And on a similar note...

The Raleigh News & Observer reports that John Edwards has privately told aides that he would consider the role of vice president, and favored the position of attorney general. 

Ah, the plot thickens.  Stay tuned...

Comments

[Jackson Landers]

I don't see Edwards getting offered VP this time around.

He was a good match for Kerry, since Kerry already had plenty of defense and foreign policy chops. But 2 guys with only one term in the Senate each under their belts and no other defense, military or foreign policy credentials is not a smart pairing. Lack of defense experience is Obama's #1 weakness and the choice of a running mate is probably Obama's only opportunity to cover that up with some armor.

I see AG in Edwards' future. The guy to watch for VP right now is probably Jim Webb.

[mamabigdog]

Edwards was apparently on the Today show this morning saying something very different:

From CNN's Political Ticker:
"But Edwards flatly said Friday, as he had before he endorsed a candidate, that he's not interested in making a second run for vice president.

"No," Edwards said in no uncertain terms on NBC's the Today show when asked about the possibility. "Won't happen.…It's just not something I am interested in."

As for another position in an Obama administration, specifically Attorney General, Edwards was decidedly more coy."

So what's the truth?

[Dave]

You are somewhat right. I do see Edwards as AG. I don't see him helping as VP. Kentucky would be a big indicator.

I am not a big fan of Wes Clarke as Webb would be the ideal choice. Webb though has said he isn't interested. Obama needs someone with first hand military experience.

We also need to be concerned with pulling the party back together. I don't feel Hillary on the ticket is a good idea. She would be better off as Majority Leader in the Senate.

If Obama can take Michigan and Pennsylvania we will be on cruise control to the White House. McCain is working on a way to upset the applecart with a major attempt to take those two states.

Don't take this election lightly we are in for a major battle. McCain would help with cover for the Bush Administration for the next 4 years. Obama has already said he would investigate them.

McCain has an age issue although you need to be careful attacking him on the age issue. As long as we have a strong ticket we will be able to compete and win.

There is strength in Unity...

I would also like to thank Hillary, She has strengthened our party. This has always been the case it is important how the winner wins. More important is how the loser loses.

[Joe]

Hmm, I dunno. I think maybe Clark for VP and Edwards for AG, but beyond that I don't know...

It's hard to decide.

[Mr Super]

mamabigdog - sounds to me like Edwards is not actively seeking the VP position, but that he would consider it if asked.

Either way, I think he's could be of more use to the campaign as a surrogate and Attorney General or even Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

[Marc]

No matter what he says now, no one says no to the Vice Presidency. I don't think he will be offered it, but if asked Edwards would say yes. The two figures with the least to gain from the Vice Presidency were Speaker of the House John Nance Garner in 1932 and Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson in 1960. They both gave up a lot of power to become VP. In the years since, the office has only grown in power and influence and as a perceived jumping off point for the presidency (even though the only Presidents who served two full terms as Vice President and succeeded their bosses were John Adams and George HW Bush. Others have served one complete term and then taken over - Jefferson and Van Buren).

[Truth]

I honestly don't think Obama needs to strengthen his foreign policy/military views via the VP slot. Obama gave a good answer when he said he would treat the Commander-in-Chief position on a more diplomatic / big picture view and respect the move-by-move of the military up to the generals. A strong Sec. of Defense (not VP) is the key to bolstering (not modifying) Obama’s views.

I've said Obama’s weakness in foreign policy is that he isn't backing up and giving more detail to his original statements. He is letting the Republicans define his position. So it isn't that he needs help with a second (unwelcome) opinion. He needs help with following his original intent. Going away from his original intent could actually be used as an example of how well he would handle diplomacy, and the signs aren't good if he continues his current course.

Also he should take his 16 month combat brigade withdrawal to the next step. He needs to say 16 month is his cap. He will tell the generals they have up to 16 months to withdraw. The generals can do it in less time, but not more. Only a catastrophe would change the 16 month max. This would actually make the “enemy” want to help that withdrawal process. By help I mean: Iran-Sadr-Sunnis-AQI won’t sabotage our efforts because it will only prolong our stay. That protects our troops during the vulnerable stages of withdrawal. If catastrophe strikes AFTER we leave, then the international community will step up.

Best VP = executive experience + business world experience. Not economist experience, business experience. Business owners know the difference.

[RS]

John Edwards would be a good pick for AG. He can fight for voting rights, against corporate scams etc - which he should relish ;-)

@Truth: Too bad Mark Warner's running for Senate! Then again, he didn't seem too keen to be POTUS. Oh well.

[Elsa]

Before assuming Hillary is going to lose 2 things stand out today. One, the full page ad in USA Today placed by Women Count Pac that dovetails with new PA radio program, Operation Turn Down. http://webclust1.liquidcompass.cc/entercom/audio_player.php?id=WILK

[suekzoo]

Truth, I'd agree that Obama does not need a VP to shore up or strengthen him in foreign policy matters. He needs a strong Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense. For VP, I'd be looking for strength on the domestic front.

[Truth]

suekzoo, glad we can loosely agree on something. Perhaps Mr. Super can come up with next week's list of Democrat(ic) Governors with strong economic backgrounds.

If Obama returns to his original foreign policy premise (with more detail), he will wipe the floor with the Republicans. VP Wesley Clark will just make it look like he is second guessing himself.

It doesn't matter how bad McCain is or may be. Champions lose when they think victory is inevitable.

[Mr Super]

Actually the Governor's list is in fact on next week's agenda.

[Blame]

Great. I can't imagine Obama not choosing a Governor.

[Joe]

The more I think about it, the more I like Edwards as AG. Especially if he'll get to look into all the stuff Bush has to be keeping under the rug right now. I mean, the NSA, FBI & co. aren't even pretending to respect the 4th amendment any more. Let alone all the things we don't know about. Bush may well end up handing out pardons like candy at the end and hoping McCain is there to give him one. It's like we elected Nixon II instead of Bush II...

Anyhow, after all these musings, I have to wonder. Does any of the stuff we post on here make it back to the campaigns, Mr. Super? I guess we probably don't say anything you can't find out from polls and whatnot, and I guess you don't actually work directly for any of the campaigns. But you seem to be in touch with a lot of people in all the campaigns, so that has me a little curious.

[Truth]

Joe, Edwards as an AG seems like a good choice. He is qualified, and more importantly he wants it (why give him a position he is less excited about?). Not sure how much time he should spend on the Bush clan though. I do think he should set up something that makes the consequences of taking the country to war to have some extreme consequences. About 3 weeks before the Iraqi war began, the benefit of the doubt I gave to Bush was that the country would lynch him if no WMDs were found. I stated on another board that quite simply if significant WMD caches (not just a closet full of chlorine) were not found, war crimes should be filed. If that burden of proof was set, I'm sure the inspectors would have been given much more time as the original intent of the Congressional Vote.

I just have a strange feeling the Edwards AG theme just might be defending the middle class. Call me crazy.

[Joe]

True, true. But I have a good feeling about him as AG.

Actually, though, that makes me wonder if we shouldn't be thinking more about the OTHER slots in the cabinet? Somehow, it feels like the best VP might become more obvious if the other spots were filled in, but that could be my imagination.

[Truth]

I'm sorry if I implied Edwards would not be an excellent AG. I share your feelings about having a good feeling on Edwards as AG. I won't say I've researched Edwards as much as Clinton/Obama, but from what I've witnessed of Edwards I liked.