Cross Webb off VP list

The Atlantic reports that Webb balked at the vetting process.

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/07/obamas_team_begins_to_vet.php

 

There are still a ton of options out there -- Schweitzer and Sebelius, in particular, come to mind.

 

Strickland was never a candidate. He would have been a terrible pick.

I am not sure Edwards is out. But it probably wouldn't be smart to pick a VP loser from the last election (even though it wasn't his fault).

There are plenty of good candidates, though.

 

Schweitzer would be fantastic.

 

I told you so months ago.

I am a big fan of Webb, but I knew he was never going to be the choice. Unless it is Hil, Obama will avoid current legislators altogether.

 

The truth is, not too many people know what's up. It's a media guessing game. Most of the names that are out there are names that come up because reporters bring them up. It could be somebody totally off the radar screen.

I'd be mildly surprised if they pick a current Senator, aside from perhaps Evan Bayh. He's a classic "do no harm" candidate with a centrist record. He's an experienced campaigner who won't make a mistake, and he may even help Obama pick off Indiana.

Of the names people talk about, Sebelius seems to have the least number of negatives. I can't think of one, aside from perhaps the lack of national security experience. But what "Washington outsider" has national security experience? Sam Nunn, Al Gore and ???

There's arguments to be made either way, but Obama would probably be better off doubling down on change.

 

Love the game, and follow it closely, but only had genuine inside information, once.

It was regarding Gore, in 2000. And Bayh and whomever else can talk about being on the so-called Short List, then, but there were only two names on it -- no more.

It was Kerry's, if he wanted it.

He didn't want it.

And since Kerry didn't want it, it was Lieberman's.

Nobody else was in the room.

NOBODY.

 

Jim Webb, whom I respect greatly, is far too independent minded and strong willed to be the VP for any President who isn't an empty suit, which Obama, like him or not, is not.
I can't imagine Hillary accepting the VP slot. The Senate is a much better gig for her, and she's surely smart enough to know that. Besides, what do you do with the ex-President VP's spouse? Politicians are like football coaches, they hate to borrow trouble.
If I had to bet, I'd bet Sibelius.

 

I still believe Obama will try to balance himself with a "boring" white guy (most likely Southern) with experience.

Sam Nunn's the leader in the clubhouse.

 

I like Webb, but he's far from perfect, as Ben Hecht mentioned.

I think Obama needs an economic guru.

But I also really like Hagel.

 

I vote for a former general.
The ex-Marine commander, James Jones, is intriguing.
Wesley Clark was also there, but he told the truth and that makes him now ineligible.
Or maybe not, that might have all been blown over when it comes picking time.