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August 4th, 2008
09:13 PM ET

Who gets second billing on the presidential ballot?

Interest in the "Veepstakes" is heating up as we approach the political conventions. Weigh the pros and cons of some possible running mates for Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama.

CHECK IT OUT


Filed under: Raw Politics • Vice President
soundoff (43 Responses)
  1. Jim

    If Hillary is not on the ticket then I will be voting for McCain. I call it my new kind of politics. It is not that old party loyalty vote that is so passe. It is change that I can believe in.

    August 5, 2008 at 8:21 am |
  2. Mary Kish

    my whole family voted for Hillary in the primary...and if she is not on the ticket in the fall than we won't vote for Obama...he needs her experience and supporters...and if he is too arrogant to see that than he shouldn't be president.

    August 5, 2008 at 5:39 am |
  3. Peace Out

    "We'll be stronger if our voices are heard." Hillary Clinton ! ALL ABOARD TO DENVER ! "Let the people rule." Delegates make your votes count so our voices are heard. Go Clinton !

    August 5, 2008 at 5:21 am |
  4. Niliad Los Angeles, California

    The DNC delegates, super delegates and back stabbers chose their Boy!
    BIG MISTAKE, HUGE MISTAKE.,

    HUGE.!!!!! It seems the polls are a big surprise..Mr God thought that by now he would have a 25 lead... today Same!

    CNN: Stop with the media bais on Obama..Bring out the discussion on the two books that reveal who Obama is... a self serving, cheat, who will do and say anything to win....
    CNN Be fair to the people of our country-let them decide for themselves!
    Bring on the two authors that have the real scoop on the real Obama.
    Stop with the representing obama he can not part the waters and his change is really a change to disparity!

    August 5, 2008 at 2:57 am |
  5. Niliad Los Angeles, California

    Any Veep he chooses will be sorry that he associated himself with this self serving political manipulator. I feel sorry for anyone he chooses.
    Probably a political suicide!
    Find out who Obama really is! a manipulator who will use anything or anyone, who will say or do anything to win.

    Kaine would be his best choice! two of a kind!

    August 5, 2008 at 2:49 am |
  6. Okereke, Okpi

    If Obama wants to win without headaches then Hillary is the way to go.Both of them been on thesame ticket will be historic in the American History. I hope Obama will not do anything to distroy this opportunity God has given him.

    August 5, 2008 at 2:48 am |
  7. Niliad Los Angeles, California

    'Who cares Obama's going to loose anyway. The man is just big manipulator who says and does anything to get the vote.
    Obama is on the offensive and tries to say McCain has done nothing in regards to energy,..
    Welll what has Obama done on anything..His resume is quite thin.. and that is a generous expression. This man has associated with himself with the lowest of scums to move up. His words are empty words and shows socialistic tendencies..give give give well tell us how mr. Obama

    Obama is an empty suite who give us BS ...Obama continues to object to off shore drilling, however it seems that since this may just loose the election for him, now is saying the contrary...

    Obama is simply a manipulator a user and is not what he represents and I truly wish that CNN stop covering up for him. CNN needs to interview the two authors of the latest two books on the real Obama. the people of America should know who this Obama is? We do know that his radical racist anti=American support was there, but of course for political self serving reasons he throws his mentor, pastor, friend uncle like under the bus, even his white grandmother was thrown and oh so quickly... He is a phony arrogant who thinks the world is waiting for his coming. His plane a poor imitation of a presidential chair= engraved with his name and underneath the word President.,.
    he might just have to change that to Looser! How can we trust this man? His words are empty, they say nothing but everyone else's rhetoric. Every time he starts to loose ground there comes the race card and the idiots Obamamaniacs fall for this shameful use of his race.He did it in the primary and now again..Fortunately people are getting to see what is really ahead for all of us... a racially intimidating Presidency! Shame on Obama, not experienced, being a phony and using others has nothing to do with his race., It;s not because he is black that people will not be voting, its because he is a Big risk, a man that says anything, his radical anti American associates is the reason why millions will not vote for Him....
    VP? Well I sure hope Mrs. Clinton won't be the one... Anyone associated with this man will come down for they will be blamed for his arrogance and inexperienced
    . A man that thinks he is the messiah!
    As a democrat I will NEVER NEVER VOTE FOR THIS MAN!
    I urge all of you to think again, we are in trying times and can not afford to risk our livelihood, risk our future on the whim of an empty vessel. I say no to RiskyObami

    August 5, 2008 at 2:42 am |
  8. lampe

    Phil, I have news for you. The Clinton supporters are not going to get on the Obama sinking ship. And I think it was and is disgraceful the way they were and still are treating Pres. Clinton. The only people the whole time who have been playing the race card, are

    Phil, I have news for you, there is no way in hell that The Clinton supporters,are getting on the sinking ship Obama. I find it disgraceful the way that Obama, and his Black supporters, used the race card against Pres. Clinton. Now they are trying to use it against McCain, but guess what he does not have to keep the peace in The Democratic Party, so Obama, is not going to be able to pull the same crap, as he did with The Clintons. And as far as the remark goes, that Clinton supporters, are against not only a black man but any man,is real stupid considering that only man have ever been elected. People like you with your comments, just make it so much easier for Clinton supporters to turn Republican, keep up the good work, and you can take the blame for the next4 or 8 years.

    August 5, 2008 at 2:40 am |
  9. Laurie

    For Obama's VP I would like to see Evan Byah. I think he could help Obama with the Blue Collar workers and the Clinton voters.

    I think it would be a mistake to pick Hillary Clinton even though I personally like her. There is too much animosity between Bill Clinton and Obama. I felt that Bill Clinton was one of the finest Presidents we have had in quite a few years, aside from the problems with Monica Lewinsky.

    I don't understand how the Clinton supporters can say that they will vote for McCain. He just is so different from her views. Also McCain will just be an extension of Bush and I couldn't stand four more years of McBush or McSame. Obama is so much better than McCain.

    At least Obama is willing to compromise and work with others. Sometimes a candidate has to do some compromising to get elected. I have been involved in politics for quite a few years and some of the younger, newer Obama supporters don't realize that you have to move a little to the center or the Republicans will label Obama as being too liberal or too far to the left. It is sort of a dance you have to go through.

    I think we need a change and the only way to get out of the mess that Bush and the Republicans have gotten us into is to elect Sen. Obama.

    August 5, 2008 at 2:13 am |
  10. alexm in seattle

    Why do people continue to mention possible VP's that have virtually no chance at being on the ticket with Sen. Obama? A President Obama needs 60 senate seats – no way Bayh is on the ticket. Obama is winning working class white overwhelmingly and women now without having Hillary on the ticket – no way Hillary is on the ticket. He needs someone who can amplify his message of change not detract from it and represents outside not inside the beltway - that's either ex-Gov. Mark Warner or Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. My money is on Warner since he brings VA and ANYONE can jump in to beat Gilmore.

    Side note - can we PLEASE stop talking about how Obama needs help winning working class voters. He's out performing Gore and Kerry and McCain in that demo. To say it is simply dishonest.

    August 5, 2008 at 1:30 am |
  11. Carol Kerr

    If Hillary is not on the ticket with Obama, I won't be voting

    August 5, 2008 at 1:19 am |
  12. rosemccovery

    no matter how people gets in obama corner. and who he picks what he says ther are enough bobys in thise our beloved county that would rather see ameria go to hell than vote for a black man thats on the real. mcian could be in a wheelchair and having senior proments. like i have at 67.

    August 5, 2008 at 1:13 am |
  13. Ralph

    I hope Obama does not ask Hillary, I don't want her to get the blame when he loses the election. She needs to get started for 2012.

    August 5, 2008 at 1:13 am |
  14. Elizabeth Smith LeValley

    I think Sen Obama will pick a high profile military man, who I do not know but I think he will come from the military. And Sen McCain will go with either Mitt Romney who is a economic master mind or Rep Eric Cantor of Virginia. Both would suit the more conservative Republicans.
    I will go with the dark horse Cantor. Just a gutt feeling.

    August 5, 2008 at 12:57 am |
  15. Jim in Atlanta

    I hope Hillary refuses to join Obama's ticket if the offer is extended. Obama is a sinking ship and Hillary has a another chance to take it all in 2012. There is no reason for her to waste her time with him. After Obama loses, the Dems will finally realize their mistake and make Hillary the nominee the next time around. There will be no doubts in 2012

    August 5, 2008 at 12:18 am |
  16. Chuck

    It's really interesting watching so much hatred and venom being poured on Hillary Clinton and her family by most CNN contributors. Infact, it leaves me pondering what is so bad this woman (Hillary) has done to warrant this animosity. I thought the members of the media were supposed to be indifferent when making their analysis, but one could see clearly that they are taking sides. To give examples, one could clearly see that Gloria Borger & Roland Martins, even though they are mot supporting any candidate has not spoken one good word about Hillary clinton. They simply do not see anything good about her. Now this is very wrong.
    I am an African American and will support Obama to be the President, but I seriously think Hillary did a marvellous job in the primaries to deserve at least some applause from Gloria Borger and others.
    Agreed that her campaign had some problems, but it will only take a strong fighter like Hillary to go that far amidst all the problems.

    I strongly believe that she lost the primaries not because her campaign was having problems, but because of silly comments by people like Gloria borger and so on. Also, she lost the campaign because of back biting by some big wig democrats who are simply jealous of her.

    Having said all these, I think Obama should consider seriously inviting her to the ticket. However, if he thinks otherwise, it is still good as long as it is his decision, but people should at least stop insulting Hillary and her husband. They did not do anything out of the ordinary in the primaries, they were trying to win an election just like Obama.

    August 4, 2008 at 11:58 pm |
  17. Joseph Edgecombe

    I wish Shirley Chisholm was Still around to give her opinion on today's Issues and the current democratic Party Affairs. She would be strait to the piont, she was our no nonsense leader during the70's and late 60's. She set the lanmark for other to build upon. so I say whoever can bet build on Shirley Chisholm's Political Foundation should be the Next Vice President. That would show that we do have a few educated politicians in America.

    August 4, 2008 at 11:38 pm |
  18. Carolyn Neuman

    I feel that it is of utmost importance that Barack Obama is elected the next President of the United States. None of the VP possibilities have impressed me, except of course, Senator Biden. BUT, he is much less 'known' than Senator Clinton. .....therefore I vote for Hilary. She would be a magnificient Vice President... and they can tell President Bill Clinton that he needs to be quiet. I think that he will.

    Senator Obama is the one that can help us and the rest of the world. We do love Senator McCain, but.....he is too closely tied to the Bush administration, no matter what they say. Senator Obama is right he is the one that can make the changes. Carolyn Neuman

    August 4, 2008 at 11:38 pm |
  19. davd

    Mit for Mc cain (it is after all a beauty contest ) I guess that would leave hillary for the dems -Right

    August 4, 2008 at 11:29 pm |
  20. Debbie Wilson

    I have never blogged and don't know if I am doing it correctly, but here goes. I am a Registered Nurse and my husband works on the production line for Whirlpool Corporation. The VP selection CAN and MAY determine who wins the presidential election. If Barack Obama is truly looking out for the interest of the American people, he will put his ego aside and select the most qualified person, Hiliary Clinton, as his running mate. I hope the Democrats don't shoot themselves in the foot again...the republican voters will turn out in full force whether they like John McCain or not. I respected AL Gore's ability completely but questioned his judgement in selecting Liebermann. After the Kennedy tragedies, many Americans do consider who will take over if the unthinkable happened. Democrats will unite like no other time in history with an Obama/Clinton ticket. The Republicans will not know what hit them. They definitely won't be able to steal their way back into the Oval Office. Americans are smarter than given credit, all politicians are the same when it comes to saying what they think people want to hear. I am ashamed to say that my family for the first time in our lives, will not vote for either McCain or Obama unless Clinton is the VP selection.

    August 4, 2008 at 11:28 pm |
  21. William Courtland

    So the captian of the senate?

    A senior partner of law who is still in practiced, who holds a great deal of employed equity, has and a clean title investments record, and has expanded personally into private enterprise with there mass viability.

    Any retired CEO.

    August 4, 2008 at 11:22 pm |
  22. Jolene

    I like the brief but to the point pros and cons of those on the VP short list. Really brings everything into perspective for me. It will be interesting to see how it all ends up. I do believe the Summer Olympics will take attention away from politics but doubt that any annoucements will come out anytime soon! Thanks.

    Jolene, St. Joseph, MI

    August 4, 2008 at 11:18 pm |
  23. JC- Los Angeles

    Michelle Obama will never allow Hillary Clinton on her husband's ticket, period.

    Michelle Obama is the born leader while her husband the born face man; so far the combination is duping the general public.

    Michelle was her husband's boss at the law firm, then led him to Rev. Wright who they followed for twenty years; now she is leading his campaign.

    In a perfect world Michelle would select no VP for her husband and would fill the role herself in an advisory capacity.

    The only way I see Obama losing this election is through Michelle; unless he takes control and leads for once, his wife's choices will cost him an un-loseable election.

    August 4, 2008 at 11:17 pm |
  24. Jacqueline

    The question is...does he want to be win...or an african american canidate who "almost won the white houst". Hillary Clinton is an asset! The man is loosing in the race! If he wants to win..he needs to pic her! I am an african american female.....Hillary will bring him the white house.....Obama...do you desire to be the president of the United States. For the record, Rolan, Bill Clinton is still the man in the Black Community.....trust me!

    August 4, 2008 at 11:15 pm |
  25. Brent

    Isn't Evan Bayh a done deal. my understanding is Obama is making a 2 day stop in Indiana and asking the press to stay over till Wednesday when there is an expected announcement.

    August 4, 2008 at 11:14 pm |
  26. Tommy John

    Hillary can deliver the presidency to Barrack!! She has a great idea how the process works, she understands how to get things done. However I do not think he is smart enough to select her as a veep!! My guess is that he will pick Wesley Clark to compensate for is lacking foreign policy experience.

    Tommy John
    Pittsburgh, PA

    August 4, 2008 at 10:48 pm |
  27. Fred Schaefer

    For Senator Obama the best choice would be Senator John Kerry.

    Senator McCain is unfortunately now being run by the hardliner
    Republican machinery – the independent voters will have no more
    of this stuff, we had eight years.

    August 4, 2008 at 10:47 pm |
  28. Mary Wyatt

    If party leaders have any sense at all, they will get togather and the "SUPER DELEGATES" will change their vote and put someone on the ticket who can win.

    People don't admit they are racist. But when they are in the voting booth, they will show how they really feel. This country has not changed as much as we WISH! Washington and the press have lost touch with the VOTERS!

    Bush has spent over seven years opening every door in the white house. All we had to do was walk in next Jan. 2009. But the people who hate the Clintons have control of the processs and they have closed every door.

    We are going to lose the election! Anyone who can't see that has not paid enough attention to what has been going on in our country. What happened to Senator Clinton will not be "smoothed over" by election day.

    My black great grandaughter, will have to fight just as hard 20 years from now, as I had to 47 years ago. Women are still viewed as "second class citizens" in the USA!

    August 4, 2008 at 10:46 pm |
  29. Phil

    Dick Lugar gets my vote as VEEP. I know its damn near impossible, but, I'd rather see aa senator from the other side of the isle, rather than a Dem. Besides, Lugar's foreighn policy experience makes Joe Biden look like "Skipy the punk."
    After the Bill Clinton interview tonight, Hillary is definitely not in. I don't have a probelm with her, but the problem is Bill. He still can't admit that he got trumped in the Democratic Primary. Yeah, I've heard the Kennedy/Johnson deal and the Reagan/Bush deal, however, the Obama/Clinton deal ain't gonna happen! The Clinton supporters need to get onboard the Obama train and let's get the Democratic Party Express rolling. Then again, if they don't, they"ll show everyone that their just as against a black man being elected, let alone a man period, and will usher in the 3rd term of GWB!!

    August 4, 2008 at 10:42 pm |
  30. Ron, Berkeley,Ca.

    As for the democrats,if thegoal is to win, then Hillary is the ticket. I will cast my vote for Obama, but I voted for Hillary in the primary. I am a proud African American male, and I have to be relistic, and accept the fact that Obama is the nomminee of my party. As for the republicans I could care less about them,and or theyre presidential nomminee, or vice pres. pick. Theyre all crooks anyway.

    August 4, 2008 at 10:42 pm |
  31. Glenda

    If Senator O Bama doesn't pick Hilary, he deserves to loose and I think he will. As to Biden...o Bama just pointed out that Mc Cain has been in Washiongton for the twenty six years that nothing had been done about energy..well so has Biden tho maybe not that long. I don't think he will help the party at all.

    August 4, 2008 at 10:41 pm |
  32. frank s

    For Obama it has to be Joe biden. He knows every foreign leader by name, his spouse's name, his dog's name and most of all where the bodies are buried! No one can pull a fast one on Joe biden. He and Obama also make the best bad cop-good cop duo I have ever seen!
    Also...Sec State/Hillary clinton (in waiting since Joe Biden will be 75 when Obama leaves office.) Sec Defense 1st term/Colin Powell (no general will give him any grief and the Middle East is scared to death of him) Atty General/John Edwards/honesty-integrety) Homeland Sec/Richard Clark (no one with more knowledge) Wish I could get Al Gore to be involved in Energy somehow........

    August 4, 2008 at 10:38 pm |
  33. Thomas

    There's an astrologer who predicted the VP choice (Evan Bayh) weeks ago and posted it on the Internet. Google 'Evan Bayh' and 'astrology' . There's a lot of talk about it.

    August 4, 2008 at 10:37 pm |
  34. Jason Swingler

    Evan Bayh would be the best pick not only because he backed Clinton in the primaries, but primarily because he is from rural white America. Obama needs to close the deal with enough poor white voters in order to form a majority. The grand coalition can not just include African Americans, Hispanics, the young and liberal professionals. He must reach out to those who are both poor and white. Evan Bayh can speak to those voters because that is where he came from.

    Jason Swingler
    Phoenix AZ

    August 4, 2008 at 10:36 pm |
  35. Parry Tompkin

    I dont think Hillary should be picked for his VP.Its all Baracks choice but if it was me decision she shouldn"t be picked.Do to her husband not liking Obama at all, thats would be like putting a snake in bed with you,dont you think.With Bill being Hillary"s husband I think that would be drama to the White House.Dont get me wrong.Hillary would make a good VP,its not her its her.Its her husband I am worried about and he is part of the package.

    East.St.Louis,Ill

    August 4, 2008 at 10:34 pm |
  36. Aaron clegg

    The Vice President is very importatnt in a campaign and the Strongest person to fight for John MCCain is Mit Romney. If Obaman selects Hilary, the best one who can play hard ball is Mt Romney. He can stand up and fight. Also he can help McCain withthe Economics, he turned the Salt lake City Olympics around in 2002 and he has turned big business around and why not the Government, since it is so dep in debt he can do it turn the coutnry around and so MCCain need to select Romney. He by the far the strongest of theVP rumors that I have heard on TV.

    August 4, 2008 at 10:29 pm |
  37. Nicholas

    I hope the Democrats choose Clinton. Clinton had some great policies during the primary and really showed that she can handle herself very well. Clinton would assist Obama with workers and grass root democrats If Hillary is VP Obama will win the presidency I say give HIllary the job

    August 4, 2008 at 10:28 pm |
  38. Christy

    Clinton should be the VP. Hillary has done a great job in NY understands the issues and has earned the right to the VP job If Obama picks Clinton he will win the presidency. Also its about time there was a woman in the whote house outside of being first lady. I am a New Yorker and I saw put Clinton on the ticket

    August 4, 2008 at 10:24 pm |
  39. Jeff Booker

    Romney makes the most sense for McCain. Pawlenty & Palin are both a cycle or two away from passing the 'ready to be president' test. Romney also plays in NH, MI, CO, NV & MN.

    August 4, 2008 at 10:22 pm |
  40. lampe

    If it's not Sen. Clinton, it doesn't really matter. At this stage of the game the only reason Obama, would pick her is if he knew he was losing. I hope if asked Sen. Clinton will tell Obama, his supporters and The DNC, jusy where to go. She is so much better, than he could ever hope to be. The air is finally starting to seep out of his big ego head. Americans, are starting to get a real good look at their PURSUMPTIVE NOMINEE.

    August 4, 2008 at 10:17 pm |
  41. sam r.

    Hillary no way. Chuck Hagel is the way to go for Obama. If Hillary is in I go to McCain.

    August 4, 2008 at 10:17 pm |
  42. Wendy Warren

    Why doesn't Obama choose Colin Powell as his VP? That would really show a different kind of politics, help him internationally and with congress.

    August 4, 2008 at 10:13 pm |
  43. Annie Kate

    Clinton got 18 million votes during the primary – that doesn't seem that divisive except with people who foam at the mouth whenever the Clinton name is mentioned. Hillary has an amazing grasp on the issues and specific plans for them. She can deliver blue collar workers, and states where Obama did poorly. She would be a great VEEP but I doubt Obama would pick her. Of the others that are on the list – Joe Biden looks the best no matter how long he has been around. He can certainly help with the experience factor and in foreign policy and national security.

    Annie Kate
    Birmingham AL

    August 4, 2008 at 9:47 pm |