Ex-campaign manager's gig seen as blunt 'no, thank you'
Huffington Post Jun 17, 08 2:48 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
Don’t be fooled into thinking Barack Obama's hiring of Hillary Clinton’s ex-campaign manager is a play for unity; insiders say it’s a signal Clinton is not the future VP nominee. One Clinton bundler called the move the “biggest f--- you I have ever seen in politics.” Patti Solis Doyle will be the VP nominee's chief of staff, and she and Clinton didn't part on good terms.
More »
Her role as VP aide may keep Hillary from joining ticket
Los Angeles Times Jun 16, 08 5:37 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
Hillary Clinton's former campaign manager and longtime loyalist Patti Solis Doyle will serve as chief of staff to Obama's eventual VP choice. This may mean that Clinton is unlikely to nab the veep spot, since Doyle—booted from Hillary's campaign—has not spoken to her since, Don Frederick blogs in the Los Angeles Times .
More »
OPINION
Former Bush speechwriter suggests a McCain-Giuliani ticket
New Republic Jun 16, 08 3:35 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
It’s a myth that running mates put a ticket over the top, former Bush speechwriter David Frum writes in the New Republic —so John McCain might as well just look to the future of the Republican Party. "Keep in mind that, when you choose, you may well be choosing a future leader of the party," Frum pleads, "a leader whose impact could well equal or exceed your own."
More »
OPINION
Joining the final 2 solves more problems than it causes
Salon Jun 16, 08 12:18 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
The logic for Hillary Clinton as Barack Obama's running mate is simple, writes Ed Kilgore for Salon: "Obama doesn't have any obvious alternative option that will please everyone, much less provide the political payoff of an Obama-Clinton ticket.” Kilgore notes that rank-and-file Democrats support the pairing and refutes a laundry list of anti-Clinton arguments.
More »
OPINION
Clinton on ticket torpedoes Obama's chances in swing states
Salon Jun 16, 08 12:17 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
Barack Obama has a plethora of reasons to reject Hillary Clinton as his running mate, Thomas Schaller writes in Salon, but the most important is consistency: "Obama's decision to cast himself as a fresh alternative to both the Bushes and the Clintons is reason enough for him to choose somebody other than Hillary." Schaller lays out four anti-Clinton arguments and concludes by urging Obama to move quickly.
More »
OPINION
The perennial could-be is perfect for Obama
New Republic Jun 13, 08 12:18 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
The timing is finally right for Sam Nunn to be installed on a Democratic presidential ticket, Michael Crowley asserts in the New Republic . The former senator from Georgia—bandied about as a potential VP in ’88, ’92, 2000 and 2004—is “tailor-made for the veepstakes,” Crowley writes, because he's got a big resume and a small ego. This year, he's the perfect choice.
More »
Opinion
Pundit advises the wannabes on how to play it cool
Time Jun 12, 08 2:41 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
Dear wannabe running mates, here’s how to campaign for the No. 2 job, per Mark Halperin in Time : DO: Prove you can be an attack dog while maintaining “eloquence.” Suck up to Michelle/Cindy. They’ll have the final say before the final say. Notify the campaign of every appearance you plan to make. Prove you’ve got something the future nominee needs.
More »
Opinion
Nobel-winner would signal US is getting serious about energy policy, says he
CNN Jun 12, 08 6:22 AM CDT
(Newser)
-
Democratic strategist James Carville thinks Barack Obama should consider someone with a little experience for the vice presidency: like, say, former VP Al Gore. Carville told CNN that choosing the Nobel Peace Prize-winner would drive home the message that America is serious about a new energy policy. A third term would make Gore the longest-serving veep in history, but he's said he'll only run for top spot.
More »
analysis
Is Pawlenty suddenly backing embargo to boost VP odds?
City Pages Jun 11, 08 5:40 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
Some Minnesota lawmakers are scratching their heads over their governor’s unusual veto of a resolution backing renewed trade relations with Cuba, but Matt Snyders writes in City Pages that Tim Pawlenty’s move may be a play to buddy up to John McCain. Pawlenty's been mentioned as a possible VP, but McCain could ill afford to have anyone on the ticket who wants to end the embargo—even if it would help the state's farmers.
More »
ANALYSIS
Ex-general stood up to Rumsfeld—but he's also a McCain pal
New Republic Jun 11, 08 3:28 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
Analysts were surprised to see the name of retired general James Jones on Barack Obama's vice-presidential shortlist yesterday, but Noam Scheiber, in the New Republic thinks he knows what the former NATO commander was doing there. Per Bob Woodward’s most recent book, Scheiber notes Jones was so put off by Donald Rumsfeld he refused to interview for the Joint Chiefs chairmanship.
More »
Johnson was skewered over favorable mortgage he received
CNN Jun 11, 08 2:21 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
A member of Barack Obama’s VP selection team who has drawn a firestorm of criticism this week is stepping down from his post, CNN reports. “Jim [Johnson] did not want to distract in any way from the very important task of gathering information about my vice presidential nominee, so he has made a decision to step aside that I accept,” Obama said in a statement.
More »
James Jones, retired NATO honcho,
surfaces in Hill talks
MSNBC Jun 10, 08 8:30 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
Barack Obama’s VP selection team had a busy couple of days on Capitol Hill, talking up possible running mates with legislators. A new name in the mix is that of retired Gen. James Jones, MSNBC reports. Joe Biden and Ohio governor Ted Strickland also came under scrutiny; Bill Richardson, Janet Napolitano, Mike Bloomberg, and Chuck Hagel did not..
More »
OPINION
Outspoken Rendell calls 'em as he sees 'em
New Republic Jun 10, 08 7:20 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
Ed Rendell's incredible bluntness and honesty are worth celebrating, but those same qualities make the Pennsylvania governor unacceptable as a Democratic vice presidential candidate, Buzz Bissinger writes in the New Republic. Pairing him with Barack Obama might be “a fascinating marriage of the idealist and the schmoozing fixer,” but Rendell’s style is way beyond the pale of national politics.
More »