IMO, there is only ONE Senator who's a potential VP

[MonkeyFunk]

and that is Barack Obama.

I didn't even think that was possibly until recently, but lately I've been seeing how it could be attractive.

But barring a Clinton/Obama ticket, I think it's exceedingly unlikely that the VP will be a senator - current or past. It's difficult enough with ONE Senator on the ticket, much less two. As you know, votes can be twisted so many ways as to make it difficult.

It won't be Kerry, Webb, Biden, Edwards, etc.

I strongly suspect that Wesley Clark would be the first choice for either candidate. After that, we start going through governors.

[Maddy McCall]

1. Wes Clark is certain to be Clinton's VP.

I feel it in me bones.

[MonkeyFunk]

4. I think Obama would certainly benefit

from him, too.

[Maddy McCall]

12. Both would.

But Clark is tight with the Clintons.

The VP choice is but another aspect of the convention that will be exciting.

[Adelante]

32. Definitely

Obama knows it, too, I am sure.

[aquart]

9. Sure.

I can see the comments: He looks more like a girl than Hillary!

He can't carry a state and nobody remembers him.

[MonkeyFunk]

17. Wes Clark looks like a girl?

Are you kidding me?

And he'd help carry a lot of states - Arkansas, Virginia and Florida among them.

[OnionPatch]

27. Let's not forget, he WON the last war.

And didn't lose a soldier. In fact, didn't he rappel down a cliff and save one or something? Wes Clark is no girl.

[Tom Strong]

16. Fuckin' A! n/t

[MadBadger]

2. Obama should go for that certain NM governor if hes nominated.

[iamjoy]

13. So I've Been Saying

Richardson has the foreign policy experience Obama has a reputation for lacking.

Having Richardson as a running mate might set Hispanics at ease, minority rivalry could well keep them from embracing an African American.

Richardson has the executive experience from having been a governor, and some legislative experience (Congressman).

Obama/Richardson

[sellitman]

19. Richardson would be a good VP for either Candidate.

For the same reasons.

[Windy]

15. No...I'm sorry, I disagree strongly. Bill Richardson comes off as weak in my opinion.

Not a good choice.

[aquart]

3. No. Never.

He would be working against her every second of every day.

[MonkeyFunk]

7. I don't believe that for a second

[Evergreen Emerald]

5. I would not want to lose any more democratic senators.

We need the majority!

[MonkeyFunk]

8. that's a large part of the reason, too

[Tweed]

29. Obama would be replaced by one of many awesome politicans here in IL

I would prefer to keep him in the Senate and think it's sad that the recent Clinton memo is "Well, Obama can be VP", but we are not at a loss for talent here in Illinois.

[cali]

6. Could be Bayh

After all he was also a popular red state governor. I think he'd put Indiana in play.

[MonkeyFunk]

11. No

Indiana has a republican governor, who would appoint his replacement. Not gonna happen.

[tritsofme]

10. An Obama/Biden ticket wouldn't surprise me.

He would need some national security credibility if he gets the nomination.

[never_get_over_it]

22. Biden is not giving up his cushy job in the Senate to be VP

Richardson for Obama - probably Clark for Clinton - she might pick Obama but I really think they might actually hate each other lol - I know Hillary should pick Tipper - don't stop thinking about tomorrow part deux

[1corona4u]

14. I think Clarie McCaskill

thinks it's going to ber her...her head is way up his ass... :eyes:

[MonkeyFunk]

18. Not in a million years

a state auditor and Senator for 2 years who barely won her last election.

Not in a billion years.

[1corona4u]

20. I hope not....

but why is she spending so much time with him?

[MonkeyFunk]

21. Because she endorsed him

and probably did a couple campaign stops with him. How much is "so much" time? Do you have their itineraries so we can see how much time?

I'm guessing she did a few stops over the course of one day.

The notion that candidates pick their friends as running mates, or rule out those they don't consider friends, is belied by history.

Friendship has little to do with the VP choice.

[1corona4u]

24. To me, 3 days is a lot of time ......

I don't have their itineraries...I hope I misunderstood your post, because it sounded kind of snarky...

[MonkeyFunk]

30. Not snarky at all

do you have a link that they spent 3 days together?

[1corona4u]

31. NO, I don't.

But she endorsed him on Jan. 13th, and she has either been with him, or has stumped for him, daily, and has pledged to volunteer for him until super Tuesday. Just Google it and you will see what I mean. She is all about Obama right now. Even her mother has stumped for Obama. I can't think of ANY other endorser that has spent so much time on Obama. Not even Oprah.


I swear, it's as if you are arguing with me, or doubting what I say....

[MonkeyFunk]

33. Well why should I just take your word for it?

I know she's campaigned for him, but I have no idea for how long.

In case you haven't noticed, some people here just make shit up. So I've learned to ask for details and confirmation. Don't be offended - I do it to everyone who makes unsubstantiated claims.

[1corona4u]

35. Well, given that I am ON YOUR SIDE....

the last thing I expect is to be doubted by a Hillary supporter. I watch the news all day, every day, and she has been on all of the time. I am not going to waste my time collecting the facts. They are out there, if you want to go look for them.

I'm done with this conversation. I am moving on to defend the OTHER attacks on Hillary.

[MonkeyFunk]

36. Why are you taking this personally?

I don't care who you support - I've learned that people just make up shit all the time here.

You said they campaigned together for three days. That seems a bit unlikely to me, so I'm asking for corroboration. I'm not calling you a liar - I'm just asking for some evidence that what you say is true.

But if you want to act offended and storm off, I'll just presume that you DID make it up. You have a great day now.

[1corona4u]

37. Just Google it.

[MonkeyFunk]

39. Nope

It's your claim, and you already said you couldn't corroborate it.

[1corona4u]

40. Monkey.

I really just don't want to spend the time doing it. Really, this is ridiculous. I said she had her head up his ass, and she does. You doubted what I said. FINE. You are really starting to piss me off. It's true, but I don't feel like spending 20 fucking minutes gathering the info for a stupid 10 word sentence.

Don't beleive me, I don't give a fuck.

[MonkeyFunk]

41. Again

I don't know why you're taking it so personally. I'm not fighting with you - really.

Sorry if I offended you. I was just asking for evidence of a claim you made.

[Cant trust em]

23. I knew what this post was going to say when I saw the subject

DU is a great community.

[David Zephyr]

25. Hi MonkeyFunk. Barack and Hillary are stuck with each other. And that is a good thing.

Thanks for your reasonable post.

[MonkeyFunk]

34. Thanks David

As always, it will come down to a political calculation. I know people like to THINK it's about friendship and compatibility, but it isn't.

The winner will calculate exactly what he or she needs in a VP candidate in order to win, and act accordingly. It may be Clinton/Obama. It may not.

But for the first time in this whole campaign, I'm seeing Clinton/Obama as a real possibility.

[David Zephyr]

43. To do anything other than the unity ticket would create a truly sour convention.

Our convention will be pretty split down the middle between the two camps with one having a slight edge of the other. When nearly half of the delegates in Denver will be loyalists to either Hillary or Barack, it presents a very rare situation where both must be accommodated so as not to create bad blood in front of the whole world who will be watching.

Hillary clearly has an edge at this time, but Obama is bringing hundreds of thousands of new voters to the process...something I've never seen in forty years of my activism. The Democrats will need those voters and need them motivated, not discouraged.

They are stuck with each other and it's a good thing.

I see that Bill will be apologizing to black churches here in Los Angeles tomorrow for his bad behavior. It's a very smart move and it is also the right thing to do.

Peace.

[Flabbergasted]

26. In the GE Obama is a huge bonus. After that I think Richardson is a better choice.

[beachmom]

28. The VP MUST be an attack dog. Edwards refused to do that job

in '04, and that should be a lesson to us, that we need a VP attack dog. If the person won't do it, then they should not go on the ticket. Wes Clark is what comes to my mind.

[bigwillq]

38. If Clinton is the nominee

She should ask Obama and he should accept.

I agree with you MF.

[MonkeyFunk]

42. I'm split between

Obama and Clark.

Clark adds a lot of perceived strength and foreign policy experience - both of which will be helpful in a wartime election. Plus he's smart as a whip and a great debater.

[Thrill]

44. Richardson hasn't endorsed anyone.......which lets you know

he wants to be VP.

Jim Webb or Mark Warner are likely to be Barack's pick in my opinion

[TSIAS]

45. I don't know

I've always thought if HRC is the nominee, she'd choose from Richardson, Clark, Bayh, Vilsack, and Warner. With Warner standing a great shot of picking up a Senate seat in VA, he probably won't be the choice.

Obama would probably accept, since if HRC won he could be the presumptive nominee in 2016. And at 54, he'd still be a fresh, young candidate.