Yeah, Webb would be a ticket asset...expect, maybe, for his weird hidden gun incident. Wait. This is America! The gun thing will in his favor!
Considering that the Pentagon will have to be revamped and its budget drastically cut, that's what made me think of Adm. Fallon who seems to be a man of principle.
LunaStick
· 1 year ago
That's why I suggest Webb mirth. He was Sec. of the Navy once (under Reagan no less which will help with the "Reagan Democrats") so he knows how the Pentagon works and has already worked on such issues relating to the military in his short Senate career. Gun incident? Oh yeah, that will only help him.
BoiseNick
· 1 year ago
Obama's VP needs to be a non-assailable war hero . period
Rob Mule
· 1 year ago
Man that list gives new meaning to the historic VP tag "warm bucket of spit"... Senator Webb would be a good selection...
PeteWa
· 1 year ago
Joe Biden = Terrible choice.
Chris From Maine
· 1 year ago
no.. my choices would be :
Wes Clark John Edwards Chris Dodd maybe Richardson.
that sebelius was horrible after the state of the union (i think thats waht it was), biden is too, well, biden, and kerry is well kerry.
mirth
· 1 year ago
I don't like any of Giordano's suggestions, least of all Bill Richardson.
At one time, Wes Clark would have been a good choice. Not now for MrHillaryMan.
Admiral William Fallon?
Soundboy_jeff_meanie
· 1 year ago
can't we draft Wesley Clark to be Obama's VP??
or maybe suggest Obama talk to him? I mean... not only does he have the military background that would sway moderates... and his politics are good...
he's also kinda cute :-)
isn't it time for a cute ticket?
Soundboy_jeff_meanie
· 1 year ago
okay... cocktail time.
see anyone at Top Of The Park in San Diego? drink orders??
sittenpretty
· 1 year ago
Richardson, veep Edwards Sec of State
Eric on the Beach
· 1 year ago
I still think Gov Janet Napolitano of AZ should be on the shortlist.
scooter in brooklyn
· 1 year ago
hey jeff; cheers. stay out of the water :)
mirth
· 1 year ago
sittenpretty,
With no Obama endorsement, the shine, at least for me, is off Edwards. And if Elizabeth will appear with Hillary in NC as has been rumored, then it's more than just being very disappointed with the Edwards after first being his strong supporter.
But if I had to choose an Obama cabinet post for him, it would be Attorney General.
No Biden! No No No
LunaStick
· 1 year ago
How about Va senator James Webb? I know he isn't the most progressive of people but his GI bill is very popular and it will offset much of McCain's "experience" and will help in VA and NC among other states where national security and Iraq are concerned. He's smart and tough and that will appeal to many independants. Just a thought. I think such a ticket can win. I'm with mirth that it shouldn't be Clark.
LunaStick
· 1 year ago
Oops! I see Prezzildent Despondent beat me to the suggestion,
bodyguardguy
· 1 year ago
Hey, why did you leave out Senator Bob Casey? Look at how he campaign with Obama in PA. They seem to get along very well, and seems to have a friendship that you rarely see in politicians. I really want Casey for VP. Its very easy for people to relate to either of them.
Bob Casey was even described in the media as Obama's BFF. flex
LunaStick
· 1 year ago
That's a good idea too bodygaurdguy. Casey would be a good choice. A young(ish) ticket to contrast with the Old Man.
Indigo
· 1 year ago
Evan Bayh (D - Ind) would make a fine VP and a real surprize as Obama's running mate. He announced for Hillary months ago, before Obama was a visible contender, and I'm willing to bet that his private opinion is not his current public position. He's an old fashioned Hoosier Democrat, a dependable and mildly handsome man, a redneck liberal and the media would spin itself silly, confused beyond repair. Who could ask for anything more? Change? Yes, we can!
LunaStick
· 1 year ago
Indigo, didn't Bayh say something yesterday about how SDs should wait before declaring for a candidate, thus drawing out this nightmare campaign even longer?
Indigo
· 1 year ago
Yes, LunaStick, Bayh did say the SDs should wait. He's a politician who believes that taking the middle ground gives him gravitas. Obama won't need a walking tape recorder of himself. He's going to need the balance because once he has the nomination secure the Hillariatics will go berserk. Bayh can draw some of them back. Ultimately, it's Obama's choice and he hasn't said anything yet. One thing his ticket will not need is a clone of himself.
SINGING_TROLL
· 1 year ago
Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer (D-amnFineProgDemo)MT is the quitessential Anti-Fascist. The thinking mans Ron Paul.
He also flies the flag of all Montana Indian Reservations in a rotating basis at the Capitol.
He is a perfect blend politician. An ideal mix of strong Libertarian tendencies and a true believer in the neccessity of a Federal safety net.
Education? There is NO BETTER OR MORE ENGAGED politician than he.
I could go on and probably will if he is seriously being considered.
Although I am probably his biggest fan, I think as the VP candidate they will be able to use it against Obama by categorizing Obama as an elitist political infant and Schweitzer as a loony UFO kook soft on terrorism as evidenced by his battling of the police state at every turn. EVEN AT 3:00 AM
HE would be an EXCELLENT choice although he has seen UFOs and as a Rancher also had some of his cattle mutilated and there was a Federal investigation that of course found nothing and offered no explanation at the time or anytime since. (originally reported in the NY Times though I can't find the link) http://www.subgenius.com/bigfist/hallscience/sc...
I THINK PROBABLY HE SHOULD WAIT FOR OBAMA TO RETIRE IN 2016 AND THEN ASSUME COMMAND!
Polly_Tics
· 1 year ago
mirth 13 minutes ago -----------------------------------------------------------------
I couldn't agree more! I WAS and still am (albeit more weakly) an Edwards supporter, but his LACK of support for either candidate has made me review my previous feelings about the man.
His wife seems to have made her decision although she won't endorse either, so the bloom is most defiantly off of the rose.
SINGING_TROLL
· 1 year ago
I was an Edwards supporter too but by sitting by and watching this train wreck he has shown himself to be....less, than I thought he was.
SINGING_TROLL
· 1 year ago
Why vote to continue a dynasty if change is what you want?
4 months later and still I await an answer to that question from ANY Hillbot.
Chris From Maine
· 1 year ago
A good idea is for Obama to pick someone either outside of Washington or someone who is retired.. Al Gore for example, even though he wouldnt accept.
an outside the box choice, like tom daschle perhaps.. i still think he needs to pick someone with lots of experience though, kind of like Bush picking Cheney (although hopefully with different results..)
Polly_Tics
· 1 year ago
SINGING_TROLL 2 minutes ago -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm not familiar with Governor Brian Schweitzer, so I thank you for the introduction!
.
vwcat
· 1 year ago
I keep thinking since last year, Jim Webb. He is perfect for Obama. Virginia, military creds and experienced in those areas but, a populist. Both are writers. Both are this new wave of democrats. Webb also is good at debate and fighting attacks. Outspoken. And Obama is friendly with the Virginia trio of Warner, Kaine and Webb. What could be better.
mirth
· 1 year ago
Singing_Troll,
Yes! From what I have heard and what you write, Schweitzer would be a good choice. Education will be one focus for Obama and that appeals across party lines. Now I want to know more about Schweitzer. :)
SINGING_TROLL
· 1 year ago
OLD STORY but a good story. Montana is NO LONGER RED! HIP HIP!!!! Dem Gov, 2 Dem Senators and the last Republican shithead will be hitting the road in 2008.
Top Billings How a Montana Democrat bagged the hunting and fishing vote, and won the governor's mansion.
By David Sirota
There aren't too many states in the union redder than Montana. George Bush won the state by more than 20 points in November. The state legislature and governorship in the capital, Helena, have been in GOP hands for 16 years. Sparsely-populated Montana is represented by only one congressman, the far-right Rep. Denny Rehberg, and by two senators, an ultra-conservative Republican (Conrad Burns) and a conservative Democrat (Max Baucus) who often votes with the Republicans. The state's electoral votes are conceded so automatically to the GOP that neither party's candidate campaigns there. Culturally, with the exception of a few rich Hollywood types who weekend in places like Big Sky, the state could hardly be further from the metro-cosmopolitan culture of the coasts. To give but one example, Montana has the highest percentage of hunters of any state in the union. http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2004/...
LunaStick
· 1 year ago
Elizabeth Edwards seems to favor hillary's health plan over Obama's and for that reason alone, she might show some support for hillary but I don't see an outright endorsement from either as I don't believe either likes how hillary has run her campaign. The next week and a half here will be interesting.
SINGING_TROLL
· 1 year ago
Biden is so smart. Too smart for anyones good.
He is a lifelong player and simply must go. Eventually.
WE CANNOT place lifelong politicians in the power seats for a LONG LONG TIME to come.
We, unfortunately (to protect ourselves) must sacrifice the few good old-timer politicians to insure we get rid of the cancer that is Fascism and those who have let it creep upon us.
vwcat
· 1 year ago
Don't know much about Schweitzer. I have seen him on tv and he seems cool.
Polly_Tics
· 1 year ago
SINGING_TROLL 1 minute ago --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agreed. Damn I hate having to keep reviewing (and changing) my views of politicians! Well heck, isn't that what we are SUPPOSED to do? Aren't we all supposed to constantly review those in power?
OK, sold. John Edwards and his wife are still high in my book, but have fallen for their own lack of balls (pardon the overt sexuality here, but I am dim on comparisons).
SINGING_TROLL
· 1 year ago
I am all for sexuality and everything that comes with it, Polly. :) :) :)
mirth 1 minute ago -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DITTO! I really LIKE her so much but she is leaning toward Clinton because of her Health Care policy. It's a shame that is the only thing that is slanting her view on Clinton.
Heck, that was downright condescending of me to say. Maybe, just maybe, Elizabeth Edwards prefers Clinton to Obama. (No, it just can't be!)
mirth
· 1 year ago
I am all for sexuality and everything that comes with it, Polly. Singing_Troll
Ohhhh yeah. ;)
Yes to Chris Dodd, too, but he may be too strong for a 2nd with Obama.
mirth
· 1 year ago
With all that we know and for (apparently) only one issue, if Elizabeth appears with Hillary, then she isn't the person I thought her to be.
The hurt of this will be that we so need strong, intelligent females - their voices and their actions - in our gov't and involved in repairing our social structures.
Please, Elizabeth! Don't do it!
mmedefarge
· 1 year ago
I had been hoping Elizabeth would be nudging John towards doing the right thing, but I heard her interviewed a couple of weeks ago and she was extolling the Clinton health plan. Coincidentally, at the time she had been given a visiting fellowship at the Kennedy School at Harvard. I am going more on instinct than on fact, but I think the school is full of former Bill administration poohbahs, so that appointment could have been a wooing tactic by the Clintons, as well.
Polly_Tics
· 1 year ago
Busboy,
What do you know about Scheiwitzer? I'm reading up on him now thanks to Singing Troll.
aquarius2
· 1 year ago
Mirth
I don't think all of our pleas together will prevent Elizabeth from doing what she feels is right. If she does I am right with you in disappointment.
Polly_Tics
· 1 year ago
mmedefarge 0 minutes ago -----------------------------------------------------------
Interesting charge....now let's look into it.
But all in all, my hunch is more that she just likes her overall policy. Well that and I hear (and who is to tell if this IS true or not) that she and Obama had a bit of a run in when they met at their home last month.
Polly_Tics
· 1 year ago
Hey there Aquarius!
Yeah, we will be one group of disappointed folk if that does come to pass...
Jump to the Left
· 1 year ago
I am all for sexuality and everything that comes with it, Polly. :) :) :) SINGING_TROLL Today 06:39 PM
Polly-Tics: it is just a hunch. I worked near Harvard Square during the 2004 convention, and several times the streets were closed to traffic for Hill/bill or both to visit the Kennedy School.
More fun was Ben Affleck having lunch at "Leo's place"--he was a delegate, but is a Cambridge homeboy anyway!
Polly_Tics
· 1 year ago
mmedefarge 6 minutes ago ------------------------------------------------------------------
and it is an interesting possibility as well.
Polly_Tics
· 1 year ago
Jump,
LOL, now THAT is a LINK!
By the way, it's nice to see you!
Jump to the Left
· 1 year ago
Mirth,
Yeah, I love Ms. Macy. And Singing Troll makes me sing while I think. :)
I'm so not in favor of an Obama/Clinton pairing.
Lovely to see you, left leaning mirth.
Jump to the Left
· 1 year ago
Polly, I have missed my A-blogging friends. It's so good to see you and all the A-blogging discussion.
Type your comment here...gees, i thought obama made it clear that his choice was bloomberg.
tommytoonz
· 1 year ago
I like Sebelius, about the only one on that list I do like as a VP, possibly Kaine but he doesn't do much for me. I'd add Jos Sestak of PA, granted, he's a Clinton surrogate at the moment but that's irrelevant once a nominee is chosen.
What does he bring to the ticket? Vice Admiral of the Navy (balancing McCain's experience) Roman Catholic (brings in a demographic Obama has some trouble with) from PA and is a white male (another somewhat trouble spot of Obamas) appears conservative though he's not (to me at least)
I don't know too much about the guy's background but he seems an ideal choice strictly on how the ticket as a whole would appear.
tommytoonz
· 1 year ago
That would be Joe Sestak, not Jos Sestak, sorry about that. The appears conservative comments is meant to bring in independents and moderates which it appears will be the battle ground with McCain.
Bubbles
· 1 year ago
I think this list is really important. Look at it: 3 of the six come from Great Plains/Eastern Slopes of the Rockies states.
In "The Anatomy of Fascism" Berkley Prof. of Poli Sci, Robert Paxton also provides a quick anatomy of Swedish liberalism: an alliance between Urban Worker's interest and Rural Interests. This gave Sweden nearly a century of cutting edge progressivism of immense stability. In fact, this same basic alliance is in place the world over where ever you see liberalism in a ruling position. Agricultural interests are the tale that wags the dog: Bush could not have been elected if he had not captured every rural state. So wedging some of these states out of the Republican camp is an optimal strategy.
The future of the Democratic parties dominance in our politics can be found in this same alignment. The low hanging fruit is the Great Plains and the Eastern Slopes of the Rockies where some great, earth shattering work has been quietly done (I know, oxymoron) by Sebelius. The issue to exploit here is energy issues. There's a natural alignment between northern Urban states that consume energy and northern rural states that can provide it.
Some of these states have been hurting for a long time. North Dakota is still in a depression and a long decline that began for it back in 1919 at the end of the first World War causing commodity prices to decline. Whether our future energy needs are met by coal, liquefied coal, bio-mass, wind, nuclear, or some mix of all the above, these states can play an important role in providing the energy and fostering strong economic growth in their regions. .
With Sebelius on the ticket, It might be possible to sweap Kansas and all Great Plains states north of it (though Nebraska might be a tough nut). Sebelius would also help win over states east (the upper Midwest) and west of this belt (the eastern slopes of the Rockies): Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota and Montana, Colorado and New Mexico. Long term, once anchored in the Democratic Camp this belt could help to squeez the Republicans out of the west entirely (save Utah, and maybe Idaho and Wyoming) leaving the Republicans as the party of nothing but the deep South.
So I think that the Great Plains is key and fundamental to Democratic strategies long term. They are the low hanging fruit. Lots of good work has already been done there. Obama appears to have ceased this strategy and has forged important alliances with McCaskell in Missouri, Sebelius in Kansas.
While Sebelius might help solve some hurt feelings among female supporters of Hillary, I am not so sure that America on a whole is ready for a Black Male/White female presidential ticket. I leave that for Obama to figure out. But the Alternative would be Schweitzer: for a Black Male/White male ticket. In my mind, this would secure the far north Great Plains plus Montana and Colorado (Wyoming maybe) but maybe not points further south, such as Nebraska and Kansas. Richardson of course would have an immense affect on Hispanics, but less effect on the Great Plains which is the targeted area. I wish there could be three VP candidates on the ticket: Schweitzer, Sebelius, and Richardson.
This is the kind of thinking we get from Obama. Strategic. Building a democratic coalition that can dominate for 80 years. Hillary, she's only interested in the next 8 years, and that's only if she's elected. Obama, then is really important. And not just because he writes his own speeches.
shell
· 1 year ago
Wesley Clark. Obama needs someone with military experience, since we are in a war (or 2 or 3) and he doesn't have military experience.
Bush_Bites
· 1 year ago
I still like Dodd, even though they'll lose a senate seat.
jr
· 1 year ago
I want Byron Dorgan. He's really good on trade
Harper
· 1 year ago
It'll be Jim Webb
DCinDC
· 1 year ago
Wesley Clark or Jim Web
hawkseye
· 1 year ago
Bill Richardson has lots of good qualifications, but he apparently has a problem keeping his hands to himself around women. Google it and you will find that even his Lt.Gov. says this is a problem. I'm for leaving good people in the Senate and House, so Kane, Clark or Sebelius are my choices.
paulbe
· 1 year ago
Nancy of course thinks impeachment is not a good idea, so as you all know, her judgement is a bit clouded by the loyalties that bought her the Speaker's position.
mirth
· 1 year ago
All along, mmedefarge, I also thought it would be Elizabeth pushing John to endorse Obama. I was shocked at her recent interview that was positive for Hillary's heathplan, almost like an actual wound. Your info about her fellowship at Harvard...ahhh damn. Just when I thought I had a hero.
Aquarius, I just cannot get my mind around Elizabeth (or John) supporting anything connected with Hillary.
mirth
· 1 year ago
Jumpness!
So good to see you.
:)
Gary SF
· 1 year ago
I agree with Chris' picks - but not Richardson:
Wes Clark John Edwards Chris Dodd
mirth
· 1 year ago
Jump, I'm just now watching your link. Love the Macy!
Busboy
· 1 year ago
Schweitzer's got a good rep with almost everyone. Forget Webb; didn't he write the "childporn" novel?
All Comments
Yeah, Webb would be a ticket asset...expect, maybe, for his weird hidden gun incident.
Wait. This is America! The gun thing will in his favor!
Considering that the Pentagon will have to be revamped and its budget drastically cut, that's what made me think of Adm. Fallon who seems to be a man of principle.
Gun incident? Oh yeah, that will only help him.
Senator Webb would be a good selection...
Wes Clark
John Edwards
Chris Dodd
maybe Richardson.
that sebelius was horrible after the state of the union (i think thats waht it was), biden is too, well, biden, and kerry is well kerry.
At one time, Wes Clark would have been a good choice. Not now for MrHillaryMan.
Admiral William Fallon?
or maybe suggest Obama talk to him? I mean... not only does he have the military background that would sway moderates... and his politics are good...
he's also kinda cute :-)
isn't it time for a cute ticket?
see anyone at Top Of The Park in San Diego? drink orders??
With no Obama endorsement, the shine, at least for me, is off Edwards. And if Elizabeth will appear with Hillary in NC as has been rumored, then it's more than just being very disappointed with the Edwards after first being his strong supporter.
But if I had to choose an Obama cabinet post for him, it would be Attorney General.
No Biden! No No No
why did you leave out Senator Bob Casey?
Look at how he campaign with Obama in PA. They seem to get along very well, and seems to have a friendship that you rarely see in politicians. I really want Casey for VP. Its very easy for people to relate to either of them.
Bob Casey was even described in the media as Obama's BFF.
flex
The thinking mans Ron Paul.
For instance, he has succesfully led the revolt against real id
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/01...
He also flies the flag of all Montana Indian Reservations in a rotating basis at the Capitol.
He is a perfect blend politician. An ideal mix of strong Libertarian tendencies and a true believer in the neccessity of a Federal safety net.
Education? There is NO BETTER OR MORE ENGAGED politician than he.
I could go on and probably will if he is seriously being considered.
Although I am probably his biggest fan, I think as the VP candidate they will be able to use it against Obama by categorizing Obama as an elitist political infant and Schweitzer as a loony UFO kook soft on terrorism as evidenced by his battling of the police state at every turn.
EVEN AT 3:00 AM
HE would be an EXCELLENT choice although he has seen UFOs and as a Rancher also had some of his cattle mutilated and there was a Federal investigation that of course found nothing and offered no explanation at the time or anytime since. (originally reported in the NY Times though I can't find the link)
http://www.subgenius.com/bigfist/hallscience/sc...
I THINK PROBABLY HE SHOULD WAIT FOR OBAMA TO RETIRE IN 2016 AND THEN ASSUME COMMAND!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I couldn't agree more! I WAS and still am (albeit more weakly) an Edwards supporter, but his LACK of support for either candidate has made me review my previous feelings about the man.
His wife seems to have made her decision although she won't endorse either, so the bloom is most defiantly off of the rose.
4 months later and still I await an answer to that question from ANY Hillbot.
an outside the box choice, like tom daschle perhaps.. i still think he needs to pick someone with lots of experience though, kind of like Bush picking Cheney (although hopefully with different results..)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not familiar with Governor Brian Schweitzer, so I thank you for the introduction!
.
And Obama is friendly with the Virginia trio of Warner, Kaine and Webb.
What could be better.
Yes! From what I have heard and what you write, Schweitzer would be a good choice. Education will be one focus for Obama and that appeals across party lines. Now I want to know more about Schweitzer. :)
Montana is NO LONGER RED! HIP HIP!!!!
Dem Gov, 2 Dem Senators and the last Republican shithead will be hitting the road in 2008.
Top Billings
How a Montana Democrat bagged the hunting and fishing vote, and won the governor's mansion.
By David Sirota
There aren't too many states in the union redder than Montana. George Bush won the state by more than 20 points in November. The state legislature and governorship in the capital, Helena, have been in GOP hands for 16 years. Sparsely-populated Montana is represented by only one congressman, the far-right Rep. Denny Rehberg, and by two senators, an ultra-conservative Republican (Conrad Burns) and a conservative Democrat (Max Baucus) who often votes with the Republicans. The state's electoral votes are conceded so automatically to the GOP that neither party's candidate campaigns there. Culturally, with the exception of a few rich Hollywood types who weekend in places like Big Sky, the state could hardly be further from the metro-cosmopolitan culture of the coasts. To give but one example, Montana has the highest percentage of hunters of any state in the union.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2004/...
He is a lifelong player and simply must go. Eventually.
WE CANNOT place lifelong politicians in the power seats for a LONG LONG TIME to come.
We, unfortunately (to protect ourselves) must sacrifice the few good old-timer politicians to insure we get rid of the cancer that is Fascism and those who have let it creep upon us.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agreed. Damn I hate having to keep reviewing (and changing) my views of politicians! Well heck, isn't that what we are SUPPOSED to do? Aren't we all supposed to constantly review those in power?
OK, sold. John Edwards and his wife are still high in my book, but have fallen for their own lack of balls (pardon the overt sexuality here, but I am dim on comparisons).
:) :) :)
----------------------------------------------------
Aw shucks....you just made me blush!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Schweitzer
And a Brian Schweitzer definition of himself:
http://brianschweitzer.com/
And Montana's own definition:
http://governor.mt.gov/governor/govbio.asp
At least that's a beginning. Thank you Singing Troll!
and as kos says
ELIZABETH EDWARDS is just wrong about health care
we NEED SINGLE PAYER
Even if Elizabeth Edwards only appears with Hill and doesn't outright endorse...oh, that's gonna really hurt me. I so admire her!
http://schweitzerforpresident.blogspot.com/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
DITTO! I really LIKE her so much but she is leaning toward Clinton because of her Health Care policy. It's a shame that is the only thing that is slanting her view on Clinton.
Heck, that was downright condescending of me to say. Maybe, just maybe, Elizabeth Edwards prefers Clinton to Obama.
(No, it just can't be!)
Singing_Troll
Ohhhh yeah. ;)
Yes to Chris Dodd, too, but he may be too strong for a 2nd with Obama.
The hurt of this will be that we so need strong, intelligent females - their voices and their actions - in our gov't and involved in repairing our social structures.
Please, Elizabeth! Don't do it!
What do you know about Scheiwitzer? I'm reading up on him now thanks to Singing Troll.
I don't think all of our pleas together will prevent Elizabeth from doing what she feels is right. If she does I am right with you in disappointment.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Interesting charge....now let's look into it.
But all in all, my hunch is more that she just likes her overall policy. Well that and I hear (and who is to tell if this IS true or not) that she and Obama had a bit of a run in when they met at their home last month.
Yeah, we will be one group of disappointed folk if that does come to pass...
:) :) :)
SINGING_TROLL Today 06:39 PM
Yes.
In.
Deed.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=wfpkeNRthmc
More fun was Ben Affleck having lunch at "Leo's place"--he was a delegate, but is a Cambridge homeboy anyway!
------------------------------------------------------------------
and it is an interesting possibility as well.
LOL, now THAT is a LINK!
By the way, it's nice to see you!
Yeah, I love Ms. Macy. And Singing Troll makes me sing while I think.
:)
I'm so not in favor of an Obama/Clinton pairing.
Lovely to see you, left leaning mirth.
I have missed my A-blogging friends. It's so good to see you and all the A-blogging discussion.
What does he bring to the ticket?
Vice Admiral of the Navy (balancing McCain's experience)
Roman Catholic (brings in a demographic Obama has some trouble with)
from PA and is a white male (another somewhat trouble spot of Obamas)
appears conservative though he's not (to me at least)
I don't know too much about the guy's background but he seems an ideal choice strictly on how the ticket as a whole would appear.
In "The Anatomy of Fascism" Berkley Prof. of Poli Sci, Robert Paxton also provides a quick anatomy of Swedish liberalism: an alliance between Urban Worker's interest and Rural Interests. This gave Sweden nearly a century of cutting edge progressivism of immense stability. In fact, this same basic alliance is in place the world over where ever you see liberalism in a ruling position. Agricultural interests are the tale that wags the dog: Bush could not have been elected if he had not captured every rural state. So wedging some of these states out of the Republican camp is an optimal strategy.
The future of the Democratic parties dominance in our politics can be found in this same alignment. The low hanging fruit is the Great Plains and the Eastern Slopes of the Rockies where some great, earth shattering work has been quietly done (I know, oxymoron) by Sebelius. The issue to exploit here is energy issues. There's a natural alignment between northern Urban states that consume energy and northern rural states that can provide it.
Some of these states have been hurting for a long time. North Dakota is still in a depression and a long decline that began for it back in 1919 at the end of the first World War causing commodity prices to decline. Whether our future energy needs are met by coal, liquefied coal, bio-mass, wind, nuclear, or some mix of all the above, these states can play an important role in providing the energy and fostering strong economic growth in their regions. .
With Sebelius on the ticket, It might be possible to sweap Kansas and all Great Plains states north of it (though Nebraska might be a tough nut). Sebelius would also help win over states east (the upper Midwest) and west of this belt (the eastern slopes of the Rockies): Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota and Montana, Colorado and New Mexico. Long term, once anchored in the Democratic Camp this belt could help to squeez the Republicans out of the west entirely (save Utah, and maybe Idaho and Wyoming) leaving the Republicans as the party of nothing but the deep South.
So I think that the Great Plains is key and fundamental to Democratic strategies long term. They are the low hanging fruit. Lots of good work has already been done there. Obama appears to have ceased this strategy and has forged important alliances with McCaskell in Missouri, Sebelius in Kansas.
While Sebelius might help solve some hurt feelings among female supporters of Hillary, I am not so sure that America on a whole is ready for a Black Male/White female presidential ticket. I leave that for Obama to figure out. But the Alternative would be Schweitzer: for a Black Male/White male ticket. In my mind, this would secure the far north Great Plains plus Montana and Colorado (Wyoming maybe) but maybe not points further south, such as Nebraska and Kansas. Richardson of course would have an immense affect on Hispanics, but less effect on the Great Plains which is the targeted area. I wish there could be three VP candidates on the ticket: Schweitzer, Sebelius, and Richardson.
This is the kind of thinking we get from Obama. Strategic. Building a democratic coalition that can dominate for 80 years. Hillary, she's only interested in the next 8 years, and that's only if she's elected. Obama, then is really important. And not just because he writes his own speeches.
I'm for leaving good people in the Senate and House, so Kane, Clark or Sebelius are my choices.
Aquarius, I just cannot get my mind around Elizabeth (or John) supporting anything connected with Hillary.
So good to see you.
:)
Wes Clark
John Edwards
Chris Dodd