Organizing for America | Todd Epp's Barackified Blog: Barack Likes Sebelius; Will a Jealous Hillary Let It Happen?

Barack Likes Sebelius; Will a Jealous Hillary Let It Happen?

By Todd Epp - Jul 20th, 2008 at 9:31 pm EDT

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Tags: barack obama, Hillary Clinton, Kathleen Sebelius, PUMAs

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is rated number on CBS News’ latest ranking of potential running mates for Sen. Barack Obama. (Hat tip to Hog House Blog!)

1 Kathleen Sebelius | Bio
The buzz around the Kansas governor is only growing. In a recent local TV interview, Obama offered some strong praise for her, saying, “I love Kathleen Sebelius. I think she is as talented a public official as there is right now.” Sebelius wouldn’t confirm that she’s being vetted, but Congressional Quarterly points out she is no longer denying it either.Kansas’ neighbor Sen. Chuck Hagel, Republican from Nebraska, is #3 with a bullet.

Seems to me the biggest problem with Gov. Sebelius is not about the Governor but another woman—Sen. Hillary Clinton. Would her supporters accept a woman not named Hillary? What do you say, my Sunflower friends?
Originally posted at Kansas Watch http://kswatch.squarespace.com Technorati Tags: Kathleen Sebelius, Vice President, Veepstakes, Barack Obama, Kansas

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VP | Report to Admin

By Late To The Party: Toni Jul 20th 2008 at 9:39 pm EDT

Why? Why? Why must you always go there?

no | Report to Admin

By Karen-Missouri Ozarks for Obama! Jul 20th 2008 at 9:41 pm EDT

I don't particularly like Sebilius. I think Obama will make the right decision, but I don't think Sebilius will be the one.

not my first choice at all | Report to Admin

By Mikeystyle Jul 20th 2008 at 9:42 pm EDT

The traditional role of a VP is to bring in some regional benefits. I don’t see how Sebelius could do that when her own state will go Republican. She also doesn’t have any foreign policy experience, which will be a big issue with a war going on.

Choosing another woman over Hillary would also enrage Hillary and her supporters. There are reports that Hillary does not want another woman chosen if she’s not selected to be on the ticket.

We need someone with executive, domestic AND international experience. That means Bill Richardson

He has experience as a congressman, energy secretary, governor, ambassador AND Nobel Prize nominee. He brings regional and demographic benefits, plus he and Obama seem to really get along.

With Richardson on the ticket, the southwest would be competitive. We would win in New Mexico for sure, would have a real chance at taking states like Colorado and perhaps even make Texas less of a sure thing for the Republicans. Richardson is also popular with the NRA crowd and labor unions.

Richardson’s campaign ads:
Link

gender | Report to Admin

By Candace N. - V.O.B Jul 20th 2008 at 9:58 pm EDT

I think it would be a big problem for Hillary supporters if Sebelius is picked over Hillary. Although I do not like Hillary for her dirty tactics and whining, I have to admit she has more knowledge and experience than Sebelius. Having Hillary as VP would contradict Barack's message of change. He needs someone with experience and strong foreign policy knowledge. It does not have to be a woman. Just like race should not be a factor in a person's qualification to lead, gender should not be either. Barack should not feel that he has to pick a female just because Hillary ran for president and loss. I am a strong advocate for women receiving equal opportunities as men, but when it comes to such an important office as VP I want the person most qualified and who has America's interest at heart (male or female).

Re: gender | Report to Admin

By RJack11377 Jul 20th 2008 at 11:45 pm EDT

Governor Sebelius is the ideal candidate to run with the Senator. Unlike Mrs. Clinton, who's never run anything and is still a low-ranking Senator, Gov. Sebelius is a two-term governor of a traditionally red state.

She has a lot more experience than Mrs. Clinton at actually balancing a budget and administering state services. If it weren't for Bill, Hillary would just be an east coast version of Dianne Feinstein, a good Senator but just that -- a Senator.

This obsession with a foreign policy wonk in the No. 2 spot baffles me. We don;t need another Dick Cheney figure in that spot. We need someone with serious executive chops in the No. 2 spot. That would not be Hillary. That would be Governor Sebelius,

Hmmm | Report to Admin

By jude jones Jul 20th 2008 at 10:02 pm EDT

Karen, why don't you like her?

I don't know how much regional add-on a VP really brings--it has been traditionally a discussion topic about a VP, but the "tradition" associated with the VP role in the election doesn't necessarily bear out the state-capture notion (i.e. Edwards).

That's not to say I don't think Richardson would be a good pick for all the reasons laid out in the comment above....but some have raised questions about the implications of a ticket that consists of two candidates of color. I think it would be awesome, but the question is the power of the consideration about the racially negative voters. Maybe they can be written off, I don't know....Another question is how motivated that would make the conservative attack machine to ratchet up the subtle and not-so-subtle race-baiting.

I'm hoping Webb is pretending to have ducked out to throw the media off the scent, and that he will emerge as a possibility again. But Sebelius or Richardson would be fine. Bayh still seems a strong likelihood for midwest appeal if that regional concern really matters.

I don't see her strengthening the ticket. | Report to Admin

By Bobby Jul 20th 2008 at 10:59 pm EDT

No regional appeal,no foreign policy experience,no name recognition,no fundraising appeal,not a great speaker either. Obama's weakest demographic is white males and Reagan Democrats. Evan Bayh or Sam Nunn would help him there the most. Evan Bayh puts Indiana in play too. He's won 4 statewide races in Indiana. He got more votes in Indiana than GWB did in '04 too.

If Obama wants a woman on the ticket,Hillary would bring more to it than Sebelius. I was an HRC supporter in the primaries. I know I'm gonna have a problem with it if Obama picks Sebelius.

Re: I don't see her strengthening the ticket. | Report to Admin

By RJack11377 Jul 20th 2008 at 11:47 pm EDT

And I will have a problem with him if he picks Mrs. Clinton. I'll vote for him, but I'll have a problem with him.

Of Course She Won't! | Report to Admin

By RJack11377 Jul 20th 2008 at 11:50 pm EDT

Even if it means that Governor Sebelius, who in my opinion is the brightest choice out there. It'll be that old entitlement thing again with Hillary. The real loser won't be Hillary, but the country.

Does it have to be a woman? | Report to Admin

By John P Jul 21st 2008 at 1:28 am EDT

The right woman, I am all for, but not just any woman. Whether or not Obama chooses a woman or man should be based on the best person for the job. I may be naive (I prefer idealistic), but I hope that we are past the point of voting for or against someone because of gender or race. I don't know that much about Sibelius, but Hillary is not the choice of someone whose theme is change.

John Edwards would be a good choice. He has the regional thing going and his wife would be a definate draw, with her compassion and intelligence. Edwards populist message is not far removed from Obama's and his charisma would compliment Obama's.

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