Reagan was Ford’s biggest rival in '76, but he never made it onto ticket.
And Dick Cheney didn’t even run for the nom.
Prior to Kerry-Edwards, where it didn’t work at all, I’m not sure the last time it did happen. But you know that saying “That way madness lies?” We’re arguing against Jerry Springer on political in GD. I think madness lies right here.
This is what it boils down to.
Gore/Lieberman, Kerry/Edwards- those were VPs picked to try and fill gaps or pick up demographics; pollster type of picks. The trouble is that there was no chemistry at all. None of them worked well together as a team on the campaign trail.
I wonder if the personal chemistry, after actual qualifications of course, just might not be the most important thing. So when I hear Obama take charge and say that who ever his vetters say he should go with, ultimately he will decide who to pick; then, I feel just that much more confident that the Democrats will get it right this time.
That said, I still enjoy playing pundit and tossing in my picks for VP and cabinet spots as though it would make any difference. Sort of like a fantasy football/baseball mock draft.
Quite so. But did a sane person on Clinton’s staff decide that Springer was a good spokesperson for the position they want to have expressed on national TV? Was he really the best they could find?
While it’s not what he’s known for, Springer does have a political background.
Right down to the doing really stupid stuff (like paying a hooker with a personal check while he was on the Cincinnatti city council)…
- Well, technically, for it to happen in 1980, Reagan would have had to pick Anderson for his running mate, but Bush was a strong contender for the nomination, and the only candidate other than Bush and Anderson who won delegates.
Before that, it happened in 1960, when Kennedy picked Johnson.
This sounds interesting. A guy with military experience and not just foreign policy experience. It might be the most politically prudent choice. He could easily take shots at McCain’s war policies without McCain playing the “no military service” card.
I would personally want to see Obama put a woman on the ticket that can outclass Hillary Clinton (not too difficult,) and rally woman voters to Obama. Though politically Obama is way too vulnerable to attacks on his lack of military service and his color. Jones looks like he could provide cover for both those weaknesses.
I have to say that I think Richardson is the perfect choice for the reasons mentioned already - he would bring a lot of executive and diplomatic experience to the ticket, and he could help bring in the Hispanic vote. He’s also a pro-gun democrat, which is particularly appealing to me and a lot of other moderates or independents with a libertarian streak.
However, there are several other extremely important factors that I don’t think have been mentioned yet:
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He looks like a vice president. Really. Wouldn’t he look good right next to Obama on the campaign trail? Pleasant. Likeable. Unoffensive. Good hair, but not too good. Perfect veep material, in other words.
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His name would look good next to or under Obama’s on a bumper sticker. Think about it: “Obama-Richardson.” There’s a ticket that will bring in votes. Obviously there are lots of other candidates with considerable qualifications, but please: “Obama-Schweitzer”? “Obama-Sebelius”? “Obama-Clinton”? None of these pairings are bumper sticker material, and therefore can be ruled out a priori.
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Uh… hi Opal?
The preceding was only half tongue-in-cheek. 
I like Richardson too, though I keep vague things about his “vetting” problems, whatever that means. Any ideas?
There have been rumors for years that Richardson has a zipper problem.
Do you have any details or cites on this?
I’m not asking because I’m challenging you. I’m genuinely curious.
While “zipper problems” are never a good thing, of course, they can be relatively minor and easy to gloss over, or they can be really catastrophic. [cough]Gary Hart[/cough]
I do not, unfortunately. The most I’ve ever heard have been pretty much what I posted…vague and unspecified rumors that he’s a bit too “Clintonesque”…that’s Bill, not Hillary. Maybe some New Mexico Dopers who might be a little closer to Gov. Richardson geographically (and gossipily) can help?
Is there any reason Ret. Gen. Anthony Zinni hasn’t been name-dropped more in this discussion?
Here’s a decorated military guy, opposed the Iraq war from day 1, endorsed Bush in 2000 but later publically regretted that decision, has an econ degree, an award-winning advocate for mediation and conflict resolution, tough old kid from Philly, white, middle-aged, born in Pennsylvania…
Having a retired military guy would really counter the main thing that McCain has on Obama, right?
James Jones seems too tied to big business; I can’t imagine he’d pass the vetting very well.
Obama-Zinni 08?
What did he do? Shoot someone in the face?
All for Richardson. That or Dodd. I like Dodd.
Do we really want two people born in Kansas on the same ticket?
Obama was born in Hawaii, it’s his mother who was from Kansas.
I like a lot of the options presented here and I think Obama has a wider range of options than any other candidate in the previous elections I’ve watched or been involved in. So as for who he’s going to pick, I’m pretty well stumped. For who he should pick, I think Schweitzer just edges out Sebelius.
The more I think about it, the more I think Nunn.
Obama is polling very well right now with women and latinos and that would diminish his need to go with one of them. He knows that McCain is going to center his attacks in the general election on his lack of experience especially with matters of national security. In short we will all die unless we vote for the military man in McCain. Nunn is the perfect pick to blunt these shots. He knows the military backwards and forwards. He could debunk BS claims without breaking a sweat. And despite being a military expert, he is no hawk who would turn off Obama’s base. He is an expert on nuclear proliferation which won’t hurt because Iran will be a big issue in the campaign and in the years following. He is a southerner and that won’t hurt in Virginia and it could even put Georgia into play. He has decades of experience in the senate and could help facilitate Obama’s agenda on the hill. He has big appeal with independents. He is someone who could obviously step right in and be President if the unthinkable should happen.
That depends, is he trying out for the circus?
“Step right up folks, and witness the great Obamazinni!” 