Edwards says no to being Obama's VP nominee

Former Sen. John Edwards, who ran in 2004 as Sen. John Kerry's vice presidential nominee, has said "hell to the naw!" To running with Obama.

OK, he didn't go Whitney Houston on this, but he told the "Today" show that he was not interested.

I've long maintained that it didn't make sense to name Edwards because he really doesn't help the ticket.

1. Three-time loser. He ran for the nomination in 2004 and lost. He ran as VP nominee and lost. And he ran this year and lost.

2. Need better chemistry. I loved his passion, but Edwards came across as a one-note kind of guy. Obama does need a rabblerouser to counter his ultra cool demeanor, but that person must be able to connect differently with the voters.

3. Nominee MUST deliver. In 2004, he lost his birth state (South Carolina) and the state where was senator (North Carolina). He also lost the congressional district and home precinct where he lived. So the logic that he helps the ticket is nonsense. Obama needs someone who will deliver. The swing states for this election will be Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Missouri, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida. Go to www.270towin.com. They have a map you can play with. If McCain wins traditional red states and Obama wins the traditional blue states, the other ones I mentioned loom large.

Roland S. Martin www.rolandsmartin.com CNN Contributor

Sent from Blackberry

Comments

[nic]

Well, who do y'all think it's gonna be?

[Energize]

Good. He's too much of textbook politician anyway.

Whomever wins will be in damage control for years. This is too big of a mess to select a weak veep.

Solid track record on US foreign policies, respect for the constitution and workable solutions for domestic recovery would be my top 3.

[Michael7]

Roland,

My guess is that Sen. Obama may choose a sitting governor from either a midwest state or a southern state who has beaten a Republican for that office in a state normally won by Republicans in the past few election cycles. Point being that these governors know how to connect with the Republican electorate in their states and can help Sen. Obama secure the majority of the votes he needs to help him carry those swing states.

Look for the governors of Kansas & Virginia to be near the top of his short list. The governor of Kansas is a female (Kathleen Sebelius) who is one tough female. She can ease the pain of those white women who voted for Sen. Clinton because she will be one heart beat away from the presidency, and she will help Sen. Obama in states like Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa.

If he chooses the governor of Virginia, Tim Kaine, that will help Sen. Obama with white males & independents in the south in states like Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, North & South Carolina and possibly Kentucky and Tennessee.

Both of these governors are battle-tested politicians who won in states with social convervative electorates, which Sen. Obama needs to offset any advantages Sen. McCain may have with that portion of the electorate.

[deva]

He said he wouldn't run when he was on Larry King Show about a week or two ago. I think he knows his days as a leader are over. OBAMA has probably chosen his running partner---just waiting for the right time to play his Ace.

[Karen Lewis]

2nd In regards to bush’s speech on israel soil…playing the divisive card so blatantly…at israel’s 60th birthday party…was surely felt over the ocean…in the hearts of jewish american voters…the divide and conquer political game…i would even venture to call…a terrorist threat…to all americans being observed in our uniting together…for the betterment of our country…for the economic good of all…bush we really wouldn’t mind…if you sojourned a while with the oil prince…we’d gladly even give you.. paid vacation time at our expense…in the long run we’d probaly be…even saving some money for a change…enjoy your holiday…

[SJay]

I say give Sebelius a shot.

[nic]

My guess is Jim Webb, or Richardson, or, as a long shot, Washington Senator Maria Cantwell.

[simplycharming47 from Oklahoma City]

I think Kathleen Sebelius:
A Catholic and a former Ohioan. She perhaps could help Obama with those votes. Her accomplishments and esteem record is worthy of reading.

The only negative for some would be, Sebelius did not support an April 2005 amendment to the Kansas Constitution that made same-sex marriage in the state unconstitutional. Sebelius said she supported the existing state law outlawing same-sex marriage, viewed it as sufficient and therefore opposed the constitutional amendment. The amendment passed with 70 percent voter approval.

Sebelius is an opponent of capital punishment. During her first term, the Kansas capital punishment laws were declared unconstitutional by the Kansas Supreme Court. However, on appeal by then-Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline, the ruling was again overturned and the current law reinstated by the United States Supreme Court.

Bill Richardson:
He maybe able to help with the Latino vote. His global diplomatic experience is robust. He's known for having approached foreign policy issues with distinct clarity.
He's previously served as a U.S. Representative, Ambassador to the United Nations, and as the U.S. Secretary of Energy.[1] He was chairman of the 2004 Democratic National Convention as well as Chairman of the Democratic Governors Association in 2005 and 2006, overseeing the Democrats' re-capturing of a majority of the country's governorships.

Richardson has been recognized for negotiating the release of hostages, American servicemen, and political prisoners in North Korea, Iraq, and Cuba.
Sellar record..

Jim Webb:
Because of his extensive Military experience.
Former Secretary of the Navy. Marine Corps infantry officer until 1972, and is a highly decorated Vietnam War combat veteran. Only draw back the republicans might want to make an issue of him being married three times.. but then again McCain being an adulterous -Maybe not!!

Chuck Hagel:
A highly decorated Vietnam war Veteran.
Obama is hoping to appoint cross-party figures to his cabinet such as Chuck Hagel, the Republican senator for Nebraska and an staunch outspoken opponent of the Iraq war

Senator Obama was quoted in the same article, when asked about Hagel as a potential cabinet member: "Chuck Hagel is a great friend of mine and I respect him very much"

Those would be my personal choices..

Simplycharming47

[Heather Johnston]

Edwards would sink the ticket. Nice man, can't win. Maybe Richardson, but that would be a Black man and an Hispanic man after an election where a woman almost won. WVA would implode. I agree, Roland, Obama needs someone who will deliver constituents her hasn't won yet.

Let's face it folks, there is a big white elephant (ha, ha) in the room on this one, and she has 16 million votes. As history proves, sometimes former enemies make winning allies. Never say never, especially in this race. And if it isn't Hillary, you can bet it will be an older male from a swing state who supported her.

[Indie Liberal]

Sebelius or AZ Governor Napolitano on the female side. Clark or Richardson on the male side. Rumor has it that Edwards is eying the Attorney General spot in Obama's administration.

[nic]

From what I've seen of Sebelius, though, she is a sub-par public speaker. Terribly boring. I'm hoping for someone more charismatic. Actually, I think we ought to take a serious look at the merits of an Obama/Dolemite ticket. Just think about it...Rudy Ray would bring a wealth of experience - yes, he's ran & lost before, but political experience is good, right? Plus we'd immediately have the womens' vote locked up. I'm just sayin'. If we're looking for toughness, experience, and charisma, it's hard to overlook a legend like him.

[Pamela]

I agree that John Edwards would not make a good running mate because the memory of his losses would remain attached.

Senator Obama has already made HIS list of choices for VP because he knew that as a black man choosing to run for President he had to plan in a way that gave him a variety of options based on different variables.

He has a plan to get America back on track and he has and will continue to surround himself with people that will help him to accomplish it. Obama 2008!