Barack Obama begins his own quiet quest for a running mate

While Republican potentials are tromping out to the desert this weekend for chats with John McCain about the Republican No. 2 slot, Barack Obama has already begun a quieter search for his own running mate.

And Obama has reverted to something of a Democratic tradition -- asking former Fannie Mae head Jim Johnson to head up the efforts. Though he's got to be hoping the third time's the charm -- Johnson played similar roles for Walter Mondale and John Kerry.

The delicate issue for Obama, of course is Hillary Clinton. There's a lot of pressure from Democrats that, if the math holds and Obama becomes the nominee, he pick the former first lady (assuming she'd take it). But that could weaken Obama's carefully crafted image as the guy from outside Washington.

The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder, who first ferreted out news of Obama's quiet efforts, offers a list of potential contenders, beyond Clinton. Feel free to add your own in the comments section.

Sens. Joe Biden, Bob Casey, Chris Dodd, Chuck Hagel and Jim Webb; former Sens. Tom Daschle, John Edwards and Sam Nunn; Govs.Tim Kaine, Janet Napolitano, Bill Richardson, Kathleen Sebelius and Ted Strickland; and former Rep. Tim Roemer.

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Nookie Farley]

Dear Scott:
"Sens. Joe Biden, Bob Casey, Chris Dodd, Chuck Hagel and Jim Webb; former Sens. Tom Daschle, John Edwards and Sam Nunn; Govs.Tim Kaine, Janet Napolitano, Bill Richardson, Kathleen Sebelius and Ted Strickland; and former Rep. Tim Roemer."
All those names would be rocks around Obama's neck.
For truly brilliant analysis of What Went Wrong With (Wx4) Hillary's Campaign, go to
http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2008/05/hillary_clintonwhy_it_went_so.html.

[BJ]

UNDERSTAND THIS... Hillary supporters WILL NEVER vote for OBAMA!

Neither will we support an Obama/Clinton ticket. WE KNOW he would only do this because he can never win in November without our votes!

Our votes are NOT up for bids! We will never settle for anything less than HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT!

[Steven]

How about Michael Bloomberg?

[Gerald Shields]

Hey BJ, since where you represent Hillary voters?!

[Nathan]

BJ- Your post is baffling. But it lends to the growing stereotype that hardcore Hillary supporters are simply bitter, vindictive, and sore losers.

"Hillary supporters WILL NEVER vote for OBAMA!"

Why? Because he's going to beat her to the nomination? Or something he did or said to challenge her during the nomination battle? Neither candidate was above reproach in that regard, particularly not your dear Hillary.

I find this truly incredulous - voting age adults who are acting like toddlers. If I don't get my way, I'm going to sit in the corner, pout and make it miserable for everyone.

So, instead you would prefer a continuation of George W's policies for four more years. I am really bewildered by this.

Fortunately, I know that most Clinton supporters are not as unreasonable as this.

[John]

Some Hillary fans and their comments border on insanity. Why would any Democrat not support their party when there is little to no difference between the candidates? Really? You would rather sit out or vote Repug? It is childish. Bully like. Selfish. Like a little kid who does not get his way and throws a tantrum.
Grow up. A win is a win. Barack or Hillary will do more for this country to make up for the years of tyranny and impropriety. We need a strong, undivided party. And that is something that any true American Democratic Voter should be willing to provide.

[Dude?]

BJ goes to show that some of her supporters are nuts. He/she will probably claim that Obama supporters have fallen for a cult of personality, or have drank, the now proverbial, Kool-aid. Maybe it is them who should look in the mirror, and learn to support the eventual nominee, or suffer the consequences of McBush, and his eventual thrashing of the United States to a place where we will no longer be able to recognize ourselves. I bet BJ can't wait for Trillions of dollars more debt lumped on the backs of hard working Americans under another Repub administration. Wake up and smell the coffee!!

[Alan]

BJ from your comment I'm guessing you are either a female over 40 (however your "name" wouldn't seem to indicate that) or you are a hardworking but uneducated white male.

Regardless whichever is true, I find it sad that HRC identifies the latter group as hers. Best I can tell, she must figure that they're easily confused by lies and mis-statements - sniper fire, NAFTA, FL and MI, rules that she approved, and how to count.

So, answer me this: how many guns are in your gun rack?

[JGM]

UNDERSTAND THIS... no one wants Hilary's fringe voters. PLEASE vote for someone else or stay home!!!

[MOEBLA]

So instead of being loyal to your party you would vote against OBAMA and help the republicans with another coporate interest president. Lets be honest ,will McCain even be competent to assume the position of Commander in Chief? You do yourself and this country a disservice with this Hillary or die attitude, seriously. Wouldnt she be a great Secretary of state or something? We saw the eletion stolen in 2000 by funny math politics. Lets not do it again.

To whom it may concern,
MOEBLA

[bud]

UNDERSTAND THIS... you are a bitter hard core Hillary supporter that Obama doesn't need and would do better without frankly. He doesn't need your vote because your numbers are inconsequential. And no way he takes Hillary as VP.

[Charlie S]

Wow... the Ellen James Society lives. Women accross the country including my daughter will lose the rights over their own bodies because a group of women, who are trying to flatter Hillary Clinton, will oppose her principles and policies in order to show their affection. I don't even think Hillary herself would look kindly on that attitude.

[Andrew]

Everyone should check out an article in the Washington Post about Obama offering Mrs. Clinton the first opening on the Supreme Court during his assumed administration. Quiet interesting on her abilities as a Vice President vs. that as a Justice. I would be an olive branch to the Clintonians yet close the door to some of her criticisms that would arise as a VP.

[NKA]

Obama needs a running mate with a great deal of foreign policy experience. Biden and Richardson fit this guideline. However, what do you think about Colin Powell?

[Marshall]

Why so bitter about Obama, BJ..?? Fortunately for the good of the country, you are wrong and most of Hillary's supporters will end up voting for Obama, but I've been trying to understand the bitterness. Senator Clinton has run a typical political campaign, complete with all of the usual negativity, deception and BS and is being beaten by Senator Obama. Other than the fact that he's beating your preferred candidate, exactly what is your problem with Obama..?? Your candidate is a living example of poor sportsmanship and a sliding scale of values to get what she wants, but her supporters don't have to follow down that low road. If you squint a little, yuo can see the Bush ethics clearly at work in the Clinton campaign and I, for one, have definitely had more than enough of that low road.

[John McCain]

You go girl!

[Sandwall]

Wow, Hillary supporters are really about biting their noses off to spite their face.

Circumstances didn't work out for hillary, while she may have been an excellent democratic candidate she didn't win.

Calling Michigan and Florida into question retrospectively, is not an option.

Face the facts, move on, and vote on the policies, not the individual.

Obama and Clinton are not that different when compared to McCain.

Although, I suppose we can just let it go to the republicans one more round.

[Greg]

I have been a republican most of my adult life. However, I have changed with Bush in the White House.

I will vote for Obama, BUT not Clinton; regardless of the consequences! How about Jane Harman as a VP candidate? The Clintons' are just not good, well intended people. PERIOD!

[Paul]

Somebody has to tell Ms. Clinton it is over! She better spend her time in a more constructive way than pretending she is "fighting for our rights" If she really concerned about the “rights”of Michigan and Florida democrats, it would have been appreciated if she had done it a year ago – before she lost the election. Our main concern at this point is how to win the White House!!

[KML]

Even Hillary Clinton will be smart enough to vote for Obama when the time comes. I am an ardent Obama supporter, but I tell you now that, no matter what happens, I'm voting for the democrat for the good of this country. I don't like the campaign Hillary has run, and I don't like her attitude and disregard for the rules, but I know that another 4-8 years of republicans will be disastrous for America. I can't believe there are people who have lived through 8 years of this abysmal administration that think McCain will be any different... and if they think he'll be the same and still want him... wow.

[Andrew]

Check out an article on washingtonpost.com about Obama offering Mrs. Clinton the first opening on the Supreme Court during his assumed administration. It raises some good thoughts about her abilities as a Vice President vs. that of a Justice. It would offer an olive brach to loyal Clintonians and ward of criticisms the joint ticket could bring. We must remember she could only be VP for 8 years max. A Supreme Court justice is for life; plus she won't have to worry about people liking her anymore.

[rosie]

With Democratic 'friends' like B.J., who needs enemies? That's what Barack would be importing into his campaign, if he picked Hillary --- toxic, irrational supporters. I say any of the other possibilities would be preferable. I understand the need to try to 'fold in' Hillary's supporters and appeal to those who voted for her, but Barack wouldn't be shooting himself in the foot to choose HIllary - he'd be shooting himself in the head! Anyone BUT Hillary, I say -- and I hope his advisors will, too.

[bluejazz]

Hillary Clinton should start to begun a quieter search for her own running mate too. lol

[anthony]

Colin Powell has donated money to McCain's campaign so he's out of the equation. Obama/ Hagel would completely deflate the notion that McCain's one strength is national security. Hagel would be a republican challenging his own party and is as highly regarded for his service as McCain. It may alienate Clinton supporters but it I think the choice would give Obama the advantage on all fronts not to mention starting off on a bipartisan foot.

[BJ]

McClinton will go down in history as the most retarded and insane candidate of all time. I am glad McClinton is not the supreme leader of Iran, otherwise we'd be at war with Iran already.

[rashida]

I would like Kathleen Sebelius or Jim Webb

[JF]

I am a female over-40 Hillary supporter who still hopes Hillary gets the nomination but will happily support Obama over McCain if that is the matchup. Emotions are running high right now but despite the problems I have with Obama, I think an Obama presidency will be better for the country than a McCain one. I would love to see Obama reach out to the Hillary side by choosing Wesley Clark as his running mate, though or, even better, Secretary of State. He's smart, has loads of foreign policy and military experience and is a man of reason.

[Janice Heslop]

I now understand now why Dems have difficulty winning the Presidency. We all think we know best. Since we don't have a direct election of the vice-president, why not allow the person who is elected, make that choice. Then we should back his choice. Leave the petty bickering for your in-laws.

[Dennis Berry]

The only Clinton supporters still bothering to blog are all-or-nothing extremists. Rational Democrats (i.e., the vast majority of us) don't want McCain as president; either Clinton or Obama represent a far saner choice.

I'm comforted by knowing that the most extreme Clinton supporters, who won't vote for Obama, are more than offset by rational Democrats, a huge majority of Independents, and many dismayed Republicans, all of whom will help Obama become our next president.

Simply put: the United States simply cannot withstand four more years of right-wing jingoism and pandering to the rich.

But mostly, we're sick and tired of incompetence in the White House.

[David]

So, Hillary voters will NEVER vote for Obama? My, my, my--almost as racist as the rednecks in Kentucky.

[DenisR]

Obama didn't get this far by being a dummy. He will pick a VP. However, I don't think he would want the Clintons at his back if he picked Hillary.He could use her if the "costs" are not too high. Democrats (all) will beat the Republicans this November.

[Linda R. in Virginia]

Senator Webb is off limits.....in Virginia we like him just where his in the Senate.

I'm not a bitter Hillary supporter. I'm a Democrat who does not want another inexperienced, training wheel riding President in the White House.

So, this loud mouth broad is going to write in Hillary Clinton on Election Day.....if the two morons are on the ballot in VA.

GO HILLARY!!!!!

[BabsW]

It is is very comforting, after reading all of the preceeding comments, to note that NOT ONE comes to the defense of BJ. He/she could be a frusrated Republican who doesn't want a Democrat to become President of the United States.
Who knows?

[MH]

BJ....So if you do not get your way, that means we turn the nation back to another Republican President? 4 possibly 8 more years huh? Nice mentality.

"UNDERSTAND THIS... Hillary supporters WILL NEVER vote for OBAMA!

Neither will we support an Obama/Clinton ticket. WE KNOW he would only do this because he can never win in November without our votes!

Our votes are NOT up for bids! We will never settle for anything less than HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT!"

[James Green-Armytage]

"If she really concerned about the “rights”of Michigan and Florida democrats, it would have been appreciated if she had done it a year ago – before she lost the election."

Hear hear. Her hypocrisy in this case has always been entirely unconcealed. If she cared so much about the voting rights aspect of all this, she could have protested as soon as the decisions were made (in 2007), but she did no such thing. She went right along with it, until she lost in South Carolina. At that point she had ALREADY won the non-binding Michigan primary, she was ahead in the Florida polls, and she had suddenly realized that the nomination was going to be close. Her initial ploy in arguing for the reversal of the DNC's decision, I always thought, was just to draw attention away from Obama's unexpectedly big win in South Carolina. But now, it seems to have taken on a life of its own, and has gotten bound up in a convoluted argument about the popular vote. First of all, the popular vote totals in some caucus states are unknown (by design), and need to be estimated to get any kind of national total. Second, the fact that caucuses have generally lower turnout should not necessarily mean that they are less important; each state chooses whether to have a primary or caucus, and that choice should be respected. Caucuses, while they have some drawbacks, have the advantage that they involve more participation and discourse than the casting of secret ballots. Finally, I am almost entirely sure that if Obama was ahead in the popular vote while Clinton was ahead in pledged delegates, she would be completely uninterested in the popular vote totals. Her basic M.O. seems to involve a kind of naked cynicism. If it meant that she was guaranteed to win every election through sheer bare-knuckle politics, then a lot of Democrats may have been willing to hold their noses and give her the nomination. But now it's clear that she's not invincible, that her campaign can collapse, and that when it does, it's not pretty.

My main objection to Clinton being the nominee or president has always been that, as a person with pretty liberal political views, I don't want to be represented by her. As long as large segments of the American public associate liberalism with cynicism or amorality, I think that it will be really hard to make much political progress in this country.

[Scott]

BJ, you loon.

Clearly you're being a bit too emotional about this primary race. You'll have a few months to cool your jets before November, however, and I'm sure you'll see things differently by then.

If you actually care one bit about things like affordable health care, ending the war in Iraq, and protecting reproductive rights by not allowing another Republican president to load the Supreme Court with conservative justices, then I'm sure you will do the right thing in the fall and vote Obama.

Or are you a moron?

Democrat '08. Stop being children.

[Sharan]

I'm in the anyone-but-Hillary for VP corner. The reason I voted for Senator Obama in the first place is because I could not bear the thought of another Clinton in the White House (not to mention putting the first one back there). Senator Obama's primary platform is "change you can believe in." If he taps Mrs. Clinton, he won't have a change, and I could no longer believe him. Senator Obama is a fresh wind blowing through Washington - let him blow away the cobwebs - including the Clinton-era politics.

[wlbill]

You guys have got to understand, Most of the Hillary posts are actually Republicans and won't vote Democrat any old way, so chill out and if they want another 4 years of ignorance, let em' vote McCain in vain, what a pain, they if not Republicans are insane..

[LonghornMama]

Centrists desire an Obama/Clinton ticket. What he can't win, she can. Look Kennedy didn't like Johnson, Nixon didn't like Agnew, and Reagan and Bush 41 weren't kissing cousins either. If two candidates brought out 35 million people to vote in primaries and the thing is a tie in popular vote, then both candidates "had legs." Let's be smart and get those same 35 million and a whole bunch more back in the voting booth in November. People can be silly and argue all day long. At the end of the day, do you want to keep your home? What are you going to do when oil hits $200 a barrel? Is your retirement safe? When will Americans come home from Iraq? Will the planet sustain life in 100 years? C'mon get real!

[Jeff Belcher]

While it may be true that Barack Obama might not be able to win without Hillary's voters, no one has mentioned that she probably can't win without his, either.

If the first black man who stands a viable chance at becoming president is denied that chance because Hillary talked superdelegates into supporting her even though he won the elected delegates fair and square, she can count on exactly 0% of the black vote come November. Period.

Then, John McCain will win and the front page of the New York Times will read "Thanks a lot, Hillary Clinton" in big block letters.

I'm beginning to wonder if she cares if that happens.

[Sick of BS]

Since when does not sleeping with your husband make you qualified to do his job? As a psychiatric nurse, I am overwhelmed at the denial of Mrs. Clinton and her supporters. If Hillary actually gets the rules committee to count the unfair elections in Florida and Michigan, she will have overturned the honest vote (with BOTH candidates on the ballot.) This will show Democrats that their party doesn't give a D--n about what they want, and will shatter the party, just as Bush has shattered the Republican Party. WAKE UP AMERICA!

[Lee]

I was a bit disturbed when I read BJ's comment top on the list, but considering the vast number of responses it looks like this reaction will be transient. It always sucks to loose, but thankfully most people, even young children, get over it.

Sandwall - Today I would have to agree with your feelings on the Clintons. When Bill was in office I was blinded by the curtain separating the Reds and the Blues. They seemed like decent folk and I overlooked their faults. But now they seem as you say, like "not good" people.

At the same time back then, it seemed pretty obvious that the Republican party had been slowly hijacked by a bunch of fascist, religious zealots. And the "War on Terror" which conveniently replaced the "War on Communism" to complement the "War on Drugs" have all seemed but a delicate facade over a reenactment of the age-old Christian Crusade that flooded the Middle East with yahoos back in the Dark Ages. However, it does seem that the Republicans, like the Democrats, are starting to see the wisdom on the other side of the Red/Blue divide.

[J]

I'd love to see an Obama / Jeb Bush ticket.

[Dr Mike]

Hey folks, why do you assume that the supposed Clinton supporters who are bashing Obama in here really are Clinton supporters? Republicans would like nothing better than to sow dissent and hostility among Democrats and they have a long and distinguished history of using lies and dirty tricks to win elections. If you believe everything that's posted in these discussions, then I have some Nigerian lottery winnings for you.

[wlbill]

The "Hillary attitude" will break the Deocrat party and Bush will win another 4 years. probably 8, by proxy. For those of you in WVA and Kentucky, proxy means without being there.

[HillarysGirl]

I'm a Hillary Girl and more importantly, a Democrat. If Hillary should loose, I will still vote democrat regardless. The most important point in this whole election is changing the direction of this country. Both candidates are focused in the same direction with very little difference between them. I know it would be nice to have a woman there, but 'male/female', 'black/white', shouldn't be the only governing factor in who becomes president. I consider this decision to be important, because we have a lot at stake here. The Republicans have made so many wrong decisions and implimented so many laws that are agregious(sp?) to americans, it will need a democrat in office to reverse them. I get chills down my spine when I think of the 'Patriot Act' and the government having the power to arrest americans without due process. Also, using torture against other 'human being'. I know that everyone has a right to vote their own mind, but people, think before you vote. Do you really want to continue in the direction we are currently going? Or do you want your contry back.

Side note: Texas sold out one of their main highways to a Mexican conglomerate. Pennsylvania is selling out it's turnpike to a south american conglomerate. Both roads will be 'toll' roads. Meaning that americans will be paying south america and mexico for the roads that are on our soil. What's wrong with this picture.

[hoot]

Richardson PLEASE!

[Scott]

RON PAUL!!!!! I'd so love to see an Obama and Paul ticket! Paul's libertarianism would be a great counterbalance to Obama's support of entitlements and big government. It would help to shed our collectively insane bipartisan political system to have a DEM and a REP on the same ticket and perhaps Ron Paul can influence the abolishment of the truly criminal, privately-owned federal reserve system. I often find myself hoping and praying for the impossible. I live right down the street from McCain near Page Springs, AZ and I also like our governor, Janet Napolitano. Bill Richardson could also be a good choice? My vote is anyone BUT Hillary.

Hillary Clinton has used the exact same campaign strategy as Bush - dirty politics, blatant, flat out lies, changing the subject frequently to get the heat off her back, and spreading lies in the form of highly memorable sayings that get repeated and replayed until everyone knows them. For Bush some of them were, "Kerry's a flip-flopper" and "Never Change Horses in Midstream" Clinton's equally ridiculous tag line, "Obama could not be elected" has given her much of her momentum and for some reason has earned her the loyalty of people who prefer not to think for themselves.

I propose a more positive mantra for all of us: "OBAMA WILL WIN!" I believe the time is right. I'm encouraged by the many thoughtful posts on this forum and elsewhere. We're waking up!

[hoot]

Richardson PLEASE!

[Anthony]

We can not allow McBush to continue for four more years WE NEED CHANGE and Obama is a change. The voters who will not vote for Obama because Hillary is not nominated are just plain sore losers and don't care about our country.