The 2008 US Presidential Election thread

[Marx]

With the Democratic race still going on and the Republican race over, questions are starting to come up regarding Vice Presidential candidates. The question has already been posed to both Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on potential running mates. John Edwards has already been asked about the possibility of VP and has said no. Al Gore could become a compromise candidate if the Democrats can't get their act together. Republican candidate John McCain is working on his list. Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney haven't necessarily ruled out VP spots. Independent candidate Ralph Nader has already announced his choice. Socialist Worker's Party candidate Roger Calero, Socialist Party USA candidate Brian Moore, and Prohibition Party candidate Gene Amondson have all announced their respective running mates. The Libertarian Party and Constitution Party are both still working on their choices.


So what do you think? Who will be who's running mate? Which ticket has the best chance? Discuss, argue, debate! :yay:


John Edwards says "No"
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080403/pl_nm/usa_politics_edwards_dc

John McCain mulls over VP list
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/04/02/mccain/index.html

Ralph Nader names running mate
http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2008/02/28/nader/

Don't discount a Gore-led ticket
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/mar/24/mark-tomasik-dont-discount-gore-led-ticket/

United States Presidential Election 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_2008#Other_pa rties

[Malice]

I am absolutely convinced Gore will not run at all.

[redfirebird2008]

Gore would love to be Energy Secretary if the Dems win but otherwise I am sure he wants nothing to do with the more normal political positions within an administration.

[Handsome Rob]

I would like to see J.C. Watts get on the McCain ticket. I think Watts ought to run for President eventually, myself, and springboard into it from the VP position. He was my dream VP for Fred Thompson before Thompson picked Jigglypuff as his campaign manager.

http://www.washingtonspeakers.com/speakers/Speaker.cfm?SpeakerID=4153

Besides, how can you dislike a guy who referred to Jesse Jackson as a "race-hustling poverty pimp?" :woot:

[The Senator]

I have a feeling we'll see Obama/ Kaine on the Democratic side, and McCain/ Hutchison on the Republican side.

[Marx]

I would like to see J.C. Watts get on the McCain ticket. I think Watts ought to run for President eventually, myself, and springboard into it from the VP position. He was my dream VP for Fred Thompson before Thompson picked Jigglypuff as his campaign manager.

http://www.washingtonspeakers.com/speakers/Speaker.cfm?SpeakerID=4153

Besides, how can you dislike a guy who referred to Jesse Jackson as a "race-hustling poverty pimp?" :woot:

I think Fred Thompson was doomed from the start, despite his initial buzz.

[Marx]

Gore would love to be Energy Secretary if the Dems win but otherwise I am sure he wants nothing to do with the more normal political positions within an administration.

I could see Gore being Energy Secretary.

I have a feeling we'll see Obama/ Kaine on the Democratic side, and McCain/ Hutchison on the Republican side.

Are you referring to Governor Tim Kaine? Isn't he the one that's being accused of delaying the execution of a cop's killer in Virginia? (I realize he is against the death penalty but...)

[hippie_hunter]

I don't see Kaine being on the ticket. He was just elected governor and I think Obama would like to have someone a tad bit more experienced.

[The Senator]

Well, if it isn't Kaine, then it will probably be Anthony Zinni, Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, or some surprise choice like Chuck Hagel... it will most likely wind up being a white sixty-something with military, foreign policy, or economic experience...

[Marx]

Well, if it isn't Kaine, then it will probably be Anthony Zinni, Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, or some surprise choice like Chuck Hagel... it will most likely wind up being a white sixty-something with military, foreign policy, or economic experience...

What about Wesley Clark?

[Matt]

What about Wesley Clark?

Die hard Clinton supporter.

[Chris B]

To reiterate a point made in another thread, I don't think experience will be as much of a factor in who Obama picks as conventional thinking would suggest. Going with a Dick Chenney-esque experienced statesman would undermine his whole message of change and being a Washington Outsider. That is why I also think Tim Kaine would be the best choice for him. But if he wants experience, then I'm going to say Joe Biden.

As for McCain, I see Tim Pawlenty, Mark Sanford, Rob Portman, and Kay Bailey Hutchinson as possibilities. With Pawlenty probably being the most likely. Though I think Sanford would be the best.

[Marx]

To reiterate a point made in another thread, I don't think experience will be as much of a factor in who Obama picks as conventional thinking would suggest. Going with a Dick Chenney-esque experienced statesman would undermine his whole message of change and being a Washington Outsider. That is why I also think Tim Kaine would be the best choice for him. But if he wants experience, then I'm going to say Joe Biden.

As for McCain, I see Tim Pawlenty, Mark Sanford, Rob Portman, and Kay Bailey Hutchinson as possibilities. With Pawlenty probably being the most likely. Though I think Sanford would be the best.

Isn't Kay Bailey Hutchinson majorly against gun control? I'm not too familiar with her...that's really about all I know. As for Rob Portman :whatever:http://www.superherohype.com/forums/images/smilies/icon13.gif

[Lightning Strykez!]

I dunno. I still think an Obama/Bloomberg ticket might happen.

[Marx]

I dunno. I still think an Obama/Bloomberg ticket might happen.

I think it could happen, Bloomberg doesn't really seem to be all that interested though. I really think Governor Strickland (D-OH) would make a great VP...if I can do a little shameless home state promotion! :cwink:
(He supports Hillary Clinton though, which could be a problem if Obama gets the nomination.)

[redfirebird2008]

Die hard Clinton supporter.

He's been really complimentary of Obama though. They are on the same side in the grand scheme of things.

[Marx]

He's been really complimentary of Obama though. They are on the same side in the grand scheme of things.

Anyone else notice how alot of the great Democratic VP choices support Hillary? Maybe it's just me...

[Marx]

Romney weighs in on McCain VP
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/03/romney_on_mccains_vice_preside.html

Lieberman rules out running with McCain
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2008/01/lieberman_rules_out_running_with_mccain/

Guiliani wants "Cheney-style" VP
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2008/01/giuliani_wants_cheney-style_vice_president/

[Excel]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/04/mccain-booed-heckled-at-m_n_95079.html

And people think this guy can win :rolleyes:

He even has a black man holding his umbrella; the guy is too clueless :(

[SentinelMind]

That's pretty bad...McCain is a little too honest....he'd have been better off just not even bringing it up....

but Dick Cheney voted against MLK Day Jr holiday, ...John Edwards exposed him during 2004 VP debates...and Cheney sat there like "so what"... Dick Cheney's not at the top of the ticket, but I dunno how much this will play in general elections. The people booing him were not going to vote Republican anyway....

[Marx]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/04/mccain-booed-heckled-at-m_n_95079.html

And people think this guy can win :rolleyes:

He even has a black man holding his umbrella; the guy is too clueless :(

Wow...that's just not right Ex. McCain truly is clueless if he thought that kind of image portrayal would be acceptable.

On the Democratic front there are more rumblings of VP candidates - Virginia Senator Jim Webb, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, Indiana Senator Evan Bayh, Former Louisiana Senator John Breaux, and Governor Sebelius of Kansas.

On the Republican front I have heard Tom Ridge's name being thrown around alot too. Also, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, and South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford (yeah, the guy that let live pigs run through the house chambers to protest pork spending.)

[The Senator]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/04/mccain-booed-heckled-at-m_n_95079.html

And people think this guy can win :rolleyes:



Well, people who come to that conclusion look at the polls, which has McCain leading in all the major swing states against both Obama and Clinton. So I'd say his chances are pretty good, gaffes aside.

[Marx]

Rice: No interest in McCain ticket

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/04/08/condi.mccain/index.html

[Chris B]

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford (yeah, the guy that let live pigs run through the house chambers to protest pork spending.)

I think he would be the perfect running mate for McCain. Though the fact that he refused to endorse McCain probably hurts his standing.

[Doomed_hero]

I can see a Obama/Bloomberg happening, but I would not mind seeing a Obama/Biden ticket since Biden would fill in the experience gap, if not as Vice President then in the cabinet somewhere. I also like the idea of Gore as Energy sec. That may be the position Obama would give him that he talked about.

[Marx]

I can see a Obama/Bloomberg happening, but I would not mind seeing a Obama/Biden ticket since Biden would fill in the experience gap, if not as Vice President then in the cabinet somewhere. I also like the idea of Gore as Energy sec. That may be the position Obama would give him that he talked about.

I have alot of respect for Joe Biden. Has he officially come out to support either candidate yet? I always thought he was among the Clinton camp.

[hippie_hunter]

I can see a Obama/Bloomberg happening, but I would not mind seeing a Obama/Biden ticket since Biden would fill in the experience gap, if not as Vice President then in the cabinet somewhere. I also like the idea of Gore as Energy sec. That may be the position Obama would give him that he talked about.

I can't see an Obama/Bloomberg ticket. Obama doesn't need Bloomberg's money and Bloomberg isn't a Democrat and probably has no intention on rejoining them.

[Marx]

I can't see an Obama/Bloomberg ticket. Obama doesn't need Bloomberg's money and Bloomberg isn't a Democrat and probably has no intention on rejoining them.

I don't see it happening either, but I guess Bloomberg could shore up a lot of independent support? :huh:

[hippie_hunter]

I don't see it happening either, but I guess Bloomberg could shore up a lot of independent support? :huh:

True it would, Obama's been losing a good amount of independent support lately.

[Marx]

True it would, Obama's been losing a good amount of independent support lately.

I really think a good portion of this election could come down to independents. If Obama does become the nominee, you're right, he has been slowly losing that support. I also think that John McCain's VP decision will affect his amount of independent support as I've said before.

[hippie_hunter]

I really think a good portion of this election could come down to independents. If Obama does become the nominee, you're right, he has been slowly losing that support. I also think that John McCain's VP decision will affect his amount of independent support as I've said before.

I personally think that this election will single handedly be decided by independents. If McCain wins Michigan, he'll win because of the independent vote.

[Marx]

Poll suggests McCain-Rice could win big

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/09/poll-suggests-mccain-rice-ticket-could-win-big/



I call bull****.

[The Senator]

Poll suggests McCain-Rice could win big

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/09/poll-suggests-mccain-rice-ticket-could-win-big/



I call bull****.

Not gonna happen in New York. If Obama is the nominee, he'll hold on to NYC's black population, and most liberals in NYC/ Long Island will vote for Obama as well. That's really all that matters, since Upstate doesn't have much of a say in elections.

[hippie_hunter]

Not gonna happen in New York. If Obama is the nominee, he'll hold on to NYC's black population, and most liberals in NYC/ Long Island will vote for Obama as well. That's really all that matters, since Upstate doesn't have much of a say in elections.

You have no idea how much that pisses Upstaters off.

[Marx]

Not gonna happen in New York. If Obama is the nominee, he'll hold on to NYC's black population, and most liberals in NYC/ Long Island will vote for Obama as well. That's really all that matters, since Upstate doesn't have much of a say in elections.

If Rice were to become his VP, he would lose more support than it would gain. (And it makes that argument of a third Bush term all the more obvious.)

[The Senator]

You have no idea how much that pisses Upstaters off.

I come from Upstate, my family still lives there, most of the people I know from there are Republicans... so yeah, I understand how that annoys many of them.

[hippie_hunter]

I come from Upstate, my family still lives there, most of the people I know from there are Republicans... so yeah, I understand how that annoys many of them.

Oh yeah, I forgot you came from Upstate.

But still, even I find it completely unfair how New York City completely negates how Upstate goes in nationally oriented elections. I have to constantly explain to my extremely conservative friend that if it weren't for New York City, New York would actually be a rather reliable Republican area.

[The Senator]

Oh yeah, I forgot you came from Upstate.

But still, even I find it completely unfair how New York City completely negates how Upstate goes in nationally oriented elections. I have to constantly explain to my extremely conservative friend that if it weren't for New York City, New York would actually be a rather reliable Republican area.

Yeah, but that happens in just about every big state. Pennsylvania usually goes Democratic because of Philly and Pittsburgh, Michigan because of Detroit, California because of San Francisco and Los Angeles (among others), Oregon because of Portland and Washington because of Seattle... big cities have more people, as do their suburbs... even though much of these states go for Republicans...

[Marx]

Former Republican Rep. Bob Barr formally jumped into the White House race Monday as a candidate for the Libertarian Party's presidential nomination.

Barr, the onetime darling of conservatives who led the impeachment fight against former President Bill Clinton, said he is running because voters want a choice beyond the two political parties.

"They believe that America has more and better to offer than what the current political situation is serving up to us," he said Monday at the National Press Club in Washington. "The reason for that is very simple, they believe in America as I believe in America. We believe in an America that is not and should not be and should never be driven by fear as current policies on behalf of both parties are in this country."


For the full article, click below.
Barr announces Presidential bid
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/12/barr-announces-presidential-bid/

[moraldeficiency]

Thinking about this, Jim Webb would be a hell of a choice for Obama if he could get him. Webb would have trouble running against McCain though cause of their friendship, still it would give Obama someone of McCain level combat experience and a damn fine human being.

[Arkady Rossovich]

Obama has it. But who should his partner be? I'm not convinced it will be Clinton,that's too much. I don't know...something says Gore,but I'm not sure..

[Matt]

Obama has it. But who should his partner be? I'm not convinced it will be Clinton,that's too much. I don't know...something says Gore,but I'm not sure..

Gore is the most respected man in the party. He could've easily overtook both Clinton and Obama if he entered the race. Why the hell would he take a number two spot...again?

[The Senator]

Obama has it. But who should his partner be? I'm not convinced it will be Clinton,that's too much. I don't know...something says Gore,but I'm not sure..

Your infinite knowledge of American politics always astounds me :up:











:whatever:

[hippie_hunter]

Your infinite knowledge of American politics always astounds me :up:











:whatever:

:lmao:

[Marx]

Obama has it. But who should his partner be? I'm not convinced it will be Clinton,that's too much. I don't know...something says Gore,but I'm not sure..

There's no way that Gore would accept the second spot again.

[Matt]

The only second tier spot that Al Gore would take is the Secretary of Energy job...and the only way he would take that is if he gets to completely control the entire department and its policy with absolutely no interference.

[rdh007]

^and the freedom to make more movies. This time as star.

[moraldeficiency]

The only second tier spot that Al Gore would take is the Secretary of Energy job...and the only way he would take that is if he gets to completely control the entire department and its policy with absolutely no interference.

So you're saying it will never happen?

[rdh007]

I don't think it will. I don't think he'll get back in politics at all.

[moraldeficiency]

I just really doubt anyone would give Gore complete control over the energy policies without interference.

[Matt]

So you're saying it will never happen?

I just really doubt anyone would give Gore complete control over the energy policies without interference.

Gore does not gain anything by being given the "privledge" of overseeing someone elses' energy policy. If he does not have control over the department, then he will have more power and greater ability to influence energy policy as the glorified lobbyist he is now.

[Marx]

Gore does not gain anything by being given the "privledge" of overseeing someone elses' energy policy. If he does not have control over the department, then he will have more power and greater ability to influence energy policy as the glorified lobbyist he is now.

Well said Matt.

[moraldeficiency]

Gore does not gain anything by being given the "privledge" of overseeing someone elses' energy policy. If he does not have control over the department, then he will have more power and greater ability to influence energy policy as the glorified lobbyist he is now.

I was actually questioning the possibility of anyone being given absolute control over the US energy policy. There's just too many experts and lobbyists and politicans with a stake in it for anyone to have free range over it.

[Marx]

I was actually questioning the possibility of anyone being given absolute control over the US energy policy. There's just too many experts and lobbyists and politicans with a stake in it for anyone to have free range over it.

Al Gore isn't just anyone MD.

[moraldeficiency]

Al Gore isn't just anyone MD.

Never said he was, just that no one person can have control of something with that wide an impact scope here. There's way too many people it effects and have a stake in the matter.

[StorminNorman]

Al Gore isn't just anyone MD.

He's also by any means the best person for the job.