Assuming that neither Barack Obama nor Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic vice presidential nominee... and today, that looks like a safe assumption... the field is wide-open and anyone's guess as to who will be running mate to presumptive nominee Barack Obama.
Most of the leading VP contenders are either feigning indifference and remaining coyly mum.
Take, for instance, Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA), the moderate former Secretary of the Navy who recently insisted to The Hill newspaper, "I'm not really interested. That's all I want to say." Well... guess whose ultra-patriotic book, "A Time To Fight: Reclaiming a Just And Fair America," will be newly published on May 15th?
Coincidentally convenient timing? If you believe that, you probably also think Hillary still has a great chance to capture the nomination...
Then there's popular two-term Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius who delivered the Democratic party's response to the State of the Union address on January 28, 2008. The very next day, Gov. Sebelius endorsed Obama in the 2008 race.
Rumors have floated for months that "Aides from Kathleen Sebelius say that she was asked if she were interested." And then, yesterday, the Obama campaign emailed to supporters a link to a new GOTV video subtly featuring... Kathleen Sebelius! Mere coincidence as VP speculation gathers steam? Hardly...
A few days ago, The Hill newspaper published a fascinating, and often hilarious, compilation of answers from all 97 U.S. senators not presently vying for the presidency to the burning question, "If you were asked, would you accept an offer to be the VP nominee?"
Here are a few of my favorite answers from Senate Democrats:
- Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE): "I'm happy being called 'Mr. Chairman.'" (of the Foreign Relations Committee)
- Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV): "No, I can already preside over the Senate, and I do not enjoy spending a lot of time at 'undisclosed locations.'"
- Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA): "... I would certainly consider it.”
- Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) : "Of course. I think anybody would."
- Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA): "I plan to stick with my current job until I get the hang of it."
- Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT): "Once is enough. I already have the T-shirt and I’m proud of it."
- Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD): "Absolutely. Absolutely. I think I would be great. First of all, I know how to behave at weddings and funerals... "
But some of the most intriguing, and some of the funniest (assuming they were kidding?), responses came from Senate Republicans:
- Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE): "I’m not here to talk about that." (!!!)
- Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT): “Not on your life... "
- Sen. Bob Bennett (R-UT): "Of course. Big house, big car, not much to do. Why not?"
- Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK): "No. I enjoy life too much."
- Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL): "I would ask, ‘Are you serious?'"
But the wittiest came from the infamous Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) of men's bathroom fame: "I would say ‘No, Hillary.'"
Have fun reading Senators say whether they’d agree to be vice president by The Hill newspaper.
Any takers on Jim Webb or Kathleen Sebelius as Obama's running mate in 2008? I think they're two of the frontrunners for the job!
But don't count out New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. More later on his possible VP candidacy later...
(Photos: #1 taken on April 29, 2008: Mark Wilson/Getty Images. #2 taken on June 28, 2007: Jamie Rose: Getty Images)
Comments
Obama/ WEBB 08!!
Obama-Sebelius 08
Now that’s a “DREAM TICKET”… Make-it happen Barack you won’t regret the decision!
please no. kathleen sebelius’ address was one of the most boring speeches i have ever seen in my life. i’m sure she’s delightful, but i’d rather see someone with a little spunk. obama-cantwell would be an interesting ticket, though it probably won’t happen. i’ll be fine with webb.
Kim-
Her speech WAS dull, and I’ve read more than a few pundits comment that it was a disappointment. But she has a superlative and clean record as a
popular Democratic governor in a red state who is occasionally unafraid to take unpopular stances.
Yes, I agree that Maria Cantwell would be an interesting choice. But she’s from the Pacific Northwest, which will already vote for the Democrat. Cantwell probably doesn’t offer anything additional politically to an Obama ticket.
I personally think Obama needs someone with stronger foreign policy and national security experience, but he may be looking for someone with solid
domestic policy experience, such as a governor, so he can put more attention on the Iraq War and foreign policy.
Webb is an interesting and independent character, and could be a sensational vice president for Obama.
To win, it will be essential for Obama (as it would have been essential for Clinton) to go moderate and will need someone with perceived strong national security credentials. That certainly commends Webb. It also commends Sam Nunn.
Mark Daniels
Mark-
Obama seems to favor a moderate running mate… no problems there. On domestic policy, Obama is sometimes moderate of the Democratic center and a quasi-civil libertarian himself, and is most comfortable with the same.
My fear is that he and his advisory team have a hint of intellectual conceit on foreign and national security matters that could cause him to believe that he doesn’t need that in a running mate. I agree: that could be an electability concern.
I don’t know much about Sam Nunn, except that he’s almost the same age as John McCain. I know that you wrote about Nunn at your blog and at The Moderate Voice. Will look into Nunn further… Thanks for the good suggestion.
Deborah
My favorite response was from Bob Bennett, because he is absolutely right. The Vice President (unless his name is “Dick Cheney”) doesn’t really do anything.
Neither Senator needs another Senator as a running mate — that would not be a balanced ticket.
Since the economy is becoming as serious a problem as Iraq, Senator OBAMA needs someone with executive experience and economic expertise.
Sen. McCAIN has stated that he knows little about economics.
And HILBILLY has already loaned her campaign money on two occansions, which speaks to her inability to balance a budget.
I think HILBILLY’s supporters would consider Gov. SIBELIUS to be a sop thrown at them to birng them back into the fold.
How about Mayor MICHAEL BLOOMBERG of Mew York?