Ann Veneman, Obama VP? Progressives Slam Idea

The Politico reports that Barack Obama's campaign is floating Republican Ann Veneman as a potential VP:

Barack Obama's vice presidential search team has floated the name of a member of President Bush's first-term Cabinet, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, as Obama's running mate.

The search committee, now led by Caroline Kennedy and Eric Holder, raised Veneman's name -- among others -- in discussions with members of Congress, said two Democrats familiar with the conversations.

The mention of Veneman's name surprised Democratic lawmakers. The low-profile Republican was close to food and agriculture industries but clashed with farm-state Democrats and environmentalists during her tenure, which lasted from 2001 to 2004.

The Nation is a little confused:

Veneman would be a uniquely awful choice.

All of her political roots are in California -- where her father was a prominent ally of Ronald Reagan -- a state Obama will win with or without her in November.

Veneman is not trusted by farm and rural folk, so it would be ridiculous to think that adding her to the ticket would help in Midwestern and Plains states that might be in play this fall. In fact, this uniquely un-charismatic bureaucrat who has never held elective office was booed on visits to farm country when she served as Bush's Secretary of Agriculture.

And Veneman, whose background was as a corporate lawyer specializing in trade issues, was known to organized labor as one the most militant advocates for free trade in a militantly pro-free trade Bush administration.

In sum, it is hard to imagine a worse Republican to put on a Democratic ticket.

Digby hopes the Obama team is just kidding.

Comments

[condew]

I posted a comment 12 hours ago, it still hasn't shown up.

[BassMent]

I'm sure there's a strategic reason for the Obama campaign to float the name of someone whose values have historically been antithetical to those of the Democratic platform. But for the life of me I can't imagine what it is.

[Zhonni]

"Progressives slam idea" is what I think the name elicits and the headline doesn't do anything but help.

[condew]

If she served in the Bush administration, she is not trustworthy. Remember AG Mulkasey?

[Researchguy66]

I really hope he picks Ann. She'll make a fabulous running mate!

[RoloTomassi]

And your comment tells me all I need to know about her; if a NeoCon like you supports her, then she would be an extremely poor choice.

[DrDemon]

lol

[DrDemon]

-- > DON'T

------ > BELIEVE

---------- > THE

-------------- > H Y P E !

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

In sum, it is hard to imagine a worse Republican to put on a Democratic ticket.

There's always Joe Lieberman!

[laurie91020]

NOT the change we can BELIEVE in!!!!

[cafemocha]

Smells fishy to me. An unknown repug - very bad choice, but same to be said about considering any republican for the ticket. Just a bit of show and press baiting going on. The benefit is in making republicans think he's thinking about them. But for the real choice I'd expect nothing less than a democrat and a known heavyweight. ...Plenty of time to toy with this selection. Whomever could server as POTUS while helping to burry McCain in November would be the criteria.

[NotMcCain]

He's telegraphing "Reed" with the trip, which would be fine.

But I'm still hoping it'll be Clark.

[iswideopen]

Calm down everyone; Obama just wants McBush to have a public "meltdown". He's almost there!! Temper, temper!

[ndnndpendent]

Please NO. This would be a strong justification to vote for McCain.

[BunnyColvin]

This would be an absolute outrage.

[CocteausTwin]

The p.o.l.i.t.i.c.o doesnt know_their_ass_from a hole in the ground. They have about as much access to the O campaign as several of the tr0))s here.

[Iam4thiscountry]

If anyone would take the time to read the rules of the DNC Obama cannot pick anyone but a Demorcate. She would have to change parties. Same thing goes for ther Republicans. McCane cannot pick a Democrate. If they could I wish Obama would pick Hagel. But he can't.