Obama's VP
I love Dodd for VP.
But if he wants to pick a woman, why not Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)? She's a "moderate" (conservative) Democrat with lots of experience, including a pretty successful stint as SF mayor, taking over after the Moscone assassination. She did well in a very liberal city that before she ascended, didn't like her much, to put it mildly. She's somewhat compromised on Iraq and other issues, but is smart, organized, diligent, and knows government.
Her rich husband and his deals might be a problem. Left liberals don't like her much, but that would be okay, wouldn't it? And. If she had to become president, she could do the job, in my opinion, well enough.
But if he wants to pick a woman, why not Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)? She's a "moderate" (conservative) Democrat with lots of experience, including a pretty successful stint as SF mayor, taking over after the Moscone assassination. She did well in a very liberal city that before she ascended, didn't like her much, to put it mildly. She's somewhat compromised on Iraq and other issues, but is smart, organized, diligent, and knows government.
Her rich husband and his deals might be a problem. Left liberals don't like her much, but that would be okay, wouldn't it? And. If she had to become president, she could do the job, in my opinion, well enough.
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I'd prefer Barbara Boxer.
April 10, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd still think Kathleen Sebilius would be the better choice if seeking a female to balance Obama's ticket. She's got something of a 'no nonsense' image and is a popular governor. I have a great deal of respect for Feinstein - really, I do. But you can just see how the GOP dumb-ass baiting attack machine will play her - 'She's from California, she has to be ultra liberal' or 'Guard your butts cute white boys - she's from San Francisco', whether true or not.
April 10, 2008 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
May I suggest (again) my own Senator, Claire McCaskill. The advantages are twofold:
1) She could help him carry MO in the general election, which is a big plus.
2) It would get her out of the senate, so that she could not sell us all down the river with retroactive telecom immunity.
April 10, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
True on the SF comment, although I'm not sure how she threatens the butts of white boys.
Also her husband's financial dealings may be questionable.
However, she provides substantial gravitas, plus femalitas, and better name recognition than Sebilius or Napolitano (I don't even know how to spell it).
She's Jewish, though not like Lieberman, who makes a career out of being Jewish, and she probably has a lot of friends who would otherwise be in the GOP camp.
I think she's definitely worth considering. We can't let the noise machine be determinant, though it must be considered.
April 10, 2008 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Feinstein - not. She used to be my Senator in California and if I ever move back I'll work to elect someone else to her seat.
Why you ask? Because she has an atrocious record for voting for crap that has extended the powers of the Executive Branch eg - George W. Dumbtwit.
She was the original Democratic co-sponsor of the extension of the Patriot Act , she's voted with the Republicans over and over on FISA and telecom immunity, and she voted to confirm Michael Mukasey (I wonder how that one's working out for her?)
I consider her one of the gutless Democrats that is so scared of the Repugs calling her bad names that she gives in on critical issues and has gone over to the dark side more times than I would like to see.
April 10, 2008 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not going to make a logical argument for it, but I'll just say my dream VP: Russ Feingold.
April 10, 2008 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
My vote is for Jim Webb, but I have a question about his Senate seat and McCakill's (who I like, very much, by the way). Both were only elected in "06, so how would their seats be filled if they ran as Obama's VP and won? Special elections or Governors of their states filling their seats? Missouri has a Repug Gov. and Virginia has a Dem.
April 10, 2008 5:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't think Webb would fly as well as one would like, though he is certainly an authority on many things that Obama is a little weak on. You have to remember he is border-line blue. While that would possibly reach across deeper into Republican cross-over and seem to counter McCain, I don't see it as being an entirely comfortable fit if they gain office together.
But that's just my opinion.
April 10, 2008 6:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think a former mayor San Francisco is not going to win any crossover votes. If a woman candidate is needed, then someone with a wholesome heartland image would be better (Sebelius, McCaskill).
April 10, 2008 5:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
the same stupid homophobic meme they played when they tried to campaign on "you don't want Pelosi to be Speaker of the House" as they tried to save their jobs during the '06 mid-terms. That is - they inferred that if Pelosi gets in - kiss the Marriage Amendments good-bye forever, gays will get everything they want, and watch you little boys carefully... scare tactics, but that is what they were trying to convey.
SNL actually did a real good job spoofing the idea right after the elections.
April 10, 2008 6:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love that the Republicans tried to scare American voters with San Francisco values in the 2006 election cycle. Pelosi is the Speaker of House and much to the chagrin of Republicans, the sky didn't fall. Sure Pelosi has to play along because the Republicans will use any and everything she does as fund-raising tool.
As far as Diane Feinstein as the VP, I think I would pass. She might balance the ticket because she is more conservative than meets the eye. When it came to voting for Pelosi, Boxer and Feinstein, I withheld my vote from Feinstein because of her support for a good number of Bush appointments. I get so upset with Feinstein. By the way, I saw her husband at the rally for Tibet the night before the Olympic torch fiasco in the city by the bay.
I am satisfied with Pelosi and Boxer.
I think Webb and Sebilius are good VP choices.
April 10, 2008 7:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mark Warner is an obvious choice, in my mind. He can help deliver Virginia, and we won't have to lose any current seats in Congress or the Senate.
April 10, 2008 7:10 PM | Reply | Permalink