MSNBC: General Jones for Obama's VP?

[nsd]

First Read had an interesting piece on Obama's VP search this morning: MSNBC

"So you think you know who's on Obama's veep short list? Well, think again. According to sources on the Hill, Obama veep vetters -- specifically Jim Johnson and Eric Holder -- have been asking Dem members of Congress this week their input about potential running mates. The conversations are free-flowing but one name the vetters are inserting in the conversations is one that is not a household name... Ret. Gen. James Jones, the former Marine-turned-NATO Supreme Allied Commander."

I haven't heard anybody mention retired Marine Gen. James Jones before as a potential Obama VP. I also noticed that Bill Richardson wasn't on their list of people the vetting team is asking about.

[book_worm]

1. I think that Obama will continue to awe and surprise us.

[PoliticalAmazon]

2. With the amount of influence the Pentagon has on gov't, I'm leery of....

having someone from the military as VP.

[Captain Hilts]

7. It's actually the other way around. The Pentagon is forced to do politicians' bidding...

whether it is procurement contracts for weapons they don't want - more C130s from Newt Gingrich's district, for example - or the Iraq War. The Pentagon is usually the dependent, not independent variable in the political equation.

Left to the "Pentagon" - there is a lot of diversity of interests and opinion there - we would NEVER have invaded Iraq.

[PoliticalAmazon]

15. The fact that the Pentagon sent out military propagada agents....

dressing them up as independent retired military officers, is an indication of how far the military has sunk into Rove/Bush mentality. Also, the way that the generals in charge of Iraq have largely politicized it by their over-the-top spin, even lying to Congress, about the condiions in Iraq is also worrisome, IMO.

I just don't trust the Pentagon anymore.

[faithfulcitizen]

8. I'm leery of anyone named Jim Jones on an Obama ticket.

;) kidding.

[PoliticalAmazon]

11. Well, there is something to say about that., too. n/t

[Sensitivity]

30. most of the voter don't have a clue what you are referring to

[ingac70]

3. I hope not!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_L._Jones

"In March 2008, General Jones was nominated to the board of directors of Chevron Corporation. The vote on his nomination will occur at the May 28 annual stockholder's meeting."

[Spider Jerusalem]

6. he'd have to resign if so, and he's been on the board 2 months?

How much can he really have to do with Chevron after 2 months?

[ingac70]

12. Who gives a shit how much...

any amount of Chevron is too much. No oil bastards at the White House!

Condi was on the board of Chevron.

[Captain Hilts]

4. I was thinking Gen. Baptiste would be a good choice. nt

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. It's not his military service I'm leery of

also from the article:

Jones currently is the president and CEO of the Institute for 21st Century Energy, which is an affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce, not exactly the type of organization a typical Democrat gets involved with. Potentially problematic is that he's on Chevron's board. He also serves on the boards of Boeing and Invacare, a manufacturer and distributor of medical equipment. (Invacare’s slogan, ironically, is: “Yes, you can.”)

[Captain Hilts]

9. The Chamber is VERY conservative. nt

[wmbrew0206]

10. If it is a former general it needs to be Gen. Zinni

Former head of CentCom.
Was against the war.
Was a special envoy for the middle east peace process
Very anti-Bush

[Az_lefty]

24. I have to agree, Zinni would seem to be a perfect fit.

[IA_Seth]

13. I'd prefer another former SACEUR!

Gen Wes Clark!

[wmbrew0206]

16. Clark brings some issues about his departure at EUCOM that Zinni doesn't have

[Schema Thing]

18. yes, some non issues.

[wmbrew0206]

21. I'm sorry, but I disagree, Clark's departure from EUCOM would become a major issue

I want to be clear that I like Wes Clark and admire him. He is clearly a very bright man and has acheived a lot in his life.

That said the issue over why Clark did not do a full tour as EUCOM CC and Gen Shelton's comments about him would be used by the rethugs mercilessly. I'm not going to argue about whether it is accurate or not, because the rethugs won't care and their media enablers will run with the story.

Zinni brings the same things to the ticket that Clark does but doesn't have any issues about his time a CentCom.

[faithfulcitizen]

17. me too

[whistler162]

20. I understand Senator McCain is considering

General M. A. Ham as his VP to counter!;-)

[underpants]

14. No more CNN voiceovers? Cue the "dark side" jokes

[2rth2pwr]

19. "..impact of the surge, tactical success for both Iraq and coalition forces in the Baghdad Region

has been achieved..." Sept 2007 Gen Jones testifying to congress Sept 2007.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi9oFHga0LA&


edited to fix link

[Inuca]

22. That was one of the reports preceding

the Petraeus and Crocker dog and pony show, and from what I remember it was far from laudatory to what was happening in Iraq. Conclusions from that report and from the testimony before the congressional committees were used as arguments against what Petraeus was trying to sell at the time.

[cbc5g]

23. That is correct but the surge failed on political achievements

If you have more troops obviously the violence will calm down, but they can't be there forever and the Iraqi government has squandered the opportunity.

[scheming daemons]

25. Well... they call us Obama supporters "kool aid drinkers"... might as well put a "Jim Jones" on the

ticket.


:rofl:

[FrenchieCat]

26. If they are floating the name, I doubt that he will be the one......

But if he is.....he seems like one tall tough dude!

[TheDonkey]

29. I think they are floating the name just because no one knows about him

and they want some input but it isn't a signal he is on the top of the list or anything.

[Sensitivity]

27. Completely reasonable - Clark equivalent but close to Obama

[TheDonkey]

28. Out of those names.... Webb, Biden, Jones in that order

Jones is unusual but meh' I'd like to learn more about him.

[NorthAmerican]

31. I think Webb is the best choice. n/t