Obama looking at retired general for VP? Update: Count me out, says Ohio governor; Update: Shortlister close pals with McCain?
posted at 3:24 pm on June 10, 2008 by Allahpundit
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The AP says he’s looking at several (Wes Clark among them, natch) and NBC claims he has his eye on one in particular, former NATO Supreme Commander James Jones. Consider the latter an “outside the box” choice among the 20 or so people on Team Barry’s shortlist. Does he dare nominate any man who isn’t a confirmed Clintonista, though? TNR is floating Ed Rendell but I find that hard to believe given what he said last week about Hillary “upstaging” Obama if she was on the ticket. If he’s so worried about his exposure on national security that he needs a vet and he’s willing to throw caution to the wind by snubbing Hillary and her cronies, then the obvious choice is Jim Webb, no? Swing state, renaissance man, and political experience as a senator and former Reagan (Reagan!) administration official — the one quality his other military candidates lack. Exit question: If he does put a general on the ticket, then McCain picks Palin, right? Somebody’s got to nominate a woman this year.
Update: Ted Strickland sounds like an emphatic “no.” Surprising.
Update: Safe to say you can count Jones out.
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Jocelyn Elders. She was kind of a general, right? Heh.
fiatboomer on June 10, 2008 at 3:27 PM
was report last night that Patty Murray of Washington was on the short list
William Amos on June 10, 2008 at 3:29 PM
BHO picks Oliver North as his V.P., I’ll vote for him.
joeswampy on June 10, 2008 at 3:30 PM
It’ll be ladies on both sides. McCain w/b well off to name her already. After Obama does it will not have the same effect.
Entelechy on June 10, 2008 at 3:30 PM
I would welcome that. Do you really think Gen. Jones is going to want to retreat form Iraq? I think not.
knat on June 10, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Merrill “Tony” McPeak should certainly be on Obama’s short list. After all, it really hasn’t gotten enough attention that McPeak has been Obama’s top military guy for well over a year.
funky chicken on June 10, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Exit Answer: I’ve rethought the Palin issue (I was at first against it b/c it undercuts the “experience” critique). But the more I think about it, it really may be a winning choice. If McCain can capture the women vote, he can win.
aquaviva on June 10, 2008 at 3:32 PM
I don’t know who this is, but you can’t go Vice President Danzig.
Mother, tell your children not to walk my way,
Tell them not to hear my words, what they mean, what they say
Mother
natesnake on June 10, 2008 at 3:33 PM
The fact that Obama had McPeak on staff since at least 2007 certainly made my husband sit up and take notice.
funky chicken on June 10, 2008 at 3:34 PM
bet the Military will just LOVE that. NOT!!!!
We can only wait and see.
me think Allah has a crush on Sarah :)
upinak on June 10, 2008 at 3:34 PM
McPeak and Danzing would be two ways to guarantee nobody in the military votes for Obama.
fiatboomer on June 10, 2008 at 3:34 PM
Funky, doesn’t it bother you and your husband with all these “prior” on Obama’s staff. I know if bugs the hell out of me.
upinak on June 10, 2008 at 3:35 PM
The other question for the VP choices is timing.
Does McCain come out with Palin first, forcing Obama’s hand to choose somebody to “upstage” McCain’s choice?
Or does McCain wait for Obama to show his cards first with his VP choice?
Food for thought although given Obama’s flare for “following” what others have said, I’d say McCain goes first with his choice.
As far as Obama naming a former General on his ticket, I think that would be a horrible choice for Obama.
What’s the purpose, to gain some credibility with the military?
Huge problems for Obama: “Senator Obama, if you’re going to pull troops out of Iraq, WHY would you make a General your VP?”
The fringe left would probably have a field day with that one as well.
Secondly, if he’s doing it for some miltary experience, isn’t he just saying that McCain, AS PRESIDENT, far exceeds his knowledge?
HarryStar on June 10, 2008 at 3:36 PM
George McClellan was apparently loved by his men and redid the cavalry saddle that was used for many years. Still he was an incompetent wartime general. Being a general does not automatically make one perfect on military matters.
rbj on June 10, 2008 at 3:37 PM
Palin! Palin! Palin!
Yes we can! Yes we can! Yes we can!
Sugar Land on June 10, 2008 at 3:38 PM
I think McPeak is much more likely than Clark. There is something about Obama that Clark would refuse to be subordinate to … And it ain’t his politics. If ya know what I mean.
LegendHasIt on June 10, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Harry I really hope Mccain doesn’t choose and waits to see what obama does.
A general once told me that waiting is the hardest game one can play against their enemy. If you can wait, your enemy has usually lost.
upinak on June 10, 2008 at 3:39 PM
I predict he’ll put a military guy on the ticket.
CP on June 10, 2008 at 3:39 PM
McPeak would be a disaster for those serving in the military.
I still have my money on McCain picking his buddy Lindsay!
luckybogey on June 10, 2008 at 3:41 PM
Why not picking Chris Matthews for VP?
At least we’ll know who’s gonna give him the blowjob.
Indy Conservative on June 10, 2008 at 3:44 PM
Jim Webb
roux on June 10, 2008 at 3:44 PM
I don’t know too much about her and sorry if I’m wrong )(too busy at work to check right now) But wouldn’t nominating Palin negate one of McCain’s strongest aruguments against “young, inexperienced” Obama?
max1 on June 10, 2008 at 3:44 PM
In March 2008, General Jones was nominated to the board of directors of Chevron Corporation.
SoulGlo on June 10, 2008 at 3:44 PM
shhhhhhhh
funky chicken on June 10, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Has anyone here heard Palin speak? How articulate and engaging is she? Those are two more important qualities IMO.
ninjapirate on June 10, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Best campaign decision he could ever make. It would be the other half of the epoxy that would garuantee Democrats would vote for him. Wouldn’t effect my vote however.
shick on June 10, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Sarah has been a mayor, now the Gov and has reworked the entire state of Alaska into becoming the start of Fiscally responsable. She has more “experience” then Obama in her pinky.
upinak on June 10, 2008 at 3:49 PM
That was the silliest thing I’ve read in a long time. It wasn’t a political article, it was just Bissinger retelling some of his favorite Ed stories. Yes, I have enjoyed Gov. Ed and Bissinger’s stories about him before, but VP? Not a chance.
MamaAJ on June 10, 2008 at 3:49 PM
The problem with putting a military guy on the ticket is that the man would have to look at the situation in Iraq and still say that Obama’s cut-and-run policy was the best from a military standpoint, i.e., that leaving now would not lead to an al Qaeda or Baathist or Sadrist or Iranian Quds resurgence.
Even the MSM is beginning to acknowledge that we’re winning in Iraq, and that political reform is moving forward (and needs security with US help to back it up).
Didn’t Wesley Clark made some unfortunate comments about the “Israeli lobby” a few years ago? Not the sort of thing Obama needs with his waffling on Jerusalem possibly raising doubts with Jewish voters.
Wethal on June 10, 2008 at 3:50 PM
Yeah, I saw her on Glenn Beck’s TV show last week. She’s impressive. Beck must have been testing VP’s. I saw Jindal and Pawlenty on there recently too. I like Jindal. Pawlenty is kind of goofy, so I figure McCain will pick him!! (No offense to you Minnesotoans.)
Brat on June 10, 2008 at 3:50 PM
Quite true, quite true. The slight however comes from Senator Obama’s recent track record of being Politically Correct (Flag Pin, Write, Ayers, etc., etc.).
Hypothetically, if he picked Palin (or my favorite, JC Watts), this could potentially force Obama into a counter move.
Just a Move – Counter Move. It should prove interesting in the next several months.
HarryStar on June 10, 2008 at 3:51 PM
the Case for Sarah Palin as VP:
1) she’s hot
2) McCain can claim while meeting with her she made him see the light or something about Drilling in ANWR and reverse his position, do several speeches with her about Drilling domestically, adopt Newts’ “Drill here, Drill Now..” campaign.
3) She’s a strong Christian and strong family mom, with a son in the Military no less! This does what Huckabee does while not pissing off the economic conservatives.
4) she’s got strong ‘limited govt.’ creds and is very popular in Alaska, this is what Huckabee is missing.
5) she’s a woman, can appeal to pissed off Hillary voters and especially moderate women
only downsides I see to picking Palin are:
1) she’s an unknown(could be a good thing though?)
2) Alaska is a red state, conventional wisdom is McCain needs a Purple state pick…
3) McCain could taint her for the future possible runs if this year is already a lost cause?
jp on June 10, 2008 at 3:54 PM
I have to disagree about the “Best Campaign decision he could ever make”.
I can see McCain asking him, “Senator, you’re going to pull the troops out of Iraq, you want to go into Pakistan unilaterally, you don’t want to classify the Iranian guards as terrorists, and some of your Democratic friends have described me as a war monger. Senator, why would you put a retired General as your VP when you have no clue about military affairs?”
HarryStar on June 10, 2008 at 3:55 PM
or, McCain could just pick Michelle Malkin as VP
jp on June 10, 2008 at 3:55 PM
I doubt Mccain is going to taint her.
upinak on June 10, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Please, please, please…..I can’t take any more pandering…..don’t add vaginas to the obsequious pile of ingratiates.
LimeyGeek on June 10, 2008 at 3:57 PM
If she agrees, she might as well change the name of this website to “Gray Hair” and change its language to Spanish.
Indy Conservative on June 10, 2008 at 3:59 PM
LimeyGeek on June 10, 2008 at 3:57 PM
Limey… ahhh wouldn’t ingratiate mean to bring into ones favor?
your sentence doesn’t make sense.
upinak on June 10, 2008 at 4:00 PM
I think she won miss congeniality in the Beauty contest she won, something along those lines.
she has a northern/yankee sounding accent though which may hurt in the South. McCain has to shore up the south, which is why Huckabee may get the pick.
jp on June 10, 2008 at 4:02 PM
Experience has little to do with electibilty this time around, as the “experienced” are the bad guys in 2008. Freshness trumps, and Palin is, indeed, fresh.
leftnomore on June 10, 2008 at 4:02 PM
other thing is she has a new born with downs, would she want to be on the campaign trail now? There’s no point in picking her if she can’t campaign hard and offset the McCain negatives.
jp on June 10, 2008 at 4:04 PM
I know I make some unappreciated comments on HA now and then, but you have the corner on Over the Top. What gives, Mister Indy? Do you think any of us are thrilled with our prospects? Relax.
leftnomore on June 10, 2008 at 4:06 PM
I think a lot do. Of course it does not hurt that she is a former beauty queen
ConservativePartyNow on June 10, 2008 at 4:09 PM
How about McCain puts Cynthia McKinney on his ticket?
If Obama picks a General, the tickets would be about even.
BigD on June 10, 2008 at 4:16 PM
Does that make her a PILF?
LimeyGeek on June 10, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Ah, yes. And all the dumb females are bowled over by Obama’s charm.
BigD on June 10, 2008 at 4:19 PM
No. She just gave birth, and to a baby with Down syndrome.
BigD on June 10, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Somebody’s got to nominate a woman this year.
Nope. Right person for the job. Period. Male or female, as long as he or she is qualified and not just for the sake of filling a qouta.
Tony737 on June 10, 2008 at 4:23 PM
There are Generals, and then there are Political Generals.
I will point out a bit O’history that many forget.
During Desert Storm, we were advancing into Iraq, and many Iraqi’s were rebelling against Sadam’s rule.
We suddenly stopped. Which was a HUGE suprise to those of us there.
Why? Colin Powell pulled the plug on Schwartkopf because we had decimated the Iraqi army fleeing Kuwait as it crossed some swampy areas… called it the Highway of Death, and Powell did not want the bad publicity from those pictures.
End result? We betrayed those rebeling against Saddam, and had to go back years later when the populace would not trust us.
General’s, and Generals…
Oh, and as to that waiting analogy… You only wait until its time to strike… then you strike hard and with overwhelming force. You don’t wait, just for the sake of waiting.
Romeo13 on June 10, 2008 at 4:23 PM
He is so weak on national defense that he has no choice but to pick a veteran, a current or retired military officer, or some other legitimate military expert.
Jim Webb or Sam Nunn, for example.
Colin Powell (2 black guys – Absolute Racial – Moral Authority!)
Jaibones on June 10, 2008 at 4:23 PM
It’ll be ladies on both sides. – Entel
Obambi’s already a lady!
Tony737 on June 10, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Yep. That’ll cool yer jets in a hurry.
LimeyGeek on June 10, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Just to say that I’m not ignoring your comment to me.
Indy Conservative on June 10, 2008 at 4:27 PM
Let it be Wesley Clark. Just so I can hope against hope that Allah will bust out his Clark photoshops from the “Allah is in da House” days.
baldilocks on June 10, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Palin is known as a GILF….Governor I’d like…
google it, found a blog on it once. wonder how Bill Maher would deal with her.
jp on June 10, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Note to Limey:
I only just learned the meaning of the ILF thing this past weekend, vacationing with my stepdaughter. Don’t ask how we got there.
BigD on June 10, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Careful. What happens when she completely outshines our mumbly, stuttering candidate?
Jaibones on June 10, 2008 at 4:29 PM
Dude.
Jaibones on June 10, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Heh.
Jaibones on June 10, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Why, Presidential politics have an affirmative action program these days? By that logic somebody should be picking a Hispanic lesbian!
More seriously, the generals names are careerists who, in the case of Clark anyway, was kicked out of the job for incompetence and insubordination- the bastard thought he was MacArthur. James Webb would be an interesting choice considering he has even LESS time in the Senate than Obama. The Dumb and Dumber ticket. Obama really doesn’t have that much of a choice here- it’s gotta be a Clinton loyalist and it probably be a female to placate all the biddies who vote gender as the prime factor. Nancy Pelosi maybe? ;-0 I’d actually suggest Jane Harman- left wing anti-war moonbat from an important state and years of practical experience on national security matters.
highhopes on June 10, 2008 at 4:31 PM
She`s one of those elected officals I see on C-SPAN and wonder who thought she should to be in office?
And if Allah has a crush on Sarah Palin……….He is not alone. :)
ThePrez on June 10, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Figures…I was angling for “Politician”
Red rag, meet bull.
I’m sure it was nothing Springeresque….
LimeyGeek on June 10, 2008 at 4:33 PM
Ummmmmmmm………. anyone remember this?
Seven Percent Solution on June 10, 2008 at 4:34 PM
BREAKING NEWS: Obama forms VP selection committee
BREAKING NEWS: Obama holds meeting about VP candidates
BREAKING NEWS: Obama looks at Retired Generals for VP
BREAKING NEWS: Obama looks at Retired Senators for VP
BREAKING NEWS: Obama looks at Governors for VP
BREAKING NEWS: Obama looks at list of VP candidates
BREAKING NEWS: Obama makes no decision, new flurry of media speculation
BREAKING NEWS: Chris Mathews has ants in his pants
Doll it out, Doll it out. Feel the warm fuzzy excitement
BDU-33 on June 10, 2008 at 4:35 PM
I didn’t know that about Gov. Palin’s last child. That’s very sad.
But the more I think about it, I think she’d be an excellent choice and he needs to do it before Obama names Hillary (as if). It will look like pandering IF he waits until after Obama names Shrill (IF). Do it ahead of time and soon, and the women who are ticked that Hillary got out will jump all over “moderate” McCain and Gov. Palin.
If Obama puts any military person on the ticket, it will definitely be pandering and I don’t think it will sit well with the military voters. By and large, they are very proud of what they do and I think if any military person joined the ticket and started bad-mouthing the Iraq War, the War on Terror or anything similar, it will further alienate them.
But that’s just me thinking…
Oink on June 10, 2008 at 4:35 PM
Not a dude. And I only meant to highlight the generation gap. I was discussing my middle-ageness in a bathing suit, and my stepdaughter actually told me that to many men I was probably a you-know-what.
It was a shocker.
BigD on June 10, 2008 at 4:35 PM
All widely despised.
Jaibones on June 10, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Now you have me curious about the “BigD” thing…
Jaibones on June 10, 2008 at 4:46 PM
Word.
Jaibones on June 10, 2008 at 4:47 PM
HEH… Good one.
LegendHasIt on June 10, 2008 at 4:48 PM
The far left will have a fit if BO names a General regardless. I’m thinking it’s going to be a midwesterner for the swing states. Russ Feingold is my bold prediction. Followed by Webb if BO wants some military cred. Another libtard favorite general is Shinseki (sp). Kerry used to cite his credibility during 04 election, stating Bush fired him.
swami on June 10, 2008 at 4:49 PM
No, no, no. I’m outta here. Blame Limey for bringing up the “ILF” thing, which until this weekend I was blissfully ignorant about until my stepdaughter started making references to “American Pie.”
I would rather be ignorant about these things.
BigD on June 10, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Well, he certainly runs no risk of being upstaged by Murray, I’ll say that. She’s like Barbara Boxer without the gravitas.
DRPrice on June 10, 2008 at 4:50 PM
If McCain picks a woman it will most likely be Hillary but I’m still bettin on Lieberman.
dhunter on June 10, 2008 at 4:54 PM
He might pick a woman, but it probably won’t be Palin. There will be a lot of pressure from GOP bigshots to pick her, but she is precisely the kind of politician that will scare off the moderate voters (independents, mostly) on whom McCain’s chances at the White House rely. Her positions on issues like abortion (no excpetion for rape, incest, or fatal birth defects) and guns (she’s a gun nut) will not draw many voters who are not GOP stalwarts to begin with. Putting a little lipstick on a far-right pig isn’t a very convincing ploy.
By the way, I heard CT Gov. Jodi Rell will be at an upcoming McCain barbecue. She’s way more likely than Palin.
Big S on June 10, 2008 at 4:55 PM
My prediction: General Dispair
alycan1 on June 10, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Vote McCail / MALKIN ! ! !
:-)
cannonball on June 10, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Given Barry O’s Marxian tastes and politics, I’m surprised he isn’t thinking way out of the box and considering Vo Nguyen Giap… Oh, I forgot, that tricky ‘has to be American’ clause… Weasley Clarke is a Clinton poodle, though he’s a loser where Giap won his battles [and was sane].
GeneSmith on June 10, 2008 at 5:01 PM
I think either Palin or Bobby Jindal should be McCain’s VP. Four reasons: (i) they are both youthful, which serve to offset McCain’s age; (ii) they fulfill a diversity role, which neutralizes the “hip biracial senator vs. old cranky white guy” meme; (iii) they are both conservative, which shores up McCain’s credentials; but (iv) they do not have national reputations as fire-breathing right wingers, so that their inclusion on the ticket will not offend McCain’s centrist base.
VPs do not carry states for their P’s. They add other things to the ticket to offset weaknesses in the P.
Outlander on June 10, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Oh, please, oh, please, oh please.
Typhoon on June 10, 2008 at 5:03 PM
LOL
Am I the only one who thinks “wild eyed crazy cracker” when I see Jim Webb?
funky chicken on June 10, 2008 at 5:04 PM
Giap would be an interesting pick. But he was most successful when he was fighting the French. I don’t think he ever won a battle against the U.S. And the being born a natural citizen isn’t a problem. Just say he was born in Hawaii and don’t turn over his birth certificate.
Of course, I think he’s dead, which would hamper his debate performances. But the media would proclaim him the winner anyway, so that damage could be controlled.
jl on June 10, 2008 at 5:06 PM
It doesn’t surprise me. Obama is way, way left, and got embarassed in Ohio on the NAFTA stuff. I think smart, moderate dems are worried about this election a lot more than we know.
funky chicken on June 10, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Patty Murray lacks the gravitas of your average homeless person.
jl on June 10, 2008 at 5:08 PM
Nice to see the MSM going along with Obama’s ploy to leak a bunch of names so they will stop talking about Jim Johnson!
rockmom on June 10, 2008 at 5:12 PM
Giap LOL Hey, how about Rommel? He’s brilliant, I hear.
funky chicken on June 10, 2008 at 5:14 PM
If it can’t be McPeak, Patty Murray is a strong second choice! I would enjoy hearing all about those hospitals and day care centers that Osama built in Afghanistan again.
funky chicken on June 10, 2008 at 5:15 PM
Or Yamashita perhaps.
baldilocks on June 10, 2008 at 5:24 PM
I really don’t think Sarah having a child with problems makes that a standing issue. Do you?
Does anyone else? Good Lord, people such as you who keep bringing it up are worse then the people who say McCains teeth are yellow or that Thompson is too old!
Maybe you should think about it. In the mean Time.. grow up!
upinak on June 10, 2008 at 5:25 PM
Wes Clark or Colin Powell?
SaintOlaf on June 10, 2008 at 5:27 PM
upinak, it would only be a problem for her….meaning it might be what kept her from accepting the offer if they are having a tough time health wise.
funky chicken on June 10, 2008 at 5:27 PM
Napoleon! LOL sews up the short white guy demographic too!
funky chicken on June 10, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Wow! Read the Rendell link in AP’s post. The RNC is going to have a field day with those quotes if he’s the pick. The Strickland denial, and the Rendell “problem” is really, really bad news for Obama. I mean, he needs either Ohio, or PN, or both electorally, doesn’t he? (b/c FL seems safely red these days.)
aquaviva on June 10, 2008 at 5:29 PM
No. She just gave birth, and to a baby with Down syndrome.
BigD on June 10, 2008 at 4:20 PM
With all due respect, upinak, I think you need to look at the context of the question LimeyGeek posed, and if you don’t know what it means, ask somebody alot younger than you.
Although I will say I wish the thread had not gone off in that direction.
BigD on June 10, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Andrea Mitchell would probably agree with you.
AZCoyote on June 10, 2008 at 5:32 PM
I keep seeing on certain blogs the name Palin put forth as being a top of the list choice for McCain’s VP pick. I had never heard of her before first seeing her name on one of the righty blogs. I’ve asked everyone I come in contact with if they have heard of her and I’ve yet to find anyone who has. She is a total unknown outside a small blogosphere niche.
I’ve looked at her bio./record and I can’t see what the big attraction is, other than she is a former beauty queen. It isn’t that she isn’t qualified, but that I can’t find anything that sets her above the rest or that indicates she would fill in any gaps. Being a woman isn’t enough, as far as I’m concerned.
I’m not knocking her, just wondering what others see that makes her so special that I’m apparently missing.
Pal2Pal on June 10, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Wasn’t Patty Murray the Senator who said that Osama bin Laden built schools as charity work? Republicans would have lots of fun with Obama and the Osama Mama.
Governor Jodi Rell of CT (mentioned by Big S) would be an interesting pick, but probably not the best. She is a fiscal conservative, who has vetoed many spending bills from an overwhelmingly Democrat state legislature, but she also signed off on “civil unions” for gay couples, which wouldn’t fit well with McCain’s position on the issue. She’s fairly articulate on economic issues, but is not the world’s most inspiring speaker, although she is popular here in CT, and might put the state in play for McCain, especially if Senator Lieberman also campaigns for him.
McCain could probably do better than Rell. How about Michael Steele?
Steve Z on June 10, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Mark Sanford is the golden pick, but I think he turned it down, unfortunately.
scrappleface is funny today…went there looking for something else, but he’s got a couple of great items
funky chicken on June 10, 2008 at 5:40 PM
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