A V.P. Hint? VP's Convention Day Is Veteran Themed

Does the schedule for August's Democratic convention provide any clues to whom Barack Obama will pick as his vice president?

On a conference call on Monday morning, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and top ranking aide Anita Dunn announced that the theme for Wednesday -- the night on which the vice presidential candidate is scheduled to speak -- will be national security and honoring veterans. The choice, a reporter noted, lent itself to the interpretation that Obama would choose a running mate with background in military affairs -- like, say, Sen. Chuck Hagel or John Kerry.

Sebelius tried to nip the speculation in the bud.

"I think it is clear that Sen. Obama will announce his vice presidential choice when he is fully prepared to do that," she said. "It is my understanding that every potential vice presidential choice also has a speaking slot, so nothing should be read into themes, issues and ideas. There is an array of talent out there and when the senator makes that announcement you will be prepared to know."

But her answer fell somewhat short, leading Dunn to interject before the next question could be asked. "Wednesday night is thematically about securing America's future, it is about honoring our veterans and the families of our veterans... and how to make us safer and move past the divisiveness and into the future. I think anyone Sen. Obama picks as Vice President will be more than prepared to address those issues."

As for Sebelius, she was asked to divulge whether she, currently, was being vetted for the running mate spot.

"I have made it clear since I enthusiastically endorsed Sen Obama that I would be enthusiastic to do anything I can to help elect him president of the United States," she said. "Because I believe we need a leader just like him to take over the helm of this country and have the kind of change desperately needed. All of the information about the vice presidential selection process is being answered by the campaign. All the surrogates have been ask to defer requests for information to the campaign. And I will continue to do that."

Comments

[FJames]

Wm Jefferson on the short list. Plenty of COLD hard cash for the campaign.

[rriddoch]

or OMG TED STEVENS!

[BobJacobson]

Onward the military-industrial society. It will not relinquish control. '

If O goes this route, there will be no hope for American and "change" will mean nothing.

The Convention tells the tale.

[Trinidad707]

If Obama picks Hagel lets remember he still thru the McCarthy Group owns the largest voting machine company used in the US...ES&S.­......wow another rigged election, because there is no way Obama could beat McCain without it being rigged....­..Hillary could have beat both of them

[tds1273]

Then why didn't she?

[bish66]

Because the DNC decided to open up to new blocks of voters and selected Obama, because he is more hip.

[sharonh]

Political manipulation.

[tds1273]

http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/story/745981.html

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will speak, however she is not yet officially scheduled.­...

Things that make you go hmm...

...and hope!

[ilovemydoggy]

Obama gives me hope. I think he has a new Vision for the future. Especially in terms of ecology and the environment. There are new ideas bursting forth. A new alternative to heating oil is "Biochar".

Read more:
http://www.Vaboomer.com

[iggy06]

I hope you all know that Brezenski is behind Obama. Both candidates are terrible. Vote for Cynthia McKinney in the Green Party. She is the only honest person besides Ron Paul and Kucinich.

[Wood]

You are clearly bored...

[tds1273]

While I'll likely still be voting for Obama, I do really like McKinney.

I watched the Green Party's Convention on C-Span; in addition to McKinney, I also saw VP-nominee Rosa Clemente's speech-- any Presidential/VP candidate that can name drop Immortal Technique and quote the Flobots at their convention speech is more than okay in my book.

[Dramaticlookcat]

Obama has such a talented staff. Anita Dunn is one of them.

[sf94127]

Who cares who he picks. We have the worst pair of presidential candidates I have seen in 30 years.

[wdw101]

on this i agree with you

[Marlyn]

Really? Worse than George W. Bush? Surely you jest.

[engineer68]

Well a little better than Bush.

[HoldenLitgo]

Surely you jest. Or you forget '88 when Poppy (I Wasn't in the Loop) Bush - and boy wonder Danny Quayle - went head to head with Dukakis/Bentsen - the only men on earth more boring than McCain (by a hair). Yikes. (RIP Senator Bentsen)

[Wood]

I suppose we should dig out Hill and have her and her supporter have at a "catharsis­." ;)

[RRK70]

LOL. That's funny, and not very accurate, considering whose run in the past 30 years.

[Dottie654]

I have a great deal of respect for John Kerry and the contributions he has made in the US Senate. However, if there is any truth to the intimation in the above article, I think it would be the kiss of death for Barack to choose him as his vp. I support Hagel or Biden for their background and experience. I might even be able to support Wes Clark, altho I am surprised at how many people don't like him. But not John Kerry. Obama will never shake the elitist tag if he makes that choice. I think Hagel would be the best choice.

[Marlyn]

"I am surprised at how many people don't like him."

Wes Clark is my favorite for VP. I too can't figure why some people say they don't like him. Perhaps it is because he supported Hillary in the beginning? The other thing I noticed is that the Republicans really hate Wes Clark because he served under Bill Clinton.

[lefty74]

I am also surprised that many people don't like him. Wes Clark on the ticket would blow away some of McCain's dominance in the military arena. For heaven's sake, he was a POW, not even a commander or general. What makes ANYONE think that it qualifies him any more than Obama to be CIC? The fact is, the Republicans think they own the whole military experience. But, that never translated to be a plus for Kerry as far as the pubs were concerned. He took his boat back to rescue a fellow soldier and he was 'unpatriotic'. It's time we called the Republicans on this. Republican + Military Experience = qualified, Democrat + Military Experience = insignificant? It's total BS!

[fnygy]

Chuck Hagel is a Republican and, therefore, not a good choice to be a heartbeat away from being the head of the Democratic Party. Secretary of Defense? Fine. Vice President? No way.

[strawberryjulius]

Chuck Hagel is pro-life. Therefore he is one of the worst choices. God forbid something happens to Obama and Hagel were to become president. I wouldn't want him appointing pro-life conservative judges.

[lefty74]

I think Hagel has MUCH bigger fish to fry than appointing conservative judges. The next US President (and should it be Chuck Hagel in the event of an untimely death of the President) will be dealing with a very hostile global environment. If the situation in Russia-Georgia is any indication, this would be a full time focus/effort for the POTUS. Though it makes me uneasy that Hagel is pro-life, I want to WIN this election, and I think a bipartisan ticket would result in a near landslide victory for Obama.

[genseric13]

veteran themed. this from a guy who refused to register for the draft.

[MargaretO]

The draft was abolished in '73. Barack was only 14 years old at that time. Besides, you don't volunteer for a draft, ding dong - that's the idea of having a draft.

[wdw101]

even today every 18 year old male has to register for the draft.....­.....it the law.......­.If BO did not register, he broke the law

[RobChattaTN]

and the lies keep on comin'!!!

[as if]

yes, favorite tactic of republicans, who apparently assume that the rest of us are idiots

[riverhouse]

He registered for the draft at a post office in Hawaii. You can look it up.

[RRK70]

Sorry, I think you confused this with the Republican Convention, that's where Cheney and Rove will be.
Could you remind me, how many deferments did those 2 get?

[HarryTheHat]

Sure genseric13, I see your point. The only way you can serve your country honorably is by shooting people and getting shot at. Damn chickenshit doctors and nurses!

Remind me again. How much time did Dubya and Cheney spend in Vietnam?

[deminmo]

My two predictions are Wes Clark or Colin Powell.
Both would be strong VP's and provide help with
defense issues. And since Powell was a co-author
of a policy that makes going to war a last resort, he
might be the better choice.

[Dottie654]

Powell would not accept. I think his treatment in the Bush outhouse..­.er, I mean White House, would have killed any interest he might have had. Plus, I don't think it would be wise to have 2 frican Americans on the ballot given the amount of negativity and racism Barack has garnered.

[americanwomaninpa]

Did you know that Powell will probably endorse Obama at the convention, if not before? Of course lots of people will assume it to be about race. I guess it will take something away from the endorsement.

[riverhouse]

Powell is totally unacceptable. He supported the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Remember his big lies at the UN? That ridiculous speech sunk his political ship.

[donnybrkgr]

Powell's son was sworn in as head of the FCC on Bush's inaugauration day. That always smelled bad to me. I guess if Obama bribed Powell in a similar way-Powell would accept.

[lefty74]

2 black men? Heck no... our young and still very racist country could never handle that.

[RRK70]

Powell is a nightmare, let him fade away gracefully please.

[saltysea]

Clark, i hope. i could also handle Hagel surprisingly well. Biden, maybe. i guess Webb & Reed are needed in their elected positions.

[kellygrrrl]

I think Biden's "sense of humor" would not be appreciated by a great many of the lo-info crowd

I hope Clark!

[MargaretO]

I seriously doubt it would ever be Hagel. Hagel only agrees with Barack on the war. Other than that he's Republican, all the way. Seems like a decent sort, though.

[ebonyjsg]

I hope it Biden or Clark! Whoever he picks I know it will be a good choice! I know many would love Hilary but she would not be good as a number 2! I do believe Obama will use her in his cabinet but definitely not as VP!

[bagelmaven]

I have loved Joe Biden from the start. I have a problem with Hagel's otherwise social conservative opinions. I want a Democrat to win. I do not care how. By any means necessary is my motto. Clarke made that gaff about McCain's service. The media will play that 24/7. Still Clarke has military experience for sure but Biden is my choice. What an excellent intellect that man has. He can actually utter a sentence without a teleprompter. Fabulous personality. He's just great.

[RRK70]

Biden is too much of a Washington insider to support the notion of a "change" ticket.

[DevilAdvocate]

It's biden I know it is, and he's exactly what Obama needs, a leader of global issues...a­nd just a nice, real guy... everyone has issues, but we need a balance with the new and the old, Obama/Biden 08 folks!

[Heavenhelpusall]

Hagel, Clark, Biden are tops on my list. However, neither seem suited for a run in the future ala Cheney.

[luvobama]

Please say it's Biden or W. Clark. Please please please!!!

[broncofan]

AGREED