Zac D: Great post. I agree with it to the letter. Dubious: I agree that the cabinet positions are of great interest, especially Sec. of State. There are reports today that Biden, Kerry and Dodd have all signaled interest in that position, though Biden would much rather be VP. The thing you leave out in your accounting of the VP job is that whoever winds up there becomes the nearly undisputed frontrunner for that party's next presidential nomination process. That's why Hillary wants it and that's why it would amaze me if anyone with presidential aspirations wouldn't. Edwards walked back his disinterest in the job today, which makes total sense to me. He wants to be president too and this is the best way to get there. Which brings me to Warner. What's up with him? He traded his endorsement of Kerry for an appearance on his VP short list and he toyed with a presidential run last year too. And then he backed off it and doesn't want VP anymore. It almost makes you think there might be a problem that vetting might raise. He went from blatant interest in the top job to none, lickety split. There's probably nothing there, but it raises eyebrows.
"Historically the real job of VP is powerless place taking anyway, though of late that is less true with Gore and The Evil Overlord. So let's give women something to get on board with, a perception of empowerment." I'm not sure if that was sarcasm, but you couldn't have illustrated better the sexism so many women have to deal with. Throw a bone at the women so they will "perceive" that they have equal rights in an Obama administration? Frankly, I think women will be well represented there, but it is exactly this attitude that ticks off significant numbers of women, IMO, and would make them dubious about the sincerity of the new administration. Trim Bush.
Changing the perception of women's place in government is a step toward their true empowerment. Women should be more excited about having some representation on one ticket rather than none on either ticket. If the Republicans selected a woman as their vice presidential nominee and the Democrats didn't, the perception of 'change' would tilt away from Obama somewhat. Like Gay Marrige, the more a once strange idea is in the public eye the more accepted it becomes. But yeah, I am sexist about political leadership. It would be a rare woman that could inspire me in that role. I'm not much for female vocalist either. If a woman politician could equal Janis Joplin or Koko Tayor at their craft though, I'd get on board. ( that would require true talent, not the calculated, duplicitous, insincere persona of your girl)
I think any campaign that runs with the assumption that a critical state like Florida is "in the bag" is setting itself up to lose. Also, Romney would be a terrible choice. He is not appealing to the centrists, which is where this election will be won or lost. Also, whether people want to admit it or not, Romney's faith will become an issue. There are too many people out there who believe that Mormons are scary. I can't quite put my finger on why...but there is no shortage of dumb people out there.
Check the polls on Florida, and the demographics. It's in the bag. In terms of Romney -- he helps on the economic/finance side considerably. But his real draw, in my opinion, is his strength in some key swing states. He is very strong in Michigan, Nevada, and Colorado. If (when) McCain wins Michigan and Nevada, he's our next President. Period.
If McCain chooses Romney, my presidential decision on November's ballot narrows to voting for Obama or not voting for either one. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I feel McCain's choice for veep is much more important than usual. For some reason that escapes me, the likelihood of him being a one term president doesn't get much discussion. Not only is there a higher risk of his health going south, his veep choice will get a head start on being the GOP nominee in 2012.
hello, the double-talk express from AZ is extremely weak, in terms of his knowledge of the Middle East. the double-talker has to walk a tight rope, to extricate his Bush-lite branding, yet not to run afoul of the right-wing, Rust and those of his ilk in the process, the double-talker has been exposed for what he is, a limited knowledge of the Middle East and totally oblivious to economic issues
I like Sebelius a lot, but I still think it will end up being someone who no one has talked about yet. As previously stated, I think Bill Bradley makes a lot of sense.
Does Bill still have the chops at 65 to play F for the White House hoopers? Like touch football in the Kennedy years and softball during Clintons, the real networking during the Obama years will be done at cross court basketball. (Expect to see height limits lifted for secret service agents) I admire Bill Bradley more than anyone in my politcal history but I think once you've cut the addiction to public life and established yourself in a suitably rewarding position in the more lucrative private sector, the #2 probably holds no allure. As to Bill Bradly running and my Sam Nunn error I found the Onion quote but the URL won't print in the forum because it has the F word in it. But it is pretty funny: http://www.theonion.com/content/radio_news/report_1998_was_ten_****ing
When was the last FL statewide poll on Obama v. McCain? The last one I can find was completed on 5/22 by Quinnipiac and showed McCain with a 4 pt. lead over Obama. Can you cite any poll since Obama wrapped up the nomination?
I would be interested in that. Some of the talking heads on cable news seemed to think McCain had an edge over Obama there, but that Clinton could win it. I think that's a place where she could do a lot of good campaigning for Barack. I've seen some electoral maps recently that had it leaning GOP. Could it be in play? I would assume so. Trim Bush.
Does this mean you are finally ready to accept Sam Fisher's challenge? Or do you not put any faith in your own line of rhetoric. Your credibility is on the line. You are on the clock. Put up or puss out.
Anybody post this yet? http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/06/16/clinton_insiders_take_umbrage.html I'm honestly not sure if it was intended to be a giant "**** YOU," but it does seem to make Clinton as VP unlikely. At least it's the biggest sign of that we have so far.
While we're waiting for TJ to produce a post primary poll and enlighten us as to demographics, here's a recent poll from another important state, Ohio...
