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The white, female Obama: Kathleen Sebelius for Obama's VP?

by electopundit | January 13, 2008 at 10:35 am

10225 views | 2 Recommendations | 5 comments

ElectoPundit

If Obama wins the nomination, and then decides he wants a woman on the ticket, I think Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, might be the best bet. Remember the 2004 book, "What's the Matter with Kansas" that was about conservatives winning in the heartland? Well she has managed to turn the state around as a Democrat with moderate and business friendly leadership while still maintaining her progressive credentials. For Democrats looking to win in 2008, she has managed to win big in one of America's most Republican states. I think electing a female executive that has made it on her own is a better way to break the glass ceiling of sexism than trying to elect a female senator that is the wife of the most recent former president (yes I know Sebelius is the daughter of a former Ohio governor and her husband is a judge from a prominent Republican political family, but he's no ex-governor).

Her whole mantra is the same as Obama's that we need to work together with Republicans and try to move past the bitterness. Putting a red state governor on the ticket would be a way to give real meaning to his line about unifying red states and blue states. She put a Republican on her ticket as Lieutenant Governor and she was re-elected in 2006 by a 58-40% margin. An Obama-Sebelius ticket would be a bit like Clinton-Gore in 1992, but this time a team of Midwesterners, not a team of Southerners. Maybe THAT is what America needs in 2008.

Kansas is one of the February 5th states, so I sincerely hope that Governor Sebelius is holding back her endorsement so that she can make maximum impact before the February 5th primaries and caucuses. This would be a powerful moment for the Obama campaign, even if she did not become his VP nominee.

The biggest problem with picking a woman governor is no national security experience. But perhaps Obama could get around this by pre-announcing a robust national security team. She would definitely fit the mold of a vice presidential choice that highlights Obama's strengths as a candidate, rather than reminding voters of his weaknesses. She has built a record of executive accomplishment on the same philosophy that Obama has had success with on the legislative side. Hailing from Kansas would also remind people that Obama's mother and grandparents are from Kansas. It might add to his aura of Lincoln-esque Midwestern gravitas.

Here's three of her ads from her 2006 landslide re-election, the first one focuses on her accomplishments "working together," the second one is a call to end political bickering, and the last one talks about leadership "from the heart" in a strong and forceful way.

Goals: http://youtube.com/watch?v=RF8qdYqBRW4

Keep Moving: http://youtube.com/watch?v=uj3OsWgffgw

Respect: http://youtube.com/watch?v=DPfxOtq5AIg

6 See all footage | View Slideshow

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cynthia yoo

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 12:59 on January 13th, 2008

yes...oh some time back pundits were hoping for a clinton-obama ticket...

ChrisM70

at 16:41 on January 13th, 2008

I agree that Sebelius is a very savvy politician and has been very successful (i.e. popular) as governor. I'm not too sold on the idea of trying to reach out and "work together" with Republicans. I know it's a popular political catch-phrase that people respond to, but Republicans had control of all three branches of government for SIX YEARS and did nothing but make things worse. They used their power to bully Democrats, ride roughshod over the Constitution and CAUSE partisan rancor instead of trying to bring bi-partisan cooperation.

Bush came into office promising to be a "uniter" and instead made everything worse. And now that the Republicans have lost majority in both houses of Congress and are looking like they will lose the Executive branch as well, they are complaining about how unfair the Democrats treat them (i.e. following the Constitution) while trying to obstruct as many pieces of legislation as they can (like healthcare for CHILDREN!). To me, you can't invite the people who caused the problem to help you solve it.

Otherwise, I like Governor Sebelius and has been able to accomplish some amazing things with a Kansas Legislature that has been known to consist of a lot of crazy right-wing extremists. After her time is over as Kansas Governor, I look forward to her seeking higher offices, whether as VP candidate, a cabinet member or running against either of Kansas' terrible Senators Brownback or Roberts.

electopundit

at 16:53 on January 13th, 2008

I think what Obama and Sebelius mean when they refer to "working together" is with Republican voters, not necessarily Republican politicians, if they stand in their way.

There's nothing wrong with changing the tone in Washington, and talking to your opponents and telling them they're wrong. I don't think Obama or Sebelius sacrifice anything by talking civilly to their opponents.... it just helps them win respect and support from disillusioned Republican voters.

Anonymous (not verified)

at 21:02 on July 9th, 2008

Obama Sebelius '08. Clinton Gore '92. If Obama doesn't pick Senator Clinton, then pick Govenor Sebelus. SHE IS THE NEXT BEST THING, IF NOT BETTER. IT WOULD BE FOOLISH NOT TO PICK SEBELIUS.

Obama would be a fool to pick ANOTHER MAN as his running mate
AND LEAVE AN OPENING FOR JOHN MCCAIN TO WOE OVER CLINTON SUPPORTERS AS MCCAIN himself PICKS A WOMAN.

OBAMA BETTER PICK SEBELIUS RIGHT NOW. YOU BETTER PICK HER!!!! DON'T BE HARDHEADED!!!!!SHE'S YOUR BEST CHANCE AT WINNING, OR NEPALITANO (AZ), MAYBE CLINTON!!! Don't be HARDHEADED!!!

samantha PUMA (not verified)

at 05:38 on July 12th, 2008

The biggest insult to woman is to pick a woman other than Clinton... what better way to drive home that women are nothing more than a generic second class citizens than to think that just picking a woman (any woman) would trick us into voting for someone who thinks that "sweetie" is something you say to a professional woman- unless he calls men "sweetie" he is full of crap. OH- BTW- he is fine with letting states limit abortion (see Relevant Magazine interview), thinks FISA is great, is "refining" his Iraq position (to include leaving residual groups behind to help with counter-terrorists), has taken deals with mortgage companies, bought his million $ home with a crook, sat in a church that hates Whites and Jews for 20 years (and didn't have a clue that they felt that way- or didn't care- I don't which is worse), wears and doesn't wear a flag pin (depending on who he seeing that day), and these are just a FEW of the reasons I am SURE that picking any woman will make me and other (PUMAs) jump on his band wagon.. what a great choice.....