"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
MMFlint@aol.com
MichaelMoore.com
[Get Michael Moore's brand new book, 'Mike's Election Guide.']
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Sorry Michale, I love ya but Tim Kaine is very popular especially in VA, obviously, and all you have to do is hear him speak once and you get it. The same thing that happened when I heard Senator Obama speak at the Dem convention. As soon as I heard that speech, I kept my eye on Barack. I think Kaine would be a great choice and we have time to get to know him. It will be good to hear him for the next few months.
But if it turns out to be someone else well I'm just full of you-know-what! Hahahaaha!!! You are the best Michael!!! Peace!
That would a be a great ticket! I can't wait to vote for Obama. But wouldn't it be great to vote for Obama-Kennedy? I say yes indeed.
She would definitely add some class to the ticket and some electricity to a fairly lackluster election year. Do it Obama and just dare the Swiftboaters to bring it on, they'd shoot their own bows off.
"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 ...is that too many of the voters simply don't know him well enough to vote for him."
Despite being an unknown senator from Illinois, Obama had won against the very well-known two Clintons, so I doubt that Obam can't win based on that. Also does anyone remember an unknown Bill Clinton from a very small state, Arkansas, winning the presidency in 1992?
he was hardly unknown, obama or clinton.
Obama/Kennedy is the perfect ticket for change and it substantiates the high road Obama has taken through this whole political process. Fresh faces and new ideas are just what America needs right now.
Obama/Kennedy '08
"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."
From your pen to Gods ear ... Caroline Kennedy for VP.
If Obama narrowed his VP choice to the Dem Senators who voted AGAINST the Iraq war who would he have to choose from? I think Dennis Kucinich is a Rep, not a Senator. Am I correct? I'm ready to be enlightened. And, surely Moore isn't serious about Caroline.
I guess experience means nothing to anyone here.
Not if it's someone you'd like to have a beer with.
Experience means nothing when its all bad ... in fact experience means less than nothing when its all bad.
experience has destroyed our economy and lead to a draft. yeah experience is just great but only if the judgement is there to go hand in hand. That said, Lady Ken nedy is not veep material.
What good is experience if it provides absolutely no good solutions to a problem ...
Dick Cheney had more governmental experience than any vice-president since Lyndon Johnson. Donald Rumsfeld probably had more governmental experience than any Secretary of Defense ever. Yet, how many people in American history have caused greater harm to the U. S., its reputation throughout the world, and the U. S. Constitution than these two malevolent dolts?
I would be more enthusiastic about having Caroline Kennedy as Vice President than anyone else whose name has been suggested.
Your point is bulletproof relative to Dick and Rummy, but it doesn't support choosing someone who, though well-loved, has never shown any interest in politics (unlike several of her family members), and who has *zero* experience and whose aptitude for the position is unknown. Your argument actually supports a President Obama, but it doesn't really support a Vice President Caroline Kennedy.
Emotion is a powerful factor at the polls.
This combo pushes all the right buttons.
Agree; elections are all about emotion in this country; and almost all of the time it's produced bad results: consider the PUMAs. If voters were rational, we'd have had a much better country.
Very interesting perspective Michael, I really never considered to possibility!
PS---I can't wait to see you Friday on Meet The Bloggers! I already sent a question for you (hopefully it's asked on the air).
http://meetthebloggers.org/
Sounds decent but would probably prove to be a disaster running against the soulless bloodsuckers also known as the GOP.
If JFK Jr. were still alive, he and Obama would be one helluva ticket, that's for sure.
JFK Jr. would certainly have made more sense than Caroline. Shortly before his death, he reportedly was contemplating a political career. The same cannot be said of his publicity-shy sister.
If JFK Jr. were still alive, he probably would have been the junior senator from New York, not Hillary Clinton.
If JFK were alive today, he's tell her not to do it!!!
I agree Obama would be wise to choose someone who would ignite the imagination of what is possible for America. Caroline seems way too private, but she would surely start a fire and make many still sulking in their Hillary closet come out happy. I cannot think of another woman who would have that effect.
Are you able to think of other V.P. candidates perhaps also from out of left field, but who would stir the American imagination? There's nothing in the Constitution that says a Presidental or V.P. candidate need be either a lawyer or a politician.
I propose Madline Albright.
She would not have that effect on Hillary supporters. We wanted Hillary because of experience. She is totally inexperienced.
Oh, my dear! What experience did Hillary have?! About the same years in the Senate as Obama. She did sleep with Bill. Does that count for so much with you old girls? Really? She still didn't know what was up under her nose whether those actions were in the Oval office kitchen (out of sight of the video) or later, in Iraq. What experience can you all be constantly refering to. You baffle me.
Madeleine Albright is ineligible having been born in a foreign country, Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic.
I knew that. Thanks for reminding me. It would have been so great though, if McCain throws Lieberman at us. Albright is Catholic AND Jewish.... Clinton supporter AND a smart, experience old white lady. Perfect foil to Leiberman's one trick pony show. LOL
OBAMA-KENNEDY IS THE OK TEAM!
lol wishful thinking mikey
but fun and a pleasant change from the negative :)
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