Obama pro/con (6)

[GodrockDJ]

This a discussion thread for if/when Barack Obama will get the Dem nomination and win the big race. This is not a discussion if he can or can not win overall - it's a discussion on the possibilities and pros and cons of the people he could pick to serve with him. So if you would like to discuss otherwise, kindly use another thread

On another forum I frequent a user made this excellent list of names that have been tossed around by the media, politicians, and normal joes like us. What are your thoughts? Let's have some actual insightful discussion please, not just "Ick, ron paul's an idiot!", etc. Who should he pick and why? What benefits would each prospect bring to the table? THE LIST:

VICE PRESIDENT
Janet Napolitano, Arizona
Joe Biden, Delaware
Kathleen Sabelius, Kansas
Al Gore, Tennessee
Chuck Hagel, Nebraska
Russ Feingold, Wisconsin
Joseph Cirincione, DC
Bill Richardson, New Mexico
Jim Webb, Virginia
Tim Kaine, Virginia
Mark Warner, Virginia
Colin Powell, New York
Richard Lugar, Indiana
Tony Villargairosa, California
Wesley Clark, Arkansas
Dick Gephardt, Missouri
Bill Nelson, Florida
Ed Rendell, Pennsylvania
Anthony Zinni, Virginia
Michael Bloomberg, New York
Dennis Kucinich, Ohio
John Edwards, North Carolina
Evan Bayh, Indiana
Christopher Dodd, Connecticut
Drew Gilpin Faust, Massachusetts
Claire McCaskill, Missouri
Nancy Pelosi, California
Max Baucus, Montana
Ron Paul, Texas
Tom Daschle, South Dakota

SECRETARY OF STATE
Joe Biden, Delaware
Colin Powell, New York
Bill Richardson, New Mexico

SECRETARY OF TREASURY
David Card, Canada
Richard Thaler, New Jersey

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
Joseph Cirincione, DC
Janet Napolitano, Arizona
Richard Lugar, Indiana
Chuck Hagel, Nebraska
Jim Webb, Virginia

ATTORNEY GENERAL
John Edwards, North Carolina
Patrick Fitzgerald, Illinois

SECRETARY OF INTERIOR
Dennis Kucinich, Ohio

SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
Norman Borlaug, Minnesota

SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
David Card, Canada
Richard Thaler, New Jersey

SECRETARY OF LABOR
John Edwards, North Carolina

SECRETARY OF HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Esther Duflo, France
Abhijit Banerjee, Massachusetts
Hillary Clinton, New York

SECRETARY OF HOUSING/URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Abhijit Banerjee, Massachusetts
Esther Duflo, France

SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
Nobody yet, open to any suggestions

SECRETARY OF ENERGY
Nobody yet, open to any suggestions

SECRETARY OF EDUCATION
Amy Gutmann, New York
James Randi, Canada
Kathleen Sabelius, Kansas

SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Paul Rieckhoff, New York

SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Lee Hamilton, Indiana
Joe Biden, Delaware

And yes, Hillary is purposefully left out of the VP slot

 

[Nathan45]

And yes, Hillary is purposefully left out of the VP slot

Wesley clark has a good shot at either VP or secretary of defense. and why leave hillary out, you don't think there's any chance she'd be VP? I think it's unlikely but more likely than ron paul...

 

[HumbleMan]

It's my opinion that he would do well picking Bill Richardson as a VP. He has a good deal of foreign policy experience, respected outside of the US, and has had very few scandals attached to him. He also has experience in the legislative and administrative branches of government.

For SecDef, I think he should reach out to Powell, but I don't think Powell would accept. Admiral Fallon would also be a good pick.

SecState, again, Bill Richardson, maybe Ray Mabus.

SecTreasury, maybe ask Warren Buffett (hey, it can't hurt to ask)

For the rest, I don't know. The four above are, IMO, the most important to be considered.

 

[JGL53]

I like Gov. Bill Richardson for V.P. too. However, what about Gen. Wesley Clark? Does he have any major negatives I don't know about? If not, he may be the best choice.

 

[HumbleMan]

Clark would make a good pick for SecDef or maybe NatSecAdv, but I don't think he's got enough political background for the VP slot, even though he did make a run for the White House.

 

[JGL53]

Clark would make a good pick for SecDef or maybe NatSecAdv, but I don't think he's got enough political background for the VP slot, even though he did make a run for the White House.

I was thinking that with a general by his side, vouching for him, Obama would have less to deal with in terms of swift-boating on his alleged "lack of patriotism" and his desire to "cut and run" in Iraq. If an American general with Clark's background were there to call the Republicans out on this issue, it would be great.

I think Obama has it on the economic and social issues vs. McCain. By Sept. or Oct. the Iraq war could be right back up in the top two or three issues - in which case, Clark's the man. Plus, he is Clinton supporter. Barack needs to make a show of "reaching out" to Clinton - or at least that's what all the pundits say.

 

[Maynard Keenan]

I'd like to see Richardson as Sec. of State and Edwards as Attorney General. Anybody but Hillary as VP.

 

[JGL53]

I'd like to see Richardson as Sec. of State and Edwards as Attorney General. Anybody but Hillary as VP.

If Obama picks Hillary, then he loses my vote.

Sorry, but I have my personal standards, and I have to stick to them in order to continue to be able to look at myself in the bathroom mirror each morning.

 

[Ubik]

I'd love to see Jim Webb as VP but there's so many great choices.

I'd also love to see Bill Richardson and John Edwards somewhere in the Cabinet.

Bob Casey should at least be a choice. He strongly supports Obama and could help with the Catholic vote.

 

[Lisa0315]

As a North Carolinian, I cannot STAND Edwards! Trust me on this. He is a professional politician and has done NOTHING for the state.

 

[Ubik]

As a North Carolinian, I cannot STAND Edwards! Trust me on this. He is a professional politician and has done NOTHING for the state.

really? I don't know too much about him except what he did in 04 and his run for president in 08. He won't be VP anyways. We probably wont get the offer and I don't think he wants to be VP.

breaking news!
he just endorsed Obama!

 

[Lisa0315]

really? I don't know too much about him except what he did in 04 and his run for president in 08. He won't be VP anyways. We probably wont get the offer and I don't think he wants to be VP.

breaking news!
he just endorsed Obama!

Here is why I do not like him. He ran for office however many years ago and I voted for him. I am a Republican, but I vote for the person that I think is best for the job. Before his first presidential bid, he was absent from Congress more than he was present. He has the worst attendance record of any Senator. He used his Senate position as a jumping board to run for President while doing NOTHING that the people who elected him needed.

Lisa

 

[JustOneWay]

I believe Clark would be a good choice.

 

[MacCoyle]

I want Chuck Hagel for VP.

 

[Billnew]

VP:
I think you can get rid of most of the names people don't recognize.
I think he will choose someone with name recognition and experience.
Bloomberg, NY
Richard Lugar, Indiana


Dick Gephardt, Missouri

Evan Bayh, Indiana

I think these all have the recognition and experience, and would probably be his short list.

I don't believe Powell wants to be in politics. I don't think Pelosi is even on the list.

I beleive he will have NOI and or church people in his administration.
I dont' believe he will appoint all wholesome cabinet members. I believe he will show his true colors in his appoinments.(No pun intended.)

 

[Lisa0315]

I think he will choose Edwards. Edwards is young, popular, and will appeal to many voters as a future candidate. I personally cannot stand Edwards as I have previously posted, but I do think that is what will happen.

Lisa

 

[Ubik]

I think he will choose Edwards. Edwards is young, popular, and will appeal to many voters as a future candidate. I personally cannot stand Edwards as I have previously posted, but I do think that is what will happen.

Lisa

I think Edwards already made it clear that he wouldn't accept a VP offer. And I don't think it will be Edwards. He might get a position in the cabinet, but he probably won't be VP.

 

[blueapplepaste]

I like the idea of Bill Richardson as a running mate. But I imagine that Obama will pick a more "traditional" politician for his running mate; i.e. a white male Christian. I like the idea of Clark as a VP running mate. Then put Richardson in a cabinet position.

 

[MacCoyle]

I beleive he will have NOI and or church people in his administration.
I dont' believe he will appoint all wholesome cabinet members. I believe he will show his true colors in his appoinments.(No pun intended.)

What? He has no NOI affiliations, so that is ridiculous. Church people won't ever get high positions. Does this pass your common sense before you post it?



I hope you are joking.

 

[Ubik]

Okay. Using the names provided, I'm making a list of who I'd like to see:

Vice President
Al Gore? Would he really do it?

Secretary of State
Bill Richardson

Secretary of Treasury
[FONT=&quot]Richard Thaler

Secretary of Defense
Jim Webb

Attorney General
John Edwards

Secretary of Interior
Dennis Kucinich

Secretary of Agriculture
Norman Borlaug


I don't know enough about the rest to make good judgements.


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