Who are the most likely running mates for Obama and Clinton?

[EvolveOrConvolve]

The race isn't over, but who would make the best running mates for Obama and Clinton? (or McCain).

I love the speculation, plus it gets me away from the nasty discourse that has been roiling around DU.

* Obama: I've heard Mark Warner mentioned, and he would fit the mold as a good running mate. I assume Obama will choose a white southern male simply because that would help bolster his chances in Virginia. My selection for Obama would be Bill Richardson; pros: a hispanic from the southwest that could help bolster hispanic turnout in Arizona, New Mexico & Texas (not that I think Texas would vote Dem.); cons: some might be uncomfortable with a duel-minority ticket and it could turn off some voters who, lets face it, are just now moving out of the 50's.

The ones who mention Edwards are just plain wrong (or at least I'm hoping so). I think that should either Obama or Clinton win that Edwards has a good shot at the AG position where he can do far more to further his goals of taking down greedy corporations and ferreting out corrupt gov't officials. Plus, he would be in a position to sue state or local governments who are letting women and children go hungry and live on the streets because of their (the government's) ineptitude.

* Clinton: Again, Clinton's pick would probably be a white male to help pick up the male vote. I haven't heard any serious names mentioned in regards to Clinton's running mate lately, although a few names swirled around the toilet when she was the presumptive nominee in December. My selection would be Harold Ford from Tennessee. Pros: not only would he help win some of the southern vote, as a black male he would pull in some voters that might not be willing to support Clinton on her own. In addition, he's the head of the DLC, and as much as I dislike the DLC, it could provide a huge financial boost for Clinton in the GE and the average voter has no idea about the DLC. Cons: DLC - need I say more?

* McCain: he'll pick some nasty-ass Bush-lite Falwellian puke from the south. Probably a real bible thumper who can jack up his "street cred" with the fundies. There's no need to even speculate on who it would be - there are a million white males out there that all look, talk, and act the same, so the point is moot.

Who do y'all think the best running mates might be?

[Qutzupalotl]

1. Obama/Biden or Clinton/Clark

McCain/Huckabee.


Reasoning: Biden gives top quality foreign policy credentials. Clark dispels any lingering notion of feminine weakness...if the worst should happen, he could fill in capably.

Huckabee just to grab the fundie vote. :)

[EvolveOrConvolve]

10. Ooh, I didn't think about Clark

A Clinton/Clark ticket would be a very strong one.

As for Biden, I would love him as a VP, but he's from the wrong area of the country to help Obama.

[dysfunctional press]

21. my one problem with biden as obama's running mate- it could impact the black vote...

considering the comments biden made about obama being "clean" and "articulate" didn't go over all that well with a lot of people.
the way cheney has kind of been pulling a lot of the string in doofuss's administration, putting biden in as obama's veep might make obama look a bit step'n fetchit to some.

[Qutzupalotl]

28. But consider the symbolism of the black guy in the top slot

and the guy with the unfortunate remark playing second fiddle.

Besides, they genuinely like each other. Obama knows Biden's gaffe was nothing but a slip of the tongue, and said right away that it didn't bother him in the least.

[muntrv]

2. I think Obama should choose Richardson as his running mate.

[Johnny__Motown]

9. That had been my dream ticket for over a year, but western strategy may be gone against McCain

[EvolveOrConvolve]

13. It would be a great ticket

Two minorities on the same ticket. Both smart, articulate and electable gentlemen. I'm drooling at the thought of the Republicans heads exploding when that ticket won in November.

[Johnny__Motown]

23. I agree with that, just that we may want a V.P. that can deliver Ohio

[EvolveOrConvolve]

25. Any ideas who that might be

I agree that Ohio is the lynchpin in the '08 elections (again, grrr), but who would give us a chance to take enough Ohio voters?

Also, do we abandon the hope of turning some of the southern states blue (like Virginia) for the first time in umpteen years?

[bbinacan]

3. Edwards and Richardson

might be in the mix.

[LisaM]

4. Clinton/Obama

It was clear when they did their one-on-one debate that they were a formidable, ground-breaking team. I would like to see them work together.

No Bill Richardson, though - wants to take Great Lakes water down to New Mexico. NO THANKS!

[snacker]

5. I would like that ticket too. n/t

[EvolveOrConvolve]

12. That would be a great way to bring together the Democratic party

especially after the rancor of this primary season, but I don't think it will happen.

Here's an interesting question that a friend asked me: Can Clinton pick Bill as her running mate? I know it won't happen, but is it legally possible?

[XemaSab]

6. I agree with Mark Warner or Richardson or another white dude from teh south

I think the white-dude-from-the-south thing could bolster his cred with white males.

Richardson has the experience, and he's wonky to counter Obama's more visionary side. It might freak out people who hate Mexicans, but those people would probably already be spastic about having a black man at the top of the ticket anyway. I think Richardson could draw out the Hispanic vote and bring new voters in. The number one reason to pick Richardson would be to win New Mexico and stick it to McCain in his own back yard! :D

[ananda]

7. Each other?

nt

[MISSDem]

18. I like it.

Obama/Clinton or Clinton/Obama.

[slick8790]

8. Warner's running for VA senate this year.

If he accepts the VP nomination, I don't know how that would affect that. I would think it would force him to abandon his senate run, and therefore probably keep that VA senate seat in GOP hands for another 6 years. There's also the possibility that he'll continue that run anyway and have the governor appoint someone if he wins? is that legal? I don't know.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

11. I'm sure you can run two campaigns at the same time

But I don't know what they do if you win both... :shrug:

I've heard those points brought up, and with the Republicans so close in the Senate, it does have serious drawbacks.

[slick8790]

19. Well it's been done before, with the possibility of winning 2.

I would assume they would take the higher office. But I don't know if it's ever been done where the nominee is a non-incumbent in both offices. Warner would be a non-incumbent in 2 races, and even though I know governors appoint senators in a vacancy in most cases, would it still hold true in this case?

[EvolveOrConvolve]

20. I think legally the governor would have to appoint the Senator

Which could mean that Warner could appoint his own replacement because technically he would still be governor until the Presidential inauguration. Interesting to think about...

[slick8790]

27. Warner's not governor anymore. It's Tim Kaine. n/t

[surfermaw]

14. Obama would be better for Clinton than Harold Ford

Obama & Edwards would do the job, white men like Edwards , but Edwards would fit with Hillary better, not to knock obama, just Edwards would fit with Hillary better than he would with Obama, but who knows they know more than we do.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

15. Do you really think after the way things have gone in this primary season

that either candidate would pick the other as a running mate? I would love to see it happen, nothing would bring the party together better, but politics are politics.

[Alexander]

16. Clinton/Bayh, Obama/Napolitano or Obama/Feingold.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

17. Just curious, why Napolitano for a running mate?

I can see Feingold being a great running mate and Wisconsin is super important for us this year. We won there by less than 1% in both 2000 and 2004, so having Feingold on the ticket would allow the campaign to focus on other states.

[Alexander]

22. She's a centrist, experienced Democrat from a Western state, and endorsed Obama.

-Napolitano was appointed US attorney for Arizona by Bill Clinton - which would win over Clinton supporters.

-She investigated Michael Fortier's role in the Oklahoma City bombing - providing anti-terror credentials.

-She was attorney general from 1999-2003 and Governor from 2003-present - so she's got plenty of experience.

-Napolitano ran partially on education reform - one of Obama's big issues.

-AZ's budget went from $1 billion in the hole to $1 billion in the black - so she's fiscally responsible.

-She's a border state governor from the southwest - helpful with Latinos and on the immigration issue.

She and Feingold are his best possible choices, IMO. I edited this to say I'd take Biden because of his foreign policy experience, but unfortunately his tendency to shoot his mouth off plus the phony
"plagiarism" issue will hurt the ticket.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

24. Wouldn't Napolitano and McCain cancel each other out in Arizona?

Who is more popular in Arizona, Napolitano or McCain? And does being on the bottom of the ticket versus being at the top of the ticket make a difference to voters?

[Alexander]

26. They're both fairly popular here, getting 60% in their last elections.

I could see Obama having a shot here if Napolitano is his running mate.

Being at the top of the ticket would help McCain more, but being popular helps even more - and they're both popular here.