Veepstakes: the edited version

By Kathy G.

Since my last post was so long, I thought I'd boil it down here by just posting the list of who I think Obama should -- and shouldn't -- choose as his running mate. If you want to know the reasoning go to the post itself.

The Best

I think Obama should choose one of these three people:
Sherrod Brown, senator from Ohio
John Edwards, former senator from North Carolina
Kathleen Sebelius, governor of Kansas

Above Average

I really don't think Barack Obama should choose any of the following people as his running mate -- each of them has at least one major drawback that I believe should be disqualifying. On the other hand, they're all capable, talented, and reasonably progressive, and if any of them were indeed chosen, I could get excited about that.
General Wesley Clark
Hillary Clinton, senator from New York
Christopher Dodd, senator from Connecticut
Patty Murray, senator from Washington
Janet Napolitano, governor or Arizona
Jack Reed, senator from Rhode Island

Not experienced enough

None of these folks have served a full term in their current positions, nor have they served in the House of Representatives in Congress.
Tim Kaine, governor of Virginia
Claire McCaskill, senator from Missouri
Jon Tester, senator from Montana

Otherwise engaged

Mark Warner - The former Virginia governor is currently running for the U.S. senate.

Eh

Brian Schweitzer - The governor of Montana would be okay but I'm not too excited about him.

Please God no

Joe Biden, senator from Delaware
Tom Daschle, former senator from South Dakota
Bill Nelson, senator from Florida
Ed Rendell, governor of Pennsylvania
Bill Richardson, governor of New Mexico

Oh no God no

Evan Bayh, senator from Indiana

Oh no no no God no no no

Sam Nunn, former senator from Georgia

Unthinkable

James Webb, senator from Virginia (thankfully, he's withdrawn his name from consideration)

Totally beyond the pale

Any Republican (but fortunately there's no evidence that Obama is considering any Republicans)

Comments

[a-train]

I had not heard or read that he was considering Sherrod Brown. That would be a great choice. The Democrats need someone out there making a stink about labor and free trade. It's just preposterous that the party of the middle/working class (purportedly) practically ignores these issues.

[Joe S.]

I keep pushing Debbie Wasserman-Schultz. Everybody thinks I'm nuts. But look:
. Young woman. Reinforces the narrative of change.
. Red state (FL)
. Jewish. Counters many anti-Obama memes.
. Married. Children. Cute. (Yuck, I know. But in America, this means something.)
. Up-and-comer in House leadership. I.e., respected.
. Strong Hillary supporter.
. Unapologetic liberal, although I'm not too crazy about her foreign policy. (Alter kocker and Cuban supporters need toking.)

[Joe]

Some good points for Brown:

Ohio was the closest large state in the last election, and would have changed the result. The bump wouldn't need to be big to change the result of this one since it is polling very close now.

Brown's political and personal biography is difficult to beat. Experience in Congress and a completely solid progressive voting record, while winning by huge margins a district with only a slight Democratic tilt.

Then he crushed by about 12 points an incumbent Republican Senator not directly tainted by scandal that had more money campaign money than him, and had won statewide many times before.

His wife is a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist and the author of two books. One of his four children is employed full time at the SEIU.

At 55, he would be young enough that he could follow an 8 year Obama term with 8 years of his own, and still be younger in his final year in office than McCain would be in his first. Hillary and Sibelius will both be 77 in a "best case" of two 8-year terms.

Brown votes with the most progressive Seantors on Iraq, is against CAFTA, and according to wikipedia "has a perfect voting record from the Human Rights Campaign".