Two potential VPs join Obama

[Dos Equis]

Two potential VPs join Obama
Posted: 12:30 PM ET

From CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

(CNN) — Who Obama is campaigning with Wednesday just might get more attention than what the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate says.

The Illinois senator is set to be joined on the trail by Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh and former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn — two Democrats widely believed to be on the shortlist for the vice presidential spot.

Election Center: Who's on Obama's shortlist

The two are set to join Obama at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana for a discussion on national security issues — a forum that is designed to set to stage for the Democratic president candidate's overseas trip next week.

Specifically, the three are set to discuss nuclear non-proliferation, bioterrorism, cyber security and emerging national security threats.

Bayh, who comes from a powerful Indiana family and once served as governor of the state, remains a very popular figure there. His aggressive campaigning on behalf of Hillary Clinton during the state's Democratic primary is widely seen as a chief factor for the New York senator's narrow victory there. He briefly flirted with his own presidential bid late last year but ultimately ruled against it.

Nunn remains one of the most respected national security and foreign policy experts on the national scene. The former senator has a serious, no-nonsense demeanor that would add instant gravitas to the ticket, and he is a popular figure in Georgia — a state the Obama campaign hopes to make competitive this cycle.

Veepstakes: Check out CNN's Political Market to see who's ahead

Both Nunn and Bayh have remained tight-lipped when it comes to the VP slot, though Bayh did acknowledge last month he would take the position if asked.

"I don't think it's the kind of thing you say no to…the answer to that is yes," he said in June. "If you care about serving your country, that is the kind of thing that you do,"

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

[Benny B]

Evan Bayh, yes. Sam Nunn, no.

Along with Bayh, add Strickland, Kaine and Sebelius to the list. A governor will hold the upper hand.

[240 is Back]

Bayh is a Clinton surrogate.

Of course, since Hilary is gonna be the VP, this is all theater.

[Benny B]

Bayh is a Clinton surrogate.

Of course, since Hilary is gonna be the VP, this is all theater.

Newsflash: Clinton is no longer in the race. 

Clinton won't be VP because of Bill. If Bayh is asked, he will accept.

[240 is Back]

Newsflash: Clinton is no longer in the race. 

Clinton won't be VP because of Bill. If Bayh is asked, he will accept.

A bunch of man-hating Clinton supporters are still very much in play.

Obama is toying with the electorate and trying to solidify $50mil a month in donations.

But when convention rolls around, Obama chooses CLinton.

Also, Mccain will annouince Romney selection the same day Obama gives his giant speech at Mile high Stadium to otry to steal his thunder, I betcha.

[Benny B]

A bunch of man-hating Clinton supporters are still very much in play.

Obama is toying with the electorate and trying to solidify $50mil a month in donations.

But when convention rolls around, Obama chooses CLinton.

Good luck with that hypothesis. 
 

Also, Mccain will annouince Romney selection the same day Obama gives his giant speech at Mile high Stadium to otry to steal his thunder, I betcha.

Romney isn't exciting enough to steal Obama's thunder, but I am quite sure the repubes will try some such tactic. That's typical politics.

[headhuntersix]

Romney solidifies the base, he shores up McCain's economic shortfalls, and he brings more money into the campaign, then any Dem could bring in for Obama. He's not going to excite people, like the Obamessiah, but thats not what he's there for. Issues are slowly starting to be defined in this campaign. Iraq, drilling and the economy. The Dems are wrong on Iraq, but that does not matter. The dems are wrong on drilling, and that can be tied to the economy. The bad economy will be tied to the Repubs. Its up to McCain to make drilling more of an issue, energy policy more of an issue...and give a clear and simple economic message.

[240 is Back]

Good luck with that hypothesis. 
 Romney isn't exciting enough to steal Obama's thunder, but I am quite sure the repubes will try some such tactic. That's typical politics.

He'll share the headline.  It won't be "I have a dream II"... it'll be "Obama speaks, Mccain chooses Romney".
Enough to keep the speech from having a major impact.

[Benny B]

He'll share the headline.  It won't be "I have a dream II"... it'll be "Obama speaks, Mccain chooses Romney".
Enough to keep the speech from having a major impact.

The speech will still have a major impact, bro. History in the making. Romney will be a footnote on a losing ticket.

[240 is Back]

TV stations are probably salivating over the image of a loud stadium full of people going apeshit for a guy promising to change everything that's wrong.

By then, it'll be late summer, and economy will be at fairly major slowdown point.  If they serve free sandwiches, the place will be jammed.

[Dos Equis]

Biden would be a mistake.

Biden comes to Obama's defense, raises VP buzz
Posted: 03:10 PM ET

From CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
 
(CNN) – Joe Biden is quickly becoming a powerful ally for Barack Obama in the Senate.

The Delaware Democrat, who is rumored to be on Obama's shortlist for VP, came to the Illinois senator's defense Thursday over charges Obama has not adequately addressed Afghanistan as chairman of a Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee.

CNN's Political Market: Biden's VP stock on the rise

Obama is chairman of the Subcommittee on European Affairs — a panel that has jurisdiction over NATO's operations, including its efforts in Afghanistan. The McCain campaign, like Hillary Clinton's, has noted Obama has yet to hold a hearing dealing with Afghanistan since he became chairman nearly two years ago. South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, the ranking member on that committee and an ardent supporter of John McCain, wrote a formal letter earlier this week to Obama criticizing his failure to hold hearings — a move seemingly designed to undercut the Democratic presidential candidate's foreign policy credentials before he embarks on a trip abroad.

But Biden, conveniently the Chairman of the full Senate Foreign Relations Committee, hit back at DeMint Thursday, writing in a letter to him that NATO's mission in Afghanistan has been dealt with at the full committee level.

Read full letter [PDF]

"Under my chairmanship the Foreign Relations Committee has addressed most Afghanistan issues at the Full Committee level," Biden wrote. "I believe that this is the best way of ensuring the most comprehensive examination of the complex issues involved, and of ensuring the highest-level Administration participation."

The move is likely to increase speculation Biden is being considered for the VP role, or another high-ranking post in an Obama administration. The veteran senator is considered an authority on foreign policy issues — an area where many voters have given the edge to McCain over Obama. Biden made news earlier this month when he acknowledged he would accept the VP position if it was offered.

Biden said the full committee has held three hearings over the last two years directly dealing with NATO and Afghanistan. But the Republican National Committee quickly noted Obama missed two of those hearings, and said Biden is "attempting to refine Obama's empty record on Afghanistan." (The RNC also noted Biden called Obama a "Johnny come lately" on the issue of Afghanistan last August when he was battling for the Democratic nomination.)

"Senator Obama has displayed great leadership on this issue: he called nearly a year ago for the deployment of at least two additional combat brigades to Afghanistan — it has since become the accepted position of a wide range of U.S. military officials, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff," Biden added.

Biden's defense comes at a key time for Obama — the Illinois senator heads to Afghanistan and Iraq soon, and has battled criticism from the McCain campaign over the last several days that he lacks an understanding of national security issues.

 http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/17/biden-comes-to-obamas-defense/#more-8931

[Benny B]

I like Biden for Sec. of State or another major cabinet position, not VP.

[240 is Back]

Biden opens his mouth at the wrong times.  Egomaniac, gaffe machine.