Could someone please explain the "vetting" process?

[adoraz]

I've heard about this, but I'm not sure what it is.

People say Hillary and Bill couldn't get past the vetting process, so thats why I'm curious.

Personally I think the odds of her being VP are VERY low already, but the lower the odds the better.

[JMDEM]

1. She would have to see a vet? nt.

[Mz Pip]

2. It's like a background check

on steroids. They look into everything to make sure there isn't some hidden controversy that will come out in the middle of the election cycle. Finances, business connections, medical history.

[adoraz]

5. ah ok, thats what I thought it was like

thanks for the info!

[backscatter712]

3. Sounds to me like a glorified version of the hiring process at many companies.

They take resumes, they go over them, they check references, then they conduct interviews to find the best candidate to hire for the position.

Of course, for a position as public as Vice Presidential candidate, there also has to be some opposition research to make sure that the campaign can handle whatever skeletons the candidate has in his closet.

I'd say that between the skeletons in both Bill's and Hillary's closets, and the way they've conducted themselves in the primaries, Hillary's not on Obama's short list.

[adoraz]

7. I'm guessing she IS on Obama's shortlist, but....

shes only on there to satisfy Hillary supporters. After reading these few posts, now I'm thinking theres about a 0% chance of her being VP. It would be a nightmare in the Fall.

[Kittycat]

Plus the risk of trying to control Bill.

He wouldn't be able to do what he wants, and everything - EVERYTHING would have to be pre-approved, including his speaking engagements. Just to ensure there isn't a conflict of interest.

Clinton would also have to open up all of her earmarks since being in the senate, to make those public. Plus anything else to bring her up to the same level of transparency Obama expects from his running mate.

[madaboutharry]

4. The vetting process basically means

that every aspect of your life in gone over to insure that nothing could cause controversy. This would include health, PERSONAL FINANCES - ding, ding, ding, and personal and professional associates (hummmm).

[NightWatcher]

6. vetting is due dilligence on your own people so that your enemies cant find dirt

you investigate your own people harder than the competition will.

In other words, the Obama camp knows that there is too much dirt on the Clintons that the right wing will surely use against them and him. So his peple have decided that they dont need the Clintons as an anchor around his neck.

[Barack_America]

8. "What do we need to know, that they might know?"

To summarize.

[Hamlette]

9. AKA the Eagleton rule

Tom Eagleton picked to be on McGovern's ticket, had undergone shock treatment. When that became known, he had to drop out.

Unnecessary distraction, shows the prez is not that good "a picker".

[Tippy]

10. examination and evaluation.

They will want to know everything about this person...no secrets permitted

[Caoimhe]

11. For Bush it involved

Asking Cheney to find a VP for him, then Cheney saying "after careful consideration, I want ME as your VP"

For those who are serious about it, it involves comparing voting histories, experience, what areas of the country they will bring votes in from, etc. I think the goal is to balance the ticket so that where the Presidential candidate is lacking appeal, the VP can make up for it and vice versa. For Obama, one of the biggest criticisms of him has been his lack of experience. They will probably look for someone with more DC experience, someone who brings in Southern votes and most likely someone fairly Christian (silly but inevitable) to balance out the "obama is muslim" crap.

I personally would love to see someone like Lincoln Chafee! I am reading his book right now and I am floored at his brutal honesty about the Bush 43 Failure, and the spinelessness of the Congress in the lead up to war. As the only Republican who voted against the Iraq War, he also would provide consistency in the anti-war message. I don't think he'd have a problem changing to Democrat, he is far more liberal than a lot of those in DC with D's next to their name. Pro choice, anti-war, pro-environment, pro-union, pro-social services, pro-diplomacy, the whole package.