# 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:** 21
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/401 "2008-08-19T19:23:44Z")
[QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever] You had me up until that last part. Everyone knows the Cubs won’t win. [/QUOTE] Because the Diamondbacks will beat them! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/402 "2008-08-19T20:29:08Z")
[QUOTE=Least Original User Name Ever] 1 and 3, I’d say, are 100% not going to happen. Sibelius can’t deliver Kansas and Clinton…well, yeah. No. [/QUOTE] For all the talk, veep candidates rarely ‘deliver’ their states, in the sense of winning the veep’s state when it was otherwise going to be somewhere between iffy and unlikely. 2004R: Bush would have won Wyoming without Cheney. 2004D: Kerry lost NC despite Edwards. 2000R: Bush would have won Wyoming without Cheney. 2000D: Gore would have won CT without Lieberman; lost FL despite him. 1996R: Dole lost NY despite Kemp. **1996D: Clinton won TN, likely due to Gore.** 1992R: Bush would have won Indiana without Quayle. **1992D: Clinton won TN, likely due to Gore.** 1988R: Bush would have won Indiana without Quayle. 1988D: Dukakis lost TX despite Bentsen. 1984R: Reagan would have swept TX, CT, and ME without Bush. 1984D: Mondale lost NY despite Ferraro. The bolded ones are where the veep seems to have made the difference. Going back further, I’d attribute Mondale winning MN for Carter in 1980, and Muskie bringing Maine with him in 1968. But that would be about it, during the 1964-2004 period. ---
**Author:** ![tds1273](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@tds1273](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tds1273)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/403 "2008-08-19T21:06:22Z")
As well, when Obama was on Meet the Press he was asked if he would pick a VP by region or by military experience. He gave the answer I was hoping to hear, that it wasn’t about filling in the resume so much and definetly not about trying to deliver a state, but more so who can he best trust and work closely with. His answer on MtP is one reason I am still not ready to take Richardson and especially Sebelius, who was campaigning for Obama before Super Tuesday even, off the list just yet. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/404 "2008-08-19T21:16:34Z")
[QUOTE=RTFirefly] 2004R: Bush would have won Wyoming without Cheney. [/QUOTE] And Cheney was ‘really’ from Texas anyway: he lived in Texas until shortly before the election, at which time he moved back to Wyoming. That choice couldn’t have had less to do with geography. ---
**Author:** ![Oy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bc8723/32.png) [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/405 "2008-08-19T21:18:49Z")
Again, I feel that what Obama needs the most is an attack dog. Now maybe that attack dog doesn’t have to be his VEEP nomination. But he needs at least one, preferably more than one, who are credible and able to go out and attack McCain’s policies repeatedly, even nastily, without trying to assassinate McCain’s character, while Obama floats serenely above, talking policy and always keeping his cool. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/406 "2008-08-19T21:46:06Z")
[QUOTE=tds1273] He gave the answer I was hoping to hear, that it wasn’t about filling in the resume so much and definetly not about trying to deliver a state, but more so who can he best trust and work closely with. [/QUOTE] All right then. It’s either gonna be his wife, or Caine from _Kung Fu._ ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/407 "2008-08-19T22:28:30Z")
[Biden: “I’m not the guy.”](http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/08/19/1276323.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/408 "2008-08-19T22:35:33Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] [Biden: “I’m not the guy.”](http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/08/19/1276323.aspx) [/QUOTE] _Looks to the sky with fists clenched and arms outstretched_ OBAMAAAAAAAAAAA! ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2008, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/409 "2008-08-19T22:54:02Z")
[QUOTE=Oy!] [Off topic]In the \*\*Oy!\*\*niverse, the Red Sox are the only America League team allowed to win ever, so it’s a toss-up as to whether or not the Cubs will win. Clearly the Mets _should_ win, as they should have every year since the miracle in 1969. [/Off topic] [/QUOTE] Mets all the way! ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/410 "2008-08-20T00:19:04Z")
[QUOTE=ArchiveGuy] [Biden: “I’m not the guy.”](http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/08/19/1276323.aspx) [/QUOTE] For anyone who didn’t click this, since the link tells the story: Obama has announced a big rally in Illinois Saturday. It could be something just to whip up some pre-convention enthusiasm (if he’s made any decisions, I think announcing some cabinet picks would be a great idea), but he could also delay the Veep announcement until then. I’m still hoping for tomorow morning just so it’s over with. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/411 "2008-08-20T00:25:50Z")
You know who was born and grew up in Illinois, don’t you? I’m not saying, I’m just saying… ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/412 "2008-08-20T00:26:29Z")
Abraham Lincoln? ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/413 "2008-08-20T00:28:05Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] You know who was born and grew up in Illinois, don’t you? I’m not saying, I’m just saying… [/QUOTE] Reverend Wright? Wha?? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/414 "2008-08-20T00:49:57Z")
[QUOTE=Asimovian] Reverend Wright? Wha?? [/QUOTE] Naw. Think slightly less likeable. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/415 "2008-08-20T01:15:21Z")
Huffington Post has been running the headline that Obama “ready to announce” all day long. It looks like both candidates might announce on the Saturday before the convention. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/416 "2008-08-20T01:20:23Z")
[QUOTE=Lakai] Huffington Post has been running the headline that Obama “ready to announce” all day long. [/QUOTE] And the NY Times has been running a story along the same lines since late last night, saying the news could come as early as tomorrow morning. They’re just looking for the most dramatic point now. And I don’t think they’ll announce on the same day. I see McCain waiting until the Democratic convention is over. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/417 "2008-08-20T01:24:06Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] And Cheney was ‘really’ from Texas anyway: he lived in Texas until shortly before the election, at which time he moved back to Wyoming. That choice couldn’t have had less to do with geography. [/QUOTE] OK, but same difference: Bush would have won Texas without Cheney. I worked my way back a few more cycles. You know which veep candidate was _really_ hard to identify to a particular state? [Sargent Shriver](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sargent_Shriver#Vice_Presidential_candidate). A guy who can consider running for governor in two different states in the same year is pretty damned cosmopolitan. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/418 "2008-08-20T03:30:54Z")
[QUOTE=RTFirefly] OK, but same difference: Bush would have won Texas without Cheney. [/QUOTE] Unquestionably. I decided to get in on the text message thing. I’m sure the choice will be posted here before my phone stops buzzing anyway, but (professional?) curiosity won out. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/419 "2008-08-20T04:48:52Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] And the NY Times has been running a story along the same lines since late last night, saying the news could come as early as tomorrow morning. They’re just looking for the most dramatic point now. And I don’t think they’ll announce on the same day. I see McCain waiting until the Democratic convention is over. [/QUOTE] I meant the Saturday before their respectful conventions. Obama this Saturday and McCain the next. But it appears there are news reports saying he’ll do it on the 29th, his birthday. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2008, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752/420 "2008-08-20T05:13:18Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] You know who was born and grew up in Illinois, don’t you? I’m not saying, I’m just saying… [/QUOTE] Ronald Reagan? (Lincoln was born in Kentucky). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752.md?page=22)