Obama's VP List: MSNBC Gathers Names

From NBC's Chuck Todd and Domenico Montanaro:

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. ...

Besides Jones, the other names on the list bandied about with congressional Dems include (and not in any order): Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, John Edwards, Evan Bayh, Kathleen Sebelius, Ted Strickland, Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Jim Webb, Bill Nelson, Jack Reed, Joe Biden, Chris Dodd, Tom Daschle, and Sam Nunn. You'll notice a few names NOT on this list (that's not my exclusion -- hint hint). Besides Jones, I'm told the two other names that invited extended discussion were Biden and Strickland.

* * *

The Huffington Post recently published profiles on two of the top names on the list: Jim Webb and Kathleen Sebelius. For more on Obama's veepstakes, check out HuffPost's rundown list of the pros and cons of the potential vice president candidates.

Comments

[Binea]

Obama /Ron Paul 08 !!

[Binea]

Obama and Ron Paul should talk.
The "most honest man in congress" wouldn't need much vetting.
He also had a good grassroots effort,with little media and no help from the neocons running the party,who dispise him. - Honesty and integrity
Ron Paul also drew in many young new voters.Ron Paul recieved the most donations from active military.
Ron Paul also was against the war in Iraq,and was the only Republican who voted "no". (Statement Opposing the use of Military Force against Iraq-by Ron Paul Delivered on 8 October 2002 on the floor of the House by Ron Paul, U.S. Representative for the state of Texas. Read the whole speech on wiki.)
agreement on the war-
Economy-
Ron Paul, a 10-term Republican Congressman from Texas's 14th District, is currently the ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee's Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology. He has been named "Taxpayers' Best Friend" for 10 consecutive years by the National Taxpayers' Union. Ron Paul is also the author of several books on

monetary policy and economics. Abortion issue -( as vice president he wouldn't be choosing judges)

There is no reason these two highly intelligen­t,Patrioti­c ( cival liberties)men ,with a real concern for the people, can't work very well together for a more perfect Union, bringing good judgement,honesty and security back to this country.

I have chatted with many libs and conservatives who respect Paul.I respect Paul and Obama.

[tyrodin]

Now that Hillary has her "revenge" list of who went over to the Obama side, Barack might not want to have her on his ticket. She'll be attacking his supporters from the inside.

[closetodemfection]

Nice try, but you know that is BS. Her surrogates are pissed and some people in the media. And rightly so.

[vocalist]

Another important factor would be some of the names mentiond by the bloggers would be great in Supreme Court.
Barack Obama surely has names for the Supreme Court, in his short list for that....

Only, if he is able to beat McCain, he would if he has Hillary Clinton at his side.

[JimReed]

The Democrats are blessed to have such a strong field of so many great vice-presidential candidates to choose from.

[WeNeedSomethingBetter]

we said the same thing 7 months ago with the field of presidential candidates befor it turned into a popularity contest.

[boatman]

Why not Rep. Jane Harman for V.P. ?

[marthamay]

what does it matter, they all want to take your money and control your lives. but then again that is what liberals want the government to do- run their lives because they have no confidence in themselves to do it themselves

[kdublya]

Did you absorb this narrative from E.T.?

[marthamay]

oh good answer, but you don't disagree? funny.

[larazon]

And how is that worse than being controlled by the greedy corporations that own the right? What liberals do is organize the chaos the right creates.

[bbrecht]

Actually, we do have confidence we can run our lives thank you very much-- we don't want the supreme court controlling women's bodies, we don't want the government spying on us. But we wouldn't have deregulated the banks-- and mortgage industry-- duh!

[AgeofReason]

So Republicans don't want to run our lives? They just want to tell us whom we can marry, what we can ingest? They only want to listen in on all of our telephone calls and read all of our emails? Republicans profess that government can't make people's lives better, and every time they take office they prove themselves right by making people's lives worse.

Republicans only seem to like government of the corporations, by the corporations, for the corporations. Democrats don't want to run our lives, they just want to run the government the way it was envisioned back in 1787. You might remember that as Abe Lincoln, a Republican (back when the Republicans were the Liberals) once said, our government is supposed to be "of the people, by the people, and for the people." He said it was worth fighting for.

[alaintex]

Gore is the only logical choice.

He's the last Dem to win an election as a VP 12 years ago.

[larazon]

That might/would open up an opportunity for him, but why didn't he endorse?

[marthamay]

tell me how big is Al Gore's carbon footprint? and how much does he spend on electricity on his 12,000 sq. ft mansion he built. What a joke.

[uglicoyote]

No, this isn't a joking matter. People like you, marthmay, are the problem. Your cynical attitude makes change difficult. But things are looking up and I feel that old farts like you won't matter this time. You go ahead and vote for McBush. The Republics deserve you..

[daddyG56]

Bush starts a war, and doesn't send his own daughters to fight in it. What a joke. I win.

[marthamay]

tell me how big is Al Gore's carbon footprint? don't you love it when a lib tells you how you should live your life but they refuse to do it themselves. How much does gore spend on electric bills every month for his 12,000 sq. ft house?

[WMichaelTenery]

Your attack is so 1998. His farm is now solar powered. Update your talking points at the mothership.

[DrDemon]

I'd support your thought in a heartbeat.­..but I think Gore has placed the "political scene" on the back-burner. I also think he has bigger & better things going on with a helluva lot more $. And besides, he's "been there, done that".

[olivia]

Been there as VP, done that. Why would Gore want to be VP again? That ticket would seem upside-down.

[StanTheManic]

SHORT LIST???!!!

Hell, I feel bad I'M not on the "short" list!

[UURev]

Nothing says change like a group of 14 caucasians - 12 of which are men.

[jwilson8233]

The most effective choice is Ed Rendell, who isn't even on this list. Who put it together?

[larazon]

He would defeat O's whole message. Rendell? Good gawd?

[nicho]

Sam Nunn???? Holy Crap! What? Was Mussolini busy?

[vocalist]

funny...

[NYCBear]

Sam Nunn must have been proposed by the political consultants who have managed to lose the last two presidential elections.

Among other things, he blocked Clinton's effort to get rid of preferential treatment for heterosexuals in the military - Nunn's very, very frightened of queers.

[ratcityreprobate]

Very good. My sentiments exactly.

[D2D2]

Best VP candidate for Senator Obama - Fmr. General Colin Powell. Very strong national security background. Executive experience. Foreign policy credentials. Well respected. Brings Independents and many Republicans. Will not disturb Democratic majority in Senate. Will likely not run for president in 8 years, leaving slot open for another Democrat. Guaranteed victory in November.

[justobserve]

No, too fast a change is no good! People are not yet totally color-blind.

[antaeus]

I do not understand such comments. Either we are post racial or we aren't. If your argument is that America is not so racist that is won't vote for O, but still too racist to vote for O + another non-white, then I really begin to wonder about the wisdom of the candidacy in its entirety.

[larazon]

He may be busy. Testifying before congress.

[closetodemfection]

Yah, the guy that sold the war that dems trusted so they voted for it? I don't think so.

[vocalist]

If McCain choses Bobby who is more like Obama but a consevative Republican. Similarities would be charming, smart, ethnic heritage and a winner....­Obama must have Hillary ....to win

[Mogamboguru]

Err - no, he doesn't have to.

[vocalist]

He does not have to, correct. He makes the decision..­..

If He wants to win He needs to....

[Teritt]

Please - not Bayh or Nelson! Look at their behaviour in the primaries (separate of who they supported). I see either of them as another Joe Lieberman waiting to happen.
Biden is still my favorite.

[harriscrl3]

I still dont see him going for Foreign Policy experience I think Obama believes thats his strongest area and contrary to what the media says I agree with him. This is the 21st century Foreign policy demands a more nuanced complex approach in line with what Obama is suggesting rather than go the same route like McCain. I think if anything as far as to complement him he would go with the CEO/Governor type but even that I dont see because he is a very good manager as demonstrated by this campaign. This is why I think he is going to go with Hilary. She is close to him on policies and she brings the female vote which is a critical voting block and thats more important for him. But I dont think he wants people to think that he was pushed into chosing her so he is having a careful process that includes 16 potential choices. Of course if he choses her there will be explicit rules that must be agreed to up front. We can deny it or be angered by it all we want but Obama is not stupid he is giong to bring someone that can deliver something he needs and what he needs is votes. What is Hilary going to do I just dont see her going back to the senate and the fact that she endorsed and was so convincing tells me she wants something.

Carol

[larazon]

The only thing I agree with you on is this: Oba ma is not stupid.

For that reason he would not choose someone who has questioned his leadership potential all along and who is clearly not loyal to his Presidency, who doesn't believe he would be ready on day one, and doesn't think he would make a good commander in chief.

[justobserve]

Gallup poll today showed Obama wins 51% women votes against McCain's 38%. Clinton doesn't own her supporters, especially she counted all voters from the beginning to the end when there were women who broke from her due to her dirty antics, spins and lies to win at all costs when she didn't bow out after the math showed she couldn't catch him. Clinton can join in to work for the party's win in November but without her, the train is still going strong.