US News
Who will Obama choose as running mate? Clinton? (Roundup)
Jun 4, 2008, 18:57 GMT
Washington - Even before Barack Obama had nabbed the Democratic presidential nomination, assuring a November general election face off with Republican John McCain, speculation was flying about who the candidates would choose to complete their parties' tickets in the vice presidential slot.
The biggest question is whether long-time Obama rival Hillary Clinton would be picked for the number two spot, forming what many pundits have dubbed a 'dream ticket' that could lead to the first black president and first female vice president.
Media reports have indicated that Clinton would be open to the possibility. Clinton even hinted at her need to have input into the choice, saying Tuesday night she wanted 'the nearly 18 million Americans who voted for me to be respected, to be heard and no longer to be invisible.'
But it remains unclear what Obama would think of such a deal or how it would be received by voters. Clinton provoked Obama supporters with her refusal to concede victory even though he had reached the necessary delegate count.
Some pundits like Mike Dorning of the Chicago Tribune thought they saw a begrudging concession by Clinton Wednesday morning, when she told the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington: 'Let me be very clear here: I know Senator Obama will be a good friend to Israel.'
Dorning wrote that it sounded like 'exactly the kind of personal endorsement that Clinton would be expected to deliver as a running mate - or a campaign trail surrogate' - especially given the venue of the Jewish constituency that has hesitated to back Obama.
On Wednesday, African American television mogul Robert Johnson, founder of cable channel BET, wrote a letter to US Congressman James Clyburn urging him and his fellow legislators to use their influence in convincing Obama to pick his former rival in the interests of party unity.
But the Obama camp must weigh whether such a move would overpower his campaign and bring unwanted influence from former president Bill Clinton, who has provoked controversy throughout Hillary Clinton's campaign.
Then too, Obama has run on the pledge of doing things differently in Washington. Bringing the Old Guard Clintons onto the ticket would contradict that vow.
Other potential Democratic vice presidential candidates might include New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who also competed in the early Democratic primaries and would bring years of political and foreign policy experience to the table.
Richardson served as ambassador to the United Nations and energy secretary under president Clinton. Richardson, who is of Mexican heritage, would also likely help Obama reach out to Hispanic voters, a group that has largely thrown its support behind Clinton.
John Edwards, who dropped out of the presidential race after several third place finishes, has also been the subject of speculation. The former senator ran for vice president alongside John Kerry in 2004, but his appeal to low-income whites and working class voters could be an asset to Obama.
Senator Claire McCaskill and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius - who would cover the angle of appeal to women voters - have also been mentioned.
Former presidential candidates are also lining up on the Republican side. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who challenged McCain as a social conservative for the center-right party's nomination, has said he is interested, telling broadcaster NBC that there is no one with whom he would rather run than McCain.
But McCain seems to have shown in interest in another former rival, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who spent a long weekend at McCain's home along with two other men often mentioned as potential running mates.
The New York Times has reported that talks could already be underway between McCain and Romney, who was among his fiercest rivals in the primaries but stepped aside in February citing the need to unite the party behind one candidate.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and Florida Governor Charlie Crist also joined Romney at McCain's home and are on most Republican strategists' short list of potential vice presidential candidates.
Jindal, the son of Indian immigrants, is the nation's first Indian-American governor. The 36-year-old appeals to the party's conservative base and would bring diversity and youth to the 71-year-old McCain's campaign.
Crist would lend support in the key swing state of Florida and endorsed McCain before the important primary there in January.
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Older Talkback
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While above poster was ranting he forgot Bush,Cheney,McCain,etc....
And how nice to use obama and osma in the same sentence,pure poetry written with mud....
Tonny, you can't even vote for American idol.
Shouldn't you be out rioting over gas prices as your fellow countrymen are doing in Belgium? Gas is at almost $10 US/gallon, mostly in taxes to pay for all their entitlement programs.
And you want us to follow your advice?
tonny from belgiumJun 4th, 2008 - 20:09:22
While above poster was ranting he forgot Bush,Cheney,McCain,etc....
sp4 - well, Tonny it's hard to disagree with that...but I think the first two are going quail hunting and the other is already going to be President!
Antoin 'Tony' Rezko, 52, showed no emotion as the jury delivered a mixed verdict that found him guilty of scheming with the government's star witness to get kickbacks out of money management firms wanting state business, but acquitted him of charges that included attempted extortion.
The jury delivered its guilty verdict on 16 of 24 counts after a nine-week trial.
Rezko has known Obama since he entered politics and was involved in a 2005 real estate deal with the Democratic presidential candidate, although testimony barely touched on their relationship. Most of the focus was on shakedowns prosecutors said Rezko arranged when he was a top adviser to Blagojevich.
Neither Blagojevich nor Obama has been accused of wrongdoing.
Rezko's defense attorneys maintained that the government had little evidence tying him to corruption and that the star witness, admitted political fixer Stuart P. Levine, was not credible because years of drug use had damaged his memory.
forgot Oprah, one of his early endorsers.
Senator Obama should choose Cindy Sheehan as his running mate. Senator McCain, on the other hand, should already be working out a way to draft Senator Clinton.
Nationalization of Natural Resources in North America, (OIL)
It is now time for the current US Congress to draft a law that will authorize the use of the Armed Forces of America to seize control of all Oil reserves, assets, and property within the borders of the United States of America. Americans are suffering financially because of the profiteering that is being sanctioned by the current Congress. The very survival of America will depend on the controls and relief to the consumer. By controlling the oil and refining process, the final price to the consumer can drop back to levels in the two digit margin, i.e. 39 cents. It is now a matter of National Security that this happen within a very short period of time, or every American will suffer the financial burden of out of control price per gallon for fuel, thus driving up every consumer product and service beyond the affordable means of an average income American.
The American Republic will recommend that the current US Congress and President be held accountable for this 'crime against Humanity' as well as numerous others.
It is time to fire the US Congress and President, now and in November, 2008. A new Republic for North America is underway.
We are a Legion of many, who will live a life of peace, and have respect for all living things, while having considerations for those who are different, and look for ways to truly accommodate those who are slow in understanding.
We support the poor, helpless, and defenseless people. We support the freedom of Women, we support the sane treatment of animals and the environment, we support the freedom of religion and expression. We do not support ignorance, period.
We are a growing nation of people that encourage anyone or Nation anywhere to become part of the New American Republic!
NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM
Judah Ben-Hur, Sui Juris
Ambassador
The American Republic
Diplomatic Mission: North America
RE:'We are a Legion of many, who will live a life of peace, and have respect for all living things, while having considerations for those who are different, and look for ways to truly accommodate those who are slow in understanding.'
Get your mind wrapped around this, Dipstick. If you ever actually try to do what you proposed in this post, there will be no peace between us. The only way you will EVER be able to 'accommodate' me is to kill me. Do you get it? You need to do your absolute best to surprise and kill me before you try this.
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Obama/Osama 08! CHANGE!!!!!Jun 4th, 2008 - 19:28:09
The short list:
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
William Ayers
Jeremiah Wright
Kim Jong-il
Tony Rezko
Jim Webb
Bashar al-Assad
Father Pfleger
Cindy Sheehan
Hugo Chávez
Jimmy Carter
Bernardine Dohrn
Raul Castro
Osama Bin Laden
Louis Farrakhan
Hopey Changey and changey hopey...
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