The past few weeks, there have been a lot of rumors floating around with regard to Barack Obama's running mate. One of the top rumors has been our own governor, Tim Kaine. Well, now that may be looking less likely if you believe the following from this morning's Washington Post:
The choice of Warner appeared to dim chances that the state's current governor, Timothy M. Kaine, would be selected as the Democrats' vice presidential nominee. If Kaine were chosen as Obama's running mate, two Virginians would have back-to-back prime-time speaking slots, a scenario that party officials regard as unlikely.[...]
Kaine is slated to speak Tuesday, a day devoted to the economy and the environment. Democratic consultant Jenny Backus, a convention organizer, said most of the presumed vice presidential finalists have been booked for speaking slots other than the running mate's. Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, for instance, is on the Tuesday program.
A source close to Kaine said this past Tuesday night -- before yesterday morning's announcement about Warner -- that the governor believed he would "get the silver medal" in the vice presidential sweepstakes. Obama's decision to make security the theme on the night his running mate speaks is regarded by party observers as a subtle hint that Kaine and other governors without foreign policy credentials might be less likely choices.
So, who has foreign policy credentials among the supposed VP finalists? Kathleen Sebelius? Not particularly. Tim Kaine? Well, he's visited Iraq and worked as a missionary in Honduras, but...no, he doesn't really have any foreign pollicy experience. Evan Bayh? Well, he's on the Armed Services Committee and the Select Committee on Intelligence, plus he's chairman of the Subcommittee on Security and International Trade and Finance. Not bad, but not terribly extensive foreign policy experience either. Joe Biden? He's a long-time member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and has wide-ranging foreign policy expertise. Wes Clark? He served as Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO from 1997 to 2000, during which time he commanded Operation Allied Force in the Kosovo War. Clark is also the author of "Waging Modern War: Bosnia, Kosovo, and the Future of Combat" and "Winning Modern Wars: Iraq, Terrorism, and the American Empire." So, yeah, I'd say he's a foreign policy expert.
Anyway, we'll see what Barack Obama decides to do. My hope is that he picks someone as his running mate who has significant foreign policy and national security experience. In this time of international conflict and national security threats, I want to see as strong a team as possible in the White House, all of whom are "read to lead on Day 1." With people like Joe Biden and Wesley Clark, that certainly will be the case. With some of the other VP "short list" candidates...not so much.
The best choice at this time in history would have been Jim Webb. What a great turn about surprise that would be. It would really answer the mail on several levels.
But should that not be the case ... then Wes Clark or Joe Bidden would make a whole lot of sense.
I hope for the BEST.
I don't want to lose Webb in the Senate, so Clark is my pick. I find it a little ironic that he has a "speaking engagement" in "Italy" on his party's most important day for veterans and defense-related discussion.
Also, there is a future for Zinni in Obama's White House. Defense maybe?
As for General Zinni, he has ruled out politics for his future.
The best picks are Sam Nunn or Bob Kerrey. Both moderates, and both stand no chance of overshadowing the ticket. Not to mention both bring plenty of experience with the younger candidate who is criticized for his national inexperience.
Wes Clark: I'm not sure yet. I have business commitments overseas, and the convention honestly, I mean, it just hasn't taken form enough for me to know.
Maddow: Of course, you know what I'm wondering is if you have any plans to be behind a podium, say, Wednesday night in prime time.
Wes Clark: (pause) I...Right now, on Wednesday night I'm scheduled to be at a dinner in Milan, Italy.
Not exactly a Jim-Webb-type refusal.
Jim Webb fits the bill-but I thought he said "not interested" in the VP slot...
April 18, 2008: Sam Nunn: "Sen. Obama will have the sound judgment to put together an outstanding governing team, bringing people together across old boundaries. My own role in this campaign will be as an advisor - particularly in the field of national security and foreign policy."
I read that as possible Sec, of State...
But...who knows :-)
1. Officially, Obama says the main criteria for his vice presidential pick are that the person must have integrity, independence, vision, a useful "knowledge base," and the ability to help him govern. Clark meets all of these criteria.
2.Unofficially, Obama knows that if he does not pick Hillary as his VP, he will need a "friend of Hillary" whom Hillary's supporters can rally behind. Clark meets that criterion.
3. Obama knows that he's weakest among middle-aged educated women, so he needs a VP candidate who can appeal to them. Clark meets that criterion.
4. Obama needs a white male who appeals to voters in the southeast and southwest, the voters that may resist electing a black man. Clark meets that criterion.
5. Obama needs somebody who appeals to independents, moderates and even crossover conservatives nationwide. Clark meets that criterion.
6. Obama needs somebody older than himself because his base of voters in their 20s and 30s is not enough for victory. Clark meets that criterion.
7. Obama needs somebody with military credentials that match or exceed the military credentials of John McCain. Clark meets that criterion.
8. Obama needs somebody with impressive experience in foreign policy and dangerous international conflicts. Clark meets that criterion.
9. Obama needs somebody trusted by intelligence agencies and yet who has openly opposed the use of torture in the war on terrorism. Clark meets both criteria.
10. Obama needs somebody whom voters see as capable of being the president and commander in chief (just in case). Clark meets that criterion.
What do you think?
Theres the known known, the known unknown, the unknown knowable , and the unknown unknowable.
The first three things align for your choice, but certainity is not there. Unless you are Obama or Wes Clark( Or any other vp chioice already chosen)
There is no way to be certain.
Obama's views "are very similar to mine," Gration says. "While he hasn't served in the military he has tremendous respect and admiration for service people. ... I'm very involved in veterans' issues, and I believe there's not a candidate out there who's taking care of our veterans like Obama." Denis McDonough, Obama's new foreign-policy coordinator, says Gration is now considered one of Obama's three top military advisers, along with Richard Danzig, the former secretary of the Navy during the Clinton administration, and Gen. Merrill McPeak, former Air Force chief of staff. "He and Barack share a lot of personal experience, given the way they grew up," says McDonough. "There's a lot of kinship."