So as Sen. Obama searches for his running mate, one of the things to consider is what role will the vice presidency play under Obama? Right now the vice president is a nutjob. Cheney has essentially been a co-presidency, and in some cases perhaps wielding more power than the president himself. This is a guy who tried to say that the vice presidency did not exist in any established branch of presidency. I think it’s highly unlikely that Sen. Obama would have his vice president ascend to such lunacy. But he’s also unlikely to turn the clock back to the point where the job is as it was during George H.W. Bush and Dan Quayle’s tenure. The days of the vice presidency as the guy whose job it is to just vote on tiebreakers and go to funerals is probably in the past.
My guess is Obama’s vice president is likely to be in the Al Gore mold. An advisor to the president with heft, given a few important projects to work on (like reforming government for Gore) but not established as a czar of insanity like Cheney.
Haha, I totally misread your title, and I just wanted to share my temporary delusion with the world: Michelle Obama for veep!!!
The corporate media and the Clintonophiles would rush a brother. Since 1980, only two veeps have been selected before a national party convention- Quayle and Gore (and they were only selected a week or two out). Obama gave Hillary some space, now jokers need to give him some.
Whoever it is, I hope they give Keith Olberman a tour of the Naval Observatory, post-Cheney. I wanna see what he did to the basement.
Given Mr. Obama’s relatively short time in Washington, he needs a Lyndon Johnson–somebody with legislative know-how and the ability to engage in horse-trading and (when necessary) arm-twisting.
Who fits the bill? Beats me.
Quaker – Obama has legislative know-how. He’s been a legislator for about a decade.
Bill Richardson seems to me an obvious choice, with solid experience in executive government (which Sen. Obama could probably use on the ticket, given the perception of him in some circles as a lightweight neophyte). I can’t think of a single negative, except an exponential rise in the ‘affirmative action’ bloviating.
Joe Biden? Wes Clark? I’d be happy either way.
“He’s been a legislator for about a decade.”
Mostly in Illinois. That cuts no ice in D.C.
No idea who the eventual Obama VP pick will be, but you gotta admire the campaign for their awesome choices for the people on the VP search committee:
No word from the campaign on whether Mr. Johnson has responded to Mr. Obama’s question.
“…the campaign for their awesome choices for the people on the VP search committee:”
Last time I checked, James Johnson is one person.
Last time I checked, James Johnson is one person.
I stand corrected. One of their three choices for the important VP search committee is a truly awesome choice. Obama “fumes” about those rich subprime mortgage CEO’s while tapping one of their best buddies (“friends of Angelo”) to help select his VP for him. More proof that beneath the “Hope” and “Change” slogans beats the heart of a politics-as-usual campaign.
“He’s been a legislator for about a decade.”
Discounting the time he’s spent on the Campaign trail, Obama has spent about 16 months in the Senate (with nothing notable accomplished) and about 5 years in the Illinois Legislature (with nothing but ‘Present’ votes on his record.)
The reason Obama’s done as well as he has is because he has no record. Unlike Kerry or Gore (or McCain), no one can dredge up embarrassing votes because he hasn’t been around long enough to cast any. Which is why things like Wright, Plfeger, Ayers, Rezko, and James Johnson carry more weight than they would any other candidate. Without a record, we have to look at who he surrounds himself with. And that cast of characters is looking mighty iffy.
Oh, and Michelle Obama wouldn’t be eligible for the Veep slot as long as she claims residence in Illinois.
V.P. : Colin Powell
SaveFarris: and about 5 years in the Illinois Legislature (with nothing but ‘Present’ votes on his record.)
Liar.
Obama cast over 4000 votes in the Illinois Senate. He voted Present 130 times. (In more than 50 of those times he voted with other Democrats as part of party strategy.)
I’d go with John Edwards or Jim Webb..Did you know a Harvard aquaibtance when Obama attended Harvard Law scool said he was the most intelligent man he had ever met. VP please NOT Bloomberg , he’s part of the wealth cartel!
Second note due to mis-spelling!
John Stewart is my first choice, a Southerner or Jim Webb.
But please NOT Bloomberg , he is part of the wealthy cartel!
“Liar.”
Sean, are you naive enough to believe that SaveFarris would let pesky things like facts get in the way of criticizing Obama.
meant “criticizing Obama?”
Sean, are you naive enough to believe that SaveFarris would let pesky things like facts get in the way of criticizing Obama.
Not at all, daniel. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be pointed out when he does it.
“Oh there goes that Bush boy, picking on the little kids again. He always does that. Just ignore him.” Nah.
John Edwards would make a great Vice President.