# Who will/should Obama pick as running mate? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 4, 2008, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752 "2008-06-04T13:50:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/181 "2008-07-30T16:06:30Z")
[QUOTE=Oy!] You may well be right. I just have trouble imagining the context in which it can be introduced without being barefacedly racist. [/quote] Those who send out emails like this [one](http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/familyphoto.asp) won’t be troubled by that. [QUOTE=Oy!] ETA: on the other hand, will anyone actually care? If they’ve accepted a black guy as president, are they really going to care that an accent-free guy is VP? [/QUOTE] I do agree with this. It might motivate some more of the real troglodytes to get to the polls to vote against him, but it probably wouldn’t dissuade many of his supporters. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/182 "2008-07-30T16:23:09Z")
[QUOTE=Oy!] You may well be right. I just have trouble imagining the context in which it can be introduced without being barefacedly racist. But I guess it can be done. [/QUOTE] Jonathan Capehart of _Morning Joe_ on MSNBC literally said this morning, and I quote, “he’s bumping up against that uppity line” in reference to Obama. The fact that Capehart is also black apparently is supposed to keep it from being racist. ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/183 "2008-07-30T16:37:15Z")
I’d seen that on Snopes and forgotten. Auma (Olivia, for the assholes) is quite lovely, isn’t she? Almost ethereal looking. ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/184 "2008-07-30T16:47:04Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] Jonathan Capehart of _Morning Joe_ on MSNBC literally said this morning, and I quote, “he’s bumping up against that uppity line” in reference to Obama. The fact that Capehart is also black apparently is supposed to keep it from being racist. [/QUOTE] Un-F-ing believable! I just find the word uppity to be objectionable when applied to any person in any context. If you want to convey the sentiment, say ‘cocky’ or ‘too big for his britches’ or some such. ‘Uppity’ is just an obnoxious term. I hope Olbermann will have a few choice words for Capehart tonight on Countdown. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/185 "2008-07-30T18:13:02Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] Jonathan Capehart of _Morning Joe_ on MSNBC literally said this morning, and I quote, “he’s bumping up against that uppity line” in reference to Obama. The fact that Capehart is also black apparently is supposed to keep it from being racist. [/QUOTE] Hell, if Obama picked Richardson, just the talk of how (and why) Richardson’s candidacy will (or will not) bring in the Hispanic will point up his ethinicity without directly talking about those “two brown faces” the electorate is being asked to trust. ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/186 "2008-07-30T18:31:16Z")
Yeah, but the population who presumably would be put off by “two brown faces” is not generally the population watching political analysis shows, is it? Or is it? ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/187 "2008-07-30T18:39:32Z")
[QUOTE=Oy!] Yeah, but the population who presumably would be put off by “two brown faces” is not generally the population watching political analysis shows, is it? Or is it? [/QUOTE] I think the opposition to two brown faces is not whether it influences people who will vote for Obama to be more/less enthusiastic to vote for Obama. It’s not even about those possibly undecided or straddling the fence who might see Richardson as that extra _positive_ to vote for Obama. It’s about those undecideds or those already in the opposite camp who can be further mobilized **to actually get up and out and vote against Obama** , for whatever reason(s) thrown out there or whatever _negative(s)_ they feel they need to latch on to. I can’t say whether or not these people are watching political analysis shows, or whether the ones they are watching are fair and balanced or not, but information, positive and negative, filters in to them from all sorts of places (emails, water-cooler talk, chyrons, etc.) and less-informed voters (of any stripe) make decisions based on it. ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/188 "2008-07-30T19:31:23Z")
What are chyrons? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/189 "2008-07-30T19:33:18Z")
[QUOTE=Oy!] What are chyrons? [/QUOTE] The titles at the bottom of the screen, which gives the names of segments or guests. Not to be confused with crawls, which are the scrolling text even lower on the screen. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/190 "2008-07-30T20:04:28Z")
I finally ponied up and bet on Bayh and I took a small flyer on Nunn. The big thing with Kaine is that if VA goes to Obama, it’s almost impossible for McCain to win. The thing is, however, that IN is worth only 2 less electoral votes and that state is also usually red and has moved into toss-up territory this time. Obama may well win VA anyway, even without a native son on the ticket. IN is next to OH and MI and while that type of thing may be overrated, it won’t hurt. Bayh is a safe pick for a candidate who can afford to make safe picks right now. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/191 "2008-07-30T20:16:45Z")
[QUOTE=Captain Lance Murdoch] I finally ponied up and bet on Bayh [/QUOTE] Somebody bet on the Bayh! ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2008, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/192 "2008-07-30T20:21:04Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] Somebody bet on the Bayh! [/QUOTE] The bob-tailed nag was already primaried out[sup]1[/sup]… _hides_ [sup]1[/sup] No Clintons were harmed or insulted in the making of this post. Any insult or disrespect should be seen as good-natured humor stemming from a previous post. Do not taunt Happy Fun Candidate. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2008, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/193 "2008-07-31T02:47:58Z")
Doesn’t look like anyone here is seriously entertaining the possibility that Obama will pick Clinton, but: CNN is reporting that she has agreed to speak [Tuesday night](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/30/clinton-to-speak-tuesday-at-democratic-convention-sources-say/) at the nominating convention. Obama will accept the nomination Thursday and his VP choice should speak on Wednesday. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2008, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/194 "2008-08-04T03:44:18Z")
[So maybe Edwards after all?](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/03/pelosi-offers-veep-support-for-house-darkhorse/) Chet Edwards that is. > [@](#): > > Pelosi has been lobbying for Rep. Chet Edwards (D – Texas). The 56-year-old Edwards is a 9-term congressman representing a district in central Texas that includes President Bush’s ranch in Crawford. … Given that I think Texas is more in play than conventional wisdom suggests (and many are tired of hearing me say that) I like the idea! [More about him.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chet_Edwards) > [@](#): > > Currently, Edwards is a member of the House Budget and Appropriations Committees. He is one of only six House members to serve on both the Budget and Appropriations committees. He is also the chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction. As the only Texan to chair an Appropriations subcommittee, it can be argued that Edwards is the most influential Texan in the House. Appropriations subcommittee chairmen are often known as “Cardinals” because of their control of the budget. > > The 11th District had been trending Republican for some time, but Edwards had been able to hold onto his seat, albeit with increasingly narrow margins.[7] In the controversial 2003 Texas redistricting, however, Edwards’ district was renumbered as the 17th District, and the U.S. Army post Fort Hood was removed from the district. His district absorbed College Station, home of Texas A&M, a longtime bastion of conservatism. It also absorbed several heavily Republican Fort Worth suburbs. Despite the heavily Republican nature of his redrawn district, Edwards still defeated conservative State Representative Arlene Wohlgemuth by 9,260 votes, or approximately a 3.8% margin. This came even as Bush carried the 17th with a staggering 70 percent of the vote. Plays to the story line in the same way Sebelius does - winning as a Democrat in a Republican stronghold, economic expertise, no known bad baggage (which is much important than having star power - Obama has that himself), a surprising choice that would get tongues awagging. Really, I like! ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2008, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/195 "2008-08-04T04:10:27Z")
No exec experience as a governor would have, no foreign relations experience. He doesn’t plug any holes. On the other hand, Obama claims he doesn’t need any holes to be plugged. Who knows? I have a sneaking suspicion that both candidates will surprise us with their picks. Wouldn’t it be interesting if McCain chose Lieberman and Obama chose Chafee? ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2008, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/196 "2008-08-04T19:58:42Z")
I honestly do not know how much “filling holes” factors in. If a candidate is really felt by a voter to have a hole then the VP being expert there won’t help much; if anything it may just call more attention to the perceived deficiency. You most of all want someone who won’t bring you down. No baggage. No _major_ conflicts in POV. You don’t want them outshining you or contradicting you. Next is enhancing your narrative. That’s been the appeal of Sebelius - not executive experience - and is the appeal of a Democrat who can consistently win in the heart of Red Texas. Edwards would keep Bush in the story line as he represents Bush’s hometown. You want someone who can actually work as part of the White House team helping get stuff through Congress. Finally is an actual appeal to a demographic on the fence. No stars need apply. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2008, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/197 "2008-08-04T19:59:27Z")
Obama’s in Indiana today, feeding [Bayh](http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2008/08/04/bayh_obama/index.html) rumors for the time being. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2008, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/198 "2008-08-04T21:59:21Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] Obama’s in Indiana today, feeding [Bayh](http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2008/08/04/bayh_obama/index.html) rumors for the time being. [/QUOTE] Mmmm, pro-Iraq War, pro-Patriot Act? Might be a mark against him. And maybe I’m placing too much emphasis on military service to answer McCain. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2008, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/199 "2008-08-05T02:49:00Z")
[QUOTE=DSeid] I honestly do not know how much “filling holes” factors in. If a candidate is really felt by a voter to have a hole then the VP being expert there won’t help much; if anything it may just call more attention to the perceived deficiency. [/QUOTE] The “filling holes” thing works when Obama has a white guy in uniform telling voters that Obama is the right man to lead the country. No one comes close to outshining Obama except Hillary, so if he doesn’t pick her he shouldn’t have a problem. Sure stars aren’t needed to be an efficient VP when elected, but until then, lets just say Obama needs all the help he can get with his inexperience. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2008, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/200 "2008-08-05T02:54:26Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] Doesn’t look like anyone here is seriously entertaining the possibility that Obama will pick Clinton, but: CNN is reporting that she has agreed to speak [Tuesday night](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/30/clinton-to-speak-tuesday-at-democratic-convention-sources-say/) at the nominating convention. Obama will accept the nomination Thursday and his VP choice should speak on Wednesday. [/QUOTE] > [@](#): > > Sen. Hillary Clinton has agreed to speak on the second night of next month’s Democratic convention, headlining on the 88th anniversary of the day women earned the right to vote, sources say. So Obama gets go on the anniversary of the “I have a dream” speech and Hillary goes on the anniversary of the 19th amendment. Very cute Democrats. You guys are learning. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752.md?page=11)