In the game of Veepstakes speculation there are still potential candidates below most people’s radar. For example, a certain governor of Oklahoma recently took time out for a quiet trip to Turkey, paid for by by the Institute for Interfaith Dialog. Could he be padding his international affairs resume?
I know that most in the Netroots would vastly prefer Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer to Brad Henry but every candidate (and region) comes with certain downsides. And, in any case, if the pick is Schweitzer then Schweitzer has a world class poker face:
Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer got on the phone Tuesday with Illinois Senator Barack Obama’s top campaign officials to discuss the Democrat’s campaign strategy in the state, and issues relevant to Montana.
“I actually haven’t had a conversation with the Senator, but I can tell you what’s not sensible is to stop Montanans from buying and selling guns at gun shows” said Scweitzer. “Gee, I don’t know if there’s many counties in Montana that don’t have a gun show every once in a while. I can tell you that’s not a reasonable change in gun laws.”
Chris Dodd has one important booster:
During a radio interview with KGGO-FM at the fair Wednesday, [Sen. Tom] Harkin said he’s pushing for Senate colleague Chris Dodd of Connecticut.
“He is on the short list. What’s going to happen, I just don’t know right now,” Harkin said.
Chuck Hagel probably is not too excited about this Washington Post article. No one from either party came to his defense. I am hearing Hagel’s a near-lock for a cabinet position but he’s not getting on the ticket.
As for Wesley Clark, he’s punching the clock like a dutiful Democrat by raising money for Tennessee senate candidate, former Marine, and fellow Vietnam veteran Bob Tuke. I get that feeling that Al Gore might make be doing a surprise fundraiser, too. What do you think?
Tuke’s campaign manager, Ben Chao, said Monday that Clark, a former presidential candidate who carried Tennessee in the 2004 campaign before losing nationally to John Kerry, will host a fundraising reception in Nashville on Thursday.
He said a “huge national Democrat,” who he declined to name, will host an event next week.
It’s little things like this, party building for the party, that give Wesley Clark credibility as a real Democrat, and not just some showhorse for the Clinton Team. Nevertheless, Al Giordano has me convinced that Clark is not in the running.
If the pick is going to be Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, then the Obama campaign is very tight-lipped about it. However, Reed and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine are still lacking announced speaking slots. I haven’t heard any announcement on Dodd, Bayh, Richardson, or Biden, either.
Based on his weak protests, I don’t think Tom Daschle is out of the running. But I still see Daschle as a more likely candidate for chief of staff. It’d be a more powerful position, too.
The fact that Russ Feingold is so off message is all the proof you need to know that he is not in the running. I also think Feingold is wrong on the merits.
Here’s my list, in order of preference, not likelihood:
1. Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius
2. Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed
3. Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown
4. Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd
5. Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer
6. Virginia Governor Tim Kaine
7. Former Majority Leader Tom Daschle
8. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson
9. Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry
10. General Wesley Clark
11. Fmr. Rhode Island Senator Lincoln Chafee
12. Delaware Senator Joe Biden
13. Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel
14. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell
15. Indiana Senator Evan Bayh
16. New York Senator Hillary Clinton
Anyone I missed? What’s your preference?
