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

[marijam]

This pick will give the conservatives a reason to come out and vote for McCain. I can see the GOP ads now about Tiller's clinic in Wichita.

[JackWOrf]

Wow. My last comment got disintegrated by the 'bad words filter', and I didn't even use any "bad words". Are "bad words" sylistic, or something? Did I make some grammatical errors? I didn't use any 4 letter words. I guess we now must pander to cybernetic censors. Gee, I hope "pander" isn't a "bad word".

That nasty "bad word filter" totally obliterated my brilliant comment. If this keeps up, I'm going to post elsewhere. Far be it from me to use "bad words'. Tsk, tsk. Perish the thought. Heaven forfend. "Bad words" issuing from this paragon of sweetness, harmony and light? Perish the thought.

Let's see if it clobbers me again. This time I'm saving the comment FIRST! HA! Fooled ya, mean Mr. Bad Words Filter. You can't get me again.

[Dave01]

ROFL! I hear ya though. It doesn't even let you put in the word D ouchebag without killing the entire post.

Unfortunately the McCain campaign a few weeks ago used crap against liberal because someone called him a "bad" 4 letter word. Like there aren't any non-four letter words that can be used like D ouchebag, scum of the earth, bottom feeder, the list goes on.

[Marlyn]

Kathleen Sebelius has a droopy sad face, and Hillary would be furious.

[izofmagritte]

HIllary lost. This is no longer about Hillary.

[CTtransplant]

Sebelius would be a wonderful choice - intelligent, with integrity.­..and doesn't matter if Hill ary is furious...­when she's the nominee, she can make her own choice. This VP choice belongs to Obama...an­d ONLY Obama.

[faithfully]

This is not high school and we're not talking about the prom-we're talking about who would add to the ticket, who has been vetted, and who is competent to be president if necessary.

[bluebirder]

Its hard for me to imagine that anyone can't see how sadly much presidential elections are similar to high school and prom. Talk about issues and fight on blogs as if it has a great deal of meaning. But in the end, and despite all the analysis the media machine might give it - there are two choices who are vastly, vastly more similar than different. "new coke machine" vs. "better lunches." As ecological crises multiply and the scope of change we need to do anything about it grows, presidential politics become increasingly meaningless. Look where we're at now. Scarcely a month ago two sides were busy throwing everything they had into Obama vs. Clinton. Now we've got "oh, Obama suckered us" vs. "no it's strategic" Who cares, really? We need an immediate, comprehensive set of drastic reforms in pollution, alternative energy, consumption, transportation, etc. And we are never going to get it. That's no longer a marginal gloom and doom thing - it's a fact and we need to start saying it clearly and often.

[nogimmicks]

Hillary or Chuck Hagel would be great VPs. However the argument that women that voted for Hillary will vote for Obama/Hillary is not true. Those who voted for Hillary wanted the Republican side of Hillary that will be diminished in her VP role. Those voters will vote for McCain no matter what. The plan was to have a Republican (DINO) against Republican (proper) election.

I think Obama must be inclusive and embrace as many decent people (including 'former' Republicans) as possible (Webb, Hagel, Hillary, Colin Powell). The advantage of Hillary is that she knows first hand about what she always called the "right-wing conspiracy" and she knows their methods. That is also her disadvantage since she is, rightly, scared of what they can do and frequently choses to do what they want.

[LittleMarymoonshine]

"Those who voted for Hillary wanted the Republican side of Hillary . . ."

It is past time for a woman president. All of the women in my family wanted Hillary, but would not vote for a Republican. It was the same at every rally I attended. Don't be clueless.

[Marlyn]

"the right-wing conspiracy, she knows their methods."

and that is what is wrong with Hillary, she has become just like them. Perhaps she always was?

[presto]

Most Hillary backers were Democrats. And most will vote for Obama if she is on the ticket. Those who are still anti-Obama are split about whether to go with McCain or not vote.

[riverhouse]

No Democratic woman could possibly vote for McCain. Half the women who voted for Hillary were gopers. More than half of the other half have moved to Obama. The scant few nutters will probably stay home so they can deny they placed a vote that worked to overturn Roe v Wade.

[soundfury]

Yikes. You must be kidding. He would completely alienate half his base.

[closetodemfection]

As if O's progressive base has anywhere to go. Who are they going to vote for, Nader?

HRC's, moderate base, on the other hand, does. Many are swing dems in the first place, comfortable voting for repubs.

A joint ticket makes the most sense.

[Jason357]

You mean the other half, don't you??

[marijam]

Not so.

[MikeDu]

This is what the feminist legacy is SUPPOSED to be about. Looking at a possible VP who appears competent and charismati­c... and just happens to be a woman. 8 of the 10 best manager i know at my job just happen to be women. Women are competent people, with the possible exception of Condoleeza, or however that name is spelled.

[mcole]

i think you got the name right.

[JackND]

I think there are two "Z"s...may­be even 3 or 4.

[tmckly]

Please Obama take her, and free my state of Kansas of the political correct nonsenses this women spouts.

[LWkcma]

I like Sebelius, she is a breath of fresh air from a populace that has school boards promoting intelligent design. I'm surprised there were enough intelligent people there to elect this woman.

[Marlyn]

Fine. Keep her in Kansas.

[GeoLee]

I hope you will read my log and note we are not all that dumb out here. The only way some of those jokers got on the school board is the gerrymandering that was done by the state legislature and every other election we vote out the creationis­ts...voter apathy has done for their election in off years than intelligence. Our state is in the upper fourth in HS grads and KU is rated in the top 20 public colleges and K-State has had a phenomenol record of Rhodes, Truman and other scholars. Both schools have good sports teams so you don't hear about KU taking the national Debate contest or a lot more of their academic accolades. Our state has a higher number of masters level public school teachers than almost any state in the country. ...and 20 our of the last 50 years have had democratic governors.­..Sebelius is not the first...Jo­an Finley was. Kansas was one of the first states in the union to let women hold public office and many of eht suffragettes came from here. perhaps a Kansas hisotry course might be nice for you to read...or NYT best seller Pioneer women, by Joanna Stratton might enlighten you. We were intelligent enough in the 1850's to fight to make sure our state was not a slave state.

[naschkatze]

Have you ever read "What's the Matter with Kansas"? The fact that Sebelius could win the governorship of Kansas is a sign that Kansas is waking from its long slumber.

[GeoLee]

Apparently you know NOTHING about Kansas. 29 our of the past 50 years have had democratic governors including one other two term women named Governor Finley, two term George Docking, 4 term Robert Docking and 2 term John Carlin. I was too young to vote for Geroge Docking, but voted for all the rest of the democratic winners. We tend to vote either very liberal republicans or dmocrats for governor because the legislature is darn right wing. We want the veto power to stop our few billionaires in the state to own every issue as they tend to be very libertarian and would undo social servicwes, public a schools, and every other government oriented program they could if we did not consciously keep a cool headed governor who uses a judicious veto. Sebelius is certainly not overly liberal and has benefited by having her husbands last name which has helped her enormously­...her father in law was a beloved republican US rep and state party big shot. She would not have won her seat if she had gone by her maiden name any more than Nancy Landon Kassebaum now Baker would have been elected senator without using her maiden name (Daughter of Alf Landon who ran against FDR.)

[BabsfromKS]

Hey Toto, you're one of the reasons I'm glad I'm "not in Kansas anymore."

[in10se]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/a.org/wiki/List_of_Bilderberg_attendees

[jsarets]

Whatever..­. We're going to have one world government whether we like it or not. In fact, we'll demand it.

[KarateKid]

It is a long summer until the conventions take place. Huff Post is like any other news site, they have to fill space. So, they wriite stuff to elicit responses to kill the time. You can't have dramatic headlines every day, after all. So........­..take it with a grain of salt.

I do think she is a top contender, however. The two have good chemistry.

[exmun]

I like Sebelius and thing that she would be a good choice. I don't believe that she would turn off HRC voters. The bulk of HRC voters have already come over to Obama. There are quite a few folks who believe that America is ready for a woman VP and see more positives for Sebelius than negatives.

[frustratedinohio]

If he chooses a woman for VP, I promise he will lose the vote of every woman who voted for Hillary. It will start with the hard-core Hillary voters, but then the others will have sympathy for them. It will spread like wildfire, overnight, without anyone speaking a word. The female neural network will pick it up. "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

[Thron]

Because Hillary is the only known capable woman frustrated?

[RedDogBear]

I don't understand this at all. Senator Clinton's run was supposed to be a big step forward for women and feminism wasn't it? So does that now mean that she is the ONLY woman who is qualified to be president or VP? What kind of sense does that make? If you are a feminist you should be for a woman in that role, not necessarily just Clinton. To me this is one of the clearest indications of how the Clinton camp are abusing feminism and manipulating American women.

[closetodemfection]

Yes, there are logical arguments that an woman should be able to replace HRC on the ticket, but the facts are it will backfire massively.

People put their time, passion, money into HRC who lost the nomination by Supers. Everyone who worked for her and voted for her broke the barrier together. To have another woman step in and reap the rewards of all that hard work would be maddening.

Imagine if HRC was the nominee and O was the one the Supers rejected. HRC drags out the VP for weeks, the pundit say she'll never pick O because of the primary and then she selects another AA man with half the qualifications of O just to patronize his base. It wouldn't fly and neither would this.

Call it emotional rather than logical, but elections are emotional. O proves that, it was the passion of his supporters for HIM and nobody else that put him over the top.

[JackND]

""I don't understand this at all.""

Why should you?...it isn't remotely true.

The Clinton holders-on (PUMA, etc.) are doing their best to destroy the legacy of early feminism just as sure as Bill Clinton did his best to destroy his own legacy.

[GeoLee]

Just as many men want a particular man they see as best for VP some women want a particular woman they see as the best candidate for VP (Hillary) and don't want just another person of the same gender. It would be like saying. "Well, we are sure Obama is the best black we are getting worried aobut his recent flip flops, so let's pug Colin Powell for President instead because he also had pretty good background for President. There is not an Obama fan who would be one bit happy to see just another black man that was not their choice placed as president because 18 million people voted for a black candidate this primary.

Women who supported Clinton would see him choosing Kathleen instead of the woman who did win 18 million votes and IS STILL AVAILABLE as understandibly offensive. It is kind of like having somoene date you and upon meeting your sister asks her out instead the next time. Not a good move among women.

[GeoLee]

Kathleen is not the best alternative to Clinton. She has virtually no national, military or international experience, all of which Obama desparately needs. Some of us see his willingness to put her in as more reflective that a strong man with lots of useful experience might be threatening for him. She is a good governor who I have twice voter for as governor and other times for other state offices, but would be a lot better served if she next ran for Senator and took out Brownback in 2010. She cannot bring Kansas into the mix electorally and I predict will cause the loss of more of the 18 million than she will add in women and she really is not a particularly dynamic campaigner.

[GuyFawkes]

Exactly. The Harriet Christians' of the world don't care about feminism. They've been bought and brain washed by the GOP. Even though Hillary full throatedly supports Obama, they're going to do everything they can to torch him, and embarrass her.

[CountryBeforeParty]

If that happens it only proves that they're not interested in seeing a woman advance. They only wanted Hillary.

If Obama continues to stumble maybe Hillary can still be the nominee. But until then, get over yourselves all ready

[Eoin45]

The implication of your post is that women vote in herds without thought. How wrong headed and deeply insulting. How would you respond if I wrote this? "If he chooses a man for VP, I promise he will lose the vote of every man who voted for Hillary. It will start with the hard-core Hillary voters, but then the others will have sympathy for them. It will spread like wildfire, overnight, without anyone speaking a word. The male neural network will pick it up. "Hell hath no fury like a man scorned."

[VillageGreen]

Don't be silly. This HIllary voter would be very pleased to vote for Sebelius. Your "female neural network" sounds like something out of your tortured imagination.

[WRPrintz]

She would be an awesome choice, though my first choice would be Clark...

[djohn78]

HILLARY FOR VP!!!!!!!!!!!!

[closetodemfection]

THANK YOU!

[soundfury]

No thanks to both of you.

[leftoflennon]

Dont hold ya breath

[kenbomc]

I think Hillary would be good as the secretary of state.

[presto]

Yet again...a quote taken completely out of context. He was asked a question about her by a reporter. He answered politely and with no indication at all that she would be his choice. Listen to it...it was completely meaningless. Huffpo needs to reign this stuff in to stay credible.

[CurrerBell]

I don't think I've ever seen a story on this site where the words attributed to someone in the headline are the words that were actually spoken. It's weird. I love Huffinton Post, but you have to take the headline with a grain of salt!

[GwenElle]

Agreed. The credibility gap between the headlines and the content of the stories on this site is more times than not wider than the Gulf of New Mexico. I say HuffPost is in serious need of some re-tooling, beginning perhaps with new editors and headline writers.

I have gotten to the point where the bigger and the more sensational the headline the more reluctant I am to read the related story. Since there seems to be a direct correspondence between the page-hoggi­ng-attenti­on-grabbin­g exaggerations of the headline to the level of frustration I am likely to experience after reading the story, I am training myself to not even bother to look at the headlines. Finding that trick not always successful, I am also training myself to not even bother to read the stories.

Can't trust the headlines or find much worthwhile in the articles. . . so what's left? Well there's always logging on just to look at the pictures. But then what's the point in that? Oh, the comments. Reading the comments is becoming the best thing about this site. And I would have to say, that is a problem . . .

[Jason357]

It's all about clicks and advertising $$$. The more outrageous the headline(which increases the chance of clicking on it), or the more times they can put the same story under a different headline..­.advertisi­ng $$$. I think that's what's going on.

[snarkopolitan]

This is actually NOT a story. The first glance makes it seem as if he's all but ready to announce her, but context as usual is everything, and if this is just part of a discussion of who he'd pick, then the words "but I promised not to say anything about my vice-president until I introduce my vice-president" apply to all the possible Veeps.

Anybody who ever watched "Project Runway" can recognize this sort of deceitful editing. It generated a "made you look" moment, that's all.

[snarkopolitan]

Can you see the button? OBAMA/SEBELIUS won't even fit! Can't chant it in unison, no good rhymes---O­bama/Sebel­ius, they'll never failius?----just no good.

Obama/Webb. Obama/Clark. We must achieve syllabic parity. It's just that stupid. Actually, it may really be just that stupid.

[Moka11]

Like others who commented here....wa­tch the clip and Obama does not "hint" at anything. What a bogus headline and manufactured story this is.