Opinion: A chummy talk with Obama about national security threats
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Sen. Barack Obama tapped two potential vice presidential nominees for a serious panel discussion about 21st century national security threats.
With a battery of cameras trained on the stage, Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) and former Sen. Sam Nunn, a Georgia Democrat, spoke about threats from loose nuclear weapons, cyberterrorism and bioterrorism. But amid all the sober talk Wednesday during the discussion at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., the campaign event at times resembled an audition for the No. 2 job.
Bayh continually referred to Obama as ‘Barack,’’ suggesting an easy familiarity with the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Nunn predicted -- surprise! -- that Obama would win the November election. Both had plenty of nice things to say about Obama. As it turned out, their views on national security threats pretty much squared with his.
During the session, Nunn told Obama: ‘You have recognized better than anybody that is speaking out on this issue in America today the complexity of it and the importance of it. Securing nuclear weapons material is the No. 1 challenge we face.’
Bayh at one point echoed an Obama campaign talking point –- that the Iraq War has proved an expensive distraction from more pressing national security priorities. ‘So much has been sacrificed on the altar of Iraq,’’ Bayh said.
In a news conference afterward, both Nunn and Bayh downplayed any interest in the vice presidency. Bayh said questions about the vice presidency are ‘understandable’’ and ‘good for my ego,’’ though he added, ‘I love serving the people of Indiana.’’ Nunn, for his part, said he thought the chances he would be offered the job are ‘pretty slim.’’ ‘I never aspired to that office,’’ he said.
He added, however, that if Obama wanted to talk to him about the appointment, he would not object.
-– Peter Nicholas