Obama says he wants a VP who offers sound counsel

[cal04]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080626/pl_nm/usa_politics_obama_dc

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said on Wednesday his top choice for running mate would be someone who would offer sound advice and "tell me where he or she thinks I'm wrong."
(snip)
Many political analysts believe the 46-year-old first-term Illinois senator may focus on someone with a lengthy foreign policy resume to lend more heft to his ticket. Obama is running in the November election against Republican Sen. John McCain, a Vietnam War hero and former prisoner of war who has been a leading voice in the Senate on national security.

(snip)
Obama said first and foremost was the need to find someone ready to step into the Oval Office right away should that be necessary.

"I want somebody who can be a good president if anything happened to me," Obama told a news conference in Chicago. "I want somebody who can be a good adviser and counsel to me and tell me where he or she thinks I'm wrong, not just on national security policy but on domestic policy as well."

[eleny]

1. First two who come to mind are Biden and Clark

Two who would speak up and do it well.

[WheelWalker]

5. He's made up his mind. He knows who it's going to be. We'll know soon.

[eleny]

8. I agree

Frankly, I don't have a choice of my own. Not even a wish list. I figure it's his decision and that's that. But this teaser statement is interesting. Sounds like he's looking for a bold and good mind instead of a person who can deliver a state and then retreat to the shadows. Lots of confidence on Obama's part.

[elleng]

33. Absolutely!

So which will it be????

[elleng]

34. Wes and Joe both fill the bill, IMO.

What would be his next consideration? Personal comfort? 'Dem politics,' that is, don't mess with the senate? Other?

Both of these guys have had excellent public appearances this week, and either would make me happy. Dunno if that's a good sign, 'cause my wishes just don't come true in such matters!

[Milo_Bloom]

49. Can't be biden if he wants to win... a war voter on the ticket would doom it.

[Kdillard]

2. I like his criteria for his VP pick

[Thrill]

3. Still think its going to be Kaine

[hokies4ever]

6. You sure he's even on the short list?

:rofl:

[TeamJordan23]

13. He is going to put someone with foreign policy experience. Kaine doesn't bring that. nm

[Thrill]

48. The media wants to think that. But I don't think he has to have someone

with Foreign Policy experience. I think he wants someone he can trust. I think he goes with Kaine

[democrat2thecore]

4. It will be somebody strong on foreign policy - I'm betting on Joe Biden -nt

[WheelWalker]

7. I think you're right. Sounds like he's describing Biden.

[Skwmom]

18. How can Biden provide sound guidance when he voted for the WORST foreign policy debacle

in U.S. History. Obama has been hammering McCain on this yet he's supposed to pick as VP someone with the same bad judgment. That would be stupid and every time Obama tried to criticize McCain, McCain would bring up the fact that Obama's VP pick displayed the same judgment.

[WheelWalker]

21. I believe Biden will be able to distinguish for everyone, just fine.

[JohnnyCougar]

29. McCain didn't try to pass Biden-Lugar afterwards.

[JohnnyCougar]

30. .

[Greyskye]

9. Same reaction here: Clark or Biden

First two names that came to mind.

Either one would be excellent choices. :thumbsup:

[LiberalFighter]

10. That leaves Evan Bayh out!! Yeah!

Bayh would not be a good adviser or counsel him beyond being a yes man.

[Stargleamer]

11. Wes Clark or John Edwards then. . .

not Biden, who bent over backwards to accomodate Clarence Thomas during the Anita Hill Hearings.

[goldcanyonaz]

12. Most arent aware of the Anita Hill hearings, amazing, huh?

[Think82]

23. Biden voted NO on Thomas and prevented Bork from becoming a judge.

Biden did his best to be impartial as chairman of a judic committee with crazy Republican colleagues on it.

[babylonsister]

40. So who do you recommend? nt

[FrenchieCat]

14. Clark appeared very much in Obama's corner with gusto on Verdict tonight....

He's not from Washington.
He was against Iraq.
He's won a war.
He's southern.
He's from the Hillary camp.
He's run before.
He's a good attack dog.
He'd make a good president.
He an older White Guy.
He also wants to talk to Iran.

[Eurobabe]

38. I was mad at Wes, but I am over it now

we need someone who can be of assistance to the President. Biden OR Clark.

[TheDonkey]

15. sounds like Biden. I like Kaine though but the lack of FP hurts him

[PresidentObama]

16. John Kerry?

[AspenRose]

53. My republican husband thinks it's a good chance

I remain skeptical

[gateley]

17. Note that it's the 'political analysts' who are beating the drum that

he needs someone with FP experience. They may be right, but we really don't know how heavy an emphasis Obama is putting on that. Hell, he's got a pretty august crew with him in his FP advisor group - that might be enough to put peoples' minds at ease.

And also note that Obama said "on domestic policy as well".

This will be interesting.

And -- is it true that McCain has been a leading voice in the Senate on national security?

[Hippo_Tron]

24. No, it's complete and utter bullshit

McCain has been in the Senate for over two decades and has never sat on the Intelligence or Foreign Affairs committees. McCain is an intellectual lightweight on foreign policy just like he is on every other subject and has been a backbencher in the Senate on foreign policy issues.

[gateley]

31. God - why doesn't a reporter just ASK him what his credentials are in FP? nt

[Hippo_Tron]

36. The response will be something like...

"I was beaten in a prison camp, how dare you question my foreign policy credentials!"

[jefferson_dem]

19. Biden or Webb.

Cool.

[Az_lefty]

20. I wish Gen. Zinni was in the running, but he would make a great SecDef.

[Hippo_Tron]

22. The VP should be the person Obama wants to take over if anything were to happen

And that should be the criteria that overrides all others. I think that "ticket balancing" is a throwback to the days of machine politics when a popular Senator or Governor could "deliver" a certain region or constituency to the nominee.

The VP should be the person that Obama wants to govern with. If he picks based on that, the politics will take care of itself. If the nominee and his running mate work well together then it shows on the campaign trail and it is the best political advantage from a running mate that you can get.

[babylonsister]

41. John Kerry fits that bill. nt

[Hippo_Tron]

51. I think that we should let Obama decide who fits that bill

Only he can know who he would work well with.

[politicasista]

52. And he knows who is friends are

and who he can trust. I will let him decide who fits the bill. There are some highly qualified people out there. :)

[Tinksrival]

25. I know!

OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08
OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 OBAMA/CLARK 08 :)

[roguevalley]

42. I think its Clark too. Mark my words. :)

[scheming daemons]

26. Sounds like Joe Biden to me...... or maybe Kerry..... or Gore

[PresidentObama]

27. Biden, Clark, Kerry and Gore sounds like where he's leaning.

[TheKentuckian]

43. One of

Biden, Webb, William Cohen (a little darkhorse action??), Clark, Kerry, Nunn, Gore, or a surprise appearance from Collin Powell.

Webb takes away a tough to replace Senate seat but the rest are fair game.

[DFLforever]

28. I don't think he'll pick a current US senator.

The Dems need to keep and build their majority in the Senate, the closer to 60 the better. No one appreciates that more than Obama who will need every vote he can get there.

I think he'll favor a governor for VP, or possibly a former senator or governor.

Obama said at that fundraiser in SF last spring that he wasn't looking for a VP with military or foreign policy credentials. Of course, he could change his mind.

[PBS Poll-435]

32. ROFL

So many are missing the meaning behind this article.


Gee...Who would be a good president if "anything happened to me."


Hmmmm.... I don't know. I forgot. The dog ate my homework.


Thanks Sen. Obama!

[LaPera]

35. Clark or Edwards.

I voted for Edwards in the primary, but I want it to be Clark!

Gore certainly won't accept it, neither would Kerry want the second position.

I think General Clark would be much more of an asset than Biden.

[Eurobabe]

37. Biden or Clark

Both are pretty sound. :patriot:

[Forkboy]

39. Well too bad, I'll be busy.

:P

[Donald Ian Rankin]

44. "Senator, you've got the bass turned up too much, and you're too close to the mike"

Or is that not the sort of sound counsel he means?

[wishlist]

45. Clark for me, Biden has too much foot in mouth disease and voting record nt

[Skwmom]

46. I think that disqualifies anyone who supported the worst debacle in U.S. history. n/t

[vssmith]

47. Clark is the one I would like

[Nothing Without Hope]

50. I would love it if he chose Wes Clark. n/t

[Phoonzang]

54. Oh god, it's going to be Biden.

Eh, I just hope he can watch what he says for the next 3 months.

[rox63]

55. That's one of my reservations about Biden

He has a long history of putting his foot in his mouth. That, and his vote on the bankruptcy bill. Otherwise, I think he's be an excellent choice. No candidate is perfect, so anyone who is chosen will have some faults.

[LiberalEsto]

56. Chris Dodd!

he's my newest hero