The Daily Dose---2/23

Nader '08?

Tomorrow morning on Meet the Press, Ralph Nader, who ran for President in 2000 and 2004, is expected to announce a bid for the Presidency this year as well.  Quite frankly, this man sickens me.  He runs year after year for nothing more than an ego trip.  When will he realize that all he does is take votes away from the Democrats, whom he is much more in line with than the Republicans?  Seriously, who would have done more to advance the causes that Nader supposedly cares about----Al Gore or George W. Bush.  We know that answer.  That brings me to the conclusion that if Nader really cared about the issues that he says he does, he would not only support the Democratic nominee, but campaign for him/her. All he does by running, is make it easier for a Republican, in this case, John McCain, to win the White House.  

Here's a great video that an "anonymous" person posted on the internet concerning a possible 2008 Nader candidacy:

Democratic Veeps

There has been a lot of buzz on the net concerning who Barack Obama might choose as his Vice-President.  Frankly, I don't want to rule out Sen. Clinton, but it does appear that Obama will be the nominee.  So, who will he choose?  Many are suggesting Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas.  I like Gov. Sebelius, but she's not right to balance out the ticket. Obama needs someone with foreign policy experience first and foremost, and Sebelius does not have that right now. Many though, are adamant that Obama should choose a female running mate, to pacify the women who would be disgruntled if Sen. Clinton does not win.  I'm not saying she's the right person, but Sen. Barbara Boxer is probably the only female, besides Sen. Clinton of course, who is young enough, yet has enough foreign policy credentials to be on the Presidential ticket (Sen. Feinstein would be other, but she is too old).  The problem with Boxer is that California is going to go for Obama regardless of whether or not she is on the ticket.  My suggestion for Obama would be someone like Bill Richardson. Richardson has executive experience, unparalleled foreign policy experience, and would do a great deal to bring Latinos on to the Obama campaign.  And although I don't think Richardson is that exciting or was that great of a candidate in his own right, he might be the best choice out there for Obama.  Any other thoughts? 

The Biden Auditions---our next Secretary of State?

Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware is one of the most experienced men running for the presidency. Yet just like Richardson and Dodd, his years of experience has not yet helped in the polls. Yet unlike Dodd and Richardson, the Delaware Senator for 34 years is a great performer in the debates. He has that forcefulness and passion that Dodd and especially Richardson lack. Yet have you noticed what I've seen?

Joe Biden is auditioning to Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State, much like he did in the 2004 election. Why do I say that? Well in the first debate Biden backed Hillary Clinton, saying that the Republicans are sadly mistaken if they believe she would be easy to defeat. He has said kind words about Senator Clinton in every single interview I've seen him give. And he loves to tout the fact that he is Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. But in fact, I must say, whether Biden auditioned are not, he has to be at the top of any and every democrat's list for Secretary of State. That position is becoming increasingly important with the conflicts in the Middle East. Joe Biden has great knowledge of foreign relations and his forcefull and "say it as it is" attitude is exactly what America needs right now.

Who else would I consider for the job? Not Obama thats for sure....but anyway:

-I truly like Barbara Boxer. I've heard her speak several times, and every time she speaks she demonstrates her foreign relations experience. She is the chairwoman on the Senate Foreign relations sub-committee for Asian affairs as well as being member on the sub-committee for terrorism and the Peace Corps. She too has been a long time Senator for 14 years now.

-Bill Richardson has a mighty impressive resume. What qualifies him most for Secretary of State is the fact that he was U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Not to mention he has successfully negotiated with Saddam Hussein, Castro, and Kim Jong-il for the release of American prisoners. He was also involved in foreign relations while in Congress for 14 years.