A VP Pick We Can All Believe In

In the midst of rumors about the unacceptable (Nunn), the uninterested (Gore), and the uninspiring-to-some (Edwards) has emerged a quiet speculation about a truly exceptional possibility for Barack Obama's vice presidential pick.

Unlike former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn, who invented and long-propped up the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law, it is a name that should be more than welcome in the LGBT community. And unlike former North Carolina Senator John Edwards, it is a name that would have little problem bringing along Hillary's core group of supporters -- especially white women -- to the Obama campaign.

Retired Army General Claudia Kennedy, who has now been mentioned several times as a possibility for Senator Obama's short list, would also bring enormous military and national security credibility to the ticket ... along with those working class, female and southern voters who strongly supported Clinton's White House bid but have been lukewarm, at best, to the Obama quest for the Oval Office.

Kennedy, who was the first woman in Army history to achieve the rank of Lieutenant General, has long been deemed "poised for greatness" in the Democratic Party. In 2002, she was recruited (but declined) to run for Virginia Senator John Warner's seat, and in 2004, she was widely considered a top choice for Secretary of Defense in a possible Kerry administration. She has served as Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, and has spent most of her military career in the fields of intelligence and cryptology ... two areas where the current foreign policy climate demands expertise.

Kennedy also comes to the field of VP possibilities with far less baggage than many of the other rumored contenders. Unlike Nunn, who would be strongly opposed by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, General Kennedy has strongly denounced "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," on several occasions, and remains one of the highest-ranking military veterans to call for its end. And unlike Edwards, who would find it challenging to rally the enthusiasm of Clinton's converts, Kennedy has close ties to the Clintons - so much so that, when she endorsed Hillary's White House run, it warranted a stand-alone press statement from the New York Senator. She's also far more skilled in foreign policy than Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, and would prevent the "One Term Times Two" label that an Obama-Webb ticket would elicit from the GOP.

General Kennedy's strongest appeal, however, has to be her ability to convince many of Clinton's white, female, working class supporters to punch their ballots for Obama in November. Kennedy made a splash, and became a heroine to countless American women of Clinton's generation, when, in 1999, she accused General Larry Smith of sexually harassing her three years earlier, when she was a Major General and he a Brigadier General in the Army. Kennedy spoke out about the harassment after Smith, a la Clarence Thomas, was nominated for a prestigious promotion. She successfully derailed his career, and Smith's appointment was withdrawn. Following the eruption of anger among many women over the treatment of Anita Hill during the Thomas hearings, Kennedy's success in stopping another promotion for a man accused of harassment made her an overnight cause célèbre in the feminist community.

There's little doubt, in fact, that Kennedy would be among those most able to carry Clinton's mantle in the general election. And, she wouldn't be anyone's "symbolic" or "token" choice for number two ... she has the credibility and credentials to be a truly deserving Obama VP pick. (And, like any good American who wants to make a run for high office, Kennedy has even penned an autobiography, Generally Speaking, about her history-making time in the Army.)

"Army values are taught to soldiers from their earliest days in the Army," Kennedy said at a 2006 event in Washington. "Those values are loyalty, duty, mutual respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage." And those same values would be invaluable to Obama's campaign between now and November ... and for the next four or eight years.

Lieutenant General Kennedy would be a VP -- and an historic change -- we could all believe in.

Comments

[Alfannell]

Wow what a pick if that happens!

[Johnnn]

So I checked out Claudia Kennedy. Couple of problems.
She balked at running for office. She is apparently not driven by anything, not ambitious, which might be perfect for VP, but I'd hate to see her have to be President. Kind of light on moxie. She's a general but not a fighter, except she complained about sexual harassment when the accused was poised for a big promotion.
Let me put it this way. She is no Hillary Clinton. I would have liked if she were tested. If she ran for office. Wesley Clark has, even if he hasn't been elected. What kind of a campaigner would C, Kennedy be? What would the Republicans do to her?
You know what? This could have been perfect for 2012. Claudia Kennedy runs for Governor in 2008, for some executive and campaign experience, while Barack Obama decided to skip running for president in 2008. Hillary loses to McCain, so the Democrats field Obama/Kennedy in 2012. Obama would be 50, she would be 64. But I dream on.

[Doofus]

What? WHAT? A female Army general, with no combat
experience (obviously, not that there's anything wrong
with that), with NO political experience whatsoever, and
an 'intellige­nce/crypto­' specialist to boot. Better find out
where she stands on 'Telecom Immunity' before you go
any further. Better yet, get her elected to SOMETHING
first.

(Hint: the intelligence/crypto community lovesTelecom Immunity,)

[theone718]

She sounds like a mighty fine candidate indeed. I will have to do more reading on her to get some more info but she sounds like a damn good candidate who should be considered. That being said my Top Pick is Wesley Clark. Can't get much better than winning a war with no American casualties.

[abby4ever]

Yes, but there are some Hillary supporters who have said that for Obama to pick a female but not the female Hillary, would be a very big slight. Of course, there are some people you can't please no matter what.

[tyrdofwaitin]

Hmmmmm? The 'Kennedy 'name won't hurt either. Can we dig up a relationship to the Hyannis Kennedys?

[JanF]

"she was born while her father was serving in the U.S. Army in Germany".

McCain had the same issue (born in the Canal Zone) and it has been determined that it is the same as being born in the US if you are born to someone serving in the military.

[GaiasChild]

O great a career cryptologist instead of sam nunn or john edwards. just remember, Obama's said the VP will be final counselor on decisions. Even though I fit most of the demographics you mention you are not speaking for me on either Sam Nunn or John Edwards and we know that Obama has sought out Sam Nunn's counsel before and we know that Sam Nunn is Jimmy Carter's favorite VP candidate. So I fear you are trying to create your own outcome here. Maybe it will prove true. It just doesn't have meaning for me.

[dexxjones]

what an interesting possibility. i would be very happy with Gen Kennedy. :)

[PorkBelly]

I read her Wiki page.

Pretty impressive.

I still like Webb or Schweitzer better but this would certainly be a good choice.

Far better, in my opinion, than
Sebelius
Edwards
Nunn
Biden

[JimR]

Interesting possibility. But would Americans elect a ticket that included a black man AND a woman (no matter how accomplished)? I wish I believed that most are ready to do that. But I don't.

[Ebuka]

Not really diificult to elect a black man and a white woman. The country has been electing white male/white male with no difficulty. The Democratic Party has never had the plurality of white male votes for decades. The greatest winning coalition has been the black and women votes. In this election, I sense that Obama's chances of winning the election will be more enhanced with a white female than a with male. Initiallty I was for Webb or Richardson but I have a stong feeling that a white woman will help than hurt Obama chances. Besides, McCain might just do it, pick a white woman and Obama is find it difficult to beat him.
In elections, it is always good to re-inforce the strengh of your winning coalition than its weaknesses. Sebelius and Kennedy are fine women of distinguished accomplishments and will make this country proud.

[Liam617]

Sorry, but three lines into her entry on wikipedia reveals why she'll never be Veep: she was born in Frankfurt, Germany. She is ineligible to be president, meaning that naming her as the Veep candidate is futile. She could be Sec of Defense, however.

[doc3osh]

She was likely born on a military base to a father serving in the military. That gives her a pass.

[Johnnn]

Yes, that's how I understand it. Still a US citizen.