I thought it might be Zinni, but Jones is certainly formidable?

It would be fun to see Joe Biden on the stump, the man is a razor!

Maybe he can apoligize for that damn bankrupcy bill (the Senator from MasterCard!)

Didn't know Jones was on the Chevron board, he'd better vet out well in that regard.

I wonder if Claudia Kennedy is a possibility. She seems to tick many boxes (Woman, Military, Clinton supporter). She was born in Frankfurt in Germany though so unless it was a military base that is considered US soil I take it that excludes her.

Meh.  Strickland really sounds like he doesn't want it.  It's a shame.  Obama/Strickland would wipe the floor with McCain.

North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad told The Associated Press said the team asked him about potential candidates from three broad categories -- current top elected officials, former top elected officials, and former top military leaders.

In other words, just about everybody is under consideration at this point.

I understand why the corporate media, desperate for inane topics to jabber about, would jump on the "military leader" meme, but is a website like this one supoosed to be in their sorry league?

I think that's a pretty good sign it's not very accurate.

Hillary Clinton - Too much baggage.
John Kerry - Not smart regionally.  Old news.
John Edwards - Damaged goods.  Wish he wasn't tainted by the Kerry loss.  Love him otherwise.  Not a pit bull, however.
Evan Bayh - Douchebag
Kathleen Sebelius - Token woman alert!  Don't piss off Clinton or her supporters.
Ted Strickland - OK pick as Ohio is critical.  Don't know much else about him.
Mark Warner - Like Webb better.
Tim Kaine - Like Webb better.
Jim Webb - Like him but for Tailhook.  Need more details on that.  
Bill Nelson - OK pick but wonder if he can deliver his state.  If there's a chance, I'd say go for it.
Jack Reed - Don't know enough.  I'd genrally avoid anyone from the NE, however.
Joe Biden - Blowhard.
Chris Dodd - OK pick.
Tom Daschle - No.  Weenie factor too high.
Sam Nunn - Solid choice.  Barr factor adds appeal here.

One more thing, why all the damn Senators on this list?  I, like others, would prefer to avoid a Two Senator ticket.

Former military leaders?  Who else besides Jones and Clark could be under consideration?

You know, someone somewhere is thinking about this.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, a Republican who served under President Bush, said Friday he may not back the GOP presidential nominee in November, telling CNN that "I am keeping my options open at the moment."

Okay, doesn't mean much. But there's more:

Powell also offered praise for Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, calling him an "exciting person on the political stage.

Hmmm.  Powell had this to say:

"I will ultimately vote for the person I believe brings to the American people the kind of vision the American people want to see for the next four years," he said. "A vision that reaches out to the rest of the world, that starts to restore confidence in America, that starts to restore favorable ratings to America. Frankly, we've lost a lot in recent years."

There's no doubt in my mind that Powell would love to right some wrongs, given the opportunity.  

Some are there out of respect, like Kerry?

Other, like Warner, Sebelius, Bayh are the real deal, and are probably under serious consideration?

Oh, and I actually LIKE the idea of Jones, or Zinni, a non-poltician (as non-politician as you can be being a general, which is pretty political) with actual ON THE JOB foriegn policy experience?  Running NATO is pretty much being a Governor of a large political body?

Plus, you want to talk to these guys, you are also going to have to repair the military and maybe you choose from inside the ranks for Sec of Defense?  Though I think Biden is the natural pick there....

I saw Zinni interviewed after that book he wrote with Tom Clancy.

He was great, talk about a straight shooter?

McCain USED to have the gravitas, he kissed it off when he kissed Robertsons, Falwells and Bush's backsides....

deserves a good hard look:

But when she felt it necessary, Sebelius fought -- and often won. She vetoed a bill that would have required voters to show photo identification before voting, citing disenfranchisement concerns. She issued an executive order making it illegal to discriminate against state employees on the basis of sexual orientation. Three times in four years, she opposed legislation that would have restricted abortion access even though one of those bills passed the Kansas legislature by a two to one margin. Most recently, Sebelius offered a third veto to a bill that would have paved the way for the construction of two new coal-fired units in western Kansas, and she did it primarily on environmental grounds, a stance that a decade ago would have amounted to political suicide.

"Elected leaders are supposed to look at the big picture, at issues that may not affect citizens immediately but are extremely beneficial to the long-term condition of our society. Moving toward renewable energy provides opportunities for better-paying jobs, while helping to address concerns caused by global warming," she said of her decision.

Her position was held up by one vote in the statehouse.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/10 /kathleen-sebelius-complet_n_106219.html

But it's not up to me!

The obvious choice is Clinton.

The dark horse is McCaskill.

It will be one of those two.

I wonder if a number of white male Dems on this blog are projecting with respect to the no. 2 spot. The most successful female candidate in history was less behind in pledged delegates than superdelegates who ultimately sided with Obama. Clinton's deserving of much due consideration.

Is the thinking from some of you that a white male allays racial fears among the electorate?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Zin ni

From Penn.

Yup, also lots of background with Israel.

His son is also a marine, served a tour in Iraq.

Here's James Jones wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Jam es_Jones

when he was asked if he'd like to be her VP.

Wait until it's official that Hillary isn't on the ticket, then you will see a huge cross-over vote.

Not puting Hillary on the ticket will be a deal-breaker for many of her supporters just like it would have been if she won the nomination and didn't put him on the ticket.

Somehow, it appears that he thinks everything is ok and Dem's will automatically support him in the end. That may have been the case in other elections but this time is different.

What would Obama supporters do if the situation was reversed? Exactly what many Hillary supporters will do if she's left off the ticket: they will stay at home, leave the party, vote for McCain.

Hey mmorang, will you answer the same way as above about vetting?

Should Hillary and Bill submitt to a complete vetting for Hillary to qualify for the ticket?

Including Bill turning over the names of the contributors to the library AND to his charity fund?

I doubt it will be any of the former military leaders (Clark, Jones or Zinni). All would probably have some questionable things in vetting.

I also don't think Obama will pick another senator. IMO he will pick a governor. Most likely a redish state governor.

So my guess would be Mark Warner, Tim Kaine or Kathleen Sebelius. Edwards and Biden could also be picked.

be an unwise choice because she represents the "old way of politics," whereas Obama represents a "new kind of politics." If the names listed are indeed in the mix, the "old way of politics" concern cannot be said to apply to Hillary alone. Therfore she, with 18 millions reasons behind her, should be at the top of any shortlist.

Obama should pick Congressman Joe Sestak from Pennsylvania.... it's a logical choice.  Sometimes when you are not initially mentioned, that is when you are being silented vetted.

Sestak fills out the ticket, given his background and the demographics he represents.  He balances out Obama's perceived weaknesses, and can bring PA - a must win state for us in the general election into the Democratic column. Sestak is extremely popular in southeastern PA, where 40% of the vote comes from in PA.

For those who don't know Sestak's background, he's a former 3-Star Admiral, who ran successfully for Congress in 2006, after completing 31 year military service (he's the senior military veteran in Congress and the highest-ranking military officer ever elected to Congress).

Sestak had a series of commands, the last one being command of the George Washington carrier battle group (30 U.S./allied ships, 100 aircraft, and over 15,000 sailors/marines) that conducted combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Sestak also served as President Clinton's Director of Defense Policy at the White House on the National Security Council.  After 9/11, the Navy selected Sestak to head-up and become the first Director of "Deep Blue", the Navy's anti-terrorism unit.  He's a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy (2nd in his class) and has a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government from Harvard University. (wasn't McCain 2nd from the bottom?)

Everything that the McCain/Republicans can throw at the dem ticket on military, foreign policy, and terrorism -- Sestak has actually "walked the walk" on these issues for 31 years!!!!

When Sestak served in the Clinton White House, he worked with, and remains close to Obama's two top foreign policy advisors: Tony Lake (who was Bill Clinton's National Security Advisor), and Susan Rice (an Assistant Sec. of State under Bill Clinton).

Sestak was also out front back in the spring of 2006 in calling for our military to re-deploy out of Iraq for our country's overall better security (he had already publicly called for redeployment out of Iraq several months before that collective group of generals decided to go public with the NY Times). Most importantly, Senator Obama has adopted Sestak's 16-18 month redeployment plan to get us out of Iraq.

Sestak also fills out the demographics that Obama has had trouble attracting with Senator Clinton's supporters. He's Catholic and comes from one of those really large PA, hard-working middle class families (he's has 8 brothers/sisters).

Sestak was also one of the Netroots-endorsed candidates in 2006. He's also been out front in calling for the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell".  

Lastly, even though he's been a Hillary Clinton supporter, he's always been extremely positive about Senator Obama whenever Sestak appears on any of the national tv/radio shows (he's definitely well-liked by the press). Sestak can bridge the divide between the Clinton and Obama factions of the party.  

I think Sestak has the street-cred that many others lack.  His selection would balance out some of the perceived "weaknesses" of Obama and put PA one of the 3 key swing-states (FL, Ohio, and PA) into the dem column.

It has always been Wesley Clark.

I'm psychic

I love Biden. He was my second pick behind Obama!

Come on, do the right thing and get my man Joe on the ticket.

Wes Clark.

I don't feel any of the other military leaders have enough name recognition.

Obama/Clark'08

Would look awful good on my Jeep bumper!

Those that would do Obama the most good...in order

1. Hillary...like having Joe Montana as your backup quarterback

2. Ted Strickland - Ohio ('nuff said)

3. Biden - Great campaigner

4. Bayh - Clinton light (not a bad thing actually)

5. Warner - Might put Virginia in play (bad for us though as we are about to sen Warner to the Senate)

6. Bet the rest as the field..

Off this list...Wes Clark would be a great choice...

I think it will be Clark as well.

- NATO commander/General

• Clinton supporter
  
• opposed the war
  
• Seems pretty progressive
  
• Has run for President himself
  

Didn't Obama say that this process would be private with no media access and that any rumors or reports or speculation would be false?

It's been pretty obvious that Obama would have to pick someone with a military background for this slot since this is where he's very vulnerable to the GOP.

This is coat trailing. An unknown general with zero experience in politics for VP. Are we crazy. Not really since this is undoubtedly bs.  

I think it will be Clark.

If you say Wesley Clark to middle america, his name resonates.

Considering we will be in a war with Iran come August, picking Wesley Clark makes perfect sense.

I still believe that Kerry would be a perfect running mate for Obama (he's been my choice for quite some time now).

Though I'm not sure if that would hurt the ticket.  It's an option worth exploring.

Barack Obama / Scarlett Johanson 08

OK, Clark seems on a roll here.

Does anyone want to venture an answer to my question:

If NOT Hillary, is Wes the best choice to mollify her supporters?

Red state governor:

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen

Kerry courted McCain...Obama considers Kerry...

Change we can believe in!

the fact that Kerry is on the lsit amkes me doubt the veracity of the list...and Clark and Napolitano are not on it, which raises further doubts.

Clark, Zinni, Napolitano, Webb, Sibelius are all good choices.

Hillary? be real!  why would Obama want 2 veepees? why would he want to spend 4 years looking over his shoulder to see what the Billary are up to? can you really trust Bill to stay out of things?

Obama is the embodiment of chill
the Clintons are the embodiment of drama

but it has no effect on the outcome.

Look, who does Obama do awfully with?  I mean, there is one demographic that he's just wiped out on across the board.

OLDER VOTERS.  They don't like him.  Don't trust him.  He's going to need a VP that they do like and who has the effect of saying "see this guy?  I know him.  He's alright.  You can trust him even though he's got a funny name."

I think if you look at the ticket through that lens, certain choices pop up (like Joe Biden and Sam Nunn) and certain ones fade to the background (like Bill Richardson).

Anyway, personally, I like Sibellius.

Strickland's hell no I don't want it speaks volumes!! He's not sure if Obama can carry Ohio and the last thing he wants is to get embarrassed if he loses if he's on the ticket.

D'oh!

Supported Don't ask Don't Tell. Indeed was one person responsible for undermining any attempt to overturn the previous policy and then LED support for codifying the law. Voted to restrict appeals by death row inmates, never met a military program he didn't like, has always opposed efforts to make the rich pay their fair share of taxes and is in favor of school prayer.

Is this who we want as Obama's wingman? I think NOT!

Hilarious, either way.

a compelling article:

http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/ezrak lein_archive?month=06&year=2008& base_name=veepstakes_the_case_for_biden# 106973

I dont know why but none of the candidates being thrown about really resonate with me.  Its nothing I can articulate, but I dont see 'home run' written on any of them.

I just dont want a quick decision.  I think the more time Obama takes the better (at least with a deadline of the republican convention).  I think picking too quickly after such a tough primary with raw feelings still about would not be wise.  I think a time out period would be welcome.  Plus it would allow Obama some sink or swim time one on one against McCain.

In the end it has to be Obama defeating McCain, not Obama and his VP beating McCain, so Obama might as well start now assuming the mantle of leader.

Plus, I think Obama should save the VP pick for a better media play day.  Say the day after McCain picks his running mate or during the republican convention.  Something that steals McCains media narrative and any bump he could get.

Couple of interesting bits from this news at least:

1) No Schweitzer.  He seemed to be a hot pick.

2. No Richardson.  Which I am glad about, I dont think he would be good (although I genuinely like Richardson).
   
3. Jones - wtf?  Who the hell is this guy?

In the end, I think Obama will pick someone from left field.  I dont think an unknown would be bad as long as they are solid.  It would give the media a few days to obssess on dems again trying to learn about the new guy/gal.

Clark, Clark, Clark or Clark.

If he doesn't want it then Warner.

Actually, I think We're all Democrats.I haven't had a single discussion on this issue from anyone.I'd be pleasantly suport  the man who is really democratics.