Sound Politics: Good News for the Long-Term

June 10, 2008

Good News for the Long-Term

This could be important even down to the state level, given the profile of national politics on all our Washington state races this year:

arguably one of the most formidable options for Obama's VP pick, popular Ohio Governor, vocal Clinton-backer, and former Methodist minister Ted Strickland gave an unequivocal "no" to the idea of being on the national ticket.

Posted by Eric Earling at June 10, 2008 08:03 PM | Email This

Comments

1. Jim Webb is also having his share of "Macaca" issues arising out of his vetting as well........That's 2 down. Next?

Posted by: Rick D. on June 10, 2008 08:04 PM

2. Here's a list: Gregoire, Murray, Cantwell, Sims, Nichols. They can have all of them, just promise they won't be back.

Posted by: Al on June 10, 2008 08:09 PM

3. Hey AL, you forgot McDimwit

Posted by: PC on June 10, 2008 08:11 PM

4. Al @ #2 and PC @ #3:
What they said.... oh, what I wouldn't give.

Although in a small (and probably temporary) attempt to be at least marginally fair:
While I disagree with her on a long list of issues and priorities, at least Cantwell is no dummy.... which is a lot more than can be said for others on that list.

Posted by: Methow Ken on June 10, 2008 08:49 PM

5. Now, now, people! When you think about the Executive branch of the federal government, why not look for someone who proclaims to have executive experience? Darcy "Marcy" Burner!

Posted by: Smoley on June 10, 2008 09:41 PM

6. Eric,
Thanks for the post. I hadn't seen Stricklands comments. To me, if Obama was to choose a Hillary surragate, I think Ed Rendell is better, even though he has his own Farrakan moment. Rendell is a sharp politician. I do agree with you, however, that Strickland would raise the probably of Ohio for Obama and having him rule out being VP makes Ohio still leaning slightly for McCain, in my book. At 538's site, Ohio does appear to be the simulation's key swing state. Under many scenarios, he who wins Ohio has a lot better chance of winning the whole shebang.

Rick D@1: What "Macca" moments are your referring to?

I would like to see Webb, and I don't think he as totally ruled himself out. He has stated in the past that he is hard to manage, so VP may not be a good role for him. His biggest weakness, I believe, is with women voters. This is where he has made some non-PC comments in the past. My guess is if Obama wants a Virginia running mate, at this point, that Kaine may be the top choice.

I am also beginning to think that when it comes to the final decision, the likely candidates (in my mind) at this point are: (1) Hillary, (2) Biden, and (3) Sebalius (sp?), with one of the three Virginians and Rendell as possible wild-cards. Hillary wants the job, would be great on the stump, but awfully hard to manage if Obama actually gets the job. She would be Dick Cheney will Bill tagging along.

Posted by: tc on June 11, 2008 07:33 AM

7. Sebiuleious sounds like the best bet, but, yet, there is truth to the Shark's article about how the DalaiBama can't have someone with more gravitas and that is why Murray/Cantwell, et al are better picks.

Posted by: swatter on June 11, 2008 07:37 AM

8. tc: " Rick D. @1: what "Macca" moments are your referring to?"

then answers his own question later with...

"This is where [webb] has made some non-PC comments in the past"

tc~ I think you know exactly what I'm talking about, and yes throwing around the "N" word on a regular basis is pretty un-PC conduct.

Posted by: Rick D. on June 11, 2008 06:13 PM