Distributorcap had an excellent post a few days ago, where he analyzed vice-presidential choices and came to the conclusion that in the end, the running mate doesn't end up being the big a factor. I'm inclined to agree, but the candidates will probably try to "balance out" their tickets anyway, as in the past. Therefore I'm making the following predictions.
I think it's no secret that Virginia Senator Jim Webb is the strongest contender to presumed Democratic nominee Barack Obama's running mate. He strongly covers Obama's right flank-- Webb, who comes from long line of military men, served in Vietnam and served as the Secretary of the Navy under Reagan. One weakness is that Webb is a first-term Senator-- he's not even served a full term yet. On the other hand, he's had a huge amount of public service experience. He also showed that he could hang in there during a bruising election battle.
And who will McCain choose? Well, he fancies himself a "maverick," though blogger Vikki has very ably pointed out that this is a myth. Still, reality never gets in the way of a good story in politics. I think that McCain will try to cover his left flank and install another mythical "maverick" in the veep spot. I think he's going to pick Joe "Quisling" Lieberman.This would be very interesting; Lieberman was, of course, Democrat Al Gore's running mate in 2000. Lieberman would provide a "East" balance to McCain's "West." He's stronger in knowledge about foreign affairs, and probably the economy, two areas where McCain is woefully weak.
By running as an "independent" in the 2006 Connecticut Senate race after losing the Dem primary, and defeating the Democratic candidate, depriving the Dems of a desperately-needed Senate seat, Lieberman has irreprably broken his relationship with the Dems and their voters. He sees this as the only path available to him.
Of course the whacko-right fringe of the Republican party, which is in control of the party right now, will melt down. It'll end up fragmenting the party even more than it has become already.
I can't wait!
11 comments:
You really think Leiberman will be his choice? That I want to see.hahahaha
I still have hope for Hillary and Bill....
Great post. I think Jim Webb would be great for Obama and my second choice would be Kathleen Sibelius.
I hope McCain picks Lieberman - what a pair!
In all seriousness, when any of my super Hillary acquaintances starts talking sh*t about how they will vote for McCain over Obama if she doesn't get the nomination, I say "please listen to these 2 two-word pairs... Supreme Court and Vice President."
It matters because I am not sure that McCain has 4 years in him.
Dcap has a great post up about the election again today.
Are there any governors who fit the bill for the Dems?
I detest Lieberman even more than McCain.
Good stuff.
The reason Webb will not be his veep is that Dems need Webb in the Senate more than they need him on the national ticket. I think he'll go with a woman or someone from the west, like Bill Richardson.
Jim Webb hadn't even crossed my mind before now. I'd been thinking Wes Clark, both for his military background as well as the fact that he's a Clinton backer.
Jim Webb would be great, and I expect to see him as Pres one day soon. Right now I agree with Monkey.
There's been talk of our pathetic GOP Gov. Tim "I like rich folks" Pawlenty being chosen as McCain's VP. If they do, I have all kinds of nasty letters I can write to national newspapers about how he's wrecked Minnesota. Last week he vetoed a bill that would require mortgage co's to work out a deal with homeowners to avoid foreclosure. We're in the middle of the worst recession in MN's history - we've got record unemployment and more on the way - we've got extremely high state taxes. Most folks want to pay SOMETHING and stay in their homes but Tim "Frat Boy" Pawlenty would rather see even more homes and neighborhoods become abandoned waste lands.
So that makes McCain and Lieberman a combined age of what... 1,048?
Cheer34-
I know, isn't it a hoot?
I would have been happy with Hill and Bill too. I've been reading up on the campaign and she, unfortunately, ran a terrible campaign. As I watch the returns to the last primaries come in on CNN, I'm pretty certain that Obama's wrapped it up, and I'm also certain that in traditional political party fashion they'll kiss and make up and that Clinton will have a role in an Obama administration if he's elected.
Franiam-
Thanks!
I've read about people who claim they'd vote for McCain over Obama, too. My response to them is-- "What, are you f*cked in the head?" As you point out, the next President will probably get two and maybe three Supreme Court picks.
There is so much at stake. I'm reading George Monbiot's book "Heat: How to Stop the Planet From Burning." I highly recommend it, by the way. Basically, it's becoming very obvious that we have only about thirty years left to do something meaningful about global warming. I know that McCain, bucking his party, has actually acknowledged it as a problem, but I don't harbor any illusions that he'll be able to work with his party on it.
Erik-
I'm with you there on Lieberman. What a piece of shit.
Certainly not Illinois' governor, who looks to be headed toward keeping the long Illinois tradition of going to prison for corruption.
Monkerstein-
RIchardson's actually my favorite, and high on the list. He's an insider, and, as you point out, skilled internationally.
Bubs-
I like Wes Clark too. One weakness is never having held office, though being a military guy who never held office didn't seem to hurt Eisenhower.
BTW, did you know that the Dems also courted Eisenhower to run?
Mnmom-
Sounds like your basic Reagan Democrat. I'll have to research him a little.
Kristi-
Yeah, I haven't seen that much saggy white flesh since the last seventies porn movie I watched...
That'd be so awesome if McCain picked Joementum as his Veep.
I still hold out hope that Obama will pick Richardson for Secretary of State. Originally I thought he'd make a good veep, but I think his skills are better utilized at Secretary of State. I don't know much about Webb. I'll have to do some research. It was interesting to hear General Clark's name, too...
Good stuff!
Wait, wait! What about Ralph Nader? I thought he had already picked Lieberman!
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