"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

[SwingVoter]

Dick Cheney was responsible for find Bush a V.P.

Are we suggesting Kennedy follow in the steps of Dick?

[luvangelHussein330]

That wouild be awesome! The Hill-Billy shills would get thier panties all in a bunch but who cares about those three load mouths...'ish even HRC herself couldn't hate on that move

[Vantunow]

Bayh could bring Indiana.

Zogby has Mc up +5, outside the range of error.

Lets hope Convention can straighten things out, because right now we seem to be circling the drain.

[grumpygranny66]

Senator Obama:

It's never too late to change your mind. PLEASE !! give it a shot and ask Ms. Kennedy to be your VP.

What have you got to lose. Great!!! idea Michael Moore

What a ticket that would be. The Rethuglicans would never be able to challenge your decision.

Why didn't anyone think of this before?????

OBAMA/KENNEDY 2008/2012

[JimInOakland]

OBAMA / KENNEDY / 2008 !
That would be absolutely unbeatable! I remember in great detail the location and what I felt when JFK was assassinated; I was offering voluntary service overseas. Though I must say I am hesitant to ask her to give up so much of herself, I do want to write in support of her candidacy, nevertheless.
OBAMA / KENNEDY / 2008 !

[Totto]

Brilliant, but would she accept? Repugs would attack her lack of "experience" and "eliteness", and she'd have to be effective in the Senate as well as the campaign.

[LORISNJ]

From TV Nation - Bowling for Colombine- Farenheit 911 - and Sicko - you made me cry and laugh and pause to ponder but your letter to Caroline was your most brilliant idea yet.

I didn't give OB a second look thinking he was too young and inexperienced to be a viable candidate but when Caroline (our Caroline) came out publicly for OB, I looked at this skinny guy again and found a real person who is more than worthy to be our Commander-in-Chief.

MM - i HOPE YOUR REQUEST DID NOT COME TOO LATE. THE BEST TICKET EVER!

[Phoebe917]

It was indeed a beautiful letter. actually brought a tear to my eye. she has always been a class act as was her mother.

[BVanderet]

I love Caroline Kennedy to death, but ... living in the White House as a child is not adeauate qualification for the presidency. This would not help Obama's electoral chances, only reinspire the already very committed.

[hudsuckerproxy]

Lack of qualifications aside, Caroline Kennedy has always zealously guarded her private life. Over the years, she has shown zero interest in subjecting herself to the scrutiny of public office.

[Cakey4814]

Big fan of Michael Moore but this is crazy. If you really wanted Mrs. Kennedy to be his choice this should have been a private convo between you and Obama and Mrs. Kennedy. Bullying by HIllary supporters have made it impossible for him to even consider Hillary; your open letter will do the same. Please give Obama the respect he deserves and let him pick his VP!!

[rwe]

Will Never happen as JFKs words in 1960 supports McCain... He said "rhoetoric does not qualify one to be President" and he told Russia and the communists he would use military force... Barack would be even more behind McCAin than he is now

[biglover]

So silly to even suggest this.

[marymansour]

duh! Meaning what? I voted for JFK and he was strong on rhetoric. Kennedy was a war hero but never used it to gain the presidency. Like Obama, JFK was a senator.

[PATina]

I like this idea... but the Dems would find a way to mess it all up (i.e. get mad cause she's not Hillary, whine because she's "too progressive", etc.). But I don't see Sen. O going along w/ it either (unless he thought of it himself). Also... the Repubs would have a field day over this just because it was suggested by their arch-nemesis... MIke Moore. Naw... better play it safe and pick Bayh. He's more of the same... the same we can believe in.

[helen]

A Kennedy would be a great choice.

[dayala]

the Republican Smear Machine WOULDN"T DARE try to smear Caroline Kennedy, the wrath and backlash that would insue would implode their campaign.

OBAMA BE BOLD, BE DARING...you have everything to gain and an entire country that would stampede
to support your candidacy.

if you choose Bayh might as well throw in the towel now.

[TreetopFlyer]

A lovely pipe dream. "What a beautiful world this will be" - I.G.Y (Steely Dan)

Unfortunately, we live in a world far, far away from Camelot. What lies ahead will be anything but soft and nice. It will be hard and rough. This is the nature of the universe and it is the nature of our world.

R. Buckminster Fuller: "Whether it is to be Utopia or Oblivion will be a touch and go relay race right up to the final moment."

Call me Trimtab.