ABOUT FIRST READ

First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Obama taps 3 to lead veep committee

Posted: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 2:45 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
First Read has confirmed the news, first reported by the Associated Press, that Obama has tapped three Democrats to head his vice presidential search committee: JFK daughter Caroline Kennedy, Fannie Mae CEO Jim Johnson, and Eric Holder, who served as deputy attorney general under Bill Clinton. *** CORRECTION *** Johnson is the former CEO of Fannie Mae.

"Sen. Obama is pleased to have three talented and dedicated individuals managing this rigorous process," Obama spokesman Bill Burton says. "He will work closely with them in the coming weeks but ultimately this will be his decision and his alone."

*** UPDATE *** Per NBC/NJ's Athena Jones, Obama senior adviser Linda Douglass told reporters on the press bus that Kennedy had already been been very much involved in the campaign and that Holder "brings a lot of good judgment to the table."

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ABC---Anybody But Clinton!
GOBAMA....

You picked three outstanding citizens.
OK Chuck.

Now where's the Dem VP brackets, c'mon now, times a-wasting.

:)
Message sent

I'm not backing down.  I pick the VP, not Clinton.
I hope Caroline Kennedy throws Hillary Clinton's application into the garbage!

DON"T CHOOSE HILLARY!!!!

President Obama and not Hillary for VP 08!
what a total random bunch?  caroline kennedy?  are you kidding me?  who the heck are the other two?  this is scary, that this is who he choses to advise him on this first big decision...is this an indication as to what his cabinet would be?  
I imagine Mr. Holder will be getting an inviation from Mr. & Mrs. Clinton very shortly about a dinner and a meeting.....
This is exactly why this guy is our nominee.  He immediately puts a team in place to tamp down all the HRC talk.  NO ONE is going to highjack his campaign.  Game, Set, Match AGAIN!
Pretty sure Caroline won't encourage him to choose HRC! But I hope BO gives Caroline a Cabinet position!
Good. We will not be strong-armed by anyone, be it a previous candidate or not.

One does not "run" for VP... one is offered it by the nominee.
The process shouldn't take long since Gov. Richardson is in NM waiting on you.  If Richardson is selected then you need to come on back to FL and deliver the early knockout punch to McCain.  
ScaredToDeathofObama (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 2:52 PM)

Do some homework. Caroline is well respected as a mover & shaker, all these folks are highly intelligent and responsible with solid backgrounds and perfectly suted for this task.
Per a Newsweek article, Hillary doesn't want the VP pick to be another woman.  Only one allowed through the glass ceiling?
Put Colin Powell on that veep search team and maybe big Al Gore also.
Obama/Webb '08!
Senator Jim Webb, VA will be a perfect choice.  He brings military and management experience to supplement Barack's strengths.  He of a like mind with Barack about Iraq and Iran.  He's Reagan's former Navy Secretary.  He'll help Obama win Virginia and other southern states.
Obama/Webb '08.  Put money on it.
Please do not let HRC into this process. She does not represent anything that he repesents. MY whole family of 10 people have worked vey hard for Obama. NOne of us will vote for him if she is on the ticket. I think the Clinton's are responsible for the deaths of 35 including Ron Brown and Vince Foster. We would not vote for him because we would not want harm to come to him. The Clinton's are as respectable as the Mafia. They can manipulate some but they cannot manipulate me. They need to crawl under the rock that they came out of.  
Yeah Chuck where's the Dem VP bracket?

I want to vote! Don't surpress my vote Chuck!
This is only the beginning and I am sure this is the beginning of a vigorous process.

I wonder what Susan Rice's position will be in his cabinet?

He takes ordinary people and get extraordinary tasks done.  Unlike others that are "scared to death", I am not worried at all.  
,
As Hillary said in January 2007, "I'm in it, to win it."

HILLARY LOST and CONTINUES LOSING.

Caroline says: NO TO HILLARY AS VP.

Obama says: "I am not insane."
_____________________________________________________
Dear Scared ... Yes, his cabinet will be chosen with as much care as were his campaign advisors who shepherded this brilliant, accomplished, very smart and successful campaign.  so relax, already ... it's going to be fine!

Besides, your not hearing of them has no bearing on how competent they are. (difficult as that may be for you to understand) ...
Bayh, Strickland, Zinni, Warner.

Others "ceremoniously" placed on the short-list for effect but not for serious consideration will be Richardson, Clinton, Sebellius and possibly either/both Hagel and Bloomberg, assuming neither pre-empts that by stating they aren't available for the Democratic ticket.
I am a big Obama supporter and I do know the pro's for not us wanting the Clintons on the ticket...But It might not be such a bad Idea...Bill could be a great asset to Obama as an adviser to Obama..... Bill does have presidential experience...So I think Obama should consider the Idea....I know hillary is h*ll to deal with but she does have 17 million voters under her belt......Im just saying!!!!!! I dont like her either but They could turn out to be a plus for Obama!!!
How dare Obama assume that he has the right to choose his own running mate?  Who does he think he is, the 2008 Democratic Party nominee for President of the United States?

I am holding out hope that he chooses Kathleen Sebelius.  She would put Kansas in play.  Hopefully, that would help mend fences with Hillary supporters.  I agree that it would be nice to see a woman on a Presidential ticket, but I have to draw the line at Hillary.  I just don't think it is a good idea to put a defendant in a campaign finance fraud lawsuit on the ticket.

Obama/Sebelius in 2008.  Integrity matters and the Clintons have none.
Reasons why HRC should NOT be the Veep.

"sniper fire in Bosnia".
"John McCain and I have passed the commander in chief test"
"as far as I know he is not a Muslim"
"He would not be my Pastor"
"I'm ready on day one he isn't"
"Remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June."
Richard Mellon Scaife
cozying up to FIXed news
She never congratulated Senator Obama on his wins, despite his publicly doing so when she won.
She voted to authorize Iraq war.
She voted to declare parts of the Iranian military a terrorist organisation.
She ridiculed Senator Obama for offering hope.
She is showing no class by not conceding.
She is attempting to force her way onto the ticket.
Bill's list of Presidential Library contributors
Bill's list of foundation contributors
Bill's list of speaking engagements.
Bill's ongoing list of marital indiscretions.
Bill's failure to realize that he has to behave as if he's on camera, all of the time.

I'm sure that there are more, but the main ones are disrespect, blackmail, and Bill.
Obama never ceases to amaze me.

I like his style.

Caroline Kennedy's Sunday morning endorsement , (which brought her uncle Teddy onboard), will be forever loved, and remembered, for her insight, and  willingness to act on her ideals.
There's a very capable and talented pool of potential
veeps. Since when did coming in second automatically qualify for v.p.?  Dont let them force Clinton on the ticket. Obama would have to fear for his life if he chose her.
CAROLINE KENNEDY?  Are you kidding me?  What are this woman's qualifications to pick his VP?  
As a republican for Obama, please, please, anyone but Clinton.
To:"ScaredtodeathofObama"

Do your research - this committee of persons represents a rich diversity of ideas - not to mention their accomplishments and backgrounds. Maybe if Hillary had run a different kind of campaign, Obama would be introducing her as VP right about now.

I believe Eric Holder is the former head of the Justice Department's civil rights section.  I know he was nominated, because his confirmation hearing was made contentious by the Republican senators - you know, MCCAIN'S people!!
Just about anybody but HER!
NO Billary!!!!
To ScaredToDeathofObama:

that is what one of my college professors would term as "a simple lack of research".

try an online search- you'd find out very quickly who those people are.

What I'm "scared to death" of is ignorant comments like this.

If McFossil supporters want to try to take on Obama, fine. But make it a bit more substantial, please?  
Sen. Obama should call Hillary at 3:00 am and when she picks up the phone he should say, "Just kidding!"
To ScaredToDeathofObama, did you not read the history on all three choices?  Eric Holder worked for Bill Clinton and Caroline Kennedy has politics in her DNA and probably has more political-savvy knowledge in her pinky finger than most people in this country.  Jim Johnson has made some mistakes, but you learn from them and make better judgement.  I don't understand what is so scary about Obama.  No one is perfect, but he has led a pretty balanced life and he has been more upfront and honest about his life and decisions.  John McCain is the scary candidate.  Flip-flops, old-age, 2nd opinion on health.  Like Chris Rock said "I don't want a President who is on his bucket list."

Obama '08
You just cannot trust Hillary and Bill they have proven that thru this primary campaign.  You need some you can trust to me that is the bottom line.  You need some that will have your back. Not someone who puts it into your back.
AHH the KENNEDYS there is an upstanding family for you She should come up with a good pick maybe rev WRIGHT.Hey TED  Justice might be slow but it will catch up to even the richest of them all
Thank God there is a team, and I love Caroline Kennedy. She is no-nonsense and this gives me hope.
You just cannot trust Hillary and Bill they have proven that thru this primary campaign.  You need some you can trust to me that is the bottom line.  You need some that will have your back. Not someone who puts it into your back.
what a total random bunch?  caroline kennedy?  are you kidding me?  who the heck are the other two?  this is scary, that this is who he choses to advise him on this first big decision...is this an indication as to what his cabinet would be?  
ScaredToDeathofObama (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 2:52 PM)

-----------------------------------------------

Jim Johnson was campaign manager of Walter Mondale's 1984 campaign and chaired the selection committee for VP for Senator Kerry in 2004.

Caroline Kennedy is...well...a Kennedy and she serves as a director for the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund and the Commission on Presidential Debates.

Eric Holder, as mentioned, served as Deputy Attorney General for President Clinton and, prior to that, served as US Attorney for Washington, DC.  He also currently serves as senior legal advisor for the Obama campaign.
Check this video link out.  The World loves this man!!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24969646#24969646
what a total random bunch?  caroline kennedy?  are you kidding me?  who the heck are the other two?  this is scary, that this is who he choses to advise him on this first big decision...is this an indication as to what his cabinet would be?  
ScaredToDeathofObama (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 2:52 PM)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wow.
Really, wow.
You have no idea about what you are talking about, do you.

Federal National Mortgage Association. aka Fannie Mae is a HUGE government business.

Deputy AG to the last Democratic President is nothing to scoff at. A great deal of legal knowledge and experience with previous administration is an asset.

Lastly, Caroline Kennedy is very appropriate, in helping to keep his ideals of change and the hope of our future VP in check.

Each person plays a strong role in deciding the values and strengths, as well as weaknesses, of each potential veep.

Based on his choice for committee, I feel more confident in his end choice for VP, because that person, be it Hillary or someone else, will have been vetted beyond necessity, and will prove to be an excellent aid in governing this nation.
Put me in the VP search team - I recommend Sen.Chuck Hegal. Seen him on Meet The Press, like him ALOT!
Hey, scardycat, Jim Johnson has been on the search committee for previous VPS, he's experienced!
Hillary will be on the list, but you can't let someone blackmail their way into your administration.  Where would it stop?  Would she demand to get her way or threaten not to help you in 2012?  Answer:  It would never stop.

(and we haven't even gotten to Bill's shadiness yet).

http://infogiant.wordpress.com/
ScaredToDeathofObama:

Caroline Kennedy - Author, Attorney; Harvard undergraduate and JD from Columbia.

Jim Johnson - 20 years in Democratic politics on the campgain management side.  An abundance of experience in, specifically, vetting VP candidates.  Oh, and he was chairman and CEO of Fannie Mae for about 8 years.  Masters in Public Policy from Princeton.

Eric Holder - Legal advisor to Barack Obama, Columbia educated (BA and JD); former attorney in the US Dept of Justice.

This seems to me to be an extremely intelligent  triumvirate.  This is precisely what Barack will bring to the White House - skilled people adept at doing their job, not political appointees and yes-men.

Don't worry - even if you don't vote for Barack, he'll still win, and you can still enjoy the positive externalities.  Think nothing of it.

James Tn:  HRC has the highest negatives of any candidate ever.  Most of her "17 million"  will com to Obama anyway, some were "chaos" voters and won't come even if she's on the ticket, so that leaves a lunatic fringe group that won't outweigh the Republicans like my husband who will vote for Obama ONLY if HRC is NOT on the ticket.  It's a complicated decision.
MI Chick said:

Chris - if you view this process as a hiring process, answer me this.

Say you are part of a hiring committee.  A voting majority chooses one candidate over your choice, so the job offer is given to that candidate.  

Do you accept the committee's decision or do you continue to fight it and encourage those who voted with you to fight with you?

What do you think your future in that company will be if you act like that?
MI Chick (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:39 PM)




It's always interesting how Obama supporters attempt to make arguments that if applied to a similar situation that doesn't benefit them, their arguments don't hold up.

Let’s take MI Chicks argument for example.

But before we revisit her argument, let's remind everyone that the Obama supporters have criticized not only EVERYONE that voted to give the President authorization to use force against Iraq, but they have gone out of their way to criticize John McCain and Clinton.  

Having said that, now let's take MI Chick's argument that was put to Chris and let's replace a few of the words, but leave the rest intact.

MI Chick said "Say you are part of" (insert - the United States Congress). "A voting majority chooses" (insert - to support the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002).  

"Do you accept the" (insert - majority of Congress') "decision or do you continue to fight it and encourage those who voted with you to fight with you?”

"What do you think your future in" (insert - the Congress) "will be if you act like that?"


First, MI Chick, I would say based on history, your future in the Congress would be just fine.

Second, if a any member of congress had done what your suggesting, which is to have SIMPLY GONE ALONG with the “MAJORITY” because it’s a majority despite the fact that they believed VERY STRONGLY that the decision about to be made was the wrong decision, then they would be guilty of being war mongers as all the Obama supporters insist anyone who voted to give the President the authorization to use force in Iraq, is.

Third, if any of the members of Congress had done what all the Obama supporters have argued McCain and Clinton should have done, which is to have voted against giving Bush authorization to use force, then by your argument, those members of Congress wouldn't/shouldn't have much of a future in the Congress if they were to "act like that."

So you see it sounds like a perfectly good argument when you’re trying to use it against Hillary Clinton regarding her decision to fight on, but take the exact same argument and apply it to the “Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002, and your argument falls apart.

By the way, the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 received 77% support of the United States House and 69% support of the United States Senate.  I hate to inform you, but that’s a CLEAR MAJORITY of the United States Congress.

Lastly, the argument that all of the Obama supporters have tried to make for the past year and a half is that Obama has always been against the war.

In hindsight it’s very convenient for Obama who wasn’t in a position to HAVE TO VOTE on the authorization in 2002, and knowing what we have all learned since, to criticize anyone and everyone who voted for the authorization given the information that their government and the President gave them which turned out to be a lie.

Considering the fact that Obama is so against this war and yet he has voted EXACTLY the same as Hillary Clinton on every bill concerning the war since he arrived in the Senate, it is more than reasonable to assume that had Obama been in the Senate in 2002, he would have voted in favor of the authorization just like 73% of the Entire United States Congress did.  And if he had challenged the vote, then what kind of person would he have been if he, as you said, “acted like that?”

The problem with Obama and his supporters is that they are hypocrites!
It'd be cool if Caroline Kennedy selected herself to be VP just like Cheney did to Bush!
Julie, why don't you take a seat next to "scaredtodeathofablackmanthat'sObama".

Obviously, Caroline has the credential that's required to help select a VP for Barack. Certainly neither the two of you do or Barack would have called you.

President Obama and not Hillary for VP 08/12!
Expect this to be a long process.  I hope to see Webb, Biden, Bredesen, Sebelius, Richardson, and even Hagel on the list.  Hillie's got a job where she seems to be liked; she should stay there.  


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