If I had to guess the eventual winner of the Veepstakes at this point...

[ruggerson]

I would have to go with Kaine or Schweitzer.

I used to believe that Obama needed some old white guy with military cred, but with the economy falling apart at the seams, with gas at 4 bucks and climbing, with banks failing, I think the focus now is almost entirely on the economy.

That means he can concentrate on picking a governor, rather than a senator, which frees him up to scout around for someone who might be of some help geographically.

Tim Kaine is obvious: he helps with Virginia, and if we win VA, we win the election.

Brian Schweitzer, while he may actually put Montana into play, would be a popular figure throughout the mountain West and could conceivably put Colorado in the (D) column.

Both would make fine Vice Presidents, neither would come close to eclipsing Obama, neither is terribly gaffe prone or talks too much.

And both could clobber Pawlenty or Romney in a debate.

[gateley]

1. Either would be fine by me, but I'm partial to Schweitzer (and Jag!). nt

[Muttocracy]

2. ditto. so do we need to form a group

of former Biden for pres. supporters for Schweitzer for VP? :crazy:

[gateley]

7. ...

:7

[Muttocracy]

8. and hey, he can even teach the Obamas about having a dog! nt

[Muttocracy]

12. I don't like this about Schweitzer though...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6509369&mesg_id=6509436

[grantcart]

3. both are impressive

[faithfulcitizen]

4. sounds good to me.

[The Magistrate]

5. Gov. Sibelius Continues, Sir, To Strike Me As An Excellent Choice

It is unlikely she could turn the state of Kansas to our column, but she clearly has some knowledge of how to appeal to voters who often succumb to Republican bamboozlement, though they act against their own interests when they do.

[gateley]

6. But I don't think, Mr. Magistrate Sir,

that Obama would have a woman on the ticket if it isn't HRC. And as always, I may be wrong, but that's my feeling.

[The Magistrate]

11. We Are All Guessing, Ma'am, Certainly

Put bluntly, it seems to me any wager Sen. Clinton will be the Vice Presidential choice that pays at better than even odds would be worth serious consideration as an investment. There are excellent and classic arguments for that course, and while it might be denounced by some entrenched partisans, it would be widely popular with the rank and file of the Party, who have throughout this campaign liked both these leading figures about equally.

It could certainly be argued that Gov. Sibelius' gender might exercise some appeal to persons more committed than average to Sen. Clinton.

[MercutioATC]

14. There's an argument, sir, that "too much" change is a negative.

One can earnestly seek change while still appreciating the reality of the electorate.

Do you really want to run a black guy and a white woman on a ticket?

[The Magistrate]

15. To The Best Of My Ability, Sir, My Desires Are Kept Separate From My Analysis

Your point about 'too much of a good thing' is a sound one.

[MercutioATC]

16. 'S all I'm sayin'

In any Presidential election, whether Dem or Repub, carrying the base will not suffice.

If we want to win, our candidate needs to take the biases of the middle ground (and the politically ignorant) into consideration...because they vote.

[Awsi Dooger]

18. Even odds or better on Hillary as VP?

What do I always say, that math or perception of true odds isn't a strength on DU. You can gobble up all the even+ odds you want.

Hillary is trading at roughly 16 right now on Intrade. That would be 16 to win 84 on each contract, which I believe busts even money.

BTW, the Field is the chalk at about 36, last time I checked. The Field includes Kaine, among others.

[The Magistrate]

20. Five For One, Sir, Would Certainly Be Worth Taking The Short End Of

And pays better than even, which was my suggested standard. An even odds pay-out would not be a wise investment, in my view. When the field is crowded, of course, any single contender is going to run at longish odds....

It would, however be hard to suggest a move that would provide unity in the party more effectively than the selection of Sen. Clinton as the Vice-Presidential nominee. That there are also drawbacks to such selections, and other considerations that are worth attention, hardly needs to be said.

[karynnj]

19. I've heard that argument, but that is down right sexist on the part of HRC supporters

To suggest that if it is not her, all women are out - is unfair to all other women who are qualified. I am sick of the Clintons (or hopefully) just their supporters thinking they can make up special rules. (I am still angry that the media followed them on seemingly making the "popular vote" - a metric that makes no sense when different methods are used in different states - as nearly as important as delegates. This would be like summing the raw data in a stratified sample. )

[tokenlib]

9. Schweitzer has some powerful "cultural" image benefits...

...that counter republican subliminal attacks. He's a gunowner who looks comfortable out in a field---remember Kerry in a Carhardt and the appearance of hunting "photo ops." He has a dog that isn't a "lap" dog. He has been a real rancher not a pretend one.
Schweitzer with the cultural angles would take a stab at more than just the West. He would appeal to a lot of people in the midwest and rust belt on the cultural issues.

But along with Richardson and Clark, Schweitzer seems to get no respect in the VP considerations of the media... Yup, my three favorites get no respect....

Kaine may end up being more likely--though for the above reasoning Schweitzer would be a master stroke. But at this point--Obama has done well keeping everyone wondering..

[Indiana_Dem]

13. I am from the midwest. I LOVE Schweitzer! #1 in my books. nt

[SheilaT]

10. My first thought concerning either of those two,

is who would replace them if they become VP?

I live in Kansas, and as proud of Kathleen Sebelius as I am, I can tell you we probably need her more than the country does. Were she to become the vice presidential nominee, even though we do have a decent lieutenant governor, he's a recent convert from the Republican Party -- former chairman of the State Republican Party in fact.

I know very little about Kaine or Schweitzer, but I also wonder to what extent their states can spare them, who would become Governor in their place, how that would affect the Democratic Party in that state.

Obviously the same questions arise if a senator is selected.

[VADem11]

17. Good point

The bad thing in Virginia is that our Republican Lt. Gov would replace Kaine but only for 9 months.