Comments on: Biden? Biden??!!??

By: Gulf Coast Bandit

Gulf Coast Bandit — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:31:53 +0000

So when I transplanted to Virginia, I began paying attention to this Virginia politics thing. Barack Obama will be in Virginia on Wednesday and Thursday, including my dumpy little town tomorrow. First time a presidential candidate has been here since Eisenhower, and I think it’s a good move from Obama; it’s economically depressed here, and hope and change will do well.

Now I highly doubt, and I have no sources, this is just a hunch, but it doesn’t make sense to me that Obama would choose today and then come to Virginia for 2 days. It doesn’t make sense that he would come to Virginia for 2 days and then choose Biden/Sebelius/Bayh on a Friday or the weekend. I think he’s coming to Virginia to announce Tim Kaine.

By: Chris J. Breisch

Chris J. Breisch — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:08:07 +0000

Ryan,
We’re more in agreement than I thought. I can accept your logic.

peter,
I like Bill Richardson. If he were at the top of the ticket, I might actually have a decision to make. I’d still likely support McCain, but it would by no means be a slam dunk. He’d be a decent choice for Obama. Locking up IN or VA or both of NM and NV likely gives Obama the White House. Richardson might help with the last.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:59:13 +0000

Chris:

I can say I also find it a bit distasteful, but I guess the relevant difference is that Obama can’t (virtually) single-handedly give everyone $1000 in quite the same way he can give out political appointments. Granted, Congress is involved in both, but Senate confirmation is a fairly low hurdle. That said, I’m with you in a fundamental sense.

TMS:

I’m not a Democrat, but I assume you were partially looking at me when you asked that, so I’ll answer anyway: I think Nunn is a pretty hefty intellect who would make an outstanding Secretary of Defense. As an independent, I respect his non-ideological, evidence-based, thoughtful approach to foreign policy. As a gay man, however, I have a different set of issues. If Obama picked him as a running mate, I would vote for Bob Barr.

Peter:

I think Cohen was fine (or as fine as any mainstream foreign policy person is going to be – you know how I feel about the lot of them), but I think it undermines a lot of what Obama has been trying to do to have a Republican in that spot. You can’t credibly claim that Democrats are good on national security if you keep assigning the top national security post to Republicans. I say make Lugar Secretary of State or something if you want a high-profile Republican in the Cabinet.

As for personal preferences for VP, I like the change crowd. I’d take Sebelius in a heartbeat. I think Reed and Schweitzer are both good, and I like McCaskill (although she might be too green [in an experience sense] even for Obama). If he wants an old hand, I’d take Kerry or Gore with pleasure. I’d even be fine with (Hillary) Clinton.

By: peter

peter — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:31:22 +0000

I think Sam Nunn is a good man, but too much of a blast from the past — he’s been out of government too long — sort of like naming George Mitchell to be VP.

I would like to see him pick Bill Richardson or (gasp!) Hillary — I think they would both the good VP’s, although I wouldn’t speculate on how they would impact Obama’s electoral prospects.

Failing that, maybe Captain Beefheart. An Obama-Beefheart ticket would be totally cool. Maybe Kinky Friedman?

By: too many steves

too many steves — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:16:12 +0000

Oh, and another thing, what do you good Dems think about Sam Nunn? Pretty well respected guy, across the board, too boring though? Too policy wonkish? Too old? Good military/foreign policy creds though (which is, I assume, why Biden is being considered).

By: too many steves

too many steves — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:12:13 +0000

So I’m trying to get my arms around what sort of hope and change Joe Biden represents? He’s been in the Senate, like, 35 years and so is as cranky a good ole’ boy in the world’s most exclusive club as McCain (14 fewer years in the Senate). Audacious I’ll concede, hopey and changey, not so much.

The guy is as big a gas-bag as I’ve encountered, but I also admit to a certain bias against all things Democrat so that’s probably not worth so much in Obama’s analysis of who would make a good ticket-mate.

By: Chris J. Breisch

Chris J. Breisch — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:00:09 +0000

Absolutely, Fargus.

Ryan, I’m not sure I agree. Which is more of a bribe? Obama promising Biden the SoS position, or promising every American family $1000? Personally, I think the latter is more contemptible, and yet candidates on both sides of the aisle from city government all the way up to federal do it every single election cycle.

By: peter

peter — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:59:50 +0000

Didn’t know it was illegal to name Cabinet members in advance — maybe Obama can nod and wink a lot.

As for Gates (who I presume is Republican) to serve in a Democratic administration: I think William Cohen served the Clinton presidency well.

By: Fargus

Fargus — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:30:37 +0000

Yup, Chris, I’d read the same thing. That it’s law, but it’s a law on shaky foundations, but not one that somebody’s willing to challenge and risk being wrong. Effectively, the same thing as it just being illegal, right?

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:17:05 +0000

Interesting. Obviously it’s a law that, like so many others, makes perfect sense in the abstract – we definitely don’t want our candidates running around promising people jobs to get elected – and is kind of awkward in certain circumstances. I’ll buy that SCOTUS might strike down that portion of the code, especially given the makeup of this Court w.r.t the one that upheld McCain-Feingold (as an example of election law vs. the First Amendment). I will add this exchange to my knowledge base for future reference.