Perfect VP for Obama?
posted by adamg
Does anyone else think that, should Obama get the nomination, he should choose a female govenor as VP?
It would cement the loyalty of woman who are currently supporting Hillary, (to gurantee that they don't stay home in protest) and also gurantee that the current change, ie historical firsts, dosn't end with Obama, (One could say Obama is a once in a generation politician which means that it will be another 20 years before a non-white male becomes pres).
Besides that, there is also the fact that it would add experience to the ticket, as well as make history on two fronts. This would help to really energize the dems to turn out, while the republican base is holding their nose over McCain or staying home.
And while Hillary as VP would spur the republicans to action, a different female candidate would not cause the same reaction.
So I have checked Wikipedia for a list of current female govenors, there are 7.
Of these, 5 are democrats. Here they are:
Janet Napolitano, Arizona, 51, named one of top 5 govenors by Time magazine in 2005, has endorsed Obama and is term limited out in 2010, offers geographic diversity and an overall strong choice.
Ruth Ann Minner Deleware, 73, known for non-partisan style of governing, overall a bit too old to run for pres after 8 years of Obama, (she would be 81 while running in 2016 and would leave office at 90)
Kathleen Sebelius Kansas, 60, has endorsed Obama, became first democrat to win state insurance commissioner job in 100 years. Brought commission out from under thumb of insurance industry and stopped the merger of Blue Cross Blue Shield with Indiana based firm. In other words, actually believes that gov regulators should regulate the industries they are responsible for, not just role over and do as they are told.
Solid choice
Jennifer Granholm Michigan, 49, former attorney general of Michigan, unfortunately born in Finland so could never run for pres, so basically disqualified for that reason.
Christine Gregoire Washington, 61, former Washington Director of Ecology and Attorney General, led the state in sueing tobacco industry in 1990, won state $4.5 billion.
So, basically there are 4 eligible female govenors for Obama to choose from, 3 of which have endoresed him, Napalitano, Sebelius and Gregoire.
Minner from Deleware is too old to run for president after Obama's 8 years and so that leaves the 3 woman above to choose from.
So, who would most help the ticket in 08, and then be likely to win in 2016 and 2020?
Well Napalitano has been a very succesfull and popular gov, and does give hope of winning Arizona in 08.
But Sebelius offers a visceral, "heartland" feel to the ticket.
On the other hand, Gregoire is the most photogenic, which might fit better with the youthful image that Obama is portraying.
In terms of experience all 3 are good, with Gregoir's AG experience probably being the most impressive of the 3.
I would dare say that Obama should consider only these 3 as VP because all 3 add experience to the ticket and increase the historical nature of the election, which brings with it incredible excitement and high turnout for dems.
Of course, Govenor Richardson would also make a fantastic choice, just because of his mile long resume of accomplishments, (State Senator, US Congressman, Diplomat, US Energy Secretary of Energy, Govenor of NM and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee).
With Richardson you might lose some of the woman vote but would cement the hispanic vote, so I think Richardson is no better or worse a candiate than the three candidates mentioned above in terms of winning over constituencies.
So what do you think? Which of the 4 govenors would make the best VP candidate? Who would most exite the electorate with a sense of history in the making? In other words who would most help Obama win in 08, 2012, and then be most likely to win in 2016 and 2020?
Besides that, there is also the fact that it would add experience to the ticket, as well as make history on two fronts. This would help to really energize the dems to turn out, while the republican base is holding their nose over McCain or staying home.
And while Hillary as VP would spur the republicans to action, a different female candidate would not cause the same reaction.
So I have checked Wikipedia for a list of current female govenors, there are 7.
Of these, 5 are democrats. Here they are:
Janet Napolitano, Arizona, 51, named one of top 5 govenors by Time magazine in 2005, has endorsed Obama and is term limited out in 2010, offers geographic diversity and an overall strong choice.
Ruth Ann Minner Deleware, 73, known for non-partisan style of governing, overall a bit too old to run for pres after 8 years of Obama, (she would be 81 while running in 2016 and would leave office at 90)
Kathleen Sebelius Kansas, 60, has endorsed Obama, became first democrat to win state insurance commissioner job in 100 years. Brought commission out from under thumb of insurance industry and stopped the merger of Blue Cross Blue Shield with Indiana based firm. In other words, actually believes that gov regulators should regulate the industries they are responsible for, not just role over and do as they are told.
Solid choice
Jennifer Granholm Michigan, 49, former attorney general of Michigan, unfortunately born in Finland so could never run for pres, so basically disqualified for that reason.
Christine Gregoire Washington, 61, former Washington Director of Ecology and Attorney General, led the state in sueing tobacco industry in 1990, won state $4.5 billion.
So, basically there are 4 eligible female govenors for Obama to choose from, 3 of which have endoresed him, Napalitano, Sebelius and Gregoire.
Minner from Deleware is too old to run for president after Obama's 8 years and so that leaves the 3 woman above to choose from.
So, who would most help the ticket in 08, and then be likely to win in 2016 and 2020?
Well Napalitano has been a very succesfull and popular gov, and does give hope of winning Arizona in 08.
But Sebelius offers a visceral, "heartland" feel to the ticket.
On the other hand, Gregoire is the most photogenic, which might fit better with the youthful image that Obama is portraying.
In terms of experience all 3 are good, with Gregoir's AG experience probably being the most impressive of the 3.
I would dare say that Obama should consider only these 3 as VP because all 3 add experience to the ticket and increase the historical nature of the election, which brings with it incredible excitement and high turnout for dems.
Of course, Govenor Richardson would also make a fantastic choice, just because of his mile long resume of accomplishments, (State Senator, US Congressman, Diplomat, US Energy Secretary of Energy, Govenor of NM and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee).
With Richardson you might lose some of the woman vote but would cement the hispanic vote, so I think Richardson is no better or worse a candiate than the three candidates mentioned above in terms of winning over constituencies.
So what do you think? Which of the 4 govenors would make the best VP candidate? Who would most exite the electorate with a sense of history in the making? In other words who would most help Obama win in 08, 2012, and then be most likely to win in 2016 and 2020?
| < Third Way Not So Bad | Calling All Facebook Members > |
Perfect VP for Obama? | 22 comments (22 topical, 0 hidden)
Perfect VP for Obama? | 22 comments (22 topical, 0 hidden)
