# Obama Might Pick Republican As VP?! **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 16, 2008, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580 "2008-05-16T18:30:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2008, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/21 "2008-05-16T23:51:31Z")
Chuck Hagel isn’t a liberal Republican. Yes, he’s anti-war, but other than that he’s solidly conservaitve. For example, he’s strongly anti-abortion, he supports a flag burning amendment, voted no against gay marriage, etc. He’s also strongly for free trade, smaller government, lower taxes, etc. He’s more of a ‘paleo conservative’ mold than a neocon. He’s an old Reagan Republican. He’s also good friends with John McCain. It’s not going to happen. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/22 "2008-05-17T00:36:32Z")
Chuck Norris. You heard it here first. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/23 "2008-05-17T01:29:57Z")
I thought you meant Lieberman. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/24 "2008-05-17T02:00:49Z")
Not that I’m some Washington insider, but I first heard this rumor just after Super Tuesday, and I took it seriously even then. I would go so far to say that Hagel may be on a short list of VP candidates. Personally, I think Hagel is more centrist than his voting record portrays. However, Hagel would probably have a lot of explaining to do why his solidly conservative voting record would allow him to team with a left-of-center Democrat. In any case, I think an Obama-Hagel ticket would be incredibly strong among independent voters. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/25 "2008-05-17T02:01:53Z")
If he wants a GOP running mate, maybe he should offer it to that McCain fellow. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/26 "2008-05-17T02:12:19Z")
Considering the possibility of assassination, I don’t thing the Democratic Party would be too happy with a Republican being one heartbeat from the presidency. But of course, it’s not their decision. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/27 "2008-05-17T02:17:10Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > is considered by many Washington insiders > [@Fish](#): > > Are these the same “Washington insiders” that have been interviewed on TV to tell us how swimmingly the war has been going? The same “Washington insiders” who are deployed in secret White House PR scams? Bingo. By and large, Beltway pundits have their heads up their asses. There is absolutely no chance Obama’s going to pick a Republican as his running mate, let alone a Republican who’s retiring from the Senate. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/28 "2008-05-17T02:17:30Z")
[QUOTE=Ravenman] In any case, I think an Obama-Hagel ticket would be incredibly strong among independent voters. [/QUOTE] I will not vote for a ticket with a garden-variety Republican on it. So that ticket might not be so strong with Democrats, if I’m any example. Should Obama die during his term, that would mean we would have a conservative Republican President. If that’s what I wanted, I’d vote for McCain. I’m bewildered about this, and I can’t imagine why it would happen. Democrats have won three special elections for the House in safe Republican districts. We’ve got the independents, unless Obama starts reading from Mao’s Little Red Book on the campaign trail. All this indicates to me is that some are worried about attracting _Republicans_! Who cares? Bewildered, I say. The only thing I can think of is that this is the typical Republican concern and advice on how Democrats should act in order to win elections. Like all advice, it’s worth every penny it costs. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/29 "2008-05-17T03:02:59Z")
I think it could work but only if Obama picked the right Republican. But Chuck Hagel isn’t that person. As ArizonaTeach pointed out, Hagel is actually pretty conservative on many major issues. How would Obama’s base react to a running mate who received a 100% rating from the Christian Coalition for his “pro-family” voting record? If Obama were able to find an acceptable Republican, I think he could make it work. He’s not going to lose his Democratic base over a moderate Republican running mate. But he would solidify his support among independents and cross-over Republicans. He could play it as “The ideological special interests have taken over the Republican Party. So I’m the true candidate of not only the Democrats but also of the forgotten mainstream Republicans.” Reagan was able to use a similar line to attract Democrats into crossing over and voting for him. The problem is that Obama has to find such a Republican. He needs somebody with enough stature to not look like a token and with an acceptable record. The only person I can see that might fill that definition right now is Michael Bloomberg. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/30 "2008-05-17T03:08:58Z")
[QUOTE=Little Nemo] Reagan was able to use a similar line to attract Democrats into crossing over and voting for him. [/quote] But he didn’t pick a Democrat for VP. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/31 "2008-05-17T03:23:15Z")
[QUOTE=Little Nemo] The problem is that Obama has to find such a Republican. He needs somebody with enough stature to not look like a token and with an acceptable record. The only person I can see that might fill that definition right now is Michael Bloomberg. [/QUOTE] In the Obama VP thread I wished for Bloomberg. But Bloomberg isn’t a real Republican, he was a Republican of convenience. And now he’s not even one of those-- he switched to Independent. Plus he’s a Jew. Not that I’m implying that this country has a problem with bigotry (even though it really does) but a black guy and a Jew will be a real hard sell. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/32 "2008-05-17T03:26:49Z")
[QUOTE=Biggirl] … a black guy and a Jew will be a real hard sell. [/QUOTE] A Black Guy, a Jew, a Former POW, and a Duck walk into a bar … ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/33 "2008-05-17T04:20:49Z")
[QUOTE=Biggirl] but a black guy and a Jew will be a real hard sell. [/QUOTE] Well, unless you’re a [popular entertainer?](http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1285/is_9_33/ai_108050832) > [@](#): > > “He came to me,” recalls Jerry Lewis–born Jerry Levitch, and himself Jewish–“and said, ‘I’m going to turn Jewish.’ I said, ‘You don’t have enough problems already?’” > [@](#): > > [There is an old joke about Sammy Davis](http://www.geocities.com/sherrylfox/sammyd.htm) and this is how it goes, "One day Sammy got on a bus in Alabama, the bus driver told Sammy, “Hey Blackee, go to the back, now!” but Sammy turned around and said, “But I am also Jewish!”, then the bus driver said, “Then get off!” ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/34 "2008-05-17T04:34:07Z")
How about someone like Lincoln Chafee? He’s an independant now, not a republican, but I would support a Obama Chafee ticket. Regarding Hagel, I like the man, no scratch that, I respect the man. He seems to be what I used to think McCain was: an honest, principled conservative. I don’t believe that of McCain anymore, but Hagel seems to be the real deal. I still wouldn’t vote for him though, I don’t agree with his ideals… ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/35 "2008-05-17T04:47:25Z")
> [@](#): > > But he didn’t pick a Democrat for VP. I’m aware of this. I said Reagan used a similar plan in reference to the preceding line I wrote - where I was talking about how Obama wants to persuade Republicans to cross party lines to vote for a Democrat. And before you point it out, I am aware that Reagan was doing the opposite but the principle’s the same. When Reagan said, “I didn’t leave the Democratic Party, the party left me” he was putting forth the same idea that Obama wants to put forth. Convince the voters of the other party that their party has abandoned the ideals that caused them to originally join it and that the your party is now the true representative of those ideals. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/36 "2008-05-17T04:53:08Z")
> [@](#): > > In the Obama VP thread I wished for Bloomberg. But Bloomberg isn’t a real Republican, he was a Republican of convenience. And now he’s not even one of those-- he switched to Independent. Plus he’s a Jew. Not that I’m implying that this country has a problem with bigotry (even though it really does) but a black guy and a Jew will be a real hard sell. Given how many people think Obama’s a Muslim, picking a Jewish running mate might impress swing voters with just how open-minded he is. Okay, seriously, Bloomberg’s religion might be an issue. But I think the people who won’t vote for a Jewish Vice-Presidential candidate are already a lost cause to a half-Black Presidential candidate. Unless McCain picks Joe Leiberman as his running mate. Then all bets are off. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/37 "2008-05-17T05:14:01Z")
[QUOTE=Little Nemo] I said Reagan used a similar plan in reference to the preceding line I wrote - where I was talking about how Obama wants to persuade Republicans to cross party lines to vote for a Democrat. And before you point it out, I am aware that Reagan was doing the opposite but the principle’s the same. [/quote] Eh? The part where you were talking about how picking a Republican could work? Like Reagan’s similar plan of picking a Republican, I assume. Perhaps we’re simply misunderstanding each other. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/38 "2008-05-17T05:17:56Z")
Obama/Richardson? As much as I try to support my portly brethren, isn’t that a bit too of the Laurel and Hardy thing to work? Then there’s the double-minority problem. “Wanna complain about a n_gg_r leading the ticket? Hows about a n_gg_r and a sp_c, Mr and Mrs Crankywhitefolk? Not even a particularly WHITE sp_c, like Ricardo Montalban. That’s even worse than a n_gg_r and a b\*tch, innit? So bite THIS!” (holding my crotch in a provocative manner, then regaining control of my typing fingers) FTR: I think it would be a very nice ticket. I like Richardson’s politics as well as his apparent consideration of grease as a food group\*, unlike that flip-flopper, Huckabee. - - Which it is on the Food Pyramid. It’s just that Bill, me, and, especially, some of my co-workers, do not give it pride of place as the pyramid’s capstone. Real conversation Wednesday: “Hey, **drop** , would you agree that anything is improved by the addition of bacon and butter?” “Add cheese (I’m from Minnesota, where cheese is put on everything) and you have a deal.” My late, great gall bladder will scream from beyond the grave when i spend a week with these guys in June. Oh, and Hagel? Not a chance. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/39 "2008-05-17T14:20:07Z")
> [@](#): > > Eh? The part where you were talking about how picking a Republican could work? Like Reagan’s similar plan of picking a Republican, I assume. > > Perhaps we’re simply misunderstanding each other. You’re focusing too much on just one of the things I wrote. I said that Obama wants to attract crossover votes. And I said that Reagan was able to do so. I was pointing out how Obama could use Reagan’s strategy of suggesting that the fundamental values of the opposing party had changed and that members of that party no longer owed it their loyalty. Who Obama picks as his running mate is a separate but related topic. ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2008, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580/40 "2008-05-17T16:00:17Z")
[QUOTE=Ferret Herder] Considering that during his time in the Illinois legislature he was widely considered to be a driving force in getting the Republicans and Democrats to work together, and that one of his fairly recent campaign ads had an Illinois Republican state senator (Kirk Dillard) talking about this perception, I would suspect he would be more likely than Sen. Clinton to have a bipartisan Cabinet. [/QUOTE] Heh. A multiple of zero is still zero. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580.md?page=3)