Says the Governor of Ohio:
“If drafted I will not run, nominated I will not accept and if elected I will not serve. So, I don’t know how more crystal clear I can be.”
Does Strickland realize that he really did have a shot?
« Over/Under | Main | The Daily Satire » Well, Scratch Strickland10 Jun 2008 04:11 pm Comments (13)
What about Mike Easley? Southern white governor, well liked, has reached across the aisle. Yes, he supported Clinton in the primary, but he gave Obama a pretty enthusiastic high-five/terrorist fist jab yesterday in Raleigh. 
What I liked less was his statement about whether Obama could win Ohio. He should have said that he absolutely could win Ohio with a lot of work, and he would help him work the state.
I for one (and particularly as an Ohioian) am glad. I really think it is stupid to pick a VP where it hurts the party to remove the person from the position they were in when chosen. For that reason I would think picking Webb or Clinton would be stupid. In the case of Strickland reapportionment in Ohio is determined by 3 people, the Govenor (now Strickland), the Auditor (which is in the hands of the Reps0, and the Secretary of State (who was a Dem but due to a scandle now has a temp pending a special fall election). Although all 3 offices would face a regular scheduled general election there is a good chance if the Dems hold the SOS this fall they will control apportionment in '12. BHO picks Strickland I think there is way over a 50% chance the Reps will end up controling reapportionment and that it would likely cost a few Dems in the house and possible contol of the statehouse (the Dems have been creeping up on controling it). BHO only needs to pick a VP that does not take away from his message. If it is someone he can effectively work with it is bonus points. Its a fools errand to think that you can pick someone that will make a difference in the election.
Well that's too bad. He seems to offer much that Obama could use. Oh well. Mark Warner and Brian Schweitzer -- stay off NPR at least until the convention. And if asked, the answer is "Absolutely I'd consider it. What an honor it would be to have the chance to make history and to help turn things around. And by all means, Obama could carry [insert home state here] handily. I'd see to it."
I was never wild about the idea of strickland. he's been governor for two years and despite having a high approval rating, he really hasnt done much. I voted for him for governor because he was the democratic choice, but i wasn't wildly enthusiastic about him. that said, i'm probably a lot more of a liberal lefty than your average ohioan. And if Obama cant win Ohio on his own, Strickland aint going to be able to help much.
I just think it's either shockingly disloyal, and suggests a dsturbing trend toward attampting to maintain a competing Hillary power center in the party, OR, more likely, it's bluster of the I-don't-want-it-until-I'm-asked variety.
Who cares. The guy is old and not a match for Obama anyway. He epitomizes the old wing. And he's also a major grump. He makes Webb look like a jazz dancer. Good riddance.
Has anyone thought about John Lynch from NH? Its a swing state, and he's one of the most popular governors in the US. He's completely uncontroversial, and I am surprised at all the silence about him. Personally, I don't like him...because HE DOES NOTHING, but seems like a safe choice for Barry.
Hush. Strickland's doing too good a job for us Ohioans.
While I didn't vote for Strickland, I have been pleasantly surprised with him thus far. I consider a 'Do Nothing' governor a good thing, because usually when they 'Do Something', more of my civil-liberties are trampled-on and more of my wages are stolen from me. So I for one am glad he has chosen to remain our governor.
Ohio's political reporters starting asking once it was clear HRC was in the race and Strickland has been consistent about his intention to stay home. Whether that's a classic denial-nondenial is debatable. My guess is he would require heavy courting, and probably a nod from HRC. He did release a top staffer to run the state for the Obama campaign last week.
Consider this: what kind of jackass really wants that bucket-of-spit job? ...Obviously, the Cheney kind of jackass. But seriously, maybe Strickland is just plain ol' SANE. (May I mention, I'm glad I can comment on my favorite blog!)
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Perhaps real loyalty to HRC? Perhaps he feels it would be inappropriate to serve an Obama administration after having endorsed his rival (not that I'm suggesting he isn't fully supporting Obama now, but everyone would remember).
Posted by Andrew | June 10, 2008 4:21 PM