It's a No Brainer; Lt. Governor Garamendi Wants Sen. Joe Biden for VP

As usual (0.00 / 0)

The Lt. Governor's choice is mine. I hoped Biden would run before he announced. He's a strong leader and a thinking,caring individual.

JHotchkiss2
"Be yourself, everyone else is taken."Oscar Wilde

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by: Siftingthrough @ Tue Aug 19, 2008 at 14:46:56 PM CDT

Biden (0.00 / 0)

Would be my pick amongst the short list (Bayh, Biden, & Kaine). He has some credibility issues regarding the speech stuff. And perhaps during his presidential campaign he spent a bit too much time on Meet the Press and not enough on grassroots action.

But, he's better than the others, and would make a pretty good VP

I'm proud to work for Kamala Harris for AG.

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by: Brian Leubitz @ Tue Aug 19, 2008 at 15:00:04 PM CDT

Agreed (0.00 / 0)

Sherrod Brown would be my ideal pick, but of the people that are talked about Biden is clearly the best.

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by: Kanamit @ Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 12:46:57 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I like Biden (0.00 / 0)

Bayh loses us a Senate seat without really adding anything to the ticket (no, Indiana is not going to be in play, even if Obama had played NCAA ball for the Hoosiers)...and between Biden and Kaine, Biden is much more aggressive and has a lot more experience on the issues (particularly foreign policy-related) a President Obama would be dealing with.

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by: Sertorius @ Tue Aug 19, 2008 at 15:45:14 PM CDT

thanks for stopping by (0.00 / 0)

I've had a warm spot for Biden since back when he was bald, but come on...Brian Schweitzer for VP!!!

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by: Bob Brigham @ Tue Aug 19, 2008 at 16:29:07 PM CDT

Schweitzer (0.00 / 0)

I'd be jumping with joy if Obama rolls out Schweitzer and leaves the entire MSM speechless.  Since it's not going to happen, we wait till 2012 (replace Biden after America is comfortable with Obama?) or 2016 to see Schweitzer on the National Stage.

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by: Kyle @ Tue Aug 19, 2008 at 22:41:28 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

only two (0.00 / 0)

Schweitzer and Gore are the only two people in Democratic politics for whom VP would be a step down.  

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by: Bob Brigham @ Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 01:31:02 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm a Sebelius fan (8.00 / 1)

Things have been pretty quiet around her lately, but that may be because she knows that to curry favor with the Obama folks is to lay low and be a good soldier.  Also complicating things is the artificial glass ceiling HRC supporters have created for anyone but Hillary.  But she is more progressive than the others and never voted for the war.

Biden is the best out of the boring white males: Biden, Bayh and Kaine. But that aint sayin much.

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by: Julia Rosen @ Tue Aug 19, 2008 at 21:10:58 PM CDT

I used to work for the firm that did his mail... (0.00 / 0)

One thing I'll say - he can be a bit cantakerous sometimes but he also does stick to what he's saying and doesn't try and obfuscate. It's just amazing to think how long he served in the Senate - and that they actually had to change his swearing in date so he'd be old enough to serve. I mean he's been there since the early 70s (and I mean that in a GOOD way not a bad way).

--
www.gregdewar.com

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by: gregdewar.com @ Tue Aug 19, 2008 at 22:34:39 PM CDT

and may I add (0.00 / 0)

I remember the 2004 campaign and Mr. Garamendi (who has always been a good guy in my eyes because he was such a friend to MY old boss, WA Ins.Commissioner Deborah Senn) was also cool with Dean, which meant a lot back in the day to Dean fans.

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www.gregdewar.com

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by: gregdewar.com @ Tue Aug 19, 2008 at 22:35:47 PM CDT

Never knew you worked for Senn (0.00 / 0)

Sucks about '04. Rob McKenna is a dick.

You can check out any time you like but you can never leave

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by: Robert Cruickshank @ Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 01:06:01 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Seven points on selecting a VP running mate (0.00 / 0)

Consider the following when it comes to choosing a Presidential candidate choosing a running mate:

(1) Senator versus Governor:  Only two sitting senators have been elected President in the entire history of the United States:  John F. Kennedy and Warren Harding.  Senators just don't do that well.  This year, both major parties are on the verge of officially nominating a sitting senator.  This is unprecedented.  Usually at least one of the candidates comes from the executive branch of government (a governor, vice president, or a general).  We are going after the top two leadership positions in the United States, not to get an A+ in an academic seminar or a blue ribbon prize in a debating society.  

This is a "change" election.  That means an outsider has the advantage.  As Senator Obama said about being in the Senate for two years:  "I know I haven't spent a lot of time learning the ways of Washington. But I've been there long enough to know that the ways of Washington must change."  He needs to reinforce that view by choosing an outsider.  To me, that means a governor.  A well-respected flag-rank military officer will do too in this environment, especially one critical of the 20th Century military-industrial complex.  

(2) Washington experience:  First, Senator Biden has been in Washington since he was 30 years old.  That's just over 35 years ... longer than McCain's been there!  Second, Senator Biden is aligned with the credit card industry.  

(3) Electoral votes (the most important criterion):  Senator Biden does not bring us any additional votes.  We're going to get Delaware's three electoral votes anyway.  

(4) Foreign policy:  No doubt about it.  Senator Biden is strong in this area.  

(5) Youth:  Senator Biden turns 66 this November.  That puts him at 72 at the end of President Obama's second term, the same age senator McCain is now.  

(6) Good campaigner:  Senator Biden can be aggressive here as long as he doesn't make any gaffes.

(7) Organization:  What does Senator Biden bring us?

A few thoughts on some other possibilities from an electoral college perspective (no senators considered):
(a) Gov. Schweitzer (MT, 3 electoral votes) - an outstanding pick, maybe even a spillover effect into both Dakotas?
(b) Gov. Sebelius (KS, 6 electoral votes) - another good choice; an outstanding choice if she can deliver Kansas and have a spillover effect into nearby states such as Missouri, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, and maybe NE-02 (Omaha).  
(c) Gov. Napolitano (AZ, 10 electoral votes) - a real "in your face" choice if she can put Arizona in play and put the GOPigs on the defensive.  
(d) Gov. Strickland (OH, 20 electoral votes) - Locks up Ohio for us but age works against him.  He just turned 67.  And we need a good Democrat in Ohio to help clean up that place.
(e) Gov. Culver (IA, 7 electoral votes) - one of two Democratic Gen X governors (Gov O'Malley of Maryland is the other).  Admittedly a defensive choice since we will probably get Iowa anyway but youth is in his favor (remember, Senator Obama is a Gen Xer, too).  Gov. Culver may shore up support in Missouri, Wisconsin, NE-02, and Minnesota if McCain chooses Governor Pawlenty.  
(f) Gov. Rendell (PA, 21 electoral votes) - Again, a defensive pick as we will probably get Pennsylvania anyway, put Governor Rendell puts it in the Democratic column hands down.  
(g) Gov. Richardson (NM, 5 electoral votes) - Another defensive pick as New Mexico looks good, but Governor Richardson would guarantee it for us and maybe help out in the southwest.  
(h) General Clark - Another good choice, but I'm not sure what electoral votes he can deliver.  
(i) General Zinni - Maybe a touch old at age 65, but this retired Marine would make a good counterpoint to Senator McCain, especially General Zinni were to agree to only one term.  Again, what electoral votes can General Zinni deliver?

None of these people are perfect and there may be some things I don't know about a few that would make me change my mind.  And to conclude with a curve ball, Michael Moore suggests Caroline Kennedy.  

Any thoughts?

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by: Airpower @ Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 01:03:39 AM CDT

Schweitzer on your scale (0.00 / 0)

1. Not only a Governor, but one who turned the state blue.

2. Thinks 'Washington' is that place on the other side of Idaho.

3. He's already going to deliver MT, you're right about the Dakotas. Plus helps big time in CO, NM, NV and could even put WY in play. Pretty much the Mountain time zone except for Utah and Idaho.

4.  Speaks Arabic.

5.  Top of his game.

6.  He doesn't ride in a convertible for homecoming parades, he brings a nerf football and plays catch with the crowd.

7.  I get emails from his dog Jag asking me to freep online polls. No shit.

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by: Bob Brigham @ Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 01:27:48 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

No (0.00 / 0)

VP candidates don't "lock up" their states. Even presidential candidates don't always do that.

Edwards didn't deliver North Carolina, Kemp didn't deliver New York in 1996, Gore didn't win Tennessee in 2000.

For that matter, Strickland wouldn't make much difference in Ohio (http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2007/11/14/strickland_poll.html?sid=101). And with registered Republicans outnumbering Democrats 2-to-1 in Kansas, there's no way in hell Sebelius would flip that state even if she were at the top of the ticket.

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by: Sertorius @ Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 11:38:18 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Electoral Votes (0.00 / 0)

Are not simply a matter of geography. Biden or whomever can deliver votes outside of their home states.

I'm proud to work for Barbara Boxer

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by: Lucas O'Connor @ Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 14:36:52 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

biden? (0.00 / 0)

biden the guy who wrote the credit card debt peonage bill?

biden, who shilled for the iraq war, and who is currently shilling for georgia?

biden, who was judiciary chair when clarence thomas was confirmed to replace thurgood marshall?

biden, the gaffe-a-minute senator who said obama was "clean and articulate" (unlike other black presidential candidates)?

not the sort of judgement we need as veep.

surf putah, your friendly neighborhood central valley samizdat

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by: wu ming @ Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 11:55:33 AM CDT

Good to be here (8.00 / 3)

I am looking forward to getting Obama's text message. So we have our opinions on the VP. Now, what is Obama's opinion? We'll soon find out.

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by: Jgaramendi @ Wed Aug 20, 2008 at 13:26:52 PM CDT