"Caroline: Pull a Cheney!" An Open Letter to Caroline Kennedy (Head of the Obama VP Search Team)

Dear Caroline,

We've never met, so I hope you don't find this letter too presumptuous or inappropriate. As its contents involve the public's business, I am sending this to you via the public on the Internet. I knew your brother John. He was a great guy, and I know he would've had a ball during this thrilling and historic election year. We all miss him dearly.

Barack Obama selected you to head up his search for a vice presidential candidate. It appears we may be just days (hours?) away from learning who that choice will be.

The media is reporting that Senator Obama has narrowed his alternatives to three men: Joe Biden, Evan Bayh and Tim Kaine. They're all decent fellows, but they are far from the core of what the Obama campaign has been about: Change. Real change. Out with the old. And don't invade countries that pose no threat to us.

Senators Biden and Bayh voted for that invasion and that war, the war Barack ran against, the war Barack reminded us was the big difference between him and Senator Clinton because she voted for the war and he spoke out against it while running for Senate (a brave and bold thing to do back in 2002).

For Obama to place either of these senators on the ticket would be a huge blow to the millions that chose him in the primaries over Hillary. He will undercut one of the strongest advantages he has over the Hundred-Year War senator, Mr. McCain. By anointing a VP who did what McCain did in throwing us into this war, Mr. Obama will lose the moral high ground in the debates.

As for Governor Kaine of Virginia, his big problem is, well, Obama's big problem -- who is he? The toughest thing Barack has had to overcome -- and it will continue to be his biggest obstacle -- is that too many of the voters simply don't know him well enough to vote for him. The fact that Obama is new to the scene is both one of his most attractive qualities AND his biggest drawback. Too many Americans, who on the surface seem to like Barack Obama, just don't feel comfortable voting for someone who hasn't been on the national scene very long. It's a comfort level thing, and it may be just what keeps Obama from winning in November ("I'd rather vote for the devil I know than the devil I don't know").

What Obama needs is a vice presidential candidate who is NOT a professional politician, but someone who is well-known and beloved by people across the political spectrum; someone who, like Obama, spoke out against the war; someone who has a good and generous heart, who will be cheered by the rest of the world; someone whom we've known and loved and admired all our lives and who has dedicated her life to public service and to the greater good for all.

That person, Caroline, is you.

I cannot think of a more winning ticket than one that reads: "OBAMA-KENNEDY."

Caroline, I know that nominating yourself is the furthest idea from your mind and not consistent with who you are, but there would be some poetic justice to such an action. Just think, eight years after the last head of a vice presidential search team looked far and wide for a VP -- and then picked himself (a move topped only by his hubris to then lead the country to near ruin while in office) -- along comes Caroline Kennedy to return the favor with far different results, a vice president who helps restore America to its goodness and greatness.

Caroline, you are one of the most beloved and respected women in this country, and you have been so admired throughout your life. You chose a life outside of politics, to work for charities and schools, to write and lecture, to raise a wonderful family. But you did not choose to lead a private life. You have traveled the world and met with its leaders, giving you much experience on the world stage, a stage you have been on since you were a little girl.

The nation has, remarkably (considering our fascination with celebrity), left you alone and let you live your life in peace. (It's like, long ago, we all collectively agreed that, with her father tragically gone, a man who died because he wanted to serve his country, we would look out for her, we would wish for her to be happy and well, and we would have her back. But we would let her be.)

Now, I am breaking this unwritten code and asking you to come forward and help us in our hour of need. So many families are hurting, losing their homes, going bankrupt with health care bills, seeing their public schools in shambles and living with this war without end. This is a historic year for women, from Hillary's candidacy to the numerous women running for the House and Senate. This is the year that a woman should be on the Democratic ticket. This is the year that both names on that ticket should be people OUTSIDE the party machine. This is the year millions of independents and, yes, millions of Republicans are looking for something new and fresh and bold (and you are the Kennedy Republicans would vote for!).

This is the moment, Caroline. Seize it! And Barack, if you're reading this, you probably know that she is far too humble and decent to nominate herself. So step up and surprise us again. Step up and be different than every politician we have witnessed in our lifetime. Keep the passion burning amongst the young people and others who have been energized by your unexpected, unpredicted, against-all-odds candidacy that has ignited and inspired a nation. Do it for all those reasons. Make Caroline Kennedy your VP. "Obama-Kennedy." Wow, does that sound so cool.

Caroline, thanks for letting me intrude on your life. How wonderful it will be to have a vice president who will respect the Constitution, who will support (instead of control) her president, who will never let her staff out a CIA agent, and who will never tell her country that she is "currently residing in an undisclosed location."

Say it one more time: "OBAMA-KENNEDY." A move like that might send a message to the country that the Democrats would actually like to win an election for once.

Yours,
Michael Moore
[e-mail]
MichaelMoore.com

[Get Michael Moore's brand new book, 'Mike's Election Guide.']

Comments

[jhw22]

I like this idea. In fact, I had wondered the same thing earlier in the week... so maybe it's a sign.

Jennifer

[NEANDERTHALL]

This would be @#%$&%# amazing!!!

[MattThorn]

I'm not sure the Republicans would "have a field day" with Caroline. Attacking the daughter of a beloved national icon would be tricky. I'm concerned about her qualifications, but as Bubba put it, "You could argue that no one is ever prepared for the job." It would certainly generate a lot of excitement. It's easy to imagine hordes of older women who don't even follow politics turning out to vote for Jack and Jackie's little girl. I'm surprised at the enthusiasm for Clark. Am I the only one who gets the impression that, nice as he is, he's not the brightest bulb in life's marquee? Biden, Bayh, and Kaine do zero for me. I really think Obama needs to pick a woman in order to mobilize the biggest single constituency in the country (which is, of course, women). I think Caroline is worth considering, but I'm also sure Obama has already made his decision and that all this debate and advocating and cajoling is for naught.

[filmophile75]

I agree that Caroline Kennedy would be a fabulous choice for Vice President, but it is simply not in the cards. Joe Biden is simply an awful prospect, the man is in love with the sound of his own at times inane voice, and caved in to vote for the war to boot. Kaine? who the hell has ever even heard of this guy? Wes Clark is obviously the dream veep candidate, and would be guaranteed to strike a deep primal fear in the Republican party. The fact that Clark has been virtually invisible for the past months, is an indication to me that our collective dream of this unbeatable ticket just may come to fruition!

[harriscrl3]

I like Caroline Kennedy but seriously she has like zero experience just because you have a well knownn name in politics doesnt mean you should just ride your name to the top. Before I go with her Id rather Hilary Clinton. I'd prefer he doesnt chose a woman but if he must then I would have say Hlary would be the best bet and this coming from someone who cant stand the Clinton and their me me drama Bill more than anyone else

Obama/Biden or Obama/Clark is fine with me although Clark is military and I'm not sure should be putting military leaders on display right now.

Carol

[All57States]

Makes sense. She is as qualified to be VP and potentially President as BHO is.

[Texas4Obama]

Obama/Sebelius '08

[musselmanm]

Al Gore as Vice President would be the finest health insurance Senator Obama could ever get. Don't get me wrong, I am an ardent Obama supporter and one of the progressives that are getting down about his rule about turning his cheek.
But even more than Hillary, Gore would send some shivers up the legs of many Republicans.

[PumaAnn]

Gore isn't interested.

[valhalladad]

Obama/Gore. Remember, you read it here first.

[functor]

hmm

[FeelinGroovy]

Gore doesn't want to be #2 again. He doesn't need it. He's doing just fine. He's doing the world more good now than he could as an elected official.

[neoprimordial]

It's a pleasant dream you have there, but Gore is, by choice, as done with running as Bill Clinton is by law.

[HC4BO]

New Pro-Obama book coming out soon ...

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[neoprimordial]

I love Caroline Kennedy. I absolutely love her, and in a previous post here I even introduced the idea that it would be nice if she were Obama's running mate instead of in charge of picking one. I realized immediately that that's just the love talking. The reality, as you well know, Mr. Moore, is that it's not something she's ever demonstrated any interest in, nor has she shown any particular aptitude for it. It's as if you were asking Tom Hanks to be veep. Love him to death, but a vice president he really isn't. Neither is Caroline, and the opposition would have a field day torturing her over it. Obama needs to pick a woman, in my opinion, but Caroline Kennedy, great as she is, isn't the one.

[AdobePhsyko]

Sorry Mike , I think this story would make a Great Movie but ,I don't see it happening in Reality.
Wesley Clark or Joe Biden works just fine for me.

[tomjones44]

Nice job Mr. Moore,

However, the VP is going to be ret. General Wesley Clark

[MinasTirith]

We can only hope it'll be Clark... but I fear that opportunity will slip us by and we'll end up with someone far less compelling.

While I admire Michael's suggestion, and do feel it would bring Obama back in line with HIS style, I'm afraid that the desire to 'win' will tie him to the Washington crowd of Biden or the inane choice of Bayh.

Clark would be the best choice I feel and have felt. But that's likely an indicator that it won't happen. ;-)

[schatsie]

I absolutely agree about Clark, he would make McCain look like a whiner and liar and an extension of Bush.

I cannot believe our October Surprise of the Georgia mess, Clark could clean their clocks on this

[hudsuckerproxy]

I've given up hope that it's going to be Clark, but I would love to be proven wrong.

[AbrahamSadegh]

Absolutely inspiring. And Michael is as usual right.

How could someone who supported this ungodly war be on the same ticket as Barack Obama?

Talking about, "Change." "Obama-Kennedy," sounds totally American and in line with going back to the path to which we belong – the path to not only material but more importantly spiritual greatness.

Regarding experience, it does not seem to have helped the nation in regard to our present V.P. Besides, how much experience did our first President and Vice-President we are so rightfully proud of have?

[athenasword]

It would be brilliant and visionary and risky. In line with the message of Change. But, could they defend this ticket against the of "lack of experience" ads?

[Mark99]

Seemed like a good idea at first, but perhaps not likely to be adopted at this late stage. Her main potential problem is that except for her family name, she has no visible profile to the voting public. Her directorships, etc., are admirable jobs but they're comparatively quiet ones. Granted, if there's an urgent need for a female on the ticket (and I'm not saying there is), Ms. Kennedy would be a much safer/smarter choice than Ms. Clinton, and it might actually calm some of the PUMA screamers.

Oh, who am I kidding. Nothing will calm the PUMAs.

Obama can pick anyone as VP. We delude ourselves if we think it'll mean much.

[condawg]

Well said!