Did Obama telegraph Kaine as his VP choice?
By JR Hoeft | Monday, July 28th, 2008 | Politics
Yesterday on “Meet the Press” presumptive Democratic nominee for president Sen. Barack Obama described his ideal running mate as someone “who shares a vision of the country, where we need to go, that we’ve got to fundamentally change not only our policies, but how our politics works, how business is done in Washington.”
Obama also said the potential running-mate must also have “integrity”, “independence”, and be “willing to tell me where he thinks or she thinks I’m wrong.”
Given that Kaine is the governor of a “battleground” state, was one of the first Democrats to endorse the Obama candidacy, has never held any Washington elected office, has managed the national guard in this state, and is now a friend of the Obama’s, it is growing increasingly difficult to rule him out as the choice.
One person we can rule out: Hillary Clinton. Given the criteria, Obama will never choose her.
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About the author
Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
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13 Responses to "Did Obama telegraph Kaine as his VP choice?"
Agree, Hillary was never in the running. I also concur that Kaine is probably on Obama’s very short list of potential VP choices.
The good thing with Obama selecting Kaine is evidenced by the latest Survey USA polls of VA that ask about the impact of an Obama-Kaine ticket. Kaine actually drags Obama DOWN by 3 points in the polls in Virginia.
Another is Gov. Ted Strinkland of Ohio. Although a Hillary supporter, he could fill all of those descriptions AND could be seen as an olive branch to the Hillary people…
I think Jim should run a poll for both McCain and Obama and then make odds.
Ragnar, Who else do you believe is on the short list for Obama? If he were smart he would BEG Gov. Richardson (NM) but I am not he would do it. Chris Matthews of MSNBC and the Chris Matthews Show is convinced it wil be Joe Bidden. Thoughts?
SW – It will be interesting to see whom Obama selects. I honestly believe it might make or break his candidacy (unlike the CW).
As for who, I think Gov. Strickland and Gov. Richardson are both on the short list. I have also heard Sens. Hagel and Bidden mentioned. Honestly though, due to the deep financial crisis the nation is mired in, I think that the smart choice for either candidate (both of whom have limited executive experience) is a Governor. That being the case, and with the fact that both Gov. Strickland and Gov. Kaine come from swing states means it has to be one of these two. (I’ve seen some data that has NM in the bag for Obama – and as Gov. Richardson will probably be SECSTATE, he will have every incentive to campaign hard, and his supporters will turn out for Obama).
As for whom between Strickland, and Kaine – both come from hardworking families, both have worked hard themselves, both are devout Christians – but Strickland is a Methodist and Kaine a Catholic, I think this final difference gives the last point to Kaine. Obama needs to reach the white Catholic voters, with whom he has had some difficulty, I think Gov. Kaine will be the bridge he needs as well as ensuring an Obama victory in Virginia in the fall.
So, SW, I throw the ball back to you, whom do you think will be McCain’s choice?
This isn’t 1960. Gore didn’t bring Tennessee. States in the last many cycles have voted for the party they usually vote for regardless of who was up for vice president.
I think McCain is picking Romney for two real big reasons. 1) He communicates economic messages with very high credibility. 2) His money
And I pray to divine providence that Obama picks Kaine. He’ll either sink his campaign by saddling it with do-nothing rookie status or he’ll hand us Gov. Bill Bolling.
Agreed, Brian. Also Romney has non military executive experience.
Ragnar, I am going to agree with Kirwin about Romney. I am not sure if my prediction is clouded by hope since that who I really want as the VP candidate.
Both candidates need a Gov. The last Senator to win the White House was Kennedy, all others were Governors. The argument is that Governors have experience in running a government verses legislators who do not… So obviously a Senator is going to win. With this being said, and considering the second guessing of McCain as the candidate for the GOP and the divided Democratic party over their primaries, I will disagree with Kirwin on the point of VP being all but irrelevant. I think, for the first time in awhile, it will be crucial for both…
Besides the lack of head of government experience of both, ironically age and experience is the other reason for both. Some are worried about McCain’s age (although I am not) and others worry about Obama lack of age, and thus theoretical lack of experience. So one needs a seasoned “inside Washington” political figure and the other needs a younger “Non-Inside Washington” figure.
So to answer, for Obama, my brain says Strickland, but my gut says Kaine… For McCain, my heart says Romney, but I am not quite ready to bet the farm… yet.
Good points, though, by everyone so far. It is nice to see a comments section on a post that is more like a political round table than a middle school lunch table. Kudos!
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I’m on board with Romney taking McCain’s VP slot, as the DC-region’s Cranbrook Alumni coordinator, it’d be only bitersweet to have VP Romney to call for an event at the Naval Observatory!
SW – I also see your points on Strickland, and you might be right. Really, I don’t think Obama can lose with either choice.
“Really, I don’t think Obama can lose with either choice.”
Wanna bet
Just some friendly competitive ribbing, my friend. Seriously though, I think either would be strategically smart for Sen. Obama.
Kaine and Romney are the two I think that will be picked.
SW – so, I take it you have decided to board the McCain train?
What I find so interesting about this election is that we have essentially two center right/left candidates, it definitely underscores a rejection by the electorate of the hard right/ hard left. (Not that the hard left has ever done well nationally…)
Not only has he boarded it, I think he wants to be a conductor: “All Aboard!”
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