POLL: Obama/Richardson or Obama/Webb?

[woolldog]

Which ticket do you prefer? Which one makes the most sense strategically and demographically.

This poll is open to everyone.

[tekisui]

1. Hold and build in the Senate.

[customerserviceguy]

11. I have to come down on the side of Richardson here

given the choice offered. But I also think there are other good candidates that Sen. Obama (or Sen. Clinton, for that matter) could nominate.

[Johnny__Motown]

2. I went with Richardson just because of the resume: It is hard for anyone to match up with him

Add 8 years at VP for him and we have an incredible candidate for 2016



I don't think the western strategy works against McCain but with only 2 choices here I picked my favorite


Not that Sen. Webb isn't a great choice, just not much time in elected office.

[woolldog]

3. I thought those were the two leading contenders?

Am I wrong?

[Johnny__Motown]

10. All I have heard BO say is that it is to early to talk about a VP yet, so I have no idea

[Bullet1987]

4. We need an EXPERIENCED Govenor...not an inexperienced Senator who just got elected

[crankychatter]

46. His military service qualifies him as Executive material

yup

[Bullet1987]

69. No it doesn't

[harun]

72. Exactly (n/t)

[Spider Jerusalem]

5. Both very strong.

Richardson: executive experience, foreign policy/diplomatic experience, demographically appeals to Latino voters.

Webb: military experience, strong national-security credentials, a hawk opposed to the Iraq war (which is something that will lend his position on the issue more weight, with some people), economic populist somewhat similar to John Edwards, and a Southerner (which is usually considered a plus in the electoral calculus).

As national security seems to likely to be a major issue in the upcoming election (although it'll probably be overshadowed by the economy, by November), Obama/Webb might be the stronger of the two.

[FlyingSquirrel]

6. If I only have those 2 choices, I go with Webb because

he is an excellent speaker, nat'l security creds, from Virginia (republican state we have the best chance of flipping) plus I think 2 "minorities" on same ticket may be too much for some. (I don't consider "female" to be a minority, more of a long-discriminated-against majority. So no problem seeing a woman on the ticket) But it's a tough choice really. Richardson could help deliver NM which is borderline and also borders Arizona, could possibly go to McCain. Also has executive experience and could be credibly ready to take over for Obama in a heartbeat.

[BeyondGeography]

7. I have always favored Webb, but I voted Richardson this time

It took a lot of guts to do what he did when he did it so I have fast developed a soft spot in my heart for him.

He does bring New Mexico along, which is nice (and I think Obama can carry VA without Webb).

He obviously helps some with the critical Latino bloc.

He has strong executive and FP experience.

He likes and believes in Obama.

[Cha]

16. That's what I'm thinking..I'm admiring

Guv Richardson's courage right now.

[gmudem]

8. Webb.

Although I think it's unlikely he is chosen, Webb would be great on the ticket. He would be seen as very strong in defense and has a lot of experience, and I doubt he has the same baggage that I've heard Richardson has.

Virginia does have a Democratic governor so Webb could be replaced with another Dem, but like I said before I think it's unlikely.
Wes Clark would be my first choice and I hope he would be willing to do it in spite of his support for Clinton.

[gmudem]

9. Webb.

Although I think it's unlikely he is chosen, Webb would be great on the ticket. He would be seen as very strong in defense and has a lot of experience, and I doubt he has the same baggage that I've heard Richardson has.

Virginia does have a Democratic governor so Webb could be replaced with another Dem, but like I said before I think it's unlikely.
Wes Clark would be my first choice and I hope he would be willing to do it in spite of his support for Clinton.

[Bluestar]

12. Obama/Webb makes me puke n/t

[MADem]

14. Between Rev. Wright and Webb's salacious passages in his books, the oppo ads write themselves. NT

[MADem]

13. As Bill Maher said, the first scenario is "too down with the brown."

BM said he needs an old white man.

[BeyondGeography]

22. Probably true

[JimGinPA]

24. Paul Rodriquez Said A Chicano VP Would Be Assasination Insurance For Obama...

He says there's no way the right-wingers would do anything to put a "Beaner" in the White House.

[woolldog]

27. ha

:rofl:

[MADem]

32. Mencia said something similar, as did Chappelle. It's an old chestnut, but

it still gets that "I can't BELIEVE he said that!/shock value" laugh. I wouldn't be surprised if Redd Foxx has a version of that joke.

[aquart]

15. Obama surrogate floating Biden the other night on PBS.

[LordJFT]

17. Webb

they have a war hero, we'll have a better one

[ecstatic]

18. I think Webb would be more helpful in red states

Although I personally would prefer Richardson.

[invictus]

19. Obama/Warner (Mark Warner, former gov. of Virginia) n/t

[Oilwellian]

36. Warner is DLC

Must shake DLC.

[invictus]

58. I agree. I didn't know that about him. n/t

[Fovea]

20. We will need a Richardson with

diplomatic experience in the Veep Slot.

Webb is needed in the Senate for majority status.

[Spider Jerusalem]

21. That's an ignorant argument.

Virgnia has a Democratic governor who will appoint any replacement should Webb become VP.

[Fovea]

78. Webb would bring better security creds

Sen. Webb may be more pugnacious than Richardson, and that might be an advantage in some situations. But that really depends on what, and how much the Veep in question stands to be tasked with.

What is wrong with Webb's development as a Senator? He seems pretty consistent, and more thoughtful than I originally suspected. The Senate is going to need to restore its traditional advise and consent functions. And that is going to take some big ass-booting, perhaps even water boarding.

I see Webb as having a big role in the Dem Senate. Big like a hammer. Big like engineering the the means and will for an Iraq withdrawl. Big like implementing Obama's strategy regarding oil dependence. Truth to tell, Reid needs to step down. Many of the obvious candidates are not old times. That could be a good thing. Finegold, or Saunders, or perhaps even Kennedy- Clinton or Webb all would be a reasonable replacement. The former of the velvet glove, the latter of the iron fist.

I see this veep as being very busy with international affairs. America needs to reduce its military budget by half at least. That fight is going to happen in congress. I think the Veep is going to spend a lot of time out of town, finessing people who are not anglo centric. Richardson is my first choice for this.

Perhaps I was not clear in my initial post. Perhaps I was and you think I am unclear on how Webb's replacement would be handled. I just think that the Senate is going to need every bit of savvy it has, and a hard jaw.

[BringBigDogBack]

23. O/R

[davidinalameda]

25. Webb

he's been my first choice for VP

[davidinalameda]

26. Webb

he's been my first choice for VP

[woolldog]

28. I honestly don't know whom I'd prefer???

I'm confused...

[dansolo]

29. Obama/Webb

Honestly, I think Richardson's talents would be wasted as VP. I am not denigrating Bill Richardson. I think he would be a fantastic Secretary of State. I would much rather see him in that role. His talents are much more as a diplomat. Webb could assuage a lot of fears about Obama's perceived lack of foreign policy credentials.

[woolldog]

30. What are Webbs full foreign policy credentials?

[dansolo]

35. I'm talking about perception

McCain's perceived advantage is because of his military background, like it or not. Webb will nullify that. I just feel that Richardson's experience, as great as it is, will not translate to the electorate on the ticket. I do not like the idea of putting him on the ticket merely because of his ethnicity. I also feel that he would be a better fit as Secretary of State, which is a real diplomatic role.

[better tomorrow]

31. Richardson....and then Webb for Secretary of Defense.....

[jenmarie]

33. Clinton/Clark!

n/t

[maximusveritas]

34. Richardson or Biden; we need Webb in the Senate

and I don't really trust putting a guy that closely removed from being a Republican that close to being President.

[Oilwellian]

37. Webb voted for telecom immunity

Just adding another perspective.

[better tomorrow]

38. what was he thinking?

[aaroh]

39. obama/sebelius

[woolldog]

40. that's intriguing

I don't know much about her. What does she bring to the table?

[aaroh]

48. red state kansas, women voters, white voters

[crankychatter]

45. I just moved to Kansas... but the more I hear

the more I like our governor

[Awsi Dooger]

41. This is what concerns me about Obama supporters

Clueless handicapping is a mainstay. How can Richardson lead 2/1 in a question like this? Obscene.

Obama has electoral weakness in Ohio and Florida. The logical and effective counter is to add Virginia, which is half the electoral votes of Ohio and Florida, but nearly as vital because suddenly the building block states don't have to be swept. Adding Virginia allows states like Colorado, Iowa, Nevada and New Mexico to form the magic bridge to 270.

Webb will be worth 3-4 points in Virginia, as a favorite son in the VP slot. That's precisely what Obama needs to be competitive in Virginia.

Richardson adds nothing. He wobbles in debates, always on the defensive, even when the intent wasn't to put him on the defensive. The over/under on how many times he mentions he's governor of New Mexico would be 23,586 during a 3 month campaign. And right now with that goofy facial hair he looks like he should be running for vice president of the Klingons, not the United States.

[sandnsea]

42. The western United States

Fuck Ohio and Florida. With CO, IA, NV, and NM, that's a win all by itself. You choose Webb if you're going to make a play for more of the south, GA, MS, LA, AR, and I think that's the riskier strategy at this point. I think we can turn Latino votes in the west easier than rural whites in the east.

[woolldog]

47. What about VA and MO?

If you try to bypass Ohio and Florida, then VA and MO, in addition to the states you list, are a must.

Webb could set up camp in those two states, leaving Obama free to campaign in the West. I do agree about the importance of the Latino vote in the west. It will be critical (and not automatic either).

[sandnsea]

49. No they aren't

278, tally it up

http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/calculator.html

[woolldog]

50. I did.

I use this map: http://www.270towin.com/

Without PA, OH, and FL (but with IA, NV, NM, and CO), I get O-257 M-281

If you add VA and MO to IA, NV, NM, and CO, I get O-281 M-257

So VA and MO are essential, imo.

[sandnsea]

51. Why did you take out PA?

PA isn't going to go to McCain.

[woolldog]

77. because

I was assuming he won't win PA. that's just my feeling these days...and unlikely to win FL. Ohio might be a toss up. I don't think any of those states should be counted on.

[DevonRex]

71. I agree with that.

The west is definitely the ticket this year. I think even Montana is in the mix.

[JI7]

43. a week ago i would have said Webb, now i say Richardson

Richardson may not have been good as a Presidential Candidate in the Primary. but he is doing very well right now as a potential VP with dealing with the attacks on the Presidential Candidate(obama).

also, Richardson should keep the beard. it wouldn't work for many on a national ticket. but in his case he looks better with it than without.

[crankychatter]

44. Webb would be a great President... better than Richardson

but we need him in the Senate... so for VP, Richardson gets my vote.

[bklyncowgirl]

52. I have to go with Jim Webb here.

Don't get me wrong, I love Richardson, he was my first choice for President and he does give Obama some serious diplomatic street cred. Obama &
Richardson have a chemistry together and that can't be a bad thing. I kind of think, however, that Jim Webb's military background might be more helpful. Then of course there's the question of "Is America ready for a Black and Brown ticket." I'd love to think that we are but do we want to find out the hard way?

[JTFrog]

53. Webb hasn't impressed with his votes in the Senate. I've been extremely dissapointed

on his FISA and Iraq votes. I sincerely want a ticket that is committed to restoring the constitution.

Richardson has some issues too. The missing NM ballots. Trying to get weapons inspectors to lie about WMD so Bill could bomb Iraq.

I know there are no perfect politicians, but we need someone who matches Obama's dedication to the constitution and transparency in government.

[bklyncowgirl]

56. I do agree that some of Webb's votes have not been what I wanted esp. FISA.

I do think he is still an opponent of the Iraq war albeit one who will not short the troops anything they might need.

I could be happy with either

[JTFrog]

57. I could be happy with either as well. Like I said, there is no such thing as a perfect politician.

But these are definitely the good guys.

[Frumious B]

54. I think Richardson would be a fantastic fit for Secretary Of State.

However, I think that Obama needs a Veep pick with military credentials which would incline me towards Webb.

[workinclasszero]

55. Richardson

I like Richardson. He brings lots of experience and he would help Obama win the election. I bet lots of Latinos would be proud to vote for the Obama/Richardson ticket.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

59. Neither. I Think They Both Suck. n/t

[olkaz]

60. crap poll, give me Obama/Biden

Webb is my second choice I guess.

[BigDDem]

61. Webb is a "typical white person"

Obama/Wright 08!!!!!!!!!

[olkaz]

63. You know, that's not helpful or funny.

[BigDDem]

64. I agree.

and some people even take "typical white person" as offensive in addition to "not funny" or "helpful"

[olkaz]

65. Is this what you're reduced to?

Using an out-of-context quote to feign offense?

Man, seriously, if you want to do some good for Clinton, go start making calls for her. This isn't working.

[BigDDem]

66. Why don't you put "typical white person"

in context, please.

[olkaz]

68. Here you go.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/03/obama-attempts.html

But, I'm sure it won't be enough of an explanation. It's just a big coverup for his nefarious language that shows him to be a racist, right?

[gateley]

62. Obama/Webb

We learned in the Republican Debates that their party views ILLEGAL ALIENS as a bigger "threat" to our country than terrorism. I think having Richardson on the ticket would strike the fear of God in their hearts and bring them to the polls en masse to ensure one of "them" isn't elected.

I think we'd get more crossover votes with Webb.

[LWolf]

67. Other: Gore/Edwards or Gore/Richardson. n/t

[RunningFromCongress]

70. Double minority ticket might be a little too much right now

[mckeown1128]

73. That is a REALLY tough choice....

Like Really tough... I chose Webb... just because of him being from Virginia.... but DAMN that is a close choice.

[high density]

74. What is the fascination with Webb?

I'm not impressed too much with him. Better than Allen by a long shot, but not exactly somebody I'd want a heartbeat away from the presidency either.

[angie_love]

75. I voted Richardson but do you think

Hispanics/White Liberals/AA's would be enough to win? I don't know.

[musiclawyer]

76. Black and brown

is too dark for the critical swing pallate. Sorry. USA not ready for that. IMHO. There are more of the swing voters who would go GOP than latinos who would come out because of Richardson. Call me cynical.
My own view however is that Richardson is not smooth enough. Despite his great resume and occassional good speech, for the most part he does not call bullshit in interviews, he repeats himself, he not a good debater. Just for the sake of argument, in 8 years, he will be eclipsed by better De3mocratic candidates. I'm not that much of a Webb guy, but he's better than Richardson. Disclosure, I am a "brown" guy.