MCCAIN UPDATES:
July 19th, Conan told McCain he's planning a movie about McCain's VP prospects.
Casting is as follows:
-Gov. Charlie Crist played by Bob Barker
-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice played by Snoop Dogg
-Mitt Romney played by "any local weather man"
-Joe Lieberman played by a bassett hound
-Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal played by Kumar from the "Harold & Kumar" movies
-Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee played by Gomer Pyle
-National co-chair of the McCain Campaign Meg Whitman played by Tom Petty
McCain was in New York this past weekend and made a high-profile appearance with Rudy Giuliani at a baseball game, prompting some speculation that McCain may be considering the former rival in his Veep hunt.
John Thune weighs on McCain's VP pick this week, says the Associated Press.
"What we're sort of hearing from John's campaign is that they'll probably let (presumptive Democratic nominee Barack) Obama select first and then they'll probably do something.
"It may not be until the convention, although there's a lot of speculation, 'OK, how do you time this so you can get the maximum benefit from it, given the fact that the Olympics are going to be occupying most of people's attention for the month of August,' so there are all these timing issues that the campaign takes into consideration."
Thune added, "I haven't had any conversations on that subject. We talk to the (McCain) campaign on a regular basis. We're doing some things on his behalf when they ask and when it works out for us to do so, but we've not had any discussions on that."
Forget Phil Gramm. He was once a VP contender but was forced to resign as McCain's campaign co-chair after he called Americans "a bunch of whiners" and insisted there was no real trouble with the economy.
McCain had warm words for former rival / fierce VEEP Contender Mitt Romney.
He told Detroit Athletic Club supporters:
"In case you've been missing it, Mitt has been doing such a great job lately on my behalf. I said only half in jest — he's doing a better job for me than he did for himself."
He said Romney has been appearing in TV interviews, "not only defending, but standing up for the things that we believe in, are important to the future of the country."
McCain reminisced about his Memorial Day BBQ, mentioning: "And I knew Mitt, and I knew what an outstanding individual he is and what a wonderful family person, but I hadn't had the chance to get to know Ann." He added that she's "battling a disease" — multiple sclerosis — and that "she is a woman of courage and beauty and grace."
OBAMA UPDATES:
Evan Bayh's trying not to make news or overshadow Obama's foreign policy spotlight, while taking the Middle Eastern journey alongside the presidential nominee. Chris Wallace tried to pry information out of the Indiana Democrat and he gave every indication that he's being vetted, without actually saying it. Bayh said:
"You know, that's their business, Chris, and I think you should direct those questions to them."
"I'm trying not to make news on that this morning, so I hope you'll forgive me, but truly, they've established a process, it's their process, and I think it's up to them to..."
"You know, I'd love to answer your question but I think I really can't."
"Well, I've said that's not the sort of thing you'd say no to, Chris."
"Well, that's the type of thing you do say yes to, and I've said that, but you should probably ask Joe [Lieberman]. He has more experience with the vice presidential questions than I do."
Bayh battled it out with Joe Lieberman in defense of Obama's foreign policy cred on Fox News Sunday. Watch the video here!
Joe Biden wrote a highly publicized letter to Jim DeMint regarding Obama's overseas trip, writing: "Senator Obama has displayed great leadership on this issue: he called nearly a year ago for the deployment of at least two additional combat brigades to Afghanistan — it has since become the accepted position of a wide range of U.S. military officials, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff."
It should also be duly noted that Tony Blinken, Biden's top staffer and right hand man, is accompanying Obama on his Middle Eastern trip. Biden also held a carefully timed Foreign Relations subcommittee hearing on the NATO-led effort to battle the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, which gave Obama's venture a boost, despite McCain's criticism.
Colin Powell is one of Obama's nearly 200 foreign policy advisers. Is there any chance of Powell returning to serve a new administration? The latest Zogby Poll shows an Obama-Powell ticket winning by a landslide. Even Condi Rice had nice things to say about Obama this week!
"Activists Fear Opposite Party VP Picks": Lieberman and Hagel - Bad Choices?
Nancy Pelosi urges Democrats to support whoever Obama picks as VP -- even if it's a woman other than Clinton.
Pelosi told the Huffington Post: "I don't think we should be making an issue after the primary is over about who should be vice president. That would have been up to Hillary Clinton and would have been up to Barack. And it is up to Barack," said the Speaker, when asked about the possibility. "The only one thing important right now is party unity. None of us can afford the luxury of 'my candidate doesn't win the nomination' or 'my candidate wasn't chosen as vice president, I'm taking my marbles and going home.' The future of our planet is at stake: our budget, the constitution, the safety of our troops, everything is at stake in this election."
OBAMA UPDATE:
A few days before Obama's planned trip to the Middle East and a week after his hasty, hush-hush meeting with the Veep Vetters, Obama led a roundtable foreign policy discussion at Purdue University that included Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh and former Georgia senator Sam Nunn.
Nunn is a non-proliferation buff, while Bayh is a four-year veteran of Senate's Armed Services committee (which is probably as close to the military as a Democrat gets!)
As you know, both would make great VEEPs for Obama. They were prominently seated as his "right hand" and "left hand" men at the table, which sparks some Veepstakes chatter. When asked, they responded...
Nunn: “I have never aspired to that office. It’s always nice to have your name mentioned, its an honor, but I have no expectations of being offered any office and I’m not in any way sitting on the edge of a chair ready to go back into government…Certainly I would talk to Senator Obama if he wanted to talk about it, but I think the chances of an offer are pretty slim and that I would have to do a lot of thinking and talk to my family and do a lot of reflecting about what was really the best role for me. Right now I’m doing a lot of work national security arena, with the foundation I chair and we’re making some progress in some difficult areas so I’m not pining to go back into public office.”
Bayh: “Well, I love serving the people of Indiana, and any questions about the vice presidential thing, I think, are understandable and it’s good for my ego, but I should probably let Senator Obama and his campaign address those kind of questions.”
MCCAIN UPDATE:
Ever since Mitt Romney first debuted in the primaries, I think social conservatives dreamt of watching him sink his teeth into the Democrats. Now some say Romney's combative style is much-needed in an intense political season against Barack Obama.
Although one could argue that his abrasive personality could be too much for McCain.
After all, McCain did once compare fighting Romney to "wrestling with a pig." McCain added in his usual straight-talk fashion, "You both get dirty -- and the pig likes it."
OBAMA UPDATES:
Two's a Company, Three's a Crowd! Despite how badly Bill Clinton wanted Hillary to become President, his reluctance to give up records regarding donors and any extramarital affair information is preventing his wife from passing the Veep vetting process. Clinton Donor Jill Iscol reported that Obama told her Hillary was indeed on his short list but he also referred to Bill Clinton as a "complication" since Bill believes "once you're a president, you're always a president."
Bipartisan Buddies: Obama asks Democrat Jack Reed and Republican Chuck Hagel to accompany him on his trip to the Middle East.
Reed is considered a "working class Catholic." His father was a WWII veteran and he graduated from West Point, later serving as an Army Ranger captain and paratrooper. He then went to Harvard law school and got involved with the Rhode Island House (3 terms) & Senate (2 terms), where he served on the Armed Services Committee. While he has impressive credentials, particularly in foreign policy, he's not the sort of candidate one can get excited about.
Hagel is a decorated Vietnam veteran with over ten years of Senate experience. He's also had his hand in running several multi-million-dollar companies, including Vanguard Cellular, the McCarthy Group investment banking firm and American Information Systems Inc (AIS) voting machine manufacturers.
Of Reed and Hagel, Obama reflected that the two have “a traditional bipartisan wisdom when it comes to foreign policy. Neither are ideologues, but try to get the facts right and make a determination of what is best for U.S. interests. And they are good guys.”
Even though the veepstakes are in full swing, Obama may have his eye on the Secretary of Defense position as well but the AP reported that Hagel "would consider being Obama's VP," which makes one wonder if the question ever came up in private.
At a governor's meeting, Tim Kaine quipsically remarked, "I never talk about my conversations with the campaign." He said it's "weird" and "flattering" that he would be considered for the vice presidency, but he also acknowledges that Virginia is a key state where he can help a great deal.
Former Ohio Governor George Voinovich predicted, "The running mates of both of them are going to be governors. First of all, with all due respect, none of them (Obama or McCain) have any management experience."
More often than not, we have Governor Presidents: George W Bush, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter. Spiro Agnew was the last Governor VEEP back in 1968-1973.
MCCAIN UPDATES:
Mark Sanford may have destroyed his chances of becoming veep with a tired, vacuous and downright pathetic appearance on CNN this weekend.
Watch the video here! Clearly he's not ready for prime time.
Charlie Crist tells Sky News, "It is very flattering to be considered and even the mere mention of the question is a humbling kind of thing for someone like me. But honestly I am enjoying being Governor of Florida. It’s the best job I have ever had in my life. It is a true privilege to serve in that capacity. If others think I am worthy of something more than that, it’s for them to think about. I am not focused on it."
"I've not had a single conversation [with the McCain campaign about the vice presidential process]. There are many who probably are in this particular category and will enter that particular phase of vetting and review, I don't necessarily think that I would be one of them," Utah Governor Jon Hunstman told ABC News.
OBAMA UPDATES:
Howard Wilson, Clinton's former communications director, told Fox News Hillary is NOT being vetted for the #2 spot. Although, he quickly adds, "Hillary Clinton has been vetted during the last 18 months." He also added that she would say "Yes" to a spot on the ticket. Obama traveled with Clinton and his Veep Vetter Caroline Kennedy to a NY fundraiser Wednesday night and another today. Perhaps Caroline's taking notes?
But then there's "the other woman" -- Kathleen Sebelius. She denied being vetted in 2004, but remains mum on this year's selection process, referring reporters to the Obama camp. "The decision and timetable for the best person to help Sen. Obama lead the country is entirely up to him. All of us who support Sen. Obama have been asked to direct questions about his choice for vice president to the campaign," she stated. Claire McCaskill of Missouri also added, "I'm not going to talk about it," when asked if she had been vetted.
Chris Dodd told reporters on Wednesday, "There's been some inquiries, yeah. They ask for a lot of stuff. I'll leave it at that." The Republican National Committee issued a statement accusing Dodd, chairman of the Banking Committee, of receiving a "sweetheart loan deal" from Countrywide amid the subprime mortgage meltdown. They also point out Jim Johnson's resignation in their cry: "Hypocrisy!"
MCCAIN UPDATES:
Former chief executive of Hewlett Packard Carly Fiorina told NPR she would accept the vice presidential spot. "There are a lot of things about managing efficiently and effectively and transparently that we can borrow from business," she said. But is anyone asking?
Tim Pawlenty claimed that he's "not aware" of being under consideration for VP. He also said, "I have not been asked to provide any documents or information to the McCain campaign."
OBAMA UPDATES:
Who DOESN'T Want The #2 Job This Week:
1. Jim Webb
Depite Mark Ambinder's speculation that Obama's VEEP Vetters were hot on Jim's trail, trying to narrow down the selection by requesting additional documents, Webb bluntly told LA Times reporters on Monday, "Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for vice president."
2. Mark Warner
He said "under no circumstances" is he a candidate for VP (which contradicts earlier statements that he'd been asked). “I’ve got three teenage daughters,” Warner said. “Their hope is that I will not engage in national politics beyond the Senate race while they’re still in high school. And we spent a lot of time as a family talking about it.”
3. Ed Rendell
The PA Governor told Chris Wallace, "I said in 2011, it's my intention to walk out the door of the capital, the Lord willing, in January of 2011. I know that disappoints some people in the capital, but that's my intention. And if there was a position open that I was interested in, like energy or transportation, I'd be honored to serve in an Obama administration, but not at the beginning, not until my time is finished. Let me say just from an American standpoint, I'd love to see someone like Rob on the other ticket in case they win, because he was a great congressman and someone who I have a lot of respect for. But not me this time, by no means."
4. John Kerry
Kerry told Chris Matthews on NBC's Hardball this week: "I can't be more clear about this. No. Not interested."
Look Who's Flip-Flopped For Obama!
John Edwards has struggled with the idea of appearing as the VP yet again, despite his loss with Kerry in 2004. Although, he doesn't want to appear too hungry for it -- so he's continually dismissed the idea.
Yet this week he told NPR, “I am prepared to seriously consider anything, anything he asks me to do for our country.” He also mentioned he'd "do anything" in his power to ensure Obama's the next president.
Evan Bayh feels stuck between a rock and a hard place as well. He told reporters in Indianapolis, "My biggest problem in answering these kinds of questions," Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., told the Indianapolis Star, "is that if I say yes, people say, 'Oh, well, he's being presumptuous and campaigning for it. If you say no, then people say you're being disingenuous and not telling the truth."
Does Obama Have His Eye on a Republican VEEP??
"My goal is to have the best possible government," Obama told reporters in Boca Raton. "I am very practical-minded," Obama explained, noting "that does not exclude Republicans, either. The best person for the job is the person I would want."
What about Chuck Hagel, Jack Reed, or Colin Powell? Hell, there's even a RepublicansForObama.org... but there's a question as to whether that strategy hurt him more with liberals or help him more by reinforcing his "reach across the aisle" politics.
Obama made an unscheduled stop at VEEP Vetter Eric Holder's office this morning, where he stayed for 2 hours and 20 minutes. Looks like Obama's getting serious! It's crunch time now.
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VEEP COUNTDOWN:
Democratic National Convention: 7 weeks (Monday, August 25th - 28th)
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When can we expect a VP Announcement? Historically speaking...
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MCCAIN UPDATES:
Charlie Crist is meticulously positioning himself for that #2 spot. Floridians aren't so happy with Empty Chair Charlie these days. Asking around, I hear one sentiment commonly echoed: "Well, he's broken a lot of his campaign promises...".
The latest is his push for offshore drilling, which some say is a broken promise, but others say is a tactical move. Just one month ago, Crist announced his support for McCain's offshore drilling proposal, despite his prior emphasis on environmental issues.
Additionally, Charlie Crist put rumors about his sexuality to rest on July 3rd, when he proposed to his girlfriend Carol Rome! Reporters from the Orlando Sentinel suggest it's a convenient reminder that Crist is still very much "in this to win," even though he's been labeled a "second tier candidate" by Politico.
Florida Senator Mel Martinez refused to comment on whether or not he'd met with McCain's Veep Vetting team. "I'm not going to talk about that," he dismissed mysteriously.
Coincidential Timing? Tim Pawlenty appeared for a CNBC interview in Arlington today, where McCain also happened to be doing interviews. Pawlenty's aides are remaining purse-lipped on whether the two met up, but it's assumed these things don't happen just by chance.
Meanwhile, Minnesota Newspapers have been critical of T-Paw's lack of transparency. According to Pat Doyle and Mark Brunswick: “Pawlenty, after more than five years as governor, has not filed any records with state archives. He has also been less willing to preserve documents than his predecessor, Jesse Ventura, who despite a reputation for being thin-skinned, saved even unflattering memos and e-mails for future public access. Pawlenty’s administration has cited a 40-year-old Minnesota Supreme Court decision to justify retaining only records of final decisions — not the e-mails or paperwork that cast light on how decisions were made.”
Mike Huckabee told Fox last night: “If I'm being vetted, it's a big secret to me. The rumor is that Sean Hannity is on the list several slots ahead of me.”
Mitt Romney will take a commanding role at the GOP convention in September, as Chairman of the Delegation. Even though he's a darling of many Pro-business Republicans, he told Hannity this week that he hadn't been asked to "submit any information." He said of the vetting process: "Don't ask me, it's not something I'm involved with at all. I'm not the one that does the vetting. In all likelihood you're not looking at the guy they'll choose."
He also told NBC's Joe Scarborough, "I'm not going to pick up on any speculation with regard to my involvement to McCain's ticket. I am happy to support it but I'm not anticipating being part of it. You know we have never had a conversation with regards to the vice presidency, between our staffs or directly between myself and Sen. McCain," he said. "It's a decision he's going to make all by himself."
Mark Ambinder reported on July 7th that "sources close to McCain" said 8-10 candidates are being asked to support documents by his vetting team, including Mitt Romney and Tim Pawlenty.
OBAMA UPDATES:
1. Texas Rep Chet Edwards (Nancy Pelosi's recommended #2) said that he "cannot imagine that many Americans would not consider it a privilege" to be considered for VP.
2.General Wesley Clark had a controversial June 30th appearance on Fox News' "On The Record," where he slammed Senator McCain, saying: "That large squadron in the Navy that he commanded, that wasn't a wartime squadron. He hasn't been there and ordered the bombs to fall. He hasn't seen what it's like when diplomats come in and say, I don't know whether we're going to be able to get this point through or not. Do you want to take the risk? What about your reputation? How do we handle it publicly? He hasn't made those calls, Bob....I don't think riding in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to be president." Is he practicing for the debates and angling himself to be Obama's running mate?
3. Joe Biden has been leading many national polls as a top prospect for VEEP, although he'll also be up for Senate re-election in 09 (for his sixth consecutive term.) The only other candidates who've ran simultaneous senate and national election campaigns have been: Lyndon B Johnson, Joe Lieberman and Lloyd Bentsen. All 3 won their senate seats, but Johnson also took the cake on the winning ticket!
4. Surprise! Colin Powell met with Obama on June 18th! But don't get your hopes up. Powell told reporters in Providence: "I am not interested in political life, and I am not a candidate for any office. … Right now, my only responsibility as a citizen is to vote. What else I might do remains to be seen.”
5. Some women remain hopeful that Obama's #2 will be another female, if not Hillary. Kathleen Sebelius is one of the contenders and this is what Obama had to say about her: "I love Kathleen Sebelius. I think she is as talented a public official as there is right now. Integrity. Competence. She can work with all people of all walks of life, but I promised that I am not going to say anything about my vice president until I actually introduce my vice president.”
6. Tom Daschle says that Obama is sincerely considering Clinton. "I think he needs two things, first somebody who can become president in the case of a tragedy and secondly, somebody with whom he can work closely. I think Hillary Clinton would be, as Barack Obama has said, on anyone's short list and I think that is sincere. I think he is looking at Hillary and a host of other possibilities for the future."
MCCAIN UPDATES:
1. The Liberty Counsel and 90% of the nation's leading Conservative Evangelical activists met privately this week to discuss backing McCain.The group concluded that they have many shared values with McCain, in addition to writing a letter recommending Mike Huckabee for VEEP.
2. Rumor has it, McCain's planning to announce his VP just after Barack Obama in what one campaign planner called a "bounce-mitigation" strategy. Since the DNC meets before the RNC, Obama will have to declare his selection mid-August. The Politico.com rumormill also suggests Mitt Romney is a top contender, primarily because of his fundraising ability. (Um, $60 million in 60 days? Would YOU balk at that kind of money??)
3. Tim Pawlenty was on ABC's "This Week" recently, where he defended McCain on immigration and other issues. He makes a good talking head, doesn't he? (Here's another interesting tidbit to consider: Salon.com feels he's angling for the #2 spot because he trimmed off his mullet just in time for the Veepstakes to begin!)
4. McCain's old campaign manager Rick Davis has handed his job title over to Steve Schmidt, but announced that he will continue in the VEEP Vetting process.
MCCAIN UPDATES (in brief):
You know, deep down McCain REALLY wants to pick Joe Lieberman as his VEEP. Those two inseparable best buddies are traveling to Colombia and Mexico together next week. In fact, I recently read that sources close to McCain mentioned that the Senator likes the idea of Lieberman or former PA Governor Tom Ridge -- "if he could get away with it." Personally, I like Lieberman... although his only similarlity with the Republican base is his support of the Iraq war. (As for Ridge, he's totally qualified but too pro-choice, analysts say. Additionally, Anna Palmer recently ran a story alleging that Ridge "failed to register a nearly half-million-dollar lobbying contract that he had with the government of Albania." Yikes!)
Mitt Romney is still purse-lipped, telling NBC's John Harwood, “I’m not going to make any comments on the VP front.”
Also, why are people still talking about Kay Bailey Hutchison? How many different ways can she possibly say "NO?" When Fox & Friends asked her if she's on the short list, she replied, “I hope not.”
OBAMA UPDATES (in brief):
Who does Nancy Pelosi recommend for the #2 spot? Surprise: Texas Democrat Rep. Chet Edwards! She comments, “Anyone that Barack Obama wants is my choice for vice president, but I do think in the list of considerations there should be somebody from the House of Representatives and Chet Edwards is a person that many of us think would be a good person to be in the mix.”
The VEEP operatives have descended upon Chuck Hagel as a potential running mate. On one hand, he's a Vietnam Vet who opposes the Iraq war. However, after asking other Dems what they thought of Hagel's prospects, many said that the Nebraska Republican is "too conservative on other issues, especially abortion."
Politico reported an interesting angle I hadn't thought of regarding Tim Kaine (D-VA): he speaks fluent Spanish! Look out, Bill Richardson! You're going to get a run for your money!
Obama Says: "I want somebody who can be a good president if anything happened to me. I want somebody who can be a good adviser and counsel to me and tell me where he or she thinks I'm wrong, not just on national security policy but on domestic policy as well."
When Andrea Mitchell asked Indiana Senator Evan Bayh (remember him??) if he wanted a VP offer, he said, “The answer to that is ‘Yes.'" When asked about the vetting process, he coyly responded, “I can't talk about all that, as you can appreciate. Otherwise, I'd disqualify myself for consideration.” Sounds like the vetters are on his trail!
Who DOESN'T Want the VEEP Slot This Week:
According to the Boca Raton News, Michael Bloomberg said, "The Vice President is nothing more than a symbolic political figurehead who is not able to make a significant overall difference" He also mentioned he didn't think he'd be much help: “It adds a little luster to the podium. I think most vice presidents are selected on the basis of whether they can deliver home state and electoral votes.”
Tim Pawlenty told CNN: "We talked about family and sports and politics and the like, but we did not discuss any talk about the vice presidential pick. I am very happy being the governor of the state of Minnesota." He added that the vice presidency "is not something I have designs on."
On June 16th, Joe Lieberman said he does not want the # 2 spot: "I think in this, as in so much else, [McCain] has his head screwed on right. I think he's looking for somebody who shares his priorities and would be capable of being president."
Who WANTS the #2 Job This Week
(Or Who "Doesn't Want It" -- But Will Take It):
Bill Richardson talked about the vice presidency at a Council on Foreign Relations luncheon. "This is a decision that Sen. Obama needs to make -- and you don't need to make it now. Otherwise, what are we going to do at the Democratic convention in August?" Richardson also said he would be "honored" to be asked but that he "liked being a governor." (Standard response, right?) Then, in a moment of obvious contradiction, questioners ask Richardson what qualities Obama should look for in a VEEP -- and Richardson says, "Regional balance should be a top consideration. We've ignored the Southwest. We've ignored the Southwest Hispanic vote. If John Kerry had won New Mexico, Nevada and Colorado -- states he lost by two or three percent -- he'd be president today." I'd say it sounds like he'd be more than happy to help.
Tom Ridge told Fox News: "If [McCain] asks me, we'll have a private conversation and we'll decide whether or not we ought to tell you what we said." When asked about his pro-choice views, Ridge explained, "Obviously, the vice president's job is to support once a decision is made, whether it's on social issues, economic issues or diplomatic issues, the position of the president of the United States. But that doesn't mean that you don't share a belief that you've had your entire life. But again, those are really difficult and challenging questions when the vice president and the president disagree on a wide range of issues, but the vice president's job is to support the administration."
Joe Biden told NBC News: "If the candidate asks me to be vice president, the answer is I got to say yes. But he's not going to ask me. Unlike most other people, I'm being straight with you. If asked, I will do it. I've made it clear I do not want to be asked." He made mention of the historical nature of this election, adding, "Am I going to say to the first African-American candidate about to make history in the world that, 'No, I will not help you out like you want me to'? Of course I'll say yes."
Chuck Hagel told the Associated Press: “If it would occur, I would have to think about it. I think anybody, anybody would have to consider it. Doesn’t mean you’d do it, doesn’t mean you’d accept it, could be too many gaps there, but you’d have to consider it, I mean, it’s the only thing you could do. Why wouldn’t you?”
Mike Huckabee, on one hand told the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan: "I'm moving on with my life. I'm not waiting on the phone. I'm not seeking it — that's the truth." But then he also added, "The vice presidency is a job that no one ever seems to want and no one turns down." He also mentioned his ability to excite the party's base and win Southern Conservatives, adding, "Frankly a person, if not me, a person with similar background to me makes sense."
What Are the Polls Saying?
Mitt Romney is leading the USA Today poll, with Colin Powell coming in a close second. Kathleen Sebelius and Hillary Clinton are doing worst in the poll. Joe Biden is leading the Democratic pack.
The Deseret News/KSL-TV poll found that 59 percent of registered voters surveyed said a McCain-Romney ticket would boost their support for McCain. Additionally, if Obama were to choose his former rival Hillary Clinton as his vice presidential running mate, 57 percent of respondents say they would be less likely to vote for Obama.
A poll by the Arizona Daily Star found McCain's top 3 running mate choices to be: Mike Huckabee (54%), Mitt Romney (26%) and Joe Lieberman (10%). Obama's top 3 running mate choices are: Bill Richardson (27%), Hillary Clinton (24%) and Janet Napolitano (12%).
OBAMA UPDATE:
Who wants to be Obama's VEEP:
Chuck Hagel said about the Vice Presidency: "If it would occur, I would have to think about it. I think anybody, anybody would have to consider it. Doesn't mean you'd do it, doesn't mean you'd accept it, could be too many gaps there, but you'd have to consider it, it's the only thing you could do. Why wouldn't you?"
(In case you didn't know, Chuck has a few tricks up his sleeve: In addition to being the Senior Senator of Nebraska from 1997 - 2008, he was also Deputy of Veteran Affairs from 1981-1982, under Ronald Reagan... and he served in the Vietnam War. He's been a very vocal critic of the Bush administration and he's served on foreign relations / banking, housing and urban affairs subcommittees.)
Additionally, Tim Kaine told Fredericksburg.com he'd consider the #2 spot.
MCCAIN UPDATE:
A new site launched this week to push a new VP candidate to the forefront: Eric Cantor. He's only served in the Virginia House since 2001, but the site touts him as a "pro-life, pro-family, pro-market, pro-military, dynamic, young Republican-Conservative." To his credit, he does hold the Chief Deputy Republican Whip title and he does have experience working on finance, economics, health care and welfare reform on the Ways and Means committee, as well as experience on the Task Force on Terrorism. At this point, he has some good things going for him, but I'm not stirred by the idea of it.
BREAKING NEWS: 2 NAMES ON OBAMA'S LIST REVEALED!
One day after the VEEP Vetters met with congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, she spilled the beans and alerted us that SAM NUNN and JOHN EDWARDS are, in fact, on Obama's shortlist! She also mentioned that when she said AL GORE was her "personal pick," the VEEP Vetters just smiled.
MCCAIN UPDATE:
McCain spent some time with Tim Pawlenty in Minnesota, where T-Paw hosted a local fundraiser for the presidential candidate. The US News & World Report seems to think the VEEP search is honing in on the Minnesota Governor, but you never know what that Maverick McCain will do!
OBAMA UPDATES:
Al Gore will be appearing with Obama at a Detroit rally, which is the first open endorsement from the former Vice President. In April, Obama said he would "strongly considering inviting Gore to serve in his administration." Gore added in a letter, "I will do whatever I can to make sure (Obama) is elected president of the United States." One can only assume, then, that if asked Gore would play VEEP yet again!
Is Obama Giving Hill the Brush-Off? Obama hired Ms. Clinton's former campaign manager to be an aide to his VP. Some say that's an indication that he's distancing himself from Clinton. Although, there is still the "Draft Obama Clinton" petition: http://draftobamaclinton.com/petition/
Wesley Clark comes out in adamant support of Obama. "I know he's trying to get traction by seeking to play to what he thinks is his strong suit of national security," Clark said of McCain. "The truth is that, in national security terms, he's largely untested and untried. He's never been responsible for policy formulation. He's never had leadership in a crisis, or in anything larger than his own element on an aircraft carrier or [in managing] his own congressional staff. It's not clear that this is going to be the strong suit that he thinks it is." Is he angling for VEEP?
MCCAIN UPDATES:
What McCain said about the Vice Presidency Back in 2000:
"The vice president has two duties. One is to inquire daily as to the health of the president, and the other is to attend the funerals of Third World dictators. And neither of those do I find an enjoyable exercise.''
Charlie Crist: The "American Idol" VEEP...
"The Republican Party in Florida is the envy of the nation," said Republican Party of Florida chairman Jim Greer. "It's no surprise that Charlie Crist's leadership style, by putting the people first, is widely seen as the future of the Republican Party in this nation. We're not letting Democrats own any more issues ever again. Governor Crist's leadership is a breath of fresh air, and Republicans around the country are talking to him about his philosophy. It's a new day in the Republican Party."
Look Who's Talking:
It's always intriguing when I'm researching VEEP news and I come across my own name and a quote! See who's talking about my Jim Webb article here.
Karl Rove Picks the VEEPS:
This Sunday, Karl Rove came on "Fox News Sunday" and told Chris Wallace what he thinks about the veepstakes so far...
For McCain: "Well, first of all, we are way before they get down to a short list. You know, most of the nominees are named either at the convention or the week before the convention, so we've got two months to go on this.
"What I tried to do here is choose types of people. You've got the — in Mitt Romney, you've got the defeated primary opponent.
"In Pawlenty, you've got the — you know, you've got a blue state Republican.
"In Charlie Crist, you've got a strong advocate and ally from the primary process.
"And then in Joe Lieberman, you've got the choice way out of left field — you know, the real excitement.
"Each one of these has their strengths and weaknesses, but each one of them ought to be thought of as an archetype rather than just an individual, because we are months away from them getting down to a short list.
"I'd pick Romney. Romney is already vetted by the media, strong executive experience both in business and in government, has an interesting story to tell with the saving the U.S. Olympics, and also helps McCain deal with the economy, because he can speak with the economy with a fluency that McCain doesn't have.
"On the downside, he's been a little uneven in his performance. In fact, that's being charitable. I mean, this is the guy who talked about environments and marching with Martin Luther King and so forth. And there's also the Mormon problem, which was really sort of astonishing to me.
"When his father ran for president in 1967, there was not a single story on the front page of the Washington Post, New York Times, or a cover article in any of the major news magazines about George Romney's Mormonism.
"And yet we've been subjected to a lot of that kind of coverage this time around, and as a result, there is — and particularly in sort of evangelical and Baptist communities — a problem with his Mormonism."
For Obama: "Biden is the — fills the role of the person who ran against him. He's got foreign policy experience, which is turning out to be a weakness for Senator Obama, and has gravitas in Washington.
"Governor Sebelius is the governor of a red state, Kansas, likely to be a Republican state in a fall but nonetheless an interesting choice.
"Webb has been talked about. He's been the recent sort of "buzz du jour" in Washington. And he's got military credentials, crossover credentials, having served in the Reagan administration, and strong antiwar credentials, which helps Obama on his left.
"And then, of course, Chuck Hagel, which is the sort of out-of- left-field choice. Senator Hagel's wife Lilibet has been an Obama contributor, and obviously Hagel has been a critic of the Iraq war. Despite his longstanding personal friendship with McCain, he has yet to endorse McCain.
"Out of those four, I'd say Biden. But look. I think the Democrat field of vice presidential candidates is far more opaque than the Republican side, because I think it is — this really comes down to — when you make a decision about vice president, you've got to make one of two decisions — who's going to help me politically or who's going to help me govern.
"And this really gets to be a personal decision of the candidate. And the mix between the two — how much of my decision is based on how much they can do for me politically, and how much has to do with the chemistry and their background and their abilities that I think will help complement me in governing — these are intensely personal.
"And as a result, you know, those of us now sitting on the outside watching it are not going to know how the candidates are going to go about doing this, particularly with Obama, who doesn't have a track record of these kind of relationships and having played in high stakes politics."
OBAMA AND MCCAIN Camps Trade Jabs Over Veep Vetters!
No one is safe from the Conservative eye in this campaign. How do you hit a rookie who hasn't had enough strike-outs or losses to criticize? Why, you try to undermine his basic pillars and unsettle his foundation: You pick on his wife, you attack his judgment, you criticize what few decisions he is making these days -- including who he surrounds himself with and who he chooses to pick a vice presidential nominee.
First it should be said that the constant scrutiny from the McCain camp has forced Jim Johnson to step down from his post as Veep Vetter.
Hardly a day later, McCain takes a jab at one of the remaining Veep Vetters: Eric Holder for "1983 tax evasion charges and illegal oil dealings with Iran," though he was pardoned by Clinton when he served as deputy general.
Obama spokesperson Hari Sevugan responded: "It's telling that John McCain -- whose vice presidential search process is headed by a prominent D.C. lobbyist [A.B. Culvahouse] who served as the Reagan administration's point man on the Iran-Contra scandal -- would try to recycle a tired attack on Mr. Holder."
Obama camp's Bill Burton added: "We don't need any lectures from a campaign that waited 15 months to purge the lobbyists from their staff, and only did so because they said it was a 'perception problem.' It's too bad their campaign is still rife with lobbyist influence and doesn't see a similar 'perception problem' with the man currently running their own vice presidential selection process, a prominent D.C. lobbyist whose firm has represented Exxon and a top Enron executive, or their campaign chair and John McCain's top economic adviser Carly Fiorina, who presided over thousands of layoffs at Hewlett Packard while receiving a $21 million severance package and $650,000 in mortgage assistance."
McCain says: "All those things will be taken into consideration by the media and the American people, especially when you are entrusting individuals with one of the most important decisions that a presidential candidate can make before that individual is elected, and that is who the running mate is."
Democratic analysts say that finding political allies who haven't had some kind of mingling with the world of lobbying or questionable public service is a challenge. The very nature of the industry makes lobbying a matter of "taking out a loan" to fund one's future, in a sense. That's an interesting angle -- and perhaps a reality -- but I'd like to believe there are still people who can take the moral high road.
OBAMA UPDATES:
Obama's Considering Ex-Military
Since he's going up against John McCain, who is going to tout his military and foreign policy experience all over the place, it's only natural that Obama would gravitate toward someone with military street cred. North Dakota Senator Kent Conrad, who met with two members of Obama's VP search committee Tuesday, said there was "more than one" former military member on Obama's list of 20.
While exact names weren't discussed, speculation is centering around former Secretary of the Navy Jim Webb, retired Supreme Allied Nato Commander James Jones and retired General Wesley Clark.
VEEP Vetters Like Chris Dodd, Disses Clinton
"Chris Dodd has enormous capacity, intellectually. He has great experience," VP Vetter Jim Johnson told the Center for Public Integrity in an interview. "I think he has a good sense of politics, a good sense of the issues. And when the politics of differentiation really kicks in, he is going to have every chance in the world to say, 'Here is why I am better.'"
He also added that the increased media attention is hurting Senator Clinton's chances of jumping onboard. "Did you see The [Wall Street] Journal's story this morning?" he asked. "Big front-page story about how Hillary's hired everybody who has ever done anything in politics, and therefore she is going to be inevitable. And she is getting endorsements. How many times did we go through the pattern where the more endorsements you got, the worse it got?"
He's right, in a way: choosing Clinton would be typical for a man whose platform is Change. Johnson mentions, "Barack is a not totally shaped vehicle. But he has said he wants to do a different kind of politics. He is a different generation. He is a different race. He is a different commodity. He is a whole different matter. And the notion that somehow he is losing because the fat-cat politicians like [Hillary Clinton] better? It's only going to hurt her."
MCCAIN UPDATE:
Want to help pick McCain's #2?
The people at RightMarch.com have created a site where you can email VP Vetter Arthur Culvahouse directly with your VP pick! Choose from several pre-written letters and click send! Last week McCain was scouring the Internet for options, which was very UN-Cheneylike (McCain would never say "...So?" about the opinion polls!) Hopefully he came across VicePresidents.com in his quest. :)
OBAMA UPDATES:
Do the VEEP Vetters matter?? The McCain camp certainly thinks so. Since The Washington Post ran that story last week alleging that Jim Johnson may have profited off the subprime crisis, the Obama camp has called the story irrelevant and overblown. In response, McCain spokesperson Tucker Bounds said, "There is nothing 'overblown and irrelevant' about millions of Americans facing foreclosure and Barack Obama entrusting his most important decision as a presidential candidate to a man who has accepted millions in special loans from a subprime mortgage lender." This could possibly be the first time ever that an opponent has attacked a Veep selection committee member!
Today, Obama Veep Selection Committee members Johnson and Holder met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emmanuel in an effort to "show respect for the party and seek advice."
MCCAIN UPDATES:
Could T-Paw make a good Veep... even without "the designs?"
Quote of the Week: "I want to help him become the president, because I think he'd be a great president," MN Governor Tim Pawlenty said. "I don't have any designs on being vice president. If somebody came to me and said that, of course I would be honored to be mentioned, honored to be asked, and it would be difficult to turn that down, but I don't have any designs, and it's not why I'm such a great and strong supporter of Senator McCain."
Look, T-Paw -- this isn't fashion school. You don't need designs. Do you think Papa Cheney got where he is today by following some planneagram? C'mon, he'd be sitting in Observatory Circle calling to see if President Bush took his vitamins today (rather than waging wars in foreign lands and participating in $1,000 photo opps) if that were the case!
Al Gore's "Internet Invention" Helps McCain Find His VEEP!
Quote of the Week: "You know, basically it's a Google," McCain said at a fund-raising luncheon when asked how the selection process was going. "What you can find out now on the Internet -- it's remarkable."
According to the Phoenix Business Journal, McCain's VP Shortlist includes politicians and business moguls alike!
-To Help With Foreign Policy/Economy: CT Senator Joe Lieberman or former PA governor / US Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge
- To Help With Moderates: Governors Jodi Rell (CT), Tim Pawlenty (MN), Bobby Jindal (LA), Charlie Crist (FL)
-To Help With Star Power: former HP exec Carly Fiorina, former Gov Mitt Romney, Colin Powell, Condi Rice.
OBAMA UPDATES:
Obama Search Committee Named!
After a brief vetting process, the official Obama VEEP Search Committee has been named and includes: Jim Johnson (former chief executive officer for the mortgage lender Fannie Mae who helped Kerry & Mondale), Eric Holder (former deputy attorney general and District of Columbia Superior Court judge) and Caroline Kennedy (JFK's daughter).
"Senator Obama is pleased to have three talented and dedicated individuals managing this rigorous process," stated an Obama spokesman."He will work closely with them in the coming weeks but ultimately this will be his decision and his alone."
Frankly, I'm a little surprised that Obama would pick Jim Johnson. Yes, it's good to have a seasoned strategist helping you select a good running mate... and Johnson came up with some pretty good options for Kerry and Mondale, generally speaking. However, if you look at how his selections functioned with the presidential nominees, it was disasterous. John Edwards totally outshined John Kerry... and Geraldine Ferraro running with Walter Mondale just seemed so mis-matched. I don't think America was quite ready for a female VP in 1984. The Associated Press released an article that reminded people of Eric Holder's involvement in a controversial pardon during the Clinton administration's tenure. I don't really think one decision is indicative of someone's entire capacity for decision-making, per say, but it's something to consider anyway. Many are also surprised at Caroline Kennedy's appearance on the committee, but I think that's a smart move. The Kennedys are well-connected, high-profile and notably intelligent. It'll be interesting to see who they come up with... even though it's probably the same list we've been squawking about all year.
Clinton Is "Open" To Being Obama's #2!
Democratic Rep Nydia Velazquez said the best way for Obama to win key voting blocs, including Hispanics, would be to add Clinton as his running mate. In response, Clinton allegedly replied "I am open to it," if it would help the party in November.
You know, for a few weeks now, I've been wondering, "Why is she hanging on when the math doesn't work out?" Part of me thinks, "It's good that she stays. This is a democracy. There should be choice in the matter. It shows courage." But at the same time, it's just sort of sad. Now it makes complete sense. She's trying to use her remaining leverage to bring Obama to the table and vy for the #2 spot. He must be getting antsy to clinch the nomination and unite the party.
Although Obama's committee selection could be a sign that he's looking to distance himself from Clinton. One has to wonder... If he were to pick a Kathleen Sebelius, a Claire McCaskill or a Janet Napolitano... would he attract the bulk of Clinton supporters?
The Word On The Street:
Senator Barack Obama is reportedly looking for a running mate from among the 28 Democratic governors in the country. According to several news sources, he has scheduled a meeting with the governors on June 16th in Chicago. Some governors mentioned were: Tom Vilsack of Iowa, Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Mike Easley of North Carolina. Then again, he might want to go with a governor who helped him win a highly contested state.
The Full List:
*Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano
Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe
#Colorado Governor Bill Ritter
#Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner
#Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich
#Iowa Governor Chet Culver
#*Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius
Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear
#Maine Governor John Baldacci
#Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm
#Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer
New Hampshire Governor John Lynch
New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine
*New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson
New York Governor David Paterson
North Carolina Governor Mike Easley
*Ohio Governor Ted Strickland
Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry
#Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski
Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen
*Virginia Governor Tim Kaine
#Washington Governor Chris Gregoire
#West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin III
#Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle
#Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal
*VicePresident.com picks!
# States Obama Won
The Problem With Janet Napolitano:
There's been an early buzz about the prospects of calling on the Arizona Governor for the #2 position... but her early departure would leave Secretary of State / Republican Jan Brewer at the helm, which many analysts say she would not want to do!
What are the Polls Saying?
CBS News reports that John Edwards is the strongest VP pick to go up against McCain, citing a series of SurveyUSA polls.
MCCAIN UPDATES:
The McCain Camp announced that he'll make his choice for VP during the first half of August, about two or three weeks before the GOP nominating convention in Minnesota. He said announcing early will allow the media to examine the candidate well, giving McCain and his advisers time to address any criticisms in advance. Smart move! After all, we don't want another Dan Quayle surprise!
What McCain's Saying About Charlie Crist:
"Oh, I am sure that in many respects Charlie Crist is qualified," McCain said. He's had other offices. As you know he was attorney general as well. This is a big an diverse state. But we haven't moved anywhere on the process that he would be under. We have a large number of people that we are considering, but I just don't mention anybody's name because then it starts a process that could end up in an invasion of their privacy." (St. Pete Times interview)
McCain visited the Florida everglades this week to shore up his environmentalism credentials and visit with his pal Empty Chair Charlie.
What McCain's Saying About Bobby Jindal:
"The governor has been able to reach across the aisle and get things done for the people of Louisiana, help the folks in New Orleans in the recovering from the storm," Sen. McCain said of Gov. Jindal, during a news conference. "That would be something that I could show the American people as a way that people from both sides of the aisle, Republican and Democrat, can sit down and work together."
McCain had a town hall meeting in Baton Rouge Louisiana on Wednesday, where Republicans were all fired up over the possibility of Bobby Jindal for VEEP. Buddy Roemer casually mentioned "McCain's VP may even be in this room," and after a series of intense applause, McCain said "I've gotta take this guy everywhere I go!" Appealing to business hawks, fiscal conservatives and moderates alike, Jindal (who has been touted as "a Republican Obama") could have the winning formula.
Read a compelling case for Jindal here.
Who's Going to Bat For McCain:
Joe Lieberman attacked Obama over some of his senate votes this week.
Tim Pawlenty questioned Obama's foreign policy creds, calling him a "light weight."
McCain would be well-served to pick a VP who's Cheney-Tough.
Another Round of Sarah Palin:
I was wondering what had happened to the only person actually campaigning for the Vice Presidency: Sarah Palin. There was an early clamor but it seemed to have died down in recent weeks. She has a great PR team working for her and certainly holds equally fantastic credentials, although the mainstream newspapers haven't given her the boost she needs to become a household name.
There's no indication that she has a relationship with McCain as a close friend or constituent, but with a 90% approval rating in her home state of Alaska and a strong backing from Conservatives For Change, one can only hope he'll get to know her a little better.
A tipster sent word this week that McCain's VP guy Arthur Culvahouse was spotted in Juneau, Alaska to meet with Palin. Even though she wasn't officially invited to the Memorial Day BBQ, it seems that Senator McCain isn't afraid of pulling a few stops.
MCCAIN UPDATES:
Who's NOT Talking About the Vice Presidency This Week:
1. Tim Pawlenty told a crowd of 1,700 that he "hadn't talked to Senator McCain in about a month" and that all this VEEP talk was just "pure and raw speculation."
2. Mitt Romney says he also has not talked about the vice presidency with McCain, adding that he "looks forward to supporting McCain's team, not being a part of it."
3. Charlie Crist said he "ate too much, had some great chicken, great barbecue" but didn't discuss the vice presidency at McCain's ranch last weekend. He added, "It's not something I concern myself with."
4. Bobby Jindal said: "There was absolutely no discussion of the vice presidency, either joking or serious." It's "very flattering" but he likes the job he's got, he said.
5. John Thune told the Demoines Register that the VP rumor is "probably being circulated by [his] mom." He also said, "There's a lot of speculation right now, but at this point that's all it is. At the end of the day, there's one person whose opinion matters, and that's Senator McCain."
6. When CNN asked Mark Sanford if he wanted to be McCain's #2 on Sunday, he said: "No, I'm just trying to survive the week. I made it to Sunday. I got another week ahead of me. ... There's nothing wrong with being vice president. But it's not on my radar screen. I'll worry about that lightning strike if it comes my way."
VicePresidents.com Says: Did anyone really think McCain was going to explicitly TALK about the vice presidency at his Memorial Day BBQ? Did the VEEP hopefuls think the media was envisioning them in an auction-type setting, all openly vying for the position? Or perhaps they were sitting in a circle all discussing their qualifications, trying to outdo each other. Maybe they had a cook-off to see who makes the best barbecue and they'd just settle it that way. Obviously this social event was just a chance for McCain to inwardly ask himself, "Who do I want to be spending the next four years with? Who do I get along with?" This was to be fun, to get everyone to let loose and be themselves, to get to know people better. So why does everyone feel they need to come out and say, "No, I wasn't asked. We didn't even talk about it." Geez, while you're at it, why not just remind us how much you love your job? Oh wait... you already did.
What McCain's Saying About the Vice Presidency:
"People keep asking me, who have different positions on different issues, whether that running mate would have that particular position," he said, adding that people ask about gun rights, abortion and fiscal issues.
"There are people who have certain agendas who want me assure them, and all I can do is make blanket assurance that the person I choose will share my values and my principles and my goals and my ideals. For me to say I am not selecting this kind of person, not selecting this kind of person, I don't think is appropriate for the process."
OBAMA UPDATES:
Word on the street is that Obama met with Jim Webb to discuss the VP process and hopes to have a good idea of who to ask by June 4th. He's also working with close friend Valerie Jarrett and James A. Johnson (who has also worked for John Kerry in 2004 and Walter Mondale in 1984). Obama said he's looking for someone with complementary expertise, who could be a successor, who he gets along with and who may help win electoral votes.
Tim Kaine wants to be Obama's VEEP! Kaine told the Daily Progress, "I signed on to help Barack win. If he wants me to help him in that way, it'd be hard to say no."
Obama's VEEP Hopeless of the Week:
Tom Daschle: "I have no interest in being vice president. ... None."
NBC's Tim Russert: "You wouldn't accept it?"
Daschle: "Well, that's a different question. ... I haven't been asked and don't expect to be asked."
Russert: "But would you like to serve in government again?"
Daschle: "That's a possibility" ("Meet the Press," NBC, 6/1).
MCCAIN UPDATE:
Does McCain have a Crist Problem? Some social conservatists think so!
They say he hasn't demonstrated a solid record on abortion, that he didn't take an active enough role in the Terry Schiavo case and that he's sided with civil unions at times they'd rather he opposed them. In essence, "He's not one of us," an Evangelical spokesperson said. The question is: Does McCain care? In the past, the Christian Conservative base could make or break an election, but this year it's the Independents who are coming out in mass force... and it seems, the more McCain defies the far right, the more the Independents and Rogue Democrats love him.
Look Who's Talking Now:
- See what former Presidential candidate Michael Dukakis is saying about Obama's future runningmate!
- See what former Presidential candidate George McGovern is saying about Hillary as a potential VEEP nominee!
- See what former President Bill Clinton says about his wife's ability to serve as VP!
Knox County, Tennessee voters say that picking a vice president is critical to their votes. One voter said she definitely WON'T vote for Obama if he picks Hillary as his running mate. If John McCain picks Mitt Romney as HIS #2, the voter said she'd vote for the GOP ticket. Many voters said that an Obama-Edwards ticket would be favorable and that a McCain-Barbour, McCain-Huckabee or McCain-Romney would be ideal.
OBAMA UPDATE:
On Saturday, Barack Obama told the press: "We’ve got 10 days before the primaries and caucuses are over, and at that point we’re going to have to pick it quickly, should I be the nominee, to make sure we’re going through that process in a responsible way."
OBAMA UPDATE:
VEEP Hopeful Bill Richardson's State (New Mexico) is the battleground state in this week's spotlight!
In a recent Washington Post article, the importance of New Mexico as a "battleground state" was rehashed. Al Gore won by less than 300 votes in 2000, Bush won in 2004 by barely a percentage point and the deeply divided electorate could swing either way in 2008. "These are going to be important battleground states," Obama said. "I think we can win in the West. I think that Governor Richardson has offered a model in New Mexico that is applicable in Nevada, is applicable to Colorado."
Here at VicePresidents.com, we feel the "state/demographic" model of VP selection is dated. We feel that voters are looking for a ticket they can feel excited about. However, with Governor Richardson at Obama's side, it's hard to ignore the sway he'd have over Latino voters in his home state (which includes nearly half a million registered voters). Additionally, states like Nevada and Colorado have large Latino populations that Obama must woo in order to win. So Governor Richardson's support -- and possible positioning as Obama's # 2 -- definitely wouldn't hurt.
OBAMA UPDATE:
Mark Warner Says he's on Obama's VEEP Shortlist!!! Read the Obama VEEPwatch: Who IS Mark Warner? feature here!
OBAMA UPDATE:
Tom Daschle has a new Obama Ad out! Read the Obama VEEPwatch: Who IS Tom Daschle feature here!
Lindsey Graham Tells Colmes the Scoop on McCain’s VP BBQ
McCain’s closest adviser Lindsey Graham sat down with Colmes to discuss the upcoming Memorial Day weekend that political pundits say is one big audition for the running mate slot.
"I'm going to be there because, like I say, I enjoy his company, and it's a free meal," Graham laughs.
When asked about the possibility of a mixed McCain-Lieberman ticket, Graham replied, "You know, Joe's going to be there. Joe's a great American. He transcends party. He put his political career at risk because he believed in something passionately, and that's winning this war against radical Islam, and he thought President Bush had the right policies even though he was a loyal Democrat. And he got punished for that by Moveon.org. He and John McCain have a similar reputation for standing up for what they believe. He's a dear friend."
Colmes and Steyn were feeling bitter about not being invited to McCain’s for hotdogs this Memorial Day weekend, so they wondered: Does McCain want Mitt Romney for VEEP?
"Mitt Romney's been very helpful to Senator McCain," Graham comments. "They've campaigned throughout the country. He's raised money for him. He's a great guy and we're going to have fun out at the cabin. So you know — I guess there's just — we've got to talk about something. This is just as good as anything else, I suppose."
Perhaps Graham himself has ambitions…
"I have — well, if this is an audition for vice-president by being with John, I've been doing this for eight years. It's the longest audition in the history of the world. I've traveled all over the world with John, and I've been to the ranch many times, and so have some of the other people being invited. It is literally a time together with people who could accommodate their schedules that John respects and likes, and it's no more than that. And he'll pick a vice-presidential nominee that he thinks will help the country if something happened to him, lead the country if something happened to him, that shares his values, his principles, and his priorities. That's what he said. I know that's what he's going to do."
PSST... Rob Portman’s coming to the McCain BBQ!
Clinton Camp Lobbying For #2 SpotWord on the street is that the Clinton camp has been calling the Obama camp, asking that he offer her the #2 spot. Even Bill Clinton has said she’s "earned it."
Mike Huckabee was invited to the McCain BBQ… and Turned It Down!
Don’t worry, Huckabee Fans… I was just as perplexed as you when I saw the list of potential Veeps didn’t include Mike Huckabee. Today word’s leaked out that Mike was, in fact, invited to the big McCain Memorial Day Weekend – but he couldn’t make it! Sarah Huckabee says her parents will be on a long-planned trip celebrating their 34th wedding anniversary this weekend. Geez, what ever happened to "Bros before Hoes?" Or perhaps that slogan doesn't translate to well to marriages...
Well, at least Huckabee's not the only one missing. Others who were invited but couldn't make it include: Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and NC Sen. Richard Burr.
BREAKING MCCAIN VEEP NEWS!!!
Senator McCain is finally stepping up his game and invited at least three potential running mates to his Sedona, Arizona ranch for a "social weekend!"
Those attending are:
Florida Governor Charlie Crist
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney
In addition to the three VP hopefuls and their wives, McCain has invited some of his closest confidants and advisers:
Political Counselor Charlie Black
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham
FedEx Chairman Frederick W. Smith
Rumor has it, as many as seven more potential VEEPs and wives may be invited to what John McCain has called a "social weekend." His senior adviser Steve Schmidt was quick to say, "We don't discuss the VP selection process," but some of McCain's other associates said this would be an opportunity for the Presidential hopeful to get to know his colleagues in a more informal setting. Personal chemistry is a crucial aspect of selecting the right person and he'll want to pick someone who would be able to succeed him if need be.
BREAKING OBAMA NEWS!!!
With encouraging delegate counts, officials say Barack Obama will begin his furtive hunt for a running mate. Obama has asked close friend Jim Johnson (former Fannie Mae CEO) to begin looking for potential VPs, although he claims that he's not paying Johnson or officially hiring him for anything at this point. Since the nomination hasn't been publicly declared yet, the whole process has an air of hush-hush about it and no one's really saying anything.
Rumored options include: Hillary Clinton, Janet Napolitano, Kathleen Sebelius, Tim Kaine, Sam Nunn, Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, John Edwards, Claire McCaskill, Jim Webb, Chuck Hagel, Michael Bloomberg, Ed Rendell, Ted Strickland, Tom Daschle and Evan Bayh.
MCCAIN UPDATES:
Mike Huckabee ups the stakes by declaring his intention to become John McCain’s #2. On Sunday, Huckabee appeared on NBC’s “Meet The Press” to say, “Running for Vice President is not something one does…” But “There’s no one I would rather be on the ticket with than John McCain,” which makes one wonder if there’s some secret discussions taking place on the Straight Talk Express. “Whether I do the best for him is something only he can decide,” he adds. He also gives us a hint as to what the GOP attack strategy will be like if Obama takes the nomination: In a time of crisis, we need a reliable president, not a test drive.
At VicePresidents.com, there are a lot of Huckabee fans. Why? Despite some of his home state haters, Huckabee brings a youth and vitality to the office that breathes life into the McCain ticket. Additionally, McCain said it was imperative that his #2 take a pro-life stance (which, of course, rules out Lieberman but boosts Huckabee). The Huckster is certainly forthcoming about his Evangelical beliefs, which could solidify the base of Christian Conservatives who still feel shunned by the McCain camp thus so far. As far as ticket branding goes, a McCain-Huckabee ticket exudes: a forthcoming, transparent, “trust-me” sort of government, as well as a more balanced agenda that not only addresses foreign policy concerns but also progressively deals with immigration and economic reforms back home. They’re both affable characters that tempt many fence-sitting Independents or Democrats who’d feel bitter if their candidates didn’t win the nomination.
OBAMA UPDATES:
1.Joe Biden appeared on ABC’s “This Week” and fielded George Stephanopoulos’ question about the VEEP spot. "There's going to be all kinds of speculation," Biden said, carefully selecting the generic “safe” response. "I'm up for reelection. I'm running for reelection to the United States Senate. I'm chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. I've made it clear I'm not looking for that job, and ..."
"But you won't turn it down," Stephanopoulos pushed further.
"Well, you know, anybody that's asked by their nominee to be their running mate, you'd have to consider it," Biden admitted for the first time. "How could you just blow it off? You can't do that. And -- but I don't anticipate that happening."
Why Joe Biden, you say? Jesus – have you heard the man speak? He’s witty, he’s informed and he’s cut-throat. Who better to make a mockery of the competition better than this seasoned senator? In recent weeks, you may have caught a Biden sound bite where he’s dismissed President Bush’s attacks on the Democratic nominee (presumably Obama) as “bullshit” and “malarkey” – which shows that he’s ready to go to bat for the Democratic party. These days, Joe is also forward-thinking about how we can eliminate the global food crisis and fight crime / bolster defenses against terror at home. An Obama-Biden ticket brand would exude: persuasive public speaking, daring but calculated in foreign policy, full of progressive solutions and aimed at changing all the “malarkey” in Washington.
2. Obama Says: “I’m not gonna talk ‘vp this’ or ‘vp that’ until I’ve actually won.”
3. Sam Nunn Says: "People are looking for younger leadership and change. And that's an important factor Barack Obama needs to consider. And I would tell him that if he asked me."
CLINTON UPDATES:
VEEP POLL...
Hillary for VEEP? With the chances of Clinton pulling an underdog victory dwindling as Obama’s Super-Delegate number finally surpasses hers, speculation is rampant about whether or not she’d accept the VP position if asked. In a recent CNN poll, 55% of Democrats and Democrat-leaning Independents say they want Obama to offer her the position. 75% of Loyal Clintonites want Obama to ask, while only 43% of Obama supporters are thinking “Dream Ticket.” At first prominent Clinton-backing Democrats avoided this unrealistic notion, but some are throwing the idea out there now. Fellow NY Senator Chuck Schumer recanted, saying he sees it possible and thinks they’d make a great time. Likewise, Senator Charlie Rangel says it’d be “terrific” if the ticket worked out that way and Governor Ed Rendell audaciously told CNN, “If Hillary Clinton is not the nominee, I know that she cares very much about making change, and she will absolutely support Senator Obama enthusiastically."
Ticket branding: Obviously Clinton could bring the legacy of experience that people automatically associate with her husband. (Yeah, I know it’s not very “informed” but you know there are some voters who fly that way!) She will reinforce the YES WE CAN message by bringing a lot of the necessary Washington clout to get things actually accomplished. She can ground Obama back to reality when he’s soaring away with blind hope to bring balance. An Obama-Clinton ticket would prevent the party’s decay (since so many Dems are jaded and distrustful of the party super-delegates.) The ticket the Democrats are really hoping for now will exude CHANGE in every way possible... and what better way to hammer it home than with the first woman and first black in the White House?
GONZALEZ UPDATES:
1. Yes, Nader-Gonzalez are still in the race, although you don’t hear much about them unless you’re in California where they’re running full throttle to raise money with their Green Party base and ensure their names appear on the ballot. However, Matt Gonzalez was recently in Santa Monica exposing a huge cover-up at the Downey Studios/Kaiser Hospital Complex involving workers who were injured on site. Watch the Youtube video here.
2. In other news, you can also catch some of the VEEP nominee’s contemporary artwork at the Oakland, California art gallery.
WHO DOESN’T WANT TO BE VEEP THIS WEEK:
Jim Webb on NBC’s “Meet The Press” on Sunday May 18th:
“I would highly discourage [Obama and Clinton] is probably the best way to say it…. At this point, no one’s asking, no one’s talking and I’m not interested, so…”
John Edwards in New York City on Thursday May 15th:
“I have no interest in running for VP.”
Ted Strickland to The Columbus Dispatch on Wednesday, May 14th:
“No. I think this is a concoction of the national media.”
MCCAIN UPDATES:
1. US News World & Report says Mike Huckabee is on the McCain shortlist. Why? He's "a great campaigner and communicator," he's more like the common man than Millionaire Mitt and he's not bad with money.
2. The Washington Post reports Tim Pawlenty as the top contender -- with John Thune, Rob Portman, Charlie Crist and Mitt Romney coming in next.
3. Bloomberg.com predicts that McCain will pick T-Paw, Rob Portman or Mitt Romney. But then again, they also say he may surprise us with Lieberman... even though he's already assured us he won't go with a Pro-Choice candidate.
OBAMA UPDATES:
1. The Washington Post reports Kathleen Sebelius as the top contender -- with Ted Strickland, Hillary Clinton, Tim Kaine and Sam Nunn following.
2. Who better to go up against "McCain-Schrute '08" than Scranton's own Bob Casey? “That’s a hypothetical I’m not answering,” Casey said. “I just want to keep working to get him elected.” (In case you're not familiar with Washington psychobabble, that means "Like most of my bretheran, I have no illusions of grandeur so I act like I don't want it... but if he called, I'd be on the job faster than Eliot Spitzer speed-dialing a prostitute!) And Obama says, "I just love the guy."
3. To lift the spirits of all those voters who were hell-bent on getting a woman into the White House, there's Kathleen Sebelius. All we know for sure is that when it comes to pointing things out, an Obama-Sebelius ticket can't be beat.
VEEP POLL:
The Hill recently polled all 97 of the senators not running for President if they'd consider the #2 slot. Here's what some noteworthy senators had to say...
YES: Evan Bayh (D-IN), Bob Bennett (R-Utah), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), John Barrasso, Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Dodd (D-CT), Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Lisa Murkowski (R-AS), Ken Salazar (D-CO), George Voinovich (R-OH)
NO: John Thune, Lindsey Graham, Jim Webb, Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, Sherrod Brown, Joe Lieberman, Dick Durbin, Mel Martinez, Orrin Hatch, Jon Kyl,
MAYBE: Jim DeMint (R-SC), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Sam Brownback
THIS WEEK'S VEEP HOPELESSES:
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
“Me being asked is so unlikely I don’t even have to waste my breath on the question.”
Roger Wicker (R-Miss.)
“The chances of that are so remote that I’m more likely to be hit by an asteroid.”
Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.)
“They can do a lot better than me. I just don’t see it happening. I don’t know what I’d bring to the ticket. I’d have to think about it. I don’t see how I would add much to the ticket. To give you an honest answer, I don’t know what I’d do."
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.)
“If I were asked, I would ask some mental health professionals to visit Barack Obama. I just think Sen. Obama is way too smart to pick me. I’m not a good pick, and he’s smarter than that. That’s why he’s going to make such a good president.”
More Quotes from Senators on the vice presidency here.
CLINTON/OBAMA UPDATE...
Much to Hillary's dismay, a website has launched calling for the "Obama-Clinton Dream Ticket" at the official-looking VoteBoth.com! "People are stopping to ask themselves, why just nominate someone who has 51 per cent of the vote, when we can nominate a ticket that has 100 per cent of the vote?" explains VoteBoth spokesman Sam Arora.
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VICEPRESIDENTS.COM EXCLUSIVE! MCCAIN NAMES DWIGHT SCHRUTE AS VEEP?
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