Sure, everyone's looking for the next Prez, so we have sights on who's making the play to become the next VEEP, the ultimate #2! At vicepresidents.com it is about people in the shadow-the second string, the runners up... The Latest: #2's in Iowa, McCain-Lieberman, Giulaini-Cheney, NH votes on VPs!
1/4 Lieberman-McCain Ticket Still Likely, Despite Denial
Joe Lieberman and John McCain are flirting like two kids at a highschool dance who already KNOW they like each other! Back in December, Paul Brooks asked if John would consider running with Joe, to which he coyly replied, "That's something worth considering."
Joe told the Cybercast News Service on Thursday, "I think John has much better judgment than that." Is he baiting for compliments like a woman asking her boyfriend if he thinks she's fat?
My guess is that they're dropping these hints and waiting for a public furor to say "Yeah, yeah, do that." Why does Joe have to be so self-deprecating just because he was a vice-presidential nominee in 2000? He claimed that he "tried that" -- meaning vice president -- and just "wants to be senator now." But like Giuliani once said, "That's the kind of job you don't turn down if somebody asks you." Wisen up, Joe!
1/4 Farewell For Biden
Biden ended his bid for the White House after trailing Bill Richardson in the Iowa caucuses. He told a group of 300 in Des Moines, "There is nothing sad about tonight. We are so incredibly proud of you all. So many of you have sacrificed for me and I am so indebted to you. I feel no regret." He declined any ambition for VP, stating that he has more power as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. He cautiously pontificated the idea of the Secretary of State role: “When you’re secretary of state, I’d have to be convinced that the nominee, the Democratic president, we really shared the same kind of views,” he said.
1/4 Giuliani Is Looking For His Cheney
Giuliani mentioned he's looking for a Cheney-like vice-president on a campaign stop in New Hampshire Tuesday. "A vice president has to be a partner in the administration. The vice president has to know everything that’s going on, just in case the vice president has to step in at a moment’s notice,” he told supporters. He also added that Cheney was a "good example of picking someone who is qualified to be president of the United States." Cheney, amid 30% approval ratings on the best days, says he plans to serve out the rest of his four year term and get out of the White House. One would think that his health depends upon it. So who IS most Cheney-like? You know, I'm really hard-pressed to think of anyone as nefarious as Cheney, save for Giuliani himself! Perhaps a Mitt Romney VP could be powerful. Then, there's minority whip John Kyl (ranked the fourth most-conservative senator, also a lawyer), although he's probably still celebrating his new post. Pat Robertson or Rush Limbaugh would be as ruthless as Cheney, but nowhere near as qualified.
New Hampshire voters are pushing unopposed Socialist-Republican Jack Barnes as a likely VP.
1/3 #2's Are Critical to the Iowa Caucus!
Democrats in Iowa found that the second-choice swing votes were exceedingly crucial.
In 2004, John Edwards soared to victory, largely as a result of scoring 23% of the second choice voters from Dean and Gephardt.
In this election, some reports say he won an endorsement from Kucinich, while other reports speculate that the second choice endorsement may have gone to Senator Obama.
The sad reality for the Clinton camp is that it's "Hillary or Bust!" The people who love her, vote for her without a moment's hesitation. Then there's everybody else. Back in August, Obama indicated that he would consider Hillary as his VP. Rumors also came out of the Edwards camp, unofficially, that he'd consider Obama for VEEP. Suddenly, the song changed from "Who will be Hillary's #2?" to "Who will pick Hillary as a running-mate?"
Former President Bill Clinton scoffed at the Iowa caucus, pointing out that he never participated in the 1992 Iowa caucus and came in 2nd in New Hampshire, Colorado, Maryland and South Dakota, as well as third in Maine. It wasn't until Georgia that he began to emerge as a winner who just couldn't end his new lucky streak.
1/3 The End of the Road For Dodd... Or Is It?
Chris Dodd dropped his bid for the White House after finishing 7th with less than 1% of the vote. He told a group of 100 supporters, "Tonight I am withdrawing from the presidential race but let me assure you, we are not ending this race with our heads hanging but with our heads held high." It sounds like he's positioning himself for the VP role. Will a man with so much experience resurface in a Democratic White House? He seems too stoic for an Edwards or Obama Presidency... and doesn't fit their "Dynamic Young Change" platforms. However, he seems a sensible #2 for Hillary, as he's been a long-time friend of her husband. Richardson enjoyed great priviledge under Bill's Administration as well, but he doesn't resound as intellectually as Dodd.
1/2 "Masters of Disaster": Haley Barbour & Rudy Giuliani
When asked about Barbour as a potential running-mate in September, Giuliani responded, "Gov. Barbour will be on the top of everybody’s list.”
You have to wonder if Giuliani put a bunch of lobbyist names into a hat and just randomly pulled one out. On one hand, Barbour cut medicare and medicaid in his state to balance the budget and passed some of the strictest tort reform legislation and anti-abortion laws in the nation. He has a well-known reputation for "getting things done," amid a largely Democratic congress.
However, this Mississippi Governor is also mired in controversy:
- His family members benefited from Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.
- He owned Helm Partners, which was convicted of jamming Democratic get-out-the-vote phone lines on election day in 2002.
- As a tobacco lobbyist, he killed the anti-smoking program in Mississippi.
- Instead of directing 70% of the federal reconstruction funds to low income families, he's alleged to have only passed 25%, with the rest going to wealthier homeowners.
1/2 Is Sam Brownback Hoping to Get On the McCain Ticket?
On the eve of the Iowa caucus, previous contender Sam Brownback announces, "On the eve of the Iowa Caucus, I am proud to stand with John McCain, a genuine American hero with a conservative record who has what it takes to lead this country. I am asking you to do the same tomorrow night at 7 pm. We have the chance to select a true patriot ready to lead America in throwing our support to Senator McCain. John McCain can uniquely appeal to our fellow citizens with his strong, 24-year pro-life record, his stand for traditional values, tax reform, and school choice, and his proven leadership in defending America. In addition, McCain has a demonstrated ability to appeal to independent-minded voters--which will be absolutely essential if we hope to win this November."
The Kansas Senator would make a great addition to McCain's team, if he could beat out rumored nominee Joe Lieberman.
1/2 Mitt Romney: A Happy #2
Mitt acknowledged yesterday that he might have to settle with second place in states where he spent a lot of money. With rumors flying of McCain and Huckabee eroding his lead, Romney remarked, "I'm not losing sleep, frankly. This is the experience of a lifetime." However, his abrasive and almost childish arguments with Mike Huckabee and Chuck Norris (following Mitt's nasty ad) seem to knock him off anyone's vice presidential nominee list.
1/2 Obama Receives Reputable Co-Chair From South Carolina Jim Hodges
Former South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges hops onboard the Obama camp today as national co-chair. His addition has raised several eyebrows because he runs the Hodges Consulting Group, which seems to contradict Obama's professed disdain for lobbyists.
It's possible that Jim is hoping for a vice presidential nod. He initially promised his vote to Stephen Colbert and even offered to be his VP, if nominated.
1/2 Michael Moore Doesn't Like Anyone... Or Does He?
Michael Moore recently posted an entry titled, "Who Do We Vote For This Time Around?"... because, you know, his adoring fans are feeling as lost as the rapidly eroding bee colonies, disoriented from our cell phones on their way back to their hives. Gosh, if Michael Moore doesn't tell me who to vote for, I may as well not even bother going to the polls! Thinking for myself is MUCH too hard. Anyway, all sarcasm aside, Michael Moore's been heartbroken by Hillary, sees Obama as fresh but un-electable and has a secret soft spot for John Edwards. People who make a living off criticizing the government have to be extremely sensitive to who they endorse... because it will be hard to criticize someone, knowing you're partially responsible for voting him or her in.
Continue reading more Race For #2 in 2008 stories here!
