Guest blog by Soheil, Iowa New Media Intern.
This past Tuesday, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius held a town hall meeting at the Iowa City Public Library to discuss why Barack Obama is the right choice in this election.
In part with Women for Obama Week, I put together a video of the event, featuring Governor Sebelius and a number of Barack’s female supporters. You can watch it here:
Senator Obama is a strong advocate for issues like pay equity and health care for all Americans. To cap off this week’s events, we’re asking you to join the Iowa chapter of Women for Obama here.
As members, you can receive updates on upcoming events, host and attend house parties in your community, meet other Women for Obama members, and sign up to volunteer for the campaign.
In Barack’s words, “Women have always made the difference in every election, and this year, your voice, your hope will be the deciding factors in forging a new future for America.”
Help us forge that future. Join today to help turn Iowa blue in 2008.
All this week, Women for Obama members in Iowa will be joining together for special events with elected officials, influential leaders, and other supporters to talk about the upcoming election and the important work that must be done to ensure that Democrats are elected up and down the ballot come November. Today in Iowa City, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius held several events to talk about the importance of this election, and how critical it is that Barack becomes our next president.
We ‘d love to have you at one of our upcoming events this week--- click here to find one of these special events near you. Attached below is an article discussing Gov. Sebelius’ stop at the Iowa City Public Library, but if you haven’t had a chance to hear a speech from the Governor, here is a video from one of her events a few weeks ago in Des Moines:
Kansas governor touts Obama's credentials Shawn Gude - The Daily Iowan Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius stopped by the Iowa City Public Library this morning with one topic in mind: Barack Obama. Speaking to a crowd of over 200, Sebelius linked Republican challenger John McCain's policies with President George W. Bush's unpopularity, while stressing the policy differences between the Illinois senator and McCain. "If, indeed, you feel like you are - as Ronald Reagan said - better off personally than you were eight years ago, that your family is better off than it was eight years ago, your state and country is better off than eight years ago - then John McCain is your guy," Sebelius said to the cheering crowd. "But if we truly believe we need to change direction in this country and embrace a new philosophy … then we need a change," she said. "We don't need somebody who just talks about change. We need a change in direction and a change in policy." Sebelius touted Obama's tax, healthcare, and economic policies as necessary changes, emphasizing the need for a "fair and progressive tax policy," one that aids the middle class, rather than the richest one percent of Americans. The Kansas governor also dismissed the notion that McCain is a party-bucker, citing that the Arizona senator would continue many of Bush's policies. "John McCain the maverick has now become the sidekick," Sebelius said.
Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius will campaign for Barack Obama at four stops across Ohio on Saturday. Govs. Napolitano and Sebelius, the daughter of former Ohio Governor John Gilligan, will kick off their campaign swing in Columbus by rallying Obama supporters participating in "Knock for Barack" canvassing events this weekend. Knock for Barack is an ongoing effort to reach voters in every corner of Ohio through grassroots neighbor-to-neighbor organizing and to mobilize support for Obama’s campaign to bring real change to Washington.
Following the rally in Columbus, Govs. Napolitano and Sebelius will host town hall forums on the economy with voters in Columbus, Marion, and Rossford. The forums will focus on Obama’s vision for helping working families, rebuilding our faltering economy, and adding jobs in Ohio and across the country.
Details on tomorrow's events are below. Each is open to the public, but click an event's title to RSVP on My.BarackObama.com.
Columbus Knock for Barack Rally10:15 amNorth Columbus Ohio for Change Office6066 Huntley Road Columbus, OH
Columbus Economic Town Hall Forum11:30 amHilltop Senior VillageDorrian Room300 Overstreet WayColumbus, OH
Marion Economic Town Hall Forum1:45 pmYMCA645 Barks Road, EastMarion, OH
Rossford Economic Town Hall Forum4:45 pmRossford Community Center400 Dixie Highway (State Route 65)Rossford, OH
Yesterday Governor Kathleen Sebelius visited Iowas to talk about getting involved in their neighborhood and why Barack Obama is the best choice for women in this election. Check out a few pictures from the event and then sign up to join Women for Obama. We’ll give you updates on upcoming events and get you more information about joining Obama organizing teams.
Sebelius: Obama best choice for women’s issues
DES MOINES — Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said Thursday that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama will push harder for women’s issues than John McCain, his likely Republican opponent. Sebelius, rumored to be under consideration as Obama’s running mate, said Obama has a stronger record on equal pay for women and universal health coverage than McCain, an Arizona senator. “We have a candidate in Barack Obama who very much supports universal health insurance, who supports pension equity for women, who supports expanded medical leave,” she said before an audience of around 70 people during a stop at the Scottish Rite Consistory in downtown Des Moines. Sebelius said Obama will unify the Democratic Party and attract supporters of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, a former rival for the party’s nomination. “I think when word gets out, when people spend a little time looking at the difference between John McCain and Barack Obama, there’s no question in my mind that folks who were enthusiastic about Hillary Clinton will be enthusiastically supporting Barack Obama,” she said. … Sebelius declined to comment on the possibility of joining Obama on the Democratic ticket while answering questions from reporters following her remarks. Asked if she wants the job, she replied, “I want Barack Obama to be elected president. I’m going to do everything I can to make sure he is elected Nov. 4.”
Don’t forget to join your Obama organizing team and help make a difference in your neighborhood!
The Barack Obama Campaign for Change in Iowa announced today that Governor Kathleen Sebelius will be in Des Moines and Waukee this Thursday. If you haven’t gotten a chance to hear from the Governor, this is one of those events you won’t want to miss. Check out this short clip from the Quad-City Times, then don’t forget to RSVP for one of these special events!
Kansas governor drops in on Iowa to stump for ObamaDES MOINES — Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat who has been rumored to be on the short list of Democrat Barack Obama’s potential running mates, will hit central Iowa on Thursday for a series of campaign appearances. The events include a brown bag lunch in Des Moines that will focus on pay equity for women and Obama’s economic policies. She’ll also kick off a volunteer phone bank for the Obama campaign’s Des Moines office. A meet and greet with 4th District congressional candidate Becky Greenwald is set for that afternoon in Waukee. Sebelius will also hold a community gathering at a deli in Indianola.
Kansas governor drops in on Iowa to stump for Obama
DES MOINES — Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat who has been rumored to be on the short list of Democrat Barack Obama’s potential running mates, will hit central Iowa on Thursday for a series of campaign appearances. The events include a brown bag lunch in Des Moines that will focus on pay equity for women and Obama’s economic policies. She’ll also kick off a volunteer phone bank for the Obama campaign’s Des Moines office. A meet and greet with 4th District congressional candidate Becky Greenwald is set for that afternoon in Waukee. Sebelius will also hold a community gathering at a deli in Indianola.
FIND AN EVENT NEAR YOU!
Brown Bag Lunch with Governor Kathleen SebeliusThursday, August 21st at 12:30 PMScottish Rite Consistory 519 Park St Des Moines, IA 50309 CLICK HERE TO RSVP Countdown to Convention Phone Bank with Governor Kathleen SebeliusThursday, August 21 at 5:00 PMObama Campaign for Change Des Moines Volunteer Field Office 1408 Locust St. Des Moines, IA 50309 CLICK HERE TO RSVP Meet and Greet with Gov. Kathleen Sebelius in the Waukee Field Office!Thursday, August 21 at 4:15 PMWaukee Field Office 144 Laurel St Waukee, IA 50263 CLICK HERE TO RSVP
Here's my latest Huffington Post article on the race, posted on Wednesday, August 13:
I don't imagine that Senator Barack Obama's veep vetting team is paying much attention to what I have to say, but I want to make the case for who I think the Land of Lincolner should pick for his running mate.
Since Obama became my party's presumptive nominee on June 3, names like Joe Biden, Tim Kaine, Evan Bayh, and Kathleen Sebelius have dominated the headlines. Jim Webb and Mark Warner took themselves out of consideration earlier this summer, and there's been speculation this week that Hillary Clinton has been asked to deliver the keynote speech at Tuesday night's convention, which pundits say rules out any chance that the junior New York Senator might speak as a Vice Presidential candidate in Denver (never mind that Tuesday, except in 2004, has traditionally been the Vice Presidential nominee's night anyway, which the talking heads seem to overlook).
Excerpt:
A few months back I wrote a post analyzing the attributes of contenders for the VP spot. The conclusion of that post was that Gen. Wesley Clark was the best pick to be Obama's VP. I mentioned at the time that I had not weighted the different metrics that were used to rank the VP contenders. Given that we know a lot more now about how the general election is going to shape up, it's time to put some weights to the different categories and see if we come up with a different result. Here is my ranking of the metrics: Economic Issues (10 pts) Executive Experience (9 pts) Swing Staters (7 pts) Brand (6 pts) Foreign Policy (5 pts) Women (4 pts) Military Service (3 pts) Hillary Supporters (2 pts) Moderate / Conservative Values (1 pt) The weights are listed in parentheses. Using the categorization that we did in the Veepstakes section for each candidate, here is the ranking of all the VP contenders (it may surprise you)
A few months back I wrote a post analyzing the attributes of contenders for the VP spot. The conclusion of that post was that Gen. Wesley Clark was the best pick to be Obama's VP. I mentioned at the time that I had not weighted the different metrics that were used to rank the VP contenders. Given that we know a lot more now about how the general election is going to shape up, it's time to put some weights to the different categories and see if we come up with a different result. Here is my ranking of the metrics:
Economic Issues (10 pts)
Executive Experience (9 pts)
Swing Staters (7 pts)
Brand (6 pts)
Foreign Policy (5 pts)
Women (4 pts)
Military Service (3 pts)
Hillary Supporters (2 pts)
Moderate / Conservative Values (1 pt)
The full article
Die-hard Hillary Clinton supporters have gotten themselves back in the news by warning Barack Obama that he better not pick another woman for his running mate. Enough already.
The no-woman-but-Hillary rhetoric shouldn’t have much impact on Barack Obama’s selection of a vice presidential nominee. By many gender-neutral measures, Kathleen Sebelius would be an excellent choice. An effective governor who has successfully enacted progressive policies in a mostly Republican state would be a great addition to the ticket. Then, a candidate on ticket would have chief-executive experience, and the selection would reinforce Barack’s measures of someone who could reach across party lines to further his agenda.
My first choice is Brian Schweitzer. He is younger, more dynamic, and more libertarian than Sebelius. Also, he can use his expertise from his pre-political career to help craft our energy policy. But, if that team doesn’t work out (whether Schweitzer isn’t interested, or Barack believes that their personalities don’t click well enough), Sebelius would be my preferred vice presidential candidate.
If the Clintonistas have trouble with that, too bad. The Clinton supporters who are less vocal than Geraldine Ferraro or Lanny Davis are less wedded to the Hillary-or-nobody notion. And, it wouldn’t be bad for Barack to show the country that the Democratic Party isn’t the Clintons’ party anymore.
Chris Cillizza makes an interesting case for Indiana's Evan Bayh as Obama's vice presidential pick. Personally, I think the choices are Evan Bayh, Joe Biden, and Sam Nunn, with Bill Richardson or Kathleen Sebelius as outside picks. What do you think?
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/07/the_case_for_obama.html?hpid=topnews
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 | BioThe 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.
Just got back from Topeka, Kansas, site of the annual Kansas State Bar Convention. One of the time honored traditions is a bar show put on by local lawyers and judges that includes lots of singing, dancing, acting, and satire.
The chief focus of the event was Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, governor of the great state of Kansas and sometimes mentioned as a possible running mate for Sen. Barack Obama.
If left to Kansas judges and lawyers, it seems Gov. Sebelius is the shoo-in for Barack's Veep choice. The series of skits ended with her sitting at a big desk with a huge "Vice President of the USA" and the VP seal in front of it.
Who's to doubt the wisdom of members of the Kansas Bar, I ask you?! ;)
Read more at SD Watch: http://www.southdakotawatch.net
Dear Barack,
For VP, should my humble opinion matter, I think you should choose Kathleen Sebelius. She's my top choice even though I've only just recently learned anything about her. In fact, the first time I heard her name was in some article that said she would be a more likely first female president than Hillary Clinton. Given that Hillary was still a contender for the nomination at the time, I wondered who this woman could be that anyone would say something so audacious. Aside from that, my reasons are due to her appeal to midwesterners, to women, and to the republican moderates. She seems pretty high profile, having been featured in TIME magazine as one of the best governors, she appeals to concerns about the economy with what she did in Kansas with the inherited debt, and there doesn't seem to be a bad comment anywhere about her. To be achieve a landslide victory over a republican in a "red state" is impressive. I think she'd be a powerhouse addition to the ticket.
---Godheval
Hillary: She ran half a race, her ultimate downfall. With higher aspirations and a recent history of conflict with Obama, not to mention a newly formed animosity between Bill and Barack, Hillary might not be the best choice. Also, she and her husband would be very difficult to control. However, she did acquire more than half of the primary votes and has faired quite well in many of the swing states, and has the backing of many different demographics within the Democratic Party (Woman, elderly…). Also, the Clinton name definitely brings name recognition on the national scale (for better or for worse).
Odds: 9:1 - Hillary may have some of the power in the swing states and a large following, but there are several other VP-candidates out there that could pick up a good percentage of the vote.
Jim Webb: This first-term Junior Senator from Virginia has been nothing but stellar as a Liberal attack dog in the Senate. He would bring Obama certainly a lot of Military credentials, a history of conflict with McCain, and the support of a VERY important swing state as the senator of Virginia. However, if Obama is looking for a less partisan, more experienced, pro-gun control, and more controllable Vice-President, Barack should look elsewhere.
Odds: 3:1 - Since joining the Senate, Webb has been fighting, if not harder, then just as hard as Obama for reforms that are also important to Barack. Also, don’t forget his military history (that can’t be Swiftboat-ed) and Virginia.
Chuck Hagel: This Senator has been the “Lieberman” cross-over for the Dems. He has seen eye-to-eye with Majority many times in the Senate, especially against continuation of the war. However, on many social issues, particularly abortion, he is quite conservative.
Odds: 20:1 - Hagel may be anti-war and anti-partisanship, but he is still a Republican.
Bill Richardson: He would bring in the Hispanic vote, and provide Obama with support by bring years of executive experience, foreign policy experience, and the support of the “Clinton” side of the party. However, he was the worst in debates. Period. Not to mention, it might be difficult to try and persuade those semi-xenophobic, possibly racist independents out there to vote for an African-American president with a Hispanic-American VP (just being honest).
Odds: 23:1 - “My mind is mush.” Enough said.
Kathleen Sebelius (Governor-Kansas)
Pros:
Cons:
Chances: Good. As with Bill Richardson their is a risk with choosing someone from an "oppressed group" for Vice President but her potential strength amongthe three Ws: working class whites, Western States, and women might be more than enough to override that concern.
What do you think?
Be sure to check out the candidates on my short list.
