Obama's trip to Iraq and his search for a VP

[kentuck]

I heard on MSNBC that Senators Chuck Hagel and Jack Reed were accompanying Barack Obama on his scheduled trip to Iraq. Both are combat veterans. One is a Republican and one is a Democrat. Both are experienced in military matters.

My hunch is that one of these may be the next VP. The other one may be in the Cabinet. This is an important trip for Obama and it is significant that he has chosen Reed and Hagel to accompany him, in my opinion. Of course, I have been wrong before, but it's been a day or so...

[TwilightGardener]

1. I don't know if Obama would be that obvious about it, VP wise.

However, I would bet at least one of the two ends up in his cabinet--unless Jack Reed is rejected because he has a Repub Governor and we'd lose that seat. (He's also running for re-election).

[ErinBerin84]

2. I don't think Hagel has a chance for VP, but I think it's smart to bring him

bc the symbolism of it has political assets...reminds people that Iraq is not a partisan issue, etc. Plus, it pisses off McCain! Though I could see him in a cabinet member. I hadn't heard of the Jack Reed going with him as well...have these been confirmed, of it just speculation at this point? I could definitely see these people going, but its not like the media hasn't been wrong before...the projected fundraising numbers for June and the race car sponsorship ended up not being true. This will definitely be interesting to watch! I still think that we will be surpised about the VP choice when it is announced.

[kentuck]

3. Reed is a former Ranger but...

he is low-key and unflappable and does not have a dominating personality. I think he would fit well with Obama, on a personal level.

[Inuca]

4. Just a reminder though

that the Iraq trip (as opposed to the one to Europe) is a congressional delegation, and as such Obama HAD to have at least one republican with him (and I don't think there was a crowd of republican senators waiting in line to sign in for the honor). This being said, I do not think that Hagel going along with Reed (they are said to be good friends, by the way) is insignificant. Both Obama and Hagel are obviously aware how closely this will be scrutinized, and I doubt they would have put themselves under a microscope just for the sheer pleasure of raising even more idle speculations and have a good laugh at the media's expense. Hagel may simply not care much about what is being said about him, but I am sure Obama does.