Obama On Sebelius For VP: "I Love Kathleen"

Yesterday, Obama gave the Kansas governor high praise on a Missouri Fox affiliate, going so far as to hint that she could be his vice presidential nominee:

I love Kathleen Sebelius. I think she is as talented a public official as there is right now. Integrity. Competence. She can work with all people of all walks of life, but I promised that I am not going to say anything about my vice president until I actually introduce my vice president.

The Huffington Post's Sam Stein profiled Sebelius in June and concluded that she "presents a heap of electoral promise but with small but significant question marks."

Read The Huffington Post's rundown of potential Obama VP candidates here.

Comments

[mamacat]

The huge number of extremely qualified potential veeps is astounding.

When the time comes (if the time comes), I hope Obama fills his cabinet with and chooses advisors who are as qualified and remarkable as Sebelius, Webb, Gore, Hillary, and all of the others being considered.

[Kache]

I know! It's awesome! The Democratic party is filled with talent for a VP slot. We are arguing over REALLY talented people!

And look at the Republicans!! They are running Elmer Fudd for President! And they cry because Annold can't ever run! Who they gonna get for VP? Take your pick, it's either Mickey Mouse or Goofy because no one else wants to traipes around with a pooper scooper behind President Fudd.

[justmeinAz]

this post title is much better than the original "Obama hints at Sebelius for Veep" title that they first used this morning. Thanks for updating it for accuracy.

[abby4ever]

To AlwaysforHillary:
I need to qualify something I said below in reply to your all caps post. I said I agree with your first paragraph, what I meant was I agree that if Obama picks a different woman than Hillary for VP, Hillary will be royally pi**ed and so will her followers. Or so I believe.

But I am an Obama supporter so the part where you say nothing could make you hate him more than him doing something like that,, etc., doesn't apply to me.

Sorry for the lack of clarity.

Abby

[kevingiampa]

"...if Obama picks a different woman than Hillary for VP, Hillary will be royally pi**ed and so will her followers.­"

Hillary Clinton is supporting Barack Obama for President.

[IntelligentDesign]

We mired in protracted wars/occupations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the people are starving for principled leadership in that area - Sebelius can't help there, Webb can.

Obama/Webb 2008

[justmeinAz]

you know, he'll have all the same generals, all the joint chiefs of staff, the same intelligence network. It's not like the Pres has to rely on his VP for military experience. He'll have instant access to all the top military leaders and advisers, same as any other president. Webb's stint as a relatively junior officer will hardly save the day as far as military matters are concerned. I have nothing against Webb at all, but it's cartoonishly simple to think that he'll bring some much needed military expertise that Obama and Sebelius would have no hope of getting elsewhere (uh, we have a Secretary of Defense? Cool. What does he do?)

[CTtransplant]

Not necessarily the VP's job...but consultation with cabinet by President. So Sebelius wouldn't need to help with that.

[macbabe]

War guys don't always make good Presidents and would rather see KS on the ticket!

[wutzhappn]

Attempting to pander to Hillary voters will not help Obama. He should pick the person who has the most qualifications to be president, since he has none.

[christieZ]

Qualifications to be President? Obama has none? Right. How about his years as a community organizer, civil rights attorney, President of the Nation's most highly esteemed law journal, law professor, state Senator for 8 years, 3 years in the US Senate, ability to create a MOVEMENT all across America and the world? Just because he's not your grandfather doesn't mean he has no qualifications to be President.

[ohmercy]

LO)L

whether I agree or not is not the issue, it was a funny comment.
I needed that.

[rosal]

Funny how he had more people believing he was more qualified to be presiden than her, otherwise, she would be the winner, right?

[CaptainVideo]

Obama needs a female Vice Presidential candidate (but not Hillary). Otherwise McCain can outflank him by choosing a female candidate, which would win him a lot of additional female votes.

[djohn78]

He does need Hillary. Hillary would be a call of unity to all democrats. Picking Sebelius would be a diss to hillary supporters.

[ChristiB]

Obama - you want to win? Pick Clinton. its that simple. You aren't going to win without her. Especially with a woman who is unknown to the nation. I'm sorry to say it but sexism is real. Clinton can transcend it. But another women won't be able to.

Plus you need a pit bull. You're getting painted as a softy. Pick a woman, or a softy (aka nice guy) and you're sunk.

[Toonadude]

Yes!! Just not THAT woman...er­, you not THAT THAT woman.

[amst]

I disagree. Obama should NOT pick Clinton. I think she is capable, but I think there would be too much competition and some bitterness on the Clinton's part. Not only that, i think it would go agains the change Obama consistently talks about.

I sincerely think that Obama can most certainly win without Clinton as a VP. He's gathered a good majority of her supporters already. Granted there will be a small group to bitter and/or hurt, defiant or whatever that simply won't go for him, but too small a minority in the end, to be concerned about.
I dare say Obama is well on the road to Presidency­.....barri­ng any kind of Republican "surpise" like swiftboating or God forbid, another war. Even then, I wonder the the public would be stupid enough to buy into it a second time.

As far as VP Sebulus (sp) sounds ok, although I know little about her. I thought Webb or Biden would be good and I too like Clark.

I can't wait til Novemer.

Obama 08

[djohn78]

Sorry, but i disagree. I think that choosing Clinton would be great for the party. It brings us together to fight the republicans. There are more democrats than republicans now, and bringing us together would be great.

[mergina]

I disagree. Either he wants the white house or he doesn't. If he wants it he will pick clinton. If he dont, I mean if he really don't, he will pick another woman, upset millions of clinton supporters who as yet do not want to vote for him. He will lose, he will lose, HE WILL LOSE.

[JDowlin1]

Amst, I agree with ChristiB. Obama needs Hillary to win. Not just with women but blue collars, Hispanics, Catholics, Jewish voters, and the elderly. Plus he needs to heal the party. The rally they held together brought back new life and vitality to his campaign (at least for a day.) It would be the covergence of two movements (civil rights and youth with women and working class Americans.­) They would be unstoppable. This bull about Clinton contradicting his change mantra is not valid. If it were he wouldn't be hiring and recruiting all of the Clintonites to his campaign. To pick any woman other that Hillary would be a real slap in the face to her and her supporters. If he wants to show real strength and leadership he should say yes to the Clintons knowing he will be in the one in power with the final say and that he is not threatened or intimidated by a strong woman (and her
exPres. husband.)

[ohmercy]

what you forget about the Hillary is that she is a professional and knows to put the past aside and move on, something we have all witnessed many times in the past. She has a real history of working across the aisle and working with people who have been at odds with her in the past, or (to put it mildly) tried to destroy her and Bill!
LOL

One of the worst parts of this primary was the way people called her run "the Clinton's.­"

She is not Bill and it is a shame that those who actually know better (and that includes some of the duplicitous media) were not more forceful in saying so and those who did say so were generally edited out or given very little coverage.
The media sucked through out the primary and now we see that they will be doing the same to Obama (or his surrogates) This Clark thing was disgusting (and I am disappointed in O for going along with it.)
http://tinyurl.com/65m5o4

It is a real shame what garbage is considered journalism and political reporting now. The media is responsible for a large part of the split between O and C supporters.
Plus a lot of the cruel comments that hardened positions of course.

[Kache]

You obviously don't know Kathleen Sebelius. She'd wipe the floor with Hillary. She's a self made woman.

Hillary would get exactly the votes in a general election that she got in the primary, not one vote more or less. If you think you can start a new party with a fraction of the Democratic party, do it! Put up or shut up.

[abby4ever]

I am torn between her and Webb.

[Drewkowski]

Please not Webb. That would be a sure fire was to LOST female voters after some of his past comments, Sebelius would bring them to the booths in droves!

[djohn78]

thats what i said...web­b = good bye to suburban female voters

[Jezreel]

Agreed. Also, I don't think that Webb and Obama look good together on the campaign trail. And Webb is a little dry on the stump.

[macbabe]

KS has been my first choice VP pick for months now, and would LOVE to see it!

[GabrielXL]

Here! Here! I've been saying the same thing.

Obama/Sebelius '08

[faithfully]

I think Webb would help him more-but I like KS as well-they are my two choices for what it's worth.

[jsinclair]

Hillary's the only woman who's earned the VP spot. But her finances (including the missing 2007 tax return and Bill's library donors and international business dealings) will NEVER be vetted.

America is a conservative, traditional place (see 2000. see especially 2004) Obama is already "someone new". The second spot needs to be "someone familiar"

For that, Wes Clark is best (the little "POW kerfluffle" will blow over and be a distant memory by August. But Strickland, Reed, Dodd or Webb might be okay --I'm not crazy about Webb, but many are).

Richardson, Edwards and Biden (like Clinton) bring baggage as Veep, but would be good in the cabinet.

[abby4ever]

***Hillary's the only woman who's earned the VP spot.***

I'd really have to see an argument for this claim.

[aznurse]

How about Obama may not want her to be his VP

[JDowlin1]

How about 18 million voters?

[Texas4Obama]

No one 'earns' the VP slot.
Obama has the right to pick who he thinks will work with him the best - it is his decision and his alone.
Just because Hillary might not be an option for Obama doesn't mean that all other women in the United States should not be considered for the job.

Obama/Sebelius '08
Obama/Clark '08

[CTtransplant]

Clin ton has not earned the VP spot...wit­h her behavior throughout the campaign, she has not earned anything.

[MissT]

Absolutely. Besides, no one earns the VP slot. The nominee gets to pick whomever he/she wants. Just so happens this time it's BO. I find it unseemly how so many people are trying to force him to pick HRC. She lost.

[faithfully]

No, Obama has earned the right to pick the candidate for VP that will best work with him to win the election and move the country beyond this mess.

[jsinclair]

I agree that a candidate needs to choose the best VP for HIM.

However, Sibelius is a slap in the face to Clinton's supporters. I just think that's .... imprudent. (And will drive the 24/7 cable news cycle of negativity for months).

Clinton's finances can't be vetted, so she's out. Webb just...has southern/women baggage (plus... two junior senators?)

Biden...eg­o. Edwards...­young, no base. Bayh...too partisan. Richardson­...some "women" problems rumored. Dodd lacks charisma and makes Obama seem too "young".

I hope Clark will still be in the running. To me, Obama/Clark is still the real "dream ticket".

[Jezreel]

Agreed.

[mergina]

You know, after this Faith based crap he bowed to, I hope he does pick her for a v.p. I want to watch 18 million clinton voters, who sat by to see their candidate abused for 15 months BECAUSE SHE IS A WOMAN disown him and send their vote elsewhere, or just sit at home and watch him squirm back to his senate seat. The very idea of choosing another women equates to an immediate landslide victory for McCain.

[NotesFromME]

Hillary Clinton was not abused, she only got what she deserved for running a lousy, arrogant, divisive campaign. She has no one to blame but herself and her husband.

[amoment]

Oh, I am so sick and tired of women coming out of their holes after years of silence. I haven't seen a good women's march for equality since the 70's, 80's?. Even a good "Take Back the Night" march would have sufficed. But you waited until a woman ran for president to pick up where you left off, nearly three decades ago. Suddenly, we are hearing words like misogyny and sexism again... because Hillary lost? No, it is BS because you can't or won't vote for a black man and don't have the guts to just say that. By the way, I am woman... hear me roar!

[Raspletziak]

I'll add to that amoment--not only has it been since the seventies that we've heard anything substantive from the women's movement, they then wait until A YEAR AND A HALF into HRC's campaign after she's already comitted hari kari to come out of their shells. If feminism is nothing more than crying "victim" when it suits your purposes, count me out...(thi­s from another woman.)

"I do not know what a feminist is. I only know that I am called one when I attempt to discriminate myself from a prostitute or a doormat."

[Jezreel]

Obama's Faith Based policy is not "crap". It's a good idea for community based non-profits that are not directly controlled by local churches. The vast majority of local churches will not apply for federal funds because they will criminalize our efforts to proselytize and dictate our hiring practices.

However, CBO's that focus only on addressing social issues such as poverty, homelessness, AIDS, etc. will benefit from the extra financial assistance.

Hillary lost the primary, according to her own staff and supporters, because of strategic and tactical blunders. Sexism, like racism, was and continues to be part of the American fabric. But sexism was not the reason Hillary lost the nomination.

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/08/clinton200808

[laire]

Mergina,

Why does picking another woman besides Hillary hurt him with woman?

[GeoLee]

Because those of us who voted for Hillary did not just vote for her because she was awoman. maybe 90% of blacks seemed to have voted for Obama for reasons of race, but 60% of women voted for Hillary because they are aware of many issues she had faithfully supported for many years, not just in her elected years, but as a memaber of committees onthe state leve related to education issues in Arkansas, her early and consistent pro choice and pro early childhood education and pro women health issues. If Obama's history had anywhere the same resume on those issues women care about at the same level, he would have had their vote, too. Actions count more than talk to many and to assume our vote was purely on gender is naive at best, but once she carried 18 million votes then selecting another woman whose history is not quite as solid (I live in Kansas and I have seen a lot of good things from KS, but also a lot of too much give and take with the republicans to not make waves on some things or to jsut get part of what she wants) is seen as a slap. We want someone who could step in two days later if need be and be able to run things and think it needs to be someone, and not necessarily Hillary, with clear Washington knowledge.­.in case Teddy isn't available.

[toocoldout]

Are you saying her supporters are so sexist that she's the only woman they like?

[AlwaysforHillary]

IF OBAMA WANTS TO TRY TO GET HILLARY SUPPORTERS - ESPECIALLY WOMEN - EVEN MORE ANGRY THAN WE ARE NOW, ALL HE WOULD HAVE TO DO IS PICK A 'DIFFERENT' WOMAN FOR HIS V.P. CHOICE!!! THAT MAY BE ONE THING HE COULD DO TO MAKE ME HATE HIM MORE THAN I ALREADY DO!!!!

HILLARY SUPPORTERS ARE NOT 'WOMEN' SUPPORTERS. WE WANT THIS WOMAN - HILLARY CLINTON!!!

WARNING: OBAMA, YOU WILL MAKE US EVEN MORE MAD - DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

[abby4ever]

I fully agree with your first paragraph, I've thought it for a long time...but could you stop with the all caps?

[abby4ever]

I added a qualification to the reply of mine just above, hope it shows up.

[KarateKid]

Take your grubby paws off the Caps Lock key, sweetie.

[djohn78]

i agree..i did say this before....­HILLARY FOR VP

[loper2008]

who cares? you're not voting for Obama no matter what.

That women would try to block another woman from being VP is sickening to me. It's not what feminism is all about.

[4wehttam]

For the love of all that is good, stop screaming. Oh and please KEEP YOUR VOTE.

[dr4Will]

flim-flam man at work!!

[SeriousBlack]

name-caller man at work!!

[justmeinAz]

obscure colloquialism at work!

[reggieb]

What are you working on and why do you speak of yourself in the 3rd person?

[IRepTheKing]

I hope he choose Sebelius. I like what I hear about her. Also, it'll be hard for feminists women to keep up the nasty "Obama disses women" spew with her as VP. Not to mention, it'd be hard for the Repugs to combat her without the women feeling slighted.

[JoyceBains]

*HYPERVENTILATING*

Can't...ge­t...too...­excited!!!

[Monrocsol]

She looks so Lesbianesque.

[ObamAtomic]

And your point is(Lesbianesque)her sexuality is a private matters, for all we know you are
an Homophobic,what you are afraid ?

[Daly]

not tapping her foot - unfair comment

[truthskr]

If only - in my dreams. She's been married - to a man - for decades, with grown children. Very stable and drama free personal life from what I understand, unlike the other potential woman in contention.

[abby4ever]

So what? What does that have to do with anything?

[ann1]

Actually I think she looks attractive and extremely confident .

[PuppaX]

This is a misleading, ridiculous post. He didn't hint anything about Sebelius.

The quote was in response to the question:

"Let me ask you about Kathleen Sebilius. We hear her name mentioned as a vice presidential candidate. I know it's early in the process, but does she have the qualities one would look for in a running mate?"

[abby4ever]

I don't see how the question makes the post ITSELF misleading. The HEADLINE is a bit much but then Huffington headlines almost always are.

[PuppaX]

The post doesn't even mention that Obama's quote was in response to a question, let alone quote the question.

[CarbonDate]

Non-story. And that "run-down" you linked us to was complete nonsense. Seriously, Daschle's on the list, but Feingold is ruled out?

[UpstateNY]

My #1 pick for VP is Joe Biden. He brings foreign policy experience and a long, distinguished career that includes working with and getting the respect of Republicans. He was my first choice in the primaries – but with Hillary and Barack in the contest – it was very hard for anyone else to get noticed.

Biden has been a strong supporter of Obama. He knows his stuff. I don’t see any negatives with this pick and a lot of really important positives.

Wes Clark is also a good pick – but he can be boring and Jim Webb won’t be boring but might get himself and Obama in trouble. He has been pretty careful recently so he might be a good pick.

I don’t really know anything about Governor Sebelius but a governor is usually a good idea. Still Biden is the one I like.