The Vet Who Did Not Vet

McCain's Choice: Where to begin?

You know, we don't report a great deal on McCain's Choice, but we have so much to choose from, I couldn't resist.

#1 - Governor, you're running for Vice-President...wouldn't it be nice if you ACTUALLY knew what the job entailed?

Here's a hint: READ THE CONSTITUTION

A Third Grader...A THIRD GRADER....asked this question.



If you can, catch the rerun of Hardball tonight. Tweety is BRUTAL when this comes up. He and Bill Maher are like, ' you gotta be kidding me'.

#2 - Government Money is WELFARE, SOCIALISM.....

except FOR WHEN IT PAYS FOR HER CHILDREN TO TRAVEL WITH HER ON THE GOVERNMENT'S DIME.

From The Associated Press:

AP INVESTIGATION: Palin children traveled on state
By BRETT J. BLACKLEDGE, ADAM GOLDMAN and MATT APUZZO, Associated Press Writers Brett J. Blackledge, Adam Goldman And Matt Apuzzo, Associated Press Writers – 1 hr 18 mins ago

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Gov. Sarah Palin charged the state for her children to travel with her, including to events where they were not invited, and later amended expense reports to specify that they were on official business.

The charges included costs for hotel and commercial flights for three daughters to join Palin to watch their father in a snowmobile race, and a trip to New York, where the governor attended a five-hour conference and stayed with 17-year-old Bristol for five days and four nights in a luxury hotel.

In all, Palin has charged the state $21,012 for her three daughters' 64 one-way and 12 round-trip commercial flights since she took office in December 2006. In some other cases, she has charged the state for hotel rooms for the girls.

Alaska law does not specifically address expenses for a governor's children. The law allows for payment of expenses for anyone conducting official state business.

As governor, Palin justified having the state pay for the travel of her daughters — Bristol, 17; Willow, 14; and Piper, 7 — by noting on travel forms that the girls had been invited to attend or participate in events on the governor's schedule.

But some organizers of these events said they were surprised when the Palin children showed up uninvited, or said they agreed to a request by the governor to allow the children to attend.

Several other organizers said the children merely accompanied their mother and did not participate. The trips enabled Palin, whose main state office is in the capital of Juneau, to spend more time with her children.

"She said any event she can take her kids to is an event she tries to attend," said Jennifer McCarthy, who helped organize the June 2007 Family Day Celebration picnic in Ketchikan that Piper attended with her parents.

State Finance Director Kim Garnero told The Associated Press she has not reviewed the Palins' travel expense forms, so she could not say whether the daughters' travel with their mother would meet the definition of official business.

After Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain chose Palin his running mate and reporters asked for the records, Palin ordered changes to previously filed expense reports for her daughters' travel.

In the amended reports, Palin added phrases such as "First Family attending" and "First Family invited" to explain the girls' attendance.

"The governor said, 'I want the purpose and the reason for this travel to be clear,'" said Linda Perez, state director of administrative services.

When Palin released her family's tax records as part of her vice presidential campaign, some tax experts questioned why she did not report the children's state travel reimbursements as income.

The Palins released a review by a Washington attorney who said state law allows the children's travel expenses to be reimbursed and not taxed when they conduct official state business.

Taylor Griffin, a McCain-Palin campaign spokesman, said Palin followed state policy allowing governors to charge for their children's travel. He said the governor's office has invitations requesting the family to attend some events, but he said he did not have them to provide.

In October 2007, Palin brought daughter Bristol along on a trip to New York for a women's leadership conference. Plane tickets from Anchorage to La Guardia Airport for $1,385.11 were billed to the state, records show, and mother and daughter shared a room for four nights at the $707.29-per-night Essex House hotel, which overlooks Central Park.

The event's organizers said Palin asked if she could bring her daughter.

Alexis Gelber, who organized Newsweek's Third Annual Women & Leadership Conference, said she does not know how Bristol ended up attending. Gelber said invitees usually attend alone, but some ask if they can bring a relative or friend.

Griffin, the campaign spokesman, said he believes someone with the event personally sent an e-mail to Bristol inviting her, but he did not have it to provide. Records show Palin also met with Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Goldman Sachs representatives and visited the New York Stock Exchange.

In January, the governor, Willow and Piper showed up at the Alaska Symphony of Seafood Buffet, an Anchorage gala to announce winners of an earlier seafood competition.

"She was just there," said James Browning, executive director of Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, which runs the event. Griffin said the governor's office received an invitation that was not specifically addressed to anyone.

When Palin amended her children's expense reports, she listed a role for the two girls at the function — "to draw two separate raffle tickets."

In the original travel form, Palin listed a number of events that her children attended and said they were there "in official capacity helping." She did not identify any specific roles for the girls.

In July, the governor charged the state $2,741.26 to take Bristol and Piper to Philadelphia for a meeting of the National Governors Association. The girls had their own room for five nights at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel for $215.46 a night, expense records show.

Expense forms describe the girls' official purpose as "NGA Governor's Youth Programs and family activities." But those programs were activities designed to keep children busy, a service provided by the NGA

to accommodate governors and their families, NGA spokeswoman Jodi Omear said.

In addition to the commercial flights, the children have traveled dozens of times with Palin on a state plane. For these flights, the total cost of operating the plane, at $971 an hour, was about $55,000, according to state flight logs. The cost of operating the state plane does not increase when the children join their mother.

The organizer of an American Heart Association luncheon on Feb. 15 in Fairbanks said Palin asked to bring daughter Piper to the event, and the organizer said she was surprised when Palin showed up with daughter Willow and Bristol as well.

The three Palin daughters shared a room separate from their mother at the Princess Lodge in Fairbanks for two nights, at a cost to the state of $129 per night.

The luncheon took place before Palin's husband, Todd, finished fourth in the 2,000-mile Iron Dog snowmobile race, also in Fairbanks. The family greeted him at the finish line.

When Palin showed up at the luncheon with not just Piper but also Willow and Bristol, organizers had to scramble to make room at the main table, said Janet Bartels, who set up the event.

"When it's the governor, you just make it happen," she said.

The state is already reviewing nearly $17,000 in per diem payments to Palin for more than 300 nights she slept at her own home, 40 miles from her satellite office in Anchorage.

Tony Knowles, a Democratic former governor of Alaska who lost to Palin in a 2006 bid to reclaim the job, said he never charged the state for his three children's commercial flights or claimed their travel as official state business.

Knowles, who was governor from 1994 to 2002, is the only other recent Alaska governor who had school-age children while in office.

"There was no valid reason for the children to be along on state business," said Knowles, a supporter of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. "I cannot recall any instance during my eight years as governor where it would have been appropriate to claim they performed state business."

Knowles said he brought his children to one NGA event while in office but didn't charge the state for their trip.

In February 2007, the three girls flew from Juneau to Anchorage on Alaska Airlines. Palin charged the state for the $519.30 round-trip ticket for each girl, and noted on the expense form that the daughters accompanied her to "open the start of the Iron Dog race."

The children and their mother then watched as Todd Palin and other racers started the competition, which Todd won that year. Palin later had the relevant expense forms changed to describe the girls' business as "First Family official starter for the start of the Iron Dog race."

The Palins began charging the state for commercial flights after the governor kept a 2006 campaign promise to sell a jet bought by her predecessor.

Palin put the jet up for sale on eBay, a move she later trumpeted in her star-making speech at the Republican National Convention, and it was ultimately sold by the state at a loss.

That left only one high-performance aircraft deemed safe enough for her to use — a 1980 twin-engine King Air assigned to the public safety agency but, according to flight logs, out of service for maintenance and repairs about a third of the time Palin has been governor.

I'm telling you, there's a whole lotta folks in Alaska who are quietly taking notes on all this. They're just filing things away for a future date.


#3 - I guess Alaska's money wasn't good enough, because now we've learned that the RNC has spent ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS on the wardrobe of McCain's Choice.

$150,000

From Politico.com:

RNC appears to shell out $150K for Palin fashion
By JEANNE CUMMINGS | 10/21/08 7:47 PM EDT

The Republican National Committee appears to have spent more than $150,000 to clothe and accessorize vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her family since her surprise pick by John McCain in late August.

According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74.

The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September.

The RNC also spent $4,716.49 on hair and makeup through September after reporting no such costs in August.

Politico asked the McCain campaign for comment, explicitly noting the $150,000 in expenses for department store shopping and makeup consultation that were incurred immediately after Palin’s announcement. Pre-September reports do not include similar costs.

Spokeswoman Maria Comella declined to answer specific questions about the expenditures, including whether it was necessary to spend that much and whether it amounted to one early investment in Palin or if shopping for the vice presidential nominee was ongoing.

“The campaign does not comment on strategic decisions regarding how financial resources available to the campaign are spent," she said.

The business of primping and dressing on the campaign trail has become fraught with political risk in recent years as voters increasingly see an elite Washington out of touch with their values and lifestyles.

No!

Not Governor Common Woman?

It couldn't be.

$150,000 since late August?


Am I being snarky if I say...um, I would have never thought it, because, well, she didn't look like it.

#4 - The Albatross Around McCain's Neck

From the latest NBC/Wall Street Journal Poll:

a)Fifty-five percent of respondents say she’s not qualified to serve as president if the need arises, up five points from the previous poll.

b) More voters have a negative opinion of her than a positive one. In the survey, 47 percent view her negatively, versus 38 percent who see her in a positive light.

That’s a striking shift since McCain chose Palin as his running mate in early September, when she held a 47 to 27 percent positive rating.

c) Now, Palin’s qualifications to be president rank as voters’ top concern about McCain’s candidacy - ahead of continuing President Bush’s policies, enacting economic policies that only benefit the rich and keeping too high of a troop presence in Iraq.

From the latest Pew Poll:

Sarah Palin appears to be a continuing - if not an increasing - drag on the GOP ticket. Currently, 49% of voters express an unfavorable opinion of Palin, while 44% have a favorable view. In mid-September, favorable opinions of Palin outnumbered negative ones by 54% to 32%. Women, especially women under age 50, have become increasingly critical of Palin: 60% now express an unfavorable view of Palin, up from 36% in mid-September. Notably, opinions of Palin have a greater impact on voting intentions than do opinions of Joe Biden, Obama's running mate.

He put Country Last, and now it's come back to bite him - GOOD.

Katie Couric's Interview With McCain's Choice

I suppose Couric had to promise to show 'deference' to McCain's Choice.

From Politico.com

Palin and Couric


CBS NEWS ANCHOR KATIE COURIC INTERVIEWS VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE

SARAH PALIN ON TONIGHT’S “CBS EVENING NEWS”



Following is the transcript of tonight’s interview, which focuses on the nation’s economic crisis. Tomorrow’s (25) portion of the interview will focus on international affairs. As previously announced, Couric's extended interview with Gov. Palin from the campaign trail will be broadcast on the CBS EVENING NEWS next Monday (29) and Tuesday (30).



Mandatory credit: the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH KATIE COURIC



COURIC: Sarah Palin kept up her busy schedule today, meeting with several world leaders who are here in New York for the UN session. But she took time out for an exclusive interview, in which we discussed the state of the economy at length. We began, though, by addressing reports that the lobbying firm of Senator McCain's campaign manager received payments from Freddie Mac until last month. I asked for her reaction to that.



PALIN: My understanding is that Rick Davis recused himself from the dealings of the firm. I don't know how long ago, a year or two ago that he's not benefiting from that. And you know, I was — I would hope that's not the case.



COURIC: But he still has a stake in the company, so isn't that a conflict of interest.



PALIN: Again, my understanding is that he recused himself from the dealings with Freddie and Fannie, any lobbying efforts on his part there. And I would hope that's the case because, as John McCain has been saying, and as I've been on a more local level been on a much more local level been also rallying against is the undue influence of lobbyists in public policy decisions being made.


COURIC: Then we focused on the $700 billion government bailout of bad debt and I asked her if she supports it.



PALIN: I'm ill about the position that America is in and that we have to look at a $700 billion bailout. At the same time we know that inaction is not an option and as Senator McCain has said unless this nearly trillion-dollar bailout is what it may end up to be, unless there are amendments in Paulson's proposal, really I don't believe that Americans are going to support this and we will not support this. The interesting thing in the last couple of days that I have seen is that Americans are waiting to see what John McCain will do on this proposal. They're not waiting to see what Barack Obama is going to do. Is he going to do this and see what way the political wind's blowing. They're waiting to see if John McCain will be able to see these amendments implemented in Paulson's proposal.



COURIC: Why do you say that? Why are they waiting for John McCain and not Barack Obama?



PALIN: He's got the track record of the leadership qualities and the pragmatism that's needed at a crisis time like this.



COURIC: But polls have shown that Senator Obama has actually gotten a boost as a result of this latest crisis with more people feeling that he can handle the situation better than John McCain?



PALIN: I'm not looking at poll numbers. What I think Americans at the end of the day are going to be able to go back and look at track records and see who's more apt to be talking about solutions and wishing for and hoping for solutions for some opportunity to change, and who's actually done it?



COURIC: If this doesn't pass, do you think there's a risk of another Great Depression?



PALIN: Unfortunately, that is the road that America may find itself on. Not necessarily this as it's been proposed has to pass or we're going to find ourselves in another Great Depression. There has got to be action — bipartisan effort — Congress not pointing fingers at one another but finding the solution to this, taking action, and being serious about the reforms on Wall Street that are needed.



COURIC: Would you support a moratorium on foreclosures to help average Americans keep their homes?



PALIN: That's something that John McCain and I have both been discussing whether that is part of the solution or not ... you know, it's going to be a multifaceted that has to be found here.



COURIC: So you haven't decided whether you'll support it or not?



PALIN: I have not.



COURIC: What are the pros and cons of it, do you think?



PALIN: Well, some decisions that have been made poorly should not be rewarded, of course.



COURIC: By consumers, you're saying?



PALIN: Consumers and those who were predator lenders also. That's, you know, that has to be considered also. But again, it's got to be a comprehensive long-term solution found for this problem that America is facing today. As I say, we are getting into crisis mode here.



COURIC: You've said, quote, "John McCain will reform the way Wall Street does business." Other than supporting stricter regulations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac two years ago, can you give us any more example of his leading the charge for more oversight?



PALIN: I think that the example that you just cited, with his warnings two years ago about Fannie and Freddie — that, that's paramount. That's more than a heck of a lot of other senators and representatives did for us.



COURIC: But he's been in Congress for 26 years. He's been chairman of the powerful Commerce Committee. And he has almost always sided with less regulation, not more.



PALIN: He's also known as the maverick, though. Taking shots from his own party, and certainly taking shots from the other party. Trying to get people to understand what he's been talking about — the need to reform government.



COURIC: I'm just going to ask you one more time, not to belabor the point. Specific examples in his 26 years of pushing for more regulation?



PALIN: I'll try to find you some, and I'll bring them to you.

Sigh.

I'll say it again.

ANYONE who takes politics seriously and the problems of this country seriously, whether on the left, right, middle...

MUST be offended by this woman.

Special Rules For VP Debate Designed to Help Palin

Exactly how does it benefit women when the VP candidate has to be given special treatment? I don't recall Hillary Clinton getting these special debate arrangements... because she was actually expected to know the issues.

If anything, this sets women back. I suspect, that this is exactly what women DIDN'T want to see happen... at least I would hope that a significant number of women would feel that way.

I was excited about the VP debate being held in St. Louis next month... but it appears that it will be just another dog and pony show. I suspected that something like this would happen, because Palin is such a lightweight. It didn't take Republicans long to take over the debate and impose their own rules.

But even with the new rules and with the cue cards, i'm pretty confident that Palin will still be beaten by Biden; unless he does something really stupid. But then again, Palin doesn't have to win... there is always a lower standard for Republicans. All she has to do is basically show up....and not stumble over too many questions. If she manages to do that, then the whole affair will be seen as a huge success by the McCain campaign... because they'll be able to spin her like a top... touting her foreign policy credentials, her poise under pressure, and other assorted nonsense. And of course these will also be the talking points for the media... they will likely spin it the same way.

'Country First'? -James.Dobson.In.A.Dress. says NOPE

From Marc Ambinder:

Palin And The Alaska Independence Party
01 Sep 2008 07:53 pm

The Alaska Independence Party calls itself the third largest organization in the United States. Its platform calls for the defense of "states rights," to "seek the complete repatriation of the public lands, held by the federal government, to the state and people of Alaska in conformance with Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17, of the federal constitution."

Basically, the AIP wants a vote on secession. According to the organizations' website. "[T]hough it is widely thought to be a secessionist movement, the Party makes great effort to emphasize that its primary goal is merely a vote on secession, something that Party advocates say Alaskans were denied during the founding of the state."

The rest of the post and the accompanying videos can be found at the link.

Country first, John McCain?

Uh huh.

John McCain - A Wholly Owned Subsidary of the Religious Right

John McCain, Focus on the Family's James Dobson

If the Sarah Palin choice says anything about John McCain, outside of his utter contempt for the American people, it is that he has become a WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT.


This choice means that he has become ' their boy' without hesitation.

If this were about choosing a Republican WOMAN, there were plenty other choices of GOP women.

But, this wasn't about that.

This was about selling out to the Religious Right, because Palin is THEIR GIRL.

John McCain does not have the money of Barack Obama.

Barack Obama has been out organizing McCain in every state that will be fought over in this election. It was announced only a couple of weeks ago that the McCain Campaign was BEGINNING to form a ground game. But, ground games take money. Money McCain doesn't have.

The ground game for the GOP, in the last 2 election cycles, has been done through The Religious Right. He had no way of getting them to come out and work for him.

UNLESS HE CHOSE ONE OF THEIR FOOT SOLDIERS.

In choosing Palin, he is once again, giving into the GOP base.

In choosing Palin, he is in bed, up to his neck, with the Dobsons, the Pat Robertsons, and all the rest of them.

Maverick my ass.

He's even more of a pawn of the Religious Right than Dubya, and I didn't think that was possible.

UPDATE: Think I'm kidding - McCain received SEVEN MILLION IN 24 HOURS AFTER THIS PICK.

WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT

"Country First"? Hardly, John McCain

The first important decision a Presidential Nominee makes is selecting their Vice-Presidential running mate. This is the person that you are telling the nation will take over in case the ' unthinkable' happens.

You are literally vouching for this person to the American people.

You are saying, " I searched, America, and just in case, this person is ready in the moment after tragedy strikes to lead this nation."

People are right. The Democrats don't need to attack Palin - her resume is out there for all to see.

We need to attack McCain.

THIS is HIS Judgement.

THIS is what he thinks about America.

Choosing Palin shows that he has nothing but utter contempt for The United States of America.

Obama/ ? '08 - Old Capitol Building in Springfield Open Thread

Did you get the text?

Did you get the email?

Who is it?

Reactions?



UPDATE: They say it's BIDEN.

Barack Obama to announce VP choice directly to supporters

Hat tip: The Jed Report

Signup atBarackObama.com:

Sun Aug 10, 4:35 PM Pacific
Barack Obama to announce VP choice directly to supporters

It sounds like Barack Obama will be announcing his VP selection online -- the campaign just e-mailed supporters a notice to sign up to receive the formal announcement.

Be the First to Know

Barack is about to choose a running mate, and he wants you to know first. You have helped build this movement from the bottom up, and Barack wants you to be part of this important moment.

Sign up today and we'll send you an email announcing Barack's running mate.

It seems like there's three reasons to do this. (1) It rewards supporters. (2) It bypasses the traditional media. (3) By announcing that it will be announced online, it allows Obama to grow his e-mail contact list.

Obama Vice-Presidential Watch, Mirror On America Style

I read enough of these on other blogs, and I know that we've had a previous post, but now that we've had time to enter into the General Election campaign cycle, it's time once again to look at the possible Obama Veep-Stakes.

So, let's look at some candidates.

John Edwards - Four years later. It's not that he would even bring North Carolina, but in all the polls where they actually test out VP choices, he always, in the swing states, helps Obama by four or five points. If he maintains with the voice he found this time around, he would be an effective attacker against the GOP.

Ed Rendell - Pennsylvania. He proved that a Democrat could win. He's Jewish. On a personal front, I'm not down with anyone who ACTIVELY RACEBAITED with Hillary to be even considered.

Evan Bayh - My problems with him are the same as Rendell. While he didn't racebait, he was trying to cash in during ' Bittergate', accusing Obama of being elitist. I just thought the patent absurdity of Evan Bayh, who got NOTHING in his life without being helped by being Birch Bayh's Boy. He's been riding his Daddy's coattails every chance he got, and had the NERVE to accuse Obama of being an elitist. Plus, the latest polls from Indiana have Obama well within the margin of error, so why would he need Bayh. If Obama wants boring and safe, then Bayh is his guy.

Joe Biden -The way that Biden's been speaking up, he's been interviewing by being a good pitbull. He definitely shores up the foreign policy experience 'gap'. On the downside, Biden's been there in the Senate for 'forever', and while that might not be ' change', it would mean ' stability' and 'reassurance'.

Tim Kaine - Governor. Popular. Obama contemporary. Would mean a true generational shift. Roman Catholic and Pro-life (THIS could be the sticking point, i.e. judges), married to an equally accomplished woman. Kaine's endorsement was among the first from a state-wide elected officials outside of Illinois to endorse Obama for the Democratic Nomination.

Claire McCaskill - Good Obama surrogate. White female. Only gotten stronger in her attacks on Obama's behalf. From a swing state - Missouri. Also Roman Catholic.

Kathleen Sebelius- Governor. Has Ohio ties. Supporter of Obama early. Roman Catholic.

Jim Webb - So many plusses. Former Republican. Former Military Man. Had son in Iraq. Worked in the Department of Defense. Has totally a ' Don't #($* with me' attitude. Author of the new GI Bill. Sounds good on populist issues. Downside is that he would have to ' explain' past statements about women. He's a writer, and his books would be fairgame by the GOP. He so is his own man, and will not be controlled. But, a better attack dog could not be found. Plus, when I think of Webb, I think of the family picture, on the lawn of the Obama's Home in Hyde Park, and Webb will be the only White face in the crowd. Dunno if America's willing to take that.

Bill Richardson - have had Electoral College fantasies about an Obama/Richardson ticket from the moment Obama announced. On paper, Richardson was THE candidate. But, alas, I don't believe this country is ready for a Black and Brown ticket.

Brian Schweitzer - Governor of Montana. From a plains state. A Democrat in MONTANA. He has a 70% approval rating. He's a Roman Catholic. He also speaks fluent Arabic. He's always brought up on 'Progressive' blogs, so on the list he goes.

Janet Napolitano- Arizona would be in play, and force McCain to play defense in his own backyard. A woman candidate who won by huge margins in a state like Arizona means she knows how to run.

Chuck Hagel - would turn things on its ear. But, the only reason for this would be because of his stance on the war. I just have a hard time believing that Democrats would be ok with a Republican, and a pretty solid one at that, as the VP Nominee.

My Top VP Picks

I posted a list of possible Democratic VP choices a few months ago. I didn't make a list of my top choices at the time because I wanted to see if Obama could actually win the nomination. Now that Obama has actually won the Democratic Party's nomination, I have come up with my top 5.

1. John Edwards
2. Bill Richardson
3. Tim Kaine
4. Ted Strickland
5. Jim Marshall

Wesley Clark could fit in there as well, although I am no particular fan of his. But I only allowed myself 5 choices.

The full list is below.

*Evan Bayh
*Tom Vilsack
*John Edwards
*Jim Webb
*Richard Durbin
*Gen. John Batiste
*Mark Warner
*Bill Richardson
*Rep. Mike Thompson
*John Kerry
*Joe Biden
*Russell "Russ" Feingold
*Gen. Anthony Zinni
*Rep. Jim Marshall
*William Fallon
*Wesley Clark
*Christopher Dodd
*Tim Kaine
*Tom Daschle

Added to list since my initial VP post.

Ted Strickland
Janet Napolitano
Claire McCaskill
Kathleen Sebelius

************************

Why this top 5?

1. John Edwards - Charismatic and young. He basically ran on a similar (although not the same) Populist platform, and he is the only other viable Democratic candidate who could ligitimately share the "Change" platform. Edwards was the closest to Obama in terms of ideology and political platforms. All of the other candidates either rejected the "Change" position....the real hard break from Washington style politics, or they attempted to co-opt Obama's "Change" platform after they figured out that this is what the people really wanted. (the way that Clinton did, and like what John McCain is attempting to do now in the General Election). Obama and Edwards would be the most natural fit.

Edwards also shares Obama's aggressive position on energy independence. Edwards actually had a better platform for dealing with poverty, but they both recognize the importance of grassroots politics.

Edwards would make an awesome VP. He could be an asset because he can fire up voters. Some say that he would not add to the ticket because he couldn't deliver his own State of North Carolina in 2004. But the political dynamics were much different in 2003 & 2004 than they are today. The political map is changing, at least somewhat, from the map of 4 years ago.

Edwards would also represent the future for the Party. Only in his early 50's, he would be able to run for President in 2016 from a good position (assuming a good Obama Presidency).

Edwards could also help Obama reach out to white working class voters, and white males in particular (Edward's base of support). And it helps that he's a Southerner.

2. Bill Richardson (Governor of New Mexico)- This is a more strategic pick. Richardson brings a wealth of Foreign policy credentials, and he is an experienced, seasoned politician who is familiar with balancing budgets, running a government, etc. He also has experience as a diplomat- important for a Country that will have to mend fences once a new President takes office. If he's not the VP choice, don't be surprised if you hear his name pop up again for Secretary of State.

And probably most important from a strategic standpoint....he could help deliver New Mexico for Obama. In addition, Richardson could help Obama reach out to Hispanics, a diverse group that Obama has had trouble gaining support from in the recent past.

3. Tim Kaine (Governor of Virginia)- Young Governor of a possible swing State. Sharp, intelligent, and he could put Virginia in play. Seems to be well liked. He could also help Obama reach out to those white working class voters that he will need in a General Election...not just in Virginia, but across the Country.

Also, Kaine is not seen as a Washington insider. Obama could add him to the ticket and still remain true to his platform of "Change".

4. Ted Strickland (Governor of Ohio)- A Seasoned politician, spending 6 terms in the House of Representatives (12 years). He has a religious background which could help Obama reach that demographic - white evangelicals from the Midwest and the South.
Strickland could also help Obama win Ohio, something that will be much harder for Obama, Post-Wright.

As a more Conservative Democrat, he would help balance the ticket.

Strickland seems to be well respected by his constituency, despite being a Democratic Governor in a largely Republican State.

Unfortunately Strickland has stated that he is not really interested in the VP spot.

5. Jim Marshall (Congressman - Georgia's 8th District) - Another Conservative Democrat. He has not been in Washington long, and could therefore claim the change position.

He is a White Southerner and could help Obama make inroads with the White working class vote across the Country. He is also a decorated war veteran, from a family with a strong military tradition. He is a nice dark horse possibility who could effectively cancel out McCain's "I'm the only one you can trust because of my military credentials" argument.

Marshall has already proven that he can beat Republicans in their own backyard - he now represents a largely Republican area in Georgia.

**Wildcard - General Wesley Clark... Because of his military credentials, grasp of international affairs, and leadership qualities that come from being a top Army General. Although I am not a particular fan of Clark. This would be more of a strategic choice to blunt McCain.

Clark would be a more moderate Democrat. He was also a supporter of Clinton and has a history as being part of the Clinton inner circle. I don't know how well he would fit as Obama's VP. The fact that he has never been a politician could allow him to make the argument that he is not a part of traditional Washington politics. But this would be only particially true, depending on which lens you are looking through.

I'm not sure I trust Clark to support the kind of Foreign Policy that we need.
And some of his decisions regarding Yugoslavia were disturbing. Needless to say, Clark would represent a double edged sword. Like the Clinton's, he would bring baggage to the position. But he could also cancel out McCain pretty effectively.... and remove the only viable argument that McCain is planning to run on... his military/National Security credentials.

Obama Makes Vice-Presidential Move

Very Good News, IMO, From The Field:

The First Brilliant Move in the Vice Presidential Search
By Al Giordano

Associated Press has a cryptic one-sentence report out:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Obama taps three people to lead veep search, including Caroline Kennedy.

Now, if only she’d pull a Cheney (the head of Bush’s VP search efforts who picked himself).

The signals sent with this move are multiple. They suggest a search for a running mate that is ideologically compatible, acceptable to the Kennedy wing of the party, that acknowledges the generational aspect of the change at hand, and, importantly, it brackets the disqualifying words uttered by one Veep aspirant late last month and looms as an ever-present reminder of vigilance regarding such unspeakable acts. Obama has picked someone in Caroline Kennedy who nobody is going to be able to push around. Nice.

Update: The other two members of the search committee are party insider Jim Johnson (who handled the veep search for Kerry ‘04 and, ouch, Mondale ‘84) and civil libertarian attorney Eric Holder, who is considered a leading candidate for Attorney General and/or Supreme Court Justice in an Obama administration.

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Well, you know the basic feelings around here at Mirror On America.

ANYONE BUT HILLPATINE.

That display of ' deranged narcissism' (thank you, Jeffery Toobin) last night topped it all. The pimping of this nightmare by every surrogate you could name, including Sambo Billionaire Bob Johnson just adds to the chorus of

HELL NO

to this nightmare.

Obama Begins VP Search

From Marc Ambinder:

Quietly, Obama Begins The Quest To Find A Running Mate

Very quietly, Sen. Barack Obama has begun the process that will end in his choosing a running mate, Democrats inside and outside the campaign said.

Obama has sworn a small group of his senior staff to secrecy. He is determined to start the vice presidential search on his own schedule and has said publicly, and repeatedly, that he will not talk about ticket-mates until the race for the nomination itself concludes.

But on his behalf, staffers are putting together a team to assist the search committee, and a hand-full of Democrats connected with the campaign will start to pull together dossiers (based only on open source research and press clippings at this point) on a large number of potential picks so that Obama can have something to read when he starts to think about the choice.

By June 4, the day after Democrats finish voting, the campaign hopes to have a full team in place.

"He wants this done right," said one person who is privy to the candidate and campaign's thinking on the matter. "He takes this very seriously."

James A. Johnson, who vetted potential nominees for Sen. John Kerry in 2004, is playing a major role. He has advised Obama and the campaign about the architecture of the process, though it is not clear whether he will reprise his role as head of the search committee. Ex-Sen. Tom Daschle is also providing advice.

"As always, we don't have anything to say about it," said Dan Pfeiffer, Obama's deputy communications director.

Rest of article at link above.

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So, Mirror On America readers, who would you like to see on the ticket with Obama.


Some of my prospects:

1. Richardson - Latino, qualified up the ying yang. But, would Black AND Brown scare too much of America?
2. McCaskill- Woman, From a swing state, she's been a very good surrogate for Obama.
3. Webb - Military man, former GOPer, can do the John Wayne stance so many Americans fall for, but could be a problem with the feminists.
4. Governor of Montana - I see him pushed on a lot of the Progressive blogs; the man speaks fluent Arabic, which automatically makes him sorta interesting.
5. Feingold- The Progressive's Progressive. But, he's Jewish and single - can't seem to keep a wife.



Of course, for me, it could be Obama/Winnie the Pooh....

I'm of the ANYBODY BUT CLINTON camp.

The latest piece of sanity on this garbage idea: Not the ticket of dreams

You DO realize that the only ones pushing this garbage is Hillpatine supporters.

I'm with our Obama Brothers and Sisters in Oregon who made it quite clear: 62% said, I.don't.think.so when polled about Clinton being the VP choice for Obama.

Obama’s backers see 'dream ticket' as nightmare

From The Hill.com:

Sen. Obama’s backers see dream ticket as nightmare
By Alexander Bolton
Posted: 05/19/08 08:03 PM [ET]


Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) allies in Congress do not want Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) as his running mate, even though many Clinton supporters are pushing the “dream ticket.”


The latest to tout a joint ticket is Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio), co-chairman of Clinton’s national campaign, who said on MSNBC Monday that she would like to see Clinton and Obama run together.

But Obama’s congressional backers say former Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sam Nunn (D-Ga.) or former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) would be the better choice.


Some are wary of putting Clinton on the ticket because they believe she has run a racially divisive campaign.


Former President Bill Clinton enraged Obama supporters when he predicted Obama would win the South Carolina primary because voting would fall along racial lines. The former president later compared Obama’s victory to the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s win there in 1988.


Mrs. Clinton recently riled Obama’s allies by talking to USA Today about her greater popularity among white working-class voters.


Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), an Obama supporter, said Edwards would make a better running mate because “he hasn’t made as many people angry. Some of the things she has said and done and her husband has said and done have disappointed people in a serious way. The comment that she was there for [the] white working class was divisive. I would hope there is a black and Latino working class she would be there for.”


Rep. Lacy Clay (D-Mo.), another Obama ally, said choosing Clinton could unify the party but also anger black supporters. “The downside is the divide that has occurred over the last year in this primary is pretty wide,” Clay said. “I’m not sure the Obama supporters will fall in line and support her. It’s evident that she and her husband started down this racial path shortly after the South Carolina primary and they continue to hearken back to racial divides in this country.”


Pro-Obama lawmakers say the running mate needs to be “a fresh face” or should have better foreign policy and national security credentials than Clinton. They worry that Clinton, who was embroiled in bitter partisan disputes during eight years as first lady, would undermine Obama’s claim that he would unite people from across the political spectrum.


“I think you’d have to go for a fresh face,” said Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), an Obama supporter, adding that it would make sense for Obama to choose from among the party’s “wide range of experienced foreign policy and national security experts. Sam Nunn, he’d be my first choice.”

Rest of article at link above.

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Of course it's a nightmare.

She brings absolutely nothing positive to the ticket.

She would energize the GOP base, something John McCain has failed to do.

Obama would be saddled with all the Clinton baggage.

And, don't believe the utter and complete LIE that she's been 'fully vetted'. That's a pure line of BS. Her post White House Years have NOT been 'fully vetted'.

Four simple questions:
1. What did Clinton do to earn the Ron Burkle Partnership money?
2. Who were the donors to the Foundation?
3. Who were the donors to the Library?
4. What's the story behind the 18 million in undeclared income?

That we DON'T have the answers to these questions so late in the game proves that there is something rotten going on.

Obama can't be someone who wants to sweep in a new era of Transparency in Government, with a running mate who is HIDING SO MUCH.

And, whose natural inclination is to LIE and hide behind the LIES.

Finally, Obama might as well choose Dick Cheney as his running mate if he were going to choose Hillpatine. That's as far as he can trust her. I'm voting for Obama, in large part, to RID this country of The Imperial Presidency. Having Dick Cheney operate outside of The Constitution isn't wrong because Dick Cheney is doing it; it's wrong because IT IS WRONG, AND I DON'T WANT ANY DEMOCRAT DOING IT EITHER. I've told you, Hillpatine doesn't think there's anything wrong with The Imperial Presidency, as long as SHE was the one doing it. Just like she doesn't probably think there's anything wrong with what Cheney has done to shred The Constitution. That somehow, if a Democrat was in that position, it would be ok - WRONG.

And the joke about him needing a permanent food taster is not a joke from where I sit; it would be a statement of FACT.

She's a lying,racebaiting, amoral snake who cannot be trusted UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

So, a huge HELL NO to Hillpatine being his running mate.

Obama needs to win OR lose all on his own. Don't have anything complicating or muddying the picture, because I assure you, if he made the wretched mistake of choosing Hillpatine - WHEN THEY LOSE- her camp will find a way to BLAME OBAMA. So, he's better off just winning or losing all on his own. Becasue it won't be HIM that would have run off the Independents to McCain or the Crossover Republicans BACK to McCain -that's all Hillpatine, but her buddies in the MSM, who have bent over backwards trying to shill her, will fall in line, and blame Obama. So, under NO circumstances put this woman on the ticket with him.

PS-anyone who brings up JFK/LBJ and Lincoln bringing his enemies into the cabinet..bad examples...YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO BOTH OF THEM.

Run, Condi, Run?

Eugene Robinson writes in his latest column:

Oh, please; oh, please; oh, please. I know it's undignified to beg, but please let John McCain pick Condoleezza Rice as his running mate.

I know that this campaign has already bestowed an embarrassment of riches upon those of us who are paid to watch and listen. With its vivid, compelling characters, its abrupt reversals of fortune and its ever-rising stakes, the presidential contest has been the best reality show on television. It seems almost greedy to hope for yet another infusion of star power so late in the season.

And, yes, I'm aware that it probably won't happen. Then again, this campaign season hasn't shown much regard for probability. A couple of years ago, what sort of odds could you have gotten from Vegas bookmakers on the scenario that Barack Obama, the first viable black presidential contender, would be leading Hillary Clinton, the first viable female candidate, for the chance to run against McCain, long considered a pariah by his party's activist base?

Rice's name was tossed into the mix by Dan Senor, a Republican "strategist" who is best known for his "What, me worry?" performances a few years ago as spokesman for the U.S. civilian authority in Iraq. On ABC's "This Week," Senor noted that Rice recently appeared at one of right-wing activist Grover Norquist's regular meetings for the conservative "chattering class" -- an unusual foray into domestic politics for a sitting secretary of state -- and claimed that Rice "has been actively, actually in recent weeks, campaigning" for a spot on the ticket with McCain.

The notion drew laughter from Sean McCormack, Rice's spokesman, who told reporters that if Rice is indeed campaigning for the vice presidential nomination, "she's the last one to know about it." Then he dusted off the formulation that Rice always uses to deflect questions about her possible political ambitions, which is to ask "how many ways" she can say no.

The thing is, though, that -- understandably -- Rice doesn't go all the way and make an airtight, Shermanlike statement. Why should she foreclose her options? Given the craziness of this political year, who knows what might happen? And looking down the road, the quiet groves of academe -- where she vows to retire, like a latter-day Cincinnatus -- may prove less than stimulating after the heady experience of running the world. I've always thought it more likely that she would eventually be tempted to run for the Senate from California, rather than jump right into presidential politics.
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She would, however, provide three things that McCain could really use: relative youth, undeniable pizzazz and photogenic diversity. The Republican Party is in danger of presenting a ticket that looks like a tintype portrait of yesterday -- while the Democratic Party shows the nation a YouTube video of tomorrow.

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So I won't hold my breath. But I can't help but imagine having another controversial, larger-than-life character wade into the fray, one who not only raises McCain's big wager on Iraq but also takes us further into terra incognita on issues of race and gender. Whatever you think of Condoleezza Rice, she's a formidable woman with more qualifications than almost any other vice presidential choice I can think of. We'd get to watch another brilliant political novice try to take the country by storm. And, as a bonus, there would be the piano recitals, the early-morning workouts, the skybox appearances at football games, the impromptu lectures on Russian history (in Russian), the daily fashion show. . . . Pleeeeeease?

Dr. Rice as McCain's running mate? I just can't see it for many reasons. If this is a 'change' election, the last person you want as your running mate is someone chained to both 9/11 and The Iraq War. Plus, I can't see the 'bases' going for it: not the evangelicals, not the money people, not the tough-on-defense crowd. Plus, a single woman as Vice-President? Don't think so. But, it is interesting throwing this around with my fellow political junkies.

So, tell me Mirror On America readers...

Thoughts on Condi Rice's Prospects as McCain's running mate?

Likely Vice Presidential Picks

(at least for Obama....if he gets that far)



In no particular order

*Evan Bayh
*Tom Vilsack (Unfortunately a Clinton supporter at the moment)
*John Edwards
*Jim Webb
*Richard Durbin
*Gen. John Batiste
*Mark Warner
*Bill Richardson
*Rep. Mike Thompson
*John Kerry
*Joe Biden
*Russell "Russ" Feingold
*Gen. Anthony Zinni
*Rep. Jim Marshall (Jim Marshall would be a nightmare for Republicans).
*William Fallon
*Wesley Clark (Clinton supporter unfortunately....perhaps he'll come to his senses)
*Christopher Dodd
*Tim Kaine
*Tom Daschle (barely a good choice... may be seen as too weak or divisive. He also lost his Senate seat & leadership position in 04. But because of his support for Obama, he is someone that Obama may be considering. Very experienced political leader).


This is not a full list... but this would be a good start. Half of those listed are Vets.... the kind of VP candidate that Obama may want to have on his ticket in a General Election matchup with McCain. However, the non-vets are also good choices. He probably couldn't go wrong with any of the above. Although some are supporting Clinton at the present time.

Who do you think Obama will choose as his VP running mate?

Obama Responds to Clintons "Back of the Bus" Suggestion

Follow-up to the previous post below.

Obama Finally Calls Clinton Out on her VP Bull---- during a rally in Mississippi.

Hillary Clinton as VP? Unacceptable Mr. Obama!

Obama must refuse, reject, and denounce any idea of having Hillary Clinton as his running mate.

After all that she has done...the racism, race baiting, the fearmongering, stirring xenophobia, the smears, the lies and distortions....the McCain remarks.... She must be really delusional & crazy to believe that she would make a viable VP choice.

It really comes down to a question of political practicality and common sense. Why should Obama be forced by Party bosses to take on a huge liability that would hurt his chances in the General Election (and a huge liabilty is all Clinton would be)? Her negatives are high and her likability is low. She is one of the most divisive & toxic figures in American politics.... a non-starter for a President who would be tasked with bringing the Country together after entering the White House. Such a choice would make absolutely no sense.

Having Clinton on the ticket would also rally the Republicans, and activate their less than enthusiastic Party. This would hurt Obama's chances for victory in November. A VP must bring something positive to the table. Clinton brings a truckload of negatives. This would also be a way to humiliate Obama. Clinton and the Democratic Party establishment should not be given the pleasure of making this happen.

Obama must choose a seasoned political figure for a running mate, preferably someone with "real experience"....not an embellished resume. His running mate should also have a background in international affairs and must have an impressive military history. This will blunt many of the attacks from McCain in the Fall. The only thing that McCain can run on is his military background...and he is going to play it for all it's worth.

So who will get the VP spot? I don't know. I don't even have a possible short list....but I will start doing some checking on that question. Many of the people who I had in mind early on...have turned out to be in the Clinton camp. But there are plenty of other candidates who could fit the desired requirements mentioned...

Obama should actually begin discussing what his Cabinet will look like...because he really has to reassure voters in some of the remaining States in this Primary, and as he enters that General Election...that he is still a viable candidate and that he would have a strong leadership team that will be respected in the world and that could be counted on.