed prince" but they won't be able to touch his military career and success with winning the war in Kosovo without losing a single American life. Unlike John Kerry, Clark does not have antiwar activism in his background. Also, he's already endorsed Hillary...

[w4rma]

67. It won't be Obama. Obama also wouldn't pick Clinton. Neither adds to the other's ticket. (nt)