Comments on: Obama meets on No. 2 pick: Kaine? Biden? Bayh?

By: David

David — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:26:02 +0000

The guy needed the anti-Obama: Jim Webb.

Jim Webb may be inexperienced, but he is a passionate guy and that’s exactly what Obama’s campaign is missing.

Some people refer to Obama’s style as professorial. Sort of an insult to college professors, as I try never to seem that cool or dispassionate.

I’m sure he’ll give a fantastic convention speech, but the problem is that all the in-between appearances just aren’t that good.

He’s not Bill Clinton. Not even close.

By: Rick Bruni Jr.

Rick Bruni Jr. — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 22:48:01 +0000

First, in order to position himself to mop up mess after mess left by Bush/Cheney, Obama must survive this lengthy and nasty general election process. There are some incredibly influential people who stand to lose should Obama triumph.

These financial giants and war mongers will not give up control without a bare-knuckled fight, as evidenced by their current puppet, McCain’s, violent shifts towards offshore drilling and embracing of the far-right dogma he shunned as a “maverick” for so many years.

For Obama to not only succeed, but do so convincingly, he must provide himself legitimacy and leverage to perform these tall tasks. He needs a veteran by his side to FIGHT for change - not just one who can talk about it or symbolize it by some prima facia perception like governors Tim Kaine, the presumptive favorite, or Kathleen Sebelius.

Obama is smart, tenacious and has surrounded himself with seasoned advisors. He has earned trust and endured more attacks in nine months than Bush has in eight years. Obama has shown he’s able to carry the burden - and fear - of change on his own bony yet sturdy shoulders.

That said, in a running mate, Obama needs an attack dog. He needs foreign policy gravitas. He needs someone with raw guts.

A politician who can talk milk and potatoes with grocery shoppers while explaining the real dangers of Pakistan to cynical crowds at the local VFW post.

We’ve had eight years of unchecked hubris. Why not some hubris from the left now?!?

Kaine, in this regard, brings little to the table except to try and turn Virginia blue and gather up some key independents and jaded Republicans. Ditto Indiana and Sen. Evan Bayh.

It’s our turn, and we need somebody who has scratched and battled for change for years. That is not “same old beltway politics”, that is experience FOR change and the resume to back it up.

That said, my top three picks for who would clearly be Obama’s most effective campaigner AND staunch assistant executive are as follows: Joe Biden, Joe Biden and Joe Biden.

The man is passionate, experienced and noble. He single-handedly neutered Rudy Gulliani and exposed “America’s Mayor” for the manipulating the fears and anxieties of the 9-11 attacks for his political gain.

Joe Biden gives Obama, not just the safety net that Bayh or Kaine would provide, but a springboard to go and do the great things that must be done in these next four turbulent years.

Any other VP choice is simply for geographical and/or cosmetic purposes only and will be less an asset than Biden ever would prove a liability.

- RBJ

By: Beenatthiswaytoolong

Beenatthiswaytoolong — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 02:16:44 +0000

Obama would NEVER put Hillary in as V.P. Come on he couldn’t stand the competition she is too skilled, educated and experienced. She would just make him look bad and he is just too egotistical to let that happen, even for the good of the nation.

By: Ashley H. West

Ashley H. West — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:07:16 +0000

In my opinion Senator Evan Bayh would be the best choice for Vice President. Having seen him on television in a joint news conference with former Senator Sam Nunn, it was obvious that Bayh was an articulate man that would not up-stage a President Obama. In addition, with his positions on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, Obama would be able to rely on him for advice when making difficult choices on these and other key issues. Virginia Governor Tim Kaine is certainly an attractive choice, but I think in today’s world it is important to have a Vice President that has a grasp of international as well as domestic issues, much like Al Gore and Dick Cheney. While I don’t think Kaine would be another Dan Quayle, he certainly wouldn’t have the stature to give advice on the level of our more recent Vice Presidents.

By: terry

terry — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:13:53 +0000

Now many may see this as being a little off but, I believe Chuck Hagel would be an excellent VP for Mr. Obama. He was against going to war in Iraq, and has military experience. He also holds the distinction of being the last republican politician in the country. He did not join with others who changed the republican party to the republinazi. He stayed his own man, and did what was right for his state that elected him. He would have been the only person that could have beat Mr. Obama in the presidential election. (sideline issue, did anyone ever think that McCain only got the nomination because the republinazi knew they where not going to have the next president. Someone had to be on the ticket, and McCain was the most expendable). I will admit that I don’t know much about some of the proposed VP candidates on the list. As I research some of the ones I ‘m not too familiar with I might favor one of them, who knows. I haven’t seen much that impressed me from the no-balls party though. All Biden does is posture, and Hillary would be about the same as McCain. The US really desperately need a few politicians that are not afraid of going against their own party for the betterment of our country. This seems to be something that both the republinazi and no-balls party forgot. Neither of these parties will give a rats butt about the people in this country until there are more independents and 3rd party candidates then them.

By: JS

JS — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:47:47 +0000

Joe Biden would be framed as being wrong about Iraq (he voted for the war) and wrong on the surge (saying that it would increase violence.) These are complex issues but that is how they would be reduced. Couple that with Biden’s very long Senate record and unpredictable verbosity, and there are many risks involved. He has also stated that he does not want the job. If that is true, could there be other quotes of his out there that belittle the office of the vice president? How could he defend that while being on the ticket? High risk with many potential distractions.

By: tdj

tdj — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:31:38 +0000

Of the three Bayh is the best choice by far. Kaine is too inexperienced and has no national or foreign policy experience. Biden may have too much to be preceived as a change agent.

Bayh has very successful executive experience from a red state that could go blue. He will help with other midwestern states, and is very popular amongst the dems that Obama has difficulty with - blue collar and Hillary supporters.

Also - as proven by his electability in Indiana - he attracts Republicans and Independents with his centrist / moderate record.

Obama / Bayh ‘08

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:38:14 +0000

Personally, I’m a Bayh fan, and have been so for a number of years. I think he would bring along the most out of the three, both domestically and internationally. Neither Kaine or Biden have as much total experience as Bayh does. He has on five times in a state that Democrats usually don’t have a chance in, and he is soley responsible for building the IN Democratic Party to what it is today. He was first elected as Sec. of State, then two terms as Governor, and finally he’s in his second term as Senator, where he serves on such committees as Intelligence, Armed Services, Small Business, etc. IN would most certainly fall into Obama’s category with Bayh, and most likely more states in the West, Midwest, and possible South.

Obama/Bayh 08!

By: DH

DH — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:29:56 +0000

Biden is the best choice.

He has amazing experience in foreign affairs, which is something I personally think our next president needs to focus on.

From the very beginning of this election I’ve always been a strong supporter of Sen. Joe Biden, but sadly he was overlooked when he was one the strongest democrats running for nomination.

Sure, his DC experience doesn’t match the look Obama is trying to create, but he would be stupid to not realize that Biden has so much to offer his campaign.

By: MFS

MFS — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:15:42 +0000

Look at the record. Biden is consistently there in terms of civil rights — neither Bayh or Kaine have his record — and as for the war, at least Biden owns the fact that his vote in ‘02 was wrong and has an actual, workable plan to get the U.S. out of there and find a formula to keep the lid on the situation. I’ll take someone with a real record and the ability to take responsibility for actions — either right or wrong. Something I wish either one of our ‘front runners’ had - both Obama and McCain have a formidable case of ‘pin the tail on somebody else’s donkey.’