I agree with everything you say about Biden's unarguable credentials (including his non-stop chatter )......but I still see him more valuable as Secretary of State.

As for VP, I'm still undecided......

I think the post, over-all condems with feint praise. It gradually builds up the punch line that Obama
is not tried and true.

Edwards is out. Kiss him goodbye.

They mean the Edwards from TX.. not the Edwards who maybe remembered he's married to Elizabeth.

They mean the Edwards from TX.. not the Edwards who maybe remembered he's married to Elizabeth.

Being a vet is nice, but does he have anything in the way of serious national security credentials?

He apparently didn't serve in the military, but he has worked extensively on veterans and military issues in the House, as he represents the district that includes Fort Hood. So he has tons of military credentials. Anyway, Chet is probably not a big enough name, or from a key swing state, to get serious consideration, but he is one type of potential VP that Obama should be looking for, I think.

Being a vet is nice, but does he have anything in the way of serious national security credentials?

I think Elizabeth Edwards sic'd the photogs on John to end his egotistical ambitions of higher office

There I said it.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Either with or without Hillary's help .
there I said it.

You don't f--k around with a dying woman. You don't make a fool out of her.(Lit&fig'ly)

And I think Elizabeth might also have had ulterior motives politically, in that it appeared Liz was for Hill and John was for Obama.

Good hatchet job on him either way.

"Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illumines it." Martin Luther King, Jr.
( I think).

BTW, Chet did endorse Obama, but he was a late endorser. He did so just before the Texas primary, if I recall correctly.

The Race Issue Isn't Going Away
By JUAN WILLIAMS
August 4, 2008

With polls showing the presidential contest between John McCain and Barack Obama getting closer, a question is now looming larger and larger. Is skin color going to be the deciding factor?

Just last week, Sen. Obama warned voters that Sen. McCain's campaign will exploit the race issue by telling voters that "he doesn't look like all those other presidents on the dollar bills." A few weeks earlier, he said they will attack his lack of experience but also added, "And did I mention he's black?"

The McCain campaign did not counter the first punch, but after last week's jab -- fearing that Mr. Obama was getting away with calling his candidate a racist -- campaign manager Rick Davis responded to the dollar-bill attack by saying, "Barack Obama has played the race card, and he played it from the bottom of the deck. It's divisive, negative, shameful and wrong."

Mr. Obama's campaign concedes it has no clear example of a Republican attack that expressly cites Mr. Obama's name or race. Yet in the last few days some Obama supporters were at it again, suggesting that a McCain ad attacking Mr. Obama as little more than a "celebrity," by featuring young white women such as Britney Spears, is an appeal to white anxiety about black men and white women.

The race issue is clearly not going away. And the key reason -- to be blunt -- is because there is no telling how many white voters are lying to pollsters when they say they plan to vote for a black man to be president. Still, it is possible to look elsewhere in the polling numbers to see where white voters acknowledge their racial feelings and get a truer measure of racism.

In a Wall Street Journal poll last month, 8% of white voters said outright that race is the most important factor when it comes to looking at these two candidates -- a three percentage point increase since Mr. Obama claimed the Democratic nomination. An added 15% of white voters admit the candidates' race is a factor for them. Race is even more important to black voters: 20% say it is the top factor influencing their view of the candidates, and another 14% admit it is among the key factors that will determine their vote. All this contributes to the idea that the presidential contest will boil down to black guy versus white guy.

Consider also a recent Washington Post poll. Thirty percent of all voters admitted to racial prejudice, and more than a half of white voters categorized Mr. Obama as "risky" (two-thirds judged Mr. McCain the "safe" choice). Yet about 90% of whites said they would be "comfortable" with a black president. And about a third of white voters acknowledged they would not be "entirely comfortable" with an African-American president. Why the contradictory responses? My guess is that some whites are not telling the truth about their racial attitudes.

A recent New York Times poll found that only 31% of white voters said they had a favorable opinion of Mr. Obama. That compares to 83% of blacks with a favorable opinion. This is a huge, polarizing differential.

But polling can be tricky. In May, a Pew poll asked voters about Mr. Obama but did not give them the option of saying they are undecided. In that poll, whites split on the candidate, 45% saying they had a favorable opinion, 46% unfavorable. When white voters had the option of being undecided, as they did in the Times poll, 37% of whites said they had an unfavorable opinion of him, but 26% said they were undecided.

To win this campaign, Mr. Obama needs to assure undecided white voters that he shares their values and is worthy of their trust. To do that he has to minimize attention to different racial attitudes toward his candidacy as well as racially polarizing issues, and appeal to the common experiences that bind Americans regardless of color.

Mr. Obama has shown an unprecedented ability to cross the racial divide in American politics. He did particularly well in managing caucus states, such as Iowa, where highly energized supporters, especially idealistic young white supporters, minimized the impact of negative racial attitudes with passionate participation.

But the white Democratic caucus voters in Iowa, where there are relatively few racial issues, are decidedly more liberal than white voters nationally. In primary states from New Hampshire to Texas and California, Mr. Obama lost when one of two things happened. Either working-class white voters did not participate in polls, or some white voters lied and told pollsters they planned to vote for him before casting their votes for another candidate.

There are going to be more of those wobbly white voters in November. The size of the white vote in a general election race dwarfs the white vote in the Democratic primary. Based on the 2004 presidential contest, whites make up about 77% of voters and blacks 11%.

In the Democratic primaries there were states, especially in the South, where blacks made up nearly half of the electorate. But in the general election there are no states where blacks make up so large a percentage. Even in Southern states such as Georgia and North Carolina, where blacks made up about a quarter of the vote in the last presidential election, it will be an upset if Mr. Obama manages to win. Those states have a history of Republican dominance in presidential contests. Even an energized black vote is unlikely to make Mr. Obama a winner anywhere in the South, although some Democrats hold out hope for Virginia.

In 2004, John Kerry had a 46% favorable rating among white voters, barely better than Barack Obama's. But Mr. Kerry lost. Mr. Obama needs to do better with whites. But the white voters' view of him is still clearly unsettled.

Polls show white voters struggling to identify with him as a fellow American who, to quote Bill Clinton, is able to "feel your pain." When the New York Times poll asked whether Mr. Obama cares about "the needs and problems of people like yourself," 70% of whites answered "a lot" or "some." But 28% of whites said Mr. Obama cared about them "not much" or "not at all." Compare that with the 72% of black voters who said Mr. Obama cared about them "a lot." The same Times poll had Mr. Obama leading Mr. McCain by six percentage points, 45-39, but trailing by nine points among white voters, 37-46.

After Jesse Jackson's vicious comments about Mr. Obama, some political strategists suggested that a split with Mr. Jackson and his racially divisive politics could help Mr. Obama with white voters. But polls have yet to reveal this.

Could a Jackson-Obama split cause black voters to lose enthusiasm for him -- dividing their loyalties between the two most prominent black political voices of this era? Opinion surveys do not indicate this is likely. Polling done by Gallup just before Mr. Jackson's outburst indicated that 29% of black Americans chose Mr. Obama as the "individual or leader in the U.S. to speak for you on issues of race." Mr. Jackson came in third with only 4% support (behind Al Sharpton, who had 6%). Last year, a Pew poll focusing on racial attitudes found 76% of blacks judged Mr. Obama a "good influence," a full eight points higher than Mr. Jackson.

Jodie Allen, a senior editor at Pew, wrote recently that a poll Pew conducted last November showed clearly that "the black community is at least as traditional in its views as the larger American public." Blacks in the Pew poll were just as likely as whites to take a hard line opposing crime (as long as black neighborhoods are not unfairly targeted), to condemn the shocking number of children born out of wedlock and express disgust with the violence and misogyny in rap music.

Mr. Obama needs to hammer home these conservative social values to capture undecided white voters. He might lose Mr. Jackson's vote. But he won't lose many black votes, and he will win the undecided white votes he needs to become America's first African-American president.

Mr. Williams is a political analyst for National Public Radio and Fox News.

Obama gets MORE of the white vote talked about above, than either Kerry Gore Mondale or Dukakis did
and, laugingly look how little Bill Clinton actually got (he only got a total of 41 percent of ALL voters, the white vote was much less...without the
black vote, Bill Clinton would have only recieved 28% in the polls and might have come in 3rd place after Perot and Bush41.

That is another red herring statement, because people will not look it up and see the raw numbers of past races

Since 1964 democrats don't get that racist vote much

and its only males

Obama got the women vote, the Hispanic vote, the Asian vote.

If they need a white guy, all they got to do is say MIKE BLOOMBERG.
Even Frenchy has an avitar that says I LIKE MIKE. The whole world loves him.
And he is not boring nor bland.

The McCain crew is getting desparate, this ploy of the obamahaters is just so obvious, throw the kitchen sink...
every day it makes Obama stronger.


and hey beamer- if I liked Bayh, I bet your galoshes that you would then harp on someone else I didn't like. We know the tricks.
You find these oddball writers on the right just to annoy me.

Juan Williams is black. Is he a right winger? He does appear on Fox News, but he's also on NPR.

http://wacla.org/2008/07/02/blackwater-pla...s-capitol-hill/

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1214962501...=googlenews_wsj
Blackwater Plan Roils Capitol Hill
By August Cole
July 2, 2008; Page A3

Blackwater Worldwide’s bid to expand its military-training business in the San Diego area has already sparked controversy in California and is now posing problems in Washington.

Virginia Democratic Sen. James Webb is holding up the approval of four civilian defense officials until he gets more information from Defense Secretary Robert Gates about a Blackwater training facility in Otay Mesa, Calif. One of the nominees is set to be undersecretary of the Army.

Although the Defense Department has attempted to answer Sen. Webb’s questions, the senator said he isn’t satisfied. “We really don’t have any other alternative,” Sen. Webb said in an interview. “In this case, I asked very specific questions, which in my experience are easily answerable, so I think as a matter of courtesy they should be answered properly.”

Sen. Webb, a former Navy secretary, is potentially a formidable foe for companies like Blackwater. He has been mentioned as a possible running mate for Sen. Barack Obama, the likely Democratic presidential nominee, and has helped establish a commission that will be investigating wartime contracting.

The holdup also creates a potential friction point between Democratic lawmakers and Mr. Gates, who has sought to smooth relations with Congress. A Defense Department spokesman said the secretary’s office plans to provide more information in the near future. “As far as we’re concerned, we have and continue to address some of the questions raised by Sen. Webb and feel as though we have provided him thus far with what he’s asked for,” the spokesman said.

In May, San Diego city officials tried to halt Blackwater from opening a training facility because of permit issues and concerns about an indoor shooting range in an industrial area near the U.S.-Mexico border. Blackwater filed suit and opened the center anyway. Blackwater said it needs a West Coast foothold so it can teach U.S. sailors how to defend ships against terrorist attacks, as well as providing other training for law enforcement and the military.

After a May 20 report in The Wall Street Journal on Blackwater’s plans, Sen. Webb wrote a letter to Mr. Gates asking for information about the facility and Blackwater’s military-training business.

“This article raises several important questions that relate not only to the controversial role of Blackwater vis-à-vis our national-defense policies but also as to how certain decisions are reached within the relationship between the legislative and executive branches of government,” Sen. Webb wrote.

Before he received a written response from the Pentagon, Sen. Webb said, he received an unsolicited response from Blackwater addressing the questions he had directed to Mr. Gates.

“Blackwater supports accountability and transparency for our industry and we welcome the opportunity to inform elected officials and others about what we do and why we do it,” wrote Blackwater President Gary Jackson in a letter faxed to Sen. Webb. (Mr. Jackson also invited the senator to tour the facility.) A copy was also sent to Mr. Gates. A Blackwater spokeswoman said the company received a copy of the senator’s letter from industry sources and “thought it appropriate to reach out to both the senator and the Department of Defense to provide the information that was requested.”

Mr. Gates spoke with Sen. Webb and later sent him a written response, according to both parties. Mr. Gates promised to have the Navy brief Sen. Webb on the subject, as well as to provide more information on the policies dealing with security contractors.

Write to August Cole at august.cole@dowjones.com

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/greg-mitchel...o_b_115807.html

Young Aide to Jim Webb Found Dead -- Suicide or Murder?
Posted July 30, 2008

...Webb issued a written statement: "Freddie was one of the most honorable and friendly individuals I have had the pleasure of knowing. He was a mainstay in the Roanoke community and a friend to all who knew him. My condolences go out to his mother, Karen, and the rest of his family and friends. He will be greatly missed."

A Webb spokeswoman said that Hutchins was a rising star "and such a great kid, so full of life, so sweet and so well loved."


..."It's hard to believe, but Freddie Hutchins at age 26 was a grizzled veteran of politics," said Dave "Mudcat" Saunders, a Roanoke political consultant. Saunders told the Roanoke Times that last year he offered Hutchins a higher-profile job as the deputy senior strategist for rural affairs for presidential candidate John Edwards of North Carolina.

"A deputy senior strategist at age 25? That's stuff Harvard kids dream about," Saunders said. "But he had absolute loyalty to Jim Webb."

Articles in the past described Hutchins as a "NASCAR-loving country boy" who loved to hunt and had a permit for a concealed weapon. He said that he considered Webb a role model because of his support for the poor and working-class...

Obama gets MORE of the white vote talked about above, than either Kerry Gore Mondale or Dukakis did
and, laugingly look how little Bill Clinton actually got (he only got a total of 41 percent of ALL voters, the white vote was much less...without the
black vote, Bill Clinton would have only recieved 28% in the polls and might have come in 3rd place after Perot and Bush41.

That is another red herring statement, because people will not look it up and see the raw numbers of past races

Since 1964 democrats don't get that racist vote much

and its only males

Obama got the women vote, the Hispanic vote, the Asian vote.

If they need a white guy, all they got to do is say MIKE BLOOMBERG.
Even Frenchy has an avitar that says I LIKE MIKE. The whole world loves him.
And he is not boring nor bland.

The McCain crew is getting desparate, this ploy of the obamahaters is just so obvious, throw the kitchen sink...
every day it makes Obama stronger.


and hey beamer- if I liked Bayh, I bet your galoshes that you would then harp on someone else I didn't like. We know the tricks.
You find these oddball writers on the right just to annoy me.

]

http://obamaclark.com/

Executive Experience
General Clark is the only potential running mate with experience of leading our nation’s armed forces into war. As NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander, General Clark led Operation Allied Force, which saved 1.5 million Albanians from genocide, without losing a single American soldier.

Military Background
During thirty-four years of service in the United States Army Wesley K. Clark rose to the rank of four-star general as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. In previous duty, General Clark was the Commander-in-Chief, US Southern Command, where he was responsible for all US military activities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

General Clark's awards and honors include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, The State Department Distinguished Service Award; the US Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal;(five awards), The US Army Distinguished Service Medal(two awards), The Silver Star, the Bronze Star (two awards), the Purple Heart, and Honorary Knighthoods from the British and Dutch governments.

Foreign Policy Experience
There is not greater authority on foreign policy in the Democratic Party than General Wesley Clark. As a senior adviser to the International Crisis Group, he has traveled and worked in the Balkans, Northern Ireland, and Africa to bring peace treaties and stability to countries in their time of need.

He is the author of the best selling book Waging Modern War: Bosnia, Kosovo and the Future of Combat (Public Affairs, New York, NY 2001) and Winning Modern War: Iraq, Terrorism and the American Empire (Public Affairs, New York, NY 2003).

Against the War From the Start – Iraq and Iran
General Wesley Clark is one of the few potential running mates and national leaders who, like Senator Barack Obama, opposed the Iraq war from the start. Having a running mate who was clearly against the war provides a strong contrast to John McCain, and gives the ticket credibility in fighting to change the mindset that led us into the war in Iraq.

In 2006, Clark launched StopIranWar.com to help frame the debate and stop the mindset that led us into Iraq, from leading us into a war with Iran. Senator Obama and General Wesley Clark have been outspoken in leading the fight together on this effort.

Helping Down Ballot Tickets
In 2006, General Clark was one of the top 3 most requested surrogates of the DCCC and was able to campaign effectively everywhere in the country. He helped steer candidates to victory such as Admiral Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania, Tim Walz in Minnesota, Nick Lampson in Texas, Carol Shea Porter in New Hampshire, and future Congressman Charlie Brown in California, and Eric Massa in New York, just to name a few.

A True Progressive Without Bush Dog Votes
While many potential running mates have long lists of voting records that include votes to authorize war in Iraq, support trade agreements without the labor and environmental protections needed, and support of bankruptcy bills that hurt working class America, General Clark has no record of support for such legislation and has been outspoken in his opposition to such proposals.

Southern Roots
Wesley Clark was raised and still lives in Little Rock, Arkansas. An Obama-Clark ticket will be in a unique position to compete in the South, especially in Clark’s home state of Arkansas, where polling shows the ticket will be in a strong position to defeat John McCain. Clark will also strengthen the ticket in southern states with large veteran populations that are now competitive such as North Carolina.

Appeal In Latino Community and Southwest
General Clark ran a strong second to John Kerry in Arizona and New Mexico in 2004, even after Kerry wrapped up Iowa and New Hampshire. This is in large part because of Clark’s popularity in the Latino community. His grandchildren and daughter-in-law are Hispanic, and Clark is a fluent Spanish speaker. He is a strong supporter of comprehensive immigration reform and has been an advocate on behalf of the Hispanic community.

A Man of Faith
Although General Clark has never been one to impose his own faith on others, and has close friends and family of several different faiths, his background as a practicing Catholic allows him to discuss issues of faith and connect with voters on levels unique to many Democratic candidates.

Reconciliation with the Clinton Camp
General Clark is the one person who can unite the Clinton and Obama wings of the Democratic Party. As a longtime admirer of Senator Obama, there will be no greater and more loyal advocate for his candidacy than General Wesley Clark. In addition, as a longtime personal friend and neighbor of the Clinton’s in Little Rock, Arkansas, General Clark is in a unique position to consolidate Hillary Clinton’s supporters around Barack Obama’s candidacy for President.

National Grassroots Operation In Place
In 2004, General Wesley Clark was drafted into the race for President of the United States by the Draft Clark movement that had activists working in all 50 states. Hundreds of thousands of these supporters are still active on General Clark’s email network and through WesPac. This network will quickly be able to rally with the Obama grassroots operation to provide an even more potent field mobilization effort in all 50 states.

Widespread Netroots Appeal
As evident from his 2007 keynote speech at the Yearly Kos Conference in Chicago, Illinois, there is no more popular figure in the netroots community than General Wesley Clark. He has been a longtime supporter of the 50 state strategy, and along with DNC Chairman Howard Dean, General Clark has helped develop plans to support candidates and travel to campaign with them all over the United States. He frequently posts on blogs, as well as his own blog on the Clark Community Network (CCN).

IT AIN'T GONNA BE BAYH
AND IT AIN'T GONNA WEDNESDAY

I predict Gore is the leftfielder.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1dbfb37e-631d-11...00779fd2ac.html

Obama running mate could come from ‘left field’
By Edward Luce in Youngstown, Ohio

Your article basically says the same things I have said about Bayh. Political writers and Democratic insiders think he is the logical choice and makes the most sense. However, I think Obama personally would prefer to choose Sebelius or Kaine.

Bayh also dispelled the rumors that Obama was picking him tomorrow on his visit to Indiana. Bayh is coming to the event alone; he isn't bringing his wife, kids or dad.

People are put off by Bayh's blandness, lack of significant Senate accomplishments, and DLC credentials. However, many think his blandness might be an asset. And, most of the people mentioned as possible picks for Obama are people who would help him with the traditional Democratic base, more conservative Democrats and independents. They all are moderate Democrats. Obama is perceived as coming from the progressive end of the Party, although he isn't sounding like that lately!

I am 100% certain that Gore will not be on this ticket.

I am 200% certain that Bayh won't be on the ticket. (which is higher surety than even Hillary).

WAPO today was the first MSM that put Gore in as VP in a MSM article.
(not just guessing, but an actual story).

That would be so good to shove it to all those who didn't like him
Especially as the environment and future of the energy issue has Gore being the only one people on all sides look up to.
Only neo-cons now don't buy what Gore is saying...(even T.Bone Pickens agrees with Al gore. and he helped destroy Kerry in 2004.)


but this entire thread's main post is now compltely repudiated, being that even Bayh admits it won't be tomorrow like he said.


This is 2008...if you want logic, Barack Obama would not be running for reelection in 2012 like he will be. Logic said Hillary would have won.
Logic is for vulcans. Does not apply to politics. Bye Byhe Blayh.

It won't be tomorrow, but he's still in the running. Gore is not. Get over it.

He apparently didn't serve in the military, but he has worked extensively on veterans and military issues in the House, as he represents the district that includes Fort Hood. So he has tons of military credentials. Anyway, Chet is probably not a big enough name, or from a key swing state, to get serious consideration, but he is one type of potential VP that Obama should be looking for, I think.

Chet Edwards is about the definition of a Blue Dog Democrat. He's also pretty much what any old time democrat would be proud to vote for. I doubt if he'd be Obama's running mate on a bet.

On "Meet the Press," they went around and gave their predictions for each candidate.

Obama
Todd - Biden or Kaine
Murphy - Tim Kaine
Mitchell - Bayh or Biden
Woodruff - Bayh, Biden or Kaine

McCain
Todd - No one we're talking about now
Murphy - Romney or Pawlenty
Mitchell - Romney
Woodruff - Pawlenty, Romney or Cantor

I've already said I think Kaine would make the Obama ticket too lightweight, but it would emphasize the Washington outsider factor. I think Biden would tend to overshadow Obama, even though he brings foreign policy heft. So, I pick Bayh, who could bring the best of both worlds, as he had been a governor for eight years, plus help Obama with the Hillary camp (including Bill Clinton), and with working class Democrats in Midwestern states.

As for McCain, I predict he will pick Romney.

Your article basically says the same things I have said about Bayh. Political writers and Democratic insiders think he is the logical choice and makes the most sense. However, I think Obama personally would prefer to choose Sebelius or Kaine.

Bayh also dispelled the rumors that Obama was picking him tomorrow on his visit to Indiana. Bayh is coming to the event alone; he isn't bringing his wife, kids or dad.

People are put off by Bayh's blandness, lack of significant Senate accomplishments, and DLC credentials. However, many think his blandness might be an asset. And, most of the people mentioned as possible picks for Obama are people who would help him with the traditional Democratic base, more conservative Democrats and independents. They all are moderate Democrats. Obama is perceived as coming from the progressive end of the Party, although he isn't sounding like that lately!

I am 100% certain that Gore will not be on this ticket.

just for starters

check his wife's lobbyist money and the pharma industry

doesn't look too good

Bayh looked mighty foolish yesterday being caught in a lie, didn't he

...unless he gets rid of the doubt of the love-child scandal NOW, he is eliminated...

Of course DICK MORRIS wants Bayh.
Dickie and Hillary are in tight with each other and always were

Bayh is a clintonite.
Rightwing clintonite

Of course HIllary wants one of her spies in the office, so that she could plot to take over

God Help us if that happens.

Why do you think Al Gore and John Kerry did NOT pick him? He has many, many skeletons in his closet

Dig into it, you can find it. You are good at finding things.

I've been saying Obama needs to pick a Reformer...I think Russ Feingold serves as an excellent protype.

I've been saying Obama needs to pick a Reformer...I think Russ Feingold serves as an excellent protype.

I doubt Feingold will be the choice, it'd be political suicide because the ticket would be easy to paint as far left doves.

Winning is generally considered better than losing and neither party can win without independent votes, much less without the centrist wing of their party.