MyDD :: The real test of Obama's leadership

The real test of Obama's leadership

by juliewolf, Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 06:52:15 AM EST

I've seen comments here and there about how so much of the party favors Clinton for the VP slot. Some have even suggested that this is the first real test of Obama's leadership, such as illustrated here:

Early on in the debates, it was obvious that people wanted the Dream Ticket and that the two of them had a real chemistry.

Face it-- the Democratic Party is and always has been a house divided. Obama has a chance to show some real leadership here by bringing the party together.

I've seen similar arguments throughout the blogosphere and I think they're misguided.

The real test of leadership is not what choice Obama makes for the VP slot. The real test of leadership is how he makes it. Does he do so quickly, in order to placate disappointed party members or does he do so with careful and thoughtful deliberation?

Does he make a quick rash decision in the interests of bringing the party together or does he let the possibilities linger for a time?

Does he respond to the pressure from outside groups to force him to choose a specific candidate, or does he refuse to allow an entity within the party to dictate to him what his choice will be?

I don't know about the rest of you but, to me, a leader is someone who actually, you know, leads on an issue: the best possible move Obama can make at this moment in time is to do exactly what he's doing: say that it's going to take some time and that this is a private process and that, eventually, a decision will be reached, and then take his time, with the support of his search committee, to find the best possible nominee not for this moment in time, but for November and beyond.

Tags: barack obama, president, vice president (all tags)

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Re: The real test of Obama's leadership (2.00 / 1)

Agreed. I would be fine with Hillary as VP, but those that do want her have to understand that the finances of both the Clintons would need to be fully vetted, and if anything came up sketchy it wouldn't be OK to put her on the ticket anyway.

I'd be surprised to see him pick before July.

John McCain: Healthcare for Kids? In America? No way

by bosdcla14 on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 06:58:59 AM EST

Re: The real test of Obama's leadership (none / 0)

I agree with you; if Clinton is thoroughly vetted, I've no problem with her being his VP pick (though I think there might be better choices). But if it's a matter of him choosing her to placate her supporters, I'd be very disappointed in him.

I'm only a click away

by juliewolf on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 07:19:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

OK, I have a bizarre idea (none / 0)

Al Gore for one term. Just wipe the veepstakes slate clean and give Al the perfect platform for energy reform. $4.00 a gallon and going up is pretty compelling and would give him and audience of millions. He could achieve what he could not under Bill Clinton and he could provide the gravitas needed to give Obama not just an over the threshold win, but an extraordinary blow-out win.

The second part of my reasoning is this. Term the second ;) would be something else. No more inexperienced crap. A good president going into a 2nd term WITH a new VP. Brian Schweitzer, Kathleen Sebelius, Mark Warner, Jim Webb...up and comers in the party who for various reasons are poor choices now but who would benefit mightily by being a one term VP to a successful second term president.

The reason I indulge the fantasy is because Where in the World is Al Gore? His silence is deafening and that particular announcement in late July would shock the crap out of everyone.

The End. LOL

by figgy on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 07:02:13 AM EST

Re: OK, I have a bizarre idea (none / 0)

I think Al Gore would see this as a step down, though I do think it's a possibility. I don't know that Gore should be on the VP ticket for the same reason that Edwards and Clinton shouldn't be on it: it's good to pick someone strong and well-known for VP, but it shouldn't be someone that's so larger than life that the ticket looks improperly balanced.

I'm only a click away

by juliewolf on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 07:20:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: OK, I have a bizarre idea (none / 0)

As I said, I really do know it's bizarre. However it makes some sense in bizarro world. It sort of takes every issue off the table. It's sort of beautiful in its bizarre simplicity. The added factor of setting up a Dem for 2016...bizarrobeautiful.

This year has been so weird I'm ready for anything ;)

by figgy on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 07:42:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]

You know, there is some sense in Bizarroland.. (none / 0)

I agree that he would not likely accept, but it sure would be a Daisycutter of a decision to ask him....

Who would stand up to oppose Gore?

Donate!

by chrisblask on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 09:38:24 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: OK, I have a bizarre idea (none / 0)

Even in bizarro world the one overriding trait necessary in a VP pick is that they want the job. Gore has no interest in being VP. Been there. Done that. Got the t-shirt.

John McCain supports privatizing Social Security.

by Travis Stark on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 07:46:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: OK, I have a bizarre idea (none / 0)

Oh I know Travis, it feels like he doesn't to me too. The only thing that greased my wheels is his complete silence. I've heard more from Jimmy Carter in the last 3 months than I heard in 20 years. Where is Al? I find this hugely suspicious and therefore I allow my crazy to run naked through bizarro VP-land. YAY!

by figgy on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 07:51:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: OK, I have a bizarre idea (none / 0)

I could swear he's ruled it out explicitly, but I can't find it at the moment. Carry on.

John McCain supports privatizing Social Security.

by Travis Stark on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 09:02:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: OK, I have a bizarre idea (2.00 / 1)

Well the problem there is, "I'm not interested in being Vice President" is something that I'm pretty sure almost every Vice President in recent times who didn't shoot someone in the face has said at one point or another, (including Gore pre-1992,) so it gets hard to trust that. That said, I really really really don't think Al even wants to be President at this point, let alone Vice President.

by nathanp on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 10:40:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The real test of Obama's leadership (2.00 / 2)

I thought that hijacked "misguided argument" was sound when I made it and still do. For the record, I said "display of leadership" not "test of leadership."

The argument wasn't about rushing, pressuring, forcing, or otherwise coercing him to "placate disappointed party members."

It was about calling him to live up to his own promise to bridge divides and bring people together. I'm suggesting that he start at home (because half of the party is hardly "an entity within the party"). I'm suggesting that this is something he could DO rather than SAY.

How is it "misguided" to think that you display leadership when you bring people together and put action behind your words?

by SophieL on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 07:44:17 AM EST

Re: The real test of Obama's leadership (none / 0)

I'm sorry Sophie. I don't understand what you're saying here. A few too many "-". What is the real problem for you? I'm so confused.

by figgy on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 07:48:07 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The real test of Obama's leadership (none / 0)

The best way for him to show leadership on the VP issue will be to choose the VP right for his campaign. I have no doubt that's what he'll do and when it's the right time. I have to admit, though I wish he'd hurry and pick someone so we wouldn't have to have any more of this VP talk. It really does nothing at all. He surely isn't reading these blogs to help him decide. I personally will be disappointed if he picks Clinton but it's his decision and I respect that.

by Becky G on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 08:51:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Agreed. (2.00 / 1)

The VP chant will die down soon, because I don't believe Obama will be rushed into a VP pick ahead of his schedule. The decision matrix for picking a VP is very complex, and I don't believe that any of us has enough information to make that choice for him even if we could. Sometime before the convention he'll choose a running mate. In his time. Not ours.

John McCain supports privatizing Social Security.

by Travis Stark on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 07:48:03 AM EST

The real test of Obama's leadership (2.00 / 1)

is not who or when he will make his choice for a VP, but it will be how he will unite the party. After all, he ran as a uniter, how best to start than by uniting the party.

by devil on Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 08:55:02 AM EST

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