Female VP hopefuls differ from Clinton

[woolldog]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080528/pl_politico/10672;_ylt=Av_VzYdaVaEVjuFGPOnIxmmpg9IF
POLITICO/Yahoo

Female VP hopefuls differ from Clinton

Like Hillary Rodham Clinton, the three other women most frequently mentioned as possible running mates for Barack Obama are widely recognized as shrewd, trailblazing politicians who would provide critical ballast to an Obama-led presidential ticket.

But according to interviews with Republicans in their home states, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano and Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill differ from Clinton by two important measures: They’ve managed to win elections without developing polarizing personas, and they’ve shied away from emphasizing gender in their campaigns.

The distinctions are important for Obama, the front-runner in the Democratic nominating contest, as his campaign begins the process of thinking about possible running mates. Selecting a woman might serve to mend the gender-based rifts that have surfaced as a result of Clinton’s historic candidacy — and Sebelius, Napolitano and McCaskill all possess red-state political portfolios that would make them attractive vice presidential candidates.

Some common themes emerge when talking to Republicans who have battled them. All three are respected for their ability to win in difficult political environments for Democrats, and all are credited with having done so by successfully tacking to the center, reaching out to Republican voters by crafting an independent image. In part, that’s why Napolitano and Sebelius made Time magazine’s “5 Best Governors” list in 2005.

[Buck Rabbit]

1. Sebelius and Napolitano were DLC. Are they still?

[Gore1FL]

2. They might be

But I don't think Sebelius fits the mold so much. I am not sure about Napolitano. I am not all that impressed with my Senator, McCaskill.

What I do know is that Sebelius has stood up when it counts. I don't know enough about Napolitano. McCaskill is better than Republican Jim Talent who she beat (and I don't regret my vote for her), but she caves more than the average spelunker.

[woolldog]

3. I don't care for either of them. Was just passing along the article....

[Median Democrat]

4. Is An Insider or a Governor Better?

On the one hand, despite Obama's message of change, Bill Clinton's first few years show the need to have someone who knows their way around Washington, but who is not going to start unnecessary partisan battles. On the other hand, it probably will help to have a VP with executive experience such as the Governors mentioned.

[Nemme37]

5. sebelius

is a good choice i would say