I think Howard Dean would make a great VP candidate for Obama

[JVS]

He's got experience, especially in the executive branch. He's well liked among the grassroots of the party. His time as DNC chair means that he knows the party and how to do arm-twisting if necessary.

[cali]

1. Nah, I love Howard but he doesn't have any foreign policy

experience and he's from Vermont. Almost time for him to come on home.

[JVS]

4. Neither Gore nor Clinton had FPE in 1992

[karynnj]

7. Gore did - he had been a Senator and before that a Congressman since the late 1970s

I think he was on the Armed Services committee - but I could be wrong. (I don't think he was on the SFRC)

[karynnj]

6. I agree - plus he will be very needed during the GE running the DNC

He has done a great job there and taking himout and replacing him there could hurt.

[blogslut]

2. NO

Howard is just fine exactly where he is.

[JVS]

5. I heard that he is quitting DNC chairmanship after the election

[blogslut]

8. I hope to hell not

Hell, I mean, if he wants to. Whatever. It's not like people stay in that job for decades, do they?

Just the same, he has done so much for the party as DNC chair. I don't want us to go back to the DLC mindset.

[liberalnurse]

3. I was hoping for Jesse Jackson or

even Dennis Kucinich.

[HooptieWagon]

9. yes he would

however, he's said he will remain DNC chair until '09. While I suppose he could accept a VP nomination once the candidate is selected, I think he'd prefer to stay as DNC head and support the Dem nominee in that role in the GE. Gotta keep that 50-state strategy going...

[Colobo]

10. No way. Obama/Dean is a losing ticket. Mainstream America

relates Dean to his scream all the time.

[Vinca]

11. Disagree. Obama needs someone with military experience

to offset the perceived superiority of McCain when it comes to war.

[IamyourTVandIownyou]

12. or Webb.

.

[Exilednight]

18. Too conservative on social issues. Remember that the VP slot is a springboard ....

for the next Democratic nomination. I don't want someone that conservative running on the Democratic ticket.

[Cha]

13. The timing isn't right but I agree

with the premise that Dean in a high office could help get things accomplished for our coutry like Obama will.

Maybe someday..after Dean steps down from the DNC like I heard he is after this election I hope{there's that word again) he has a prominent position in doing something on a national level.

[PassingFair]

14. Did you catch Dean on Blitzer this morning?

My stomach is still flipping. He is NOT
knuckling under to the Clinton campaign!

He will see that this is an honest election.

I have 100% confidence that Dr. Dean is in
politics for all the right reasons. We don't
need to vote for Howard, just vote for and promote
Progressive candidates that will legislate in the best
interests of the people.

I don't see him getting a VP slot, but I do see
ME, supporting him within the party, in any endeavor
he undertakes.

Yes, I trust him that much.

[stop the bleeding]

15. he's good and all, but he'll never be able to live down the Iowa Screem

YYYYEEEEEAAAAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!

[Beregond2]

16. Dean

It would look too much like Dean was using his position for his personal advantage. Not a good idea.

My brother ran into Dean on a flight last year. He said he looked exhauted, but as soon as my brother introduced hmself and asked what he had been doing, he brightened, and talked at length about developments in the party.

[Why Syzygy]

17. And he knows HEALTH CARE! and BALANCED BUDGETS! n.t

[Omega3]

19. that'd be grrrrrrreat............ :)

[saltpoint]

20. To me, Howard Dean is more than just a good man and good citizen.

I think the Democratic Party owes him a debt of thanks for a long list of contributions.

I hope he's in a position of considerable influence with us for a long, long time.

[bklyncowgirl]

21. I love the guy but probably not.

Somehow I couln't see their personalities meshing too well--we're talking odd couple here with Barack Obama (cool, calm, collected, disciplined and always pulled together) as Felix and Howard Dean as Oscar (scruffy, prickly, undisciplined). Obama's a conciliator, Dean's a flamethrower. Obama's cool jazz, Dean's grunge rock. They'd be at each other's throats before the Convention is over.

I'd like to see Obama pick someone with a military/foreign policy background. Wes Clark, Anthony Zinni and Jim Webb have been mentioned. On the non-military side, Bill Richardson comes with tons of diplomatic experience as well as executive experience.

Besides, Dean's got a day job. He needs to continue building up the party so that the full 50 State strategy can be in place for 2008. Also, Dean as DNC Chairman can play attack dog against McCain without directly involving Obama.

I would like to see Howard Dean get some sort of job in the new administration or maybe find some sort of role where he could continue to speak out publicly on the issues and of course, if, God forbid, the Democratic candidate loses, he's in an excellent position to run in 2012.

[mattclearing]

22. Nope. He's too valuable where he is, and Obama needs to bridge his military/foreign policy gap.

Think Clark or Webb.

[mirrera]

23. Except we NEED him where he is. he is doing a great job.

But you are right, he would. As would Dodd, Feingold, Edwards, Richardson.

[shadowknows69]

24. Yes! Holy fucking yeeeargghh! Yes!!!!

[cali]

25. Howard for Secretary of HHS!

He knows healthcare policy inside and out. His record in VT is sterling on the issue. He's an organizational genius and after 7 years of bushco, HHS is in desperate need of restructuring. He's science and not faith based. Dean for Sec of HHS!

[mrgorth]

26. You would be wrong

and I worked for Dean in '04. Barack needs someone from the south or mountain west with foregn policy cred, maybe exec experience. Sebalius? Nepolitano? Zinni sounds great.