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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 Political Researcher



Veepstakes: Edwards on the trail

Posted: Thursday, July 03, 2008 11:54 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: ,

From NBC/NJ’s Mike Memoli

John Edwards introduced Obama for a speech to steelworkers in NV. "This is our moment, this is our time to build the one America we all believe in," Edwards said. "If you believe we can do better, trust your heart, help Barack."

Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) attended a Pentacostal group meeting last night and said: “I believe in the power of prayer.”

Sen. John Thune (R-SD) is introducing a bill to open coastal areas and ANWR to drilling.

Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) appeared with Sen. Ted Stevens, and denied any rift between the two. “His voice, his experience, his passion needs to be heard across America so Alaska can contribute more.”

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) was on a McCain conference call. “I don't think there's any question that Barack Obama should change his plan in Iraq. His old plan is the wrong way to go.”

Gov. Janet Napolitano (D-AZ) is “basking in the glow of a budget deal through which she landed some of her biggest legislative priorities.”

Meanwhile, Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC) continues to battle his own Republican legislature.

ON THE RECORD. Colin Powell spoke with reporters in Aspen, and said he likely won’t attend either party’s convention. He offered no hints of when he’d endorse.  
 
VEEP VETTING. Big Spender: Cantor ranks as the No. 1 credit card spender in the House for campaign purposes.

A Republican state senator in Virginia says of a special legislative session: “I think Tim Kaine is a good governor, but this whole special session could not have been handled worse, not only from the governor's office but from the Democratic leadership.” 
 
BUZZ METER. Mike Madden writes that the best signal that Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) is angling for veep came when he “cut his hair. Gone was the mullet he'd worn for years, even though Minnesota media outlets and political blogs mocked him for it.”

Conservative evangelical leaders met this week to discuss backing McCain, and urge him to pick Mike Huckabee for VP.  
 
Hmm, enthusiasts of the Bill-Gates-for-Veep rumor will like this one.
Microsoft just announced that it will build a half-billion dollar data farm near Des Moines.

CHATTERING CLASS. A Virginia columnist says one of the best reasons to put Sen. Jim Webb (D) on the ticket “is his willingness to engage in debates that scare off less courageous and, to be honest, less intelligent politicians.” 

Chris Cillizza makes the case against Mitt Romney. “There's absolutely no question that during the primary, McCain had a visceral dislike for Romney.” Also, there is “the Mormon thing.” And there’s worry that “Matinee Mitt” will overshadow McCain.  

THE VETTERS. Politico says Caroline Kennedy “is emerging as an active participant” in Obama’s search, “slipping largely unnoticed around Capitol Hill for private meetings and exercising the kind of discretion that made her an appealing choice in the first place.” And Rep. Joe Baca said he was asked what Republicans they should consider.

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If Jim Webb can't or won't be Veep, I'd like to see John Edwards in there.
When McCain misspeaks, he treads close to the 'senility' line. Even Fox referred to a recent McCain gaffe as a "senior moment".

We've already had one President with Alzheimer's, we neither deserve nor need a another one -- especially one who hasn't been exhibiting any hesitation about provoking another war, this time against Iran.

I consider McCain's time as a POW to be scary with regards to his temperament. I mean, seriously, if a 'regular' soldier gets PTSD, what kind of psychological damage is done after a soldier is shot down and tortured?  

This was actually the basis of a book and a movie -- the "Manchurian Candidate" -- the plot of which revolves around a POW being tortured by the Chinese, turned into a political assassin via brainwashing and then released back to the US.

That, and the fact that he's another product of nepotism, just like Bush43 disqualifies him from being President in my humble opinion.
I'm a little nervous with Edwards, but I would support him as VP.  I do think we need a white male for the slot.  I'm a  white woman, so I can say that.  WE know how men are, they don't like alot of change.  Just alittle at a time.
It's amazing to me how much buzz Jim Webb keeps getting. I just don't see it. His views, whether past or current, on women serving in the military run the risk of alienating at least part of Hillary Clinton's bloc, the part that already thinks Obama is a sexist.
Edward's wont be VP, he's just got a great relationship with the USW and holds ALOT more credability with the membership than Obama does- right now the USW knows many members wont vote McCain, but those members also won't vote Obama- it's all about peer pressure from people you trust
"Sen. John Thune (R-SD) is introducing a bill to open coastal areas and ANWR to drilling."

Right. Because he's sure current safety procedures will guard against an offshore oil spill polluting the Black Hills.
I don't want to see Webb get this. For one, he is a new senator and second, he is a former Republican and on issues other than the war in Iraq he votes that way. If for some reason a President Obama couldn't fulfill his duties as president, we would have to contend with Webb which would be like having a Republcian president.
I think either Robert Wexler or Bob Casey would be a good VP choice for Obama.  Both men appear loyal and they both appear to be smart.  Wexler has the "fight back" trait which is very important.  Obama is very calm.  While, I think that is an extremely valuable personal trait for a President, there is nothing wrong with a "you can rouse my giant" counter balance.  I think Wexler represents that.
Casey appears as calm as Obama, and we might need that after two terms of the cowboy bullies that Bush and Cheney have represented to the world as America's face.
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) was on a McCain conference call. "I don't think there's any question that Barack Obama should change his plan in Iraq. His old plan is the wrong way to go."

As opposed to... oh, I don't know...

the Republicans' original lack of planning prior to an 9-11 response invasion of a country that had nothing to do with 9-11...

or McCain's statement we might be in Iraq for a hundred years...

or McCain's failure to understand who are the Shia and Sunni, and corresponding failure to believe Iran is supporting al Qaeda...

or McCain's corresponding failure to understand al Qaeda is in no position to seize control of Iraq...

or McCain's corresponding failure to understand its only our occupation of Iraq that's keeping al Qaeda in Iraq alive?
“Matinee Mitt” will overshadow McCain.  

**************************************************

I know it shouldn't matter, but Senator McCain is aesthetically challenged. What's more, knowing McCain's flawed character with his nasty temper, his spousal abuse, his callous warmongering, his pomposity, arrogance, and vindictivness, makes it even more difficult to look at.

L&L, (Leiberman, and Lindsey), are, (among other reasons), at his side to make him look better. But instead, the three of them just look like florets on a rotten head of cauliflower.
Hillary should be on the ticket ..If Obama is true about his bringing the COUNTRY together...1/2 of us DEMOCRATS voted for Hillary...I do believe 2 halves still make a WHOLE...or has that changed too! Please let's be the UNITED STATES of AMERICA again and stick to one winning ticket and one NATIONAL ATHEM.......
Edwards-great choice!  He did so well for Kerry!  
The way the vetting process for VP is going nowadays for Obama,he may have no choice but to strongly consider Hilary,even though John Edwards or Gov. Sebelius would more than offset the obvious choice(meaning Hilary). I strongly believe a female Gov'r would rally any straggling women voters who felt snubbed by Hilary's loss. Hell I even like Caroline Kennedy for the post.No joke either!
I agree......we need a white male on the ticket next to Obama.
I too wonder if McCain is beginning to lose it mentally.  I equally worry about that with his close ties to the Bush failed policies.  The last seven to eight years has been so disasterous for the U.S., it is scary to think of what a McCain presidency would do! Lieberman and Lindsey are obviously crutches for him in an effort to keep his gaffs at a minimum.  I am not sure that is working either.
Wes Clark for VP!
General, military experience to counter Mc Cain's, helps with national security and veterans.
Former presidential candidate, has been vetted.
Former Hillary supporter, helps with her supporters.
Jewish heritage, helps with Jewish vote.
Level temperament, similar views and easy to work with
and get along with Obama. Compatibility.
That's my pitch.
Edwards, Richardson, maybe Brian Switzer Gov. of MT
Not Gore, Not Hillary Clinton, period.
Oh, and one verbal screw up does NOT knock Clark out of contention for VP.
Caroline Kennedy.  Who would argue with that?>
I wanted to throw out what I think is an interesting VP prospect.

Former Rhode Island Republican U.S. Senator Lincoln Chafee. Sen. Chafee was often described as a "liberal Republican" and is currently an Independent actively supporting Obama's campaign.

Chafee has a great new book out titled "Against the Tide: How a Compliant Congress Empowered a Reckless President".

It is a fascinating memoir from someone who shares progressive values but was on the inside of the Republican caucus. The story he tells about the first meeting with Cheney the day after the Supreme Court decided the 2000 election is... well, "telling".

As the only Republican who voted against the Iraq War, Chafee would create a clear anti-war bipartisan ticket and still be pro-choice, pro-basic rights, pro-balanced budgets. Obviously the downside is that Rhode Island is not a big swing state.

Imagine the narrative, every time they talked about Chafee they would point out that like Obama he was against the war from the beginning. Literally a walking talking example of a "true maverick" Republican that got it right on the most important test of political leadership in our time.

One other interesting thing that I did not know was that Sen. Chafee cast the deciding vote in the Senate against passing a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning. The guy just seems to possess the certain political and moral courage that has me so excited about Obama.
Jim Webb is the best choice for Obama other than Wesley Clark.  However, I think the media damaged Clark's chances when they blew up his McCain comments to astronomical proportions. The others (Casey/Wexler et. al.) are too unknown. Webb balances Obama perfectly.jo
When talking about John Edwards chances don't forget the love child scandal!!  There is noooo way he could be VP.  I live in LA and know Lisa Druck or Rielle Hunter or whatever she calls herself now.  I heard Lisa is back in LA now with the baby and talks of whose baby it is.  Guess who?  Real good cheating on your sick wife and running for prez
When McCain misspeaks, he treads close to the 'senility' line. Even Fox referred to a recent McCain gaffe as a "senior moment".
******************************************************
I don't think his so called gaffes and regular bouts of confusion have anything to do with his age.  The man simply is not too bright.
I know people in their 80's who were intellegent to begin with and they are sharp as a tack.

I'm not sure why but it seems intelligence isn't a requirement for the Republican presidential nominee.  McCain is identical to Bush in that neither were especially bright or intellectually curious and both have character issues.  But the Republicans don't seem to care about any of those qualities.  I guess they want somebody they could imagine themselves having a beer with.  (and I'm not sure why they think either of those 2 multi-millionaires would be interested in having a beer with them)

1.  Edwards.  Safe, solid, Southern.  Persuasive but a little preachy.  Possibly (and inexplicably) not taken as seriously as he should be, but a great candidate.
2.  Tom Vilsack.  (I know.)  Two terms solid, unflappable governor who is damned smart, dependable, reliable, willing to lead and the record to prove it.  Supported Hillary, but without the baggage of a Rendell or Strickland.  Born and raised in PA.
3.  Gore.  Would probably detract from the main event, unfortunately.  A Nobel Peace Prize winner on the ticket shouldn't hurt, though.
4.  The Washington Senators.  They sucked as a baseball team, and would as VP candidates---Biden, Dodd, Webb, McCaskill.  Nunn, too, and George Mitchell and any others for that matter.
So many choices and so many mistakes to be made with any of them!  So many times that the people who say that they aren't in the running for the VP slot are still counted in by the MSM.  Guys and gals -- are you listening to those people?  
McCain is to OLD to be anything but a spokesman for viagra.
With energy and environmental issues challenging the Iraq war as our biggest problems today, I'm still pulling for Barack to ask Al Gore to return to Washington.  With his portfolio of accomplishments, Al would offer much to the job, and Barack strikes me as a person confident enough to let Al take a leading role in addressing these issues.  What a dream team that could be!!!!!
any movement in support of Sen.Jack Reed,(D),R.I.? impeccable military credentials; early opponent to war w/ Iraq; team player but works out of the spot light; has strong domestic policy positions, particularly on affordable housing. Can be an asset with Catholics; in sum, a Joe Biden w/out the mouth.
I keep hearing that Steven Baldwin says he will leave the country if Obama wins!!!!  What planet does this guy live on??  I agree with all comments regarding McCain.   The thought of this individual winning is sooo very scary.  I refuse to believe that most of the American people cannot see this!!  Haven't we learned anything during these past 7-1/2 years ... Who the heck wants more of the same of being made fools of?!!!  
Obama/Webb! McCain will likely pick one of those phonies Pawlenty or Romney as VP and Webb will SHUT THEM DOWWWN in the debate
All you Obama camp bloggers, I said it in the "perils of dismissing McCains military service" article And I will say it again here: It takes more brains to get through the Naval Academy then sum preppy Ivy league Law school that won't let it's students flunk out for reputation purposes. Yes, Harvard has many support systems to prevent it's student from failing because that would be bad for the school's reputation! Even if McCain did graduate at the bottom of his class. Obama is too much of a panzy to take one half of what Annapolis has to dish out!
being a republican, and having john mccain to vote for, i started to look harder into the barack obama presidential drive. i am a little confused by some of his promises - let's take the latest on iraq withdrawal. seems like a big change of mind, but then i get to thinking that all he wants to change is the end of the withdrawal timetable and that may be okay if it is the generals' thinking too. so i would still expect an immediate start to the pull-out, a bit slower on the amount of troops over the months, which would delay the finality by perhaps a few months (a year?). i would not have this problem if the republican nomminee had been fred or mitt, but john might not be my final choice. i guess i'll continue to monitor the barack ongoing news and weigh it all up against the republican promises (they do seem to be getting more like the same-old same-old) sorry!!!
Obamabots just don't get it. Hillary Clinton is the only qualified choice for VP. An Obama/Clinton ticket will beat McCain by a landslide.
John Edwards whould make a great vice president for obama. Would like to see this happen.
If McCain were to actually get elected would he need 24/7 assistance to make sure he doesn't screw things up?
He seems to need that while he is campaigning.
The guy just doesn't instill any confidence in me AT ALL.
Serious consideration should be given to Brian Schweitzer, governor of Montana as Obama's vice-president.  He is smart, articulate, progressive, knowledgeable in several important areas---the Near East and energy policcy---and finally, he is of an age to succeed Obama in eight years.
My first choice is Hillary Clinton for VP, my second choice is Joe Biden, either of them would add maturity and experience to the ticket, which I think Obama needs.
donna -- That's really naughty ..... but funny!  Let's be nice. Leave it at cauliflower, no need to make it rotten.  Bad enough thinking cauliflower whenever you see them.

Wexler and Casey are good choices in many ways, but .... both are largely unknown to most of the country (a problem Obama already has) and he really needs to pick someone  that people can look at and say "I can see that person as president of this country and able to do a good job."  Not  saying that either of them couldn't DO a good job, but if only because of lack of knowledge, it's hard think of  them in the Oval Office and not feel, well, at a loss to know how you'd feel.

It's an unpleasant fact that this year, for different reasons, people are going to be looking at the VP and thinking that question very hard: What if he/she should become president?  McCain's age; Obama's frequent comparisons to JFK and RFK.  It's there way back in the minds of many - we can't help it.

I think that's one reason Colin Powell keeps being talked about so much - why Bloomberg is such an attractive thought in the east where he's known - why Bill Gates (!) name keeps cropping up.  We are somewhat comfortable with the idea of them "running things."  -------  I think it's why Mitt Romney has loomed so large in the talk of Republican VP possibilities, even Mike Huckabee.  It doesn't feel as odd/unsettling as picturing (since most of us don't know enough to do so) Tim Pawlenty being in charge of *everything*.  The Republicans don't have an awful lot of choices if you look at it that way.

If you toss that in as more-than-usual important factor, even the Dem field narrows.  That's why my pick is Joe Biden.  We've all 'practiced' with the idea of him there (because of his candidacy) and people didn't run away snickering or shaking in their boots -- many, like me, know full well that he could do it and do a good job of it.   Richardson, Clinton, Edwards, Dodd (a little less so for some reason) would be accetpable in that respect as well.  Webb and Clark would also - and 'gravitas', although Webb is new to the Senate and would have *big* problems with women and Clark has everything you'd want but foot-in-mouth disease on  top of it.  (Okay, so does Biden sometimes, but he deals with it in a much better way - more directly and with humor - and has so much else besides).

In 1992, the best decision a largely-unknown and new to the scene presidential candidate made was to pick a well-know, solid, experienced and similar-philosophy VP candidate: Al Gore.  It went against ALL conventional wisdom about how VP choices should be made (some one different region & philosoph & age, sure to carry their state, etc.) and it was a stroke of genius.  Democrats who had never thought of him cheered and every Republican I knew gulped!  So while there are many good possibilities among the Democrats, I think Obama should select the 'best president' among them who could also be an excellent vice president (which is where Clinton falls back in the pack some, maybe Edwards also - harder to see them working smoothly and being content in the 2nd spot - *head* of something perhaps, like Cabinet post, but not 2nd in command).   To me, Biden would be supurlative in both respects AND have the advantage of appealing to a lot of the same people McCain appeals to, ones who value long service, resilience and bi-partisanship -- followed perhaps by Richardson, Tom Daschel, Dodd, Evan Bayh, Clark, Webb in roughly that order.  Other poss: Sam Nunn, Dick Gephart, Jay Rockefeller.  
Hillary should be his VP. They are now very much alike and she has more experience.
I very strongly support John Edwards as Obama's VP running mate!

John Edwards is very progressive, and he pushed the other Democratic candidates in the primaries to adopt more progressive stances.

He led and set the progressive agenda in the primaries, and the other candidates followed his lead.

John Edwards is passionate and full of passion for progressive ideals.

John Edwards is charismatic, exciting, and gives sensational rousing speeches.

John Edwards is popular with blue collar workers, labor union members, the working class......which would be a great asset to Obama's campaign.

John Edwards deserves a prominent place on the national scene.   He is talented, intellectual, accomplished.


Evan Bayh or Brian Schweitzer for VEEP. Also don't rule out CHUCK HAGLE. I saw in a report that his wife donated $500 to Barack during the primary.

John Edwards will be AG
Bill Richardson will be Secretary of State
Joe Biden/Wes Clark will be DOD
Tom Daschle will be chief of staff
Hillary Clinton could be a variety of things: majority leader, first supreme court appointee by Obama, health and human services sec. (although a little below senator status)

Its amazing how people look beyond all of the strikes against Edwards.  I guess if Kennedy slept with half of the women of his generation, its cool that Edwards did as well.  It just shows how shallow the talent pool is in the Democratic party - Richardson, Dodd, Bayh, Clinton???  I think Mount Rushmore is safe - unless Edwards is around!!  He might mount it!!
iF Obama dose not start pulling away soon from MCCAIN in the ap poll....4 points...that is way to close for any DEMOCRAT to be comfortable...OBAMA will pick HILLARY.He can not make change if he can not get elected.
I've been an Obama supporter since before Iowa, though two years ago, I was a Clinton supporter. I agree with those who'd like to see Senator Clinton on the ticket, but Obama's VP choice will be based on who can help him win states. If their camp thinks that's Clinton, she should be the nominee. (She certainly helps in Florida and Arkansas. And Pennsylvania.) But there is a lot of baggage that comes with a Hillary choice (do you really think the Republicans aren't going to attack her memory lapse on Bosnia, her misplacement and subsequent location of subpoenaed documents, her upcoming trial on campaign fraud charges, etc.?) So while she may help in some states, she may also turn away some voters across the board. On the other hand, at least she's well-vetted, so we know what to expect.

http://genespolitics.blogspot.com
 Although Hillary has never been my veep choice, I was impressed with the unity in my backyard of Unity.

I do not believe Big Bill should be continually portrayed as a liability.

If there is ONE person in America who is truly ready on Day One, it is the one who gave this country 8 years of peace and prosperity.During the Clinton years, all sectors of the population saw their personal wealth increase, not just those in the $250,000+ group.  And everyone else going down down down.  

There are those, one person in one hundred, the top one percent of the population, who have made MONEY MONEY MONEY under Bush/Cheney, TV personalities...Joe, Pat, David, Andrea,Chuck, all of you in that top one perent will get more MONEY MONEY MONEY if McCain is elected.All of you who were WRONG about Obama, btw...

Please please please think.  This country is not better off.  People are not doing better.  George  Bush was not better than Gore.  You were WRONG.
George Bush was not better than Kerry.  You were wrong.  Please realize you will still be rich enough!!!!  John McCain could not now or ever even get accepted to a decent college.  Please do not use your station to get him elected.  Look what you have done over the last 8 years.

I am re-reading The Greatest Story Ever Sold  
a scathing indictment of NBC and the willingness of this network to be a  pawn in deceiving the American people.  

We are all part of the great human experiment...

LOVE ED SCHULTZ!!!!!!!
A lot of people here are obviously against McCain and/or for Obama.  I think much of the support you see for McCain is really to beat Obama due to his very extreme record.  His record is a big government, secular, anti-child, cold, inexperienced, lazy (not present very often in legis.).  If Bill Clinton was running against McCain, the election would be over because Clinton is not as extreme as Obama.

I suspect McCain will pick Sarah Palin for veep and now he'll be in a position to pull off the upset because he'll represent more of Americans.

Obama is a campus leftist in his heart.  Watch the way he talks to those leftists at that San Francisco gathering.  He is comfortable with these people.

People who are siding with McCain are not doing it cause they think Bush's Admin. is great.  They are doing it because of the obvious extreme views/record of Obama.
Shmeck,

Please get real facts. And one more thing, Mccains military service don't qualify automatically of president. I respect Mccain military service, but I don't think being POW suddenly makes him good leader. Clark was right, and remember he is GENERAL, Clark should be his VP, His military experience will dwarf Mccains.
Donna:  "L&L, (Leiberman, and Lindsey), are, (among other reasons), at his side to make him look better. But instead, the three of them just look like florets on a rotten head of cauliflower."

Absolutely brilliant.  You and Maddow on MSNBC?


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