Campaign '08 Chat
Post-Dispatch D.C. bureau chief Bill Lambrecht has been following the race for the presidential nomination among Democrats and Republicans. He'll answer your questions about the race.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008 11:00 AM CDT
Bill Lambrecht: Good morning from DC. I see that one of our questions gets to food, which reminds me of the fare last evening at a fundraiser in Barack Obama's "bottom-up" campaign here in Washington at a quaint little Rockefeller mansion: Here, from a pool report is a description: "Waiters served summer tropics crab salad, while Obama funders munched on filet of beef with a mustard-cognac sauce at Sen. Jay Rockefeller's (D-WV) "chateau" last night, where "chocolate Corinthian glaces are alleged to have appeared." It is an hour later out here, I have gotten very hungry, so let's get on with some questions.
Joe: Mr. Lambrecht,
I've asked a VP question before, so I'll try not to repeat it (at least most of it anyway). Timing seems right to ask and then, naturally, espouse: Has either campaign had updates on VP searches?
For what it's worth, I still like Gov. Richardson at No. 2 for Sen. Obama. But I wonder why a Sen. Jim Webb would take himself out of consideration. Would a politician, knowing something about him- or herself, stay out of a national scrutiny for the sake of the party (something I believe near-impossible for any politician to do)? How does one decide that being VP doesn't help your constituency, party AND country? Can a VP win or lose an election for a candidate, scandals notwithstanding?
Does a candidate worry more about counteracting ones failings (like national security/military service for Obama) vs. picking a person who could add a swing state's electoral votes (like Va., N.C., N.M. or Kansas)?
Finally, would you care to share who you think the Top Three are for Sens. Obama and McCain?
As always, thanks so much for this forum.
PS-Wondering what one would serve at an Election Night party (it's something we're considering) and would renting an HD-TV be too over the top? =) Again, thank you for your insight.
I've asked a VP question before, so I'll try not to repeat it (at least most of it anyway). Timing seems right to ask and then, naturally, espouse: Has either campaign had updates on VP searches?
For what it's worth, I still like Gov. Richardson at No. 2 for Sen. Obama. But I wonder why a Sen. Jim Webb would take himself out of consideration. Would a politician, knowing something about him- or herself, stay out of a national scrutiny for the sake of the party (something I believe near-impossible for any politician to do)? How does one decide that being VP doesn't help your constituency, party AND country? Can a VP win or lose an election for a candidate, scandals notwithstanding?
Does a candidate worry more about counteracting ones failings (like national security/military service for Obama) vs. picking a person who could add a swing state's electoral votes (like Va., N.C., N.M. or Kansas)?
Finally, would you care to share who you think the Top Three are for Sens. Obama and McCain?
As always, thanks so much for this forum.
PS-Wondering what one would serve at an Election Night party (it's something we're considering) and would renting an HD-TV be too over the top? =) Again, thank you for your insight.
Bill Lambrecht: Hey Joe (as Jimi Hendrix sang):
Wow, those are some questions that will make me think. And since I got back here from STL about 2:30 this morning, that may be tough. A couple things about Jim Webb: On paper, he looked good, being the former Reaganite-Secretary of the Navy-independent-novelist-tough guy-sort, which would have brought something to the ticket. On the other hand, having two first-term senators wouldn't have done much to counter the "no-experience" mantra from the McCainiacs. VP prospects often pull themselves out when they know there's no chance to be selected. But I also think that Webb might not have been a good fit because of his ornery indepedent streak and the upward trajectory of his Senate career. He's goin' gangbusters in Congress, passing a much-needed new GI Bill of Rights and getting loads of good pub. I think I detected a reason for his announcement in a remark he made, something to the effect that when you're in an administration, you have to give it your full loyalty. I think he's simply incapable of doing that in this stage of his life. That said, I still think that Obama has a strong chance to take Virginia.
As far as the political significance of a VEEP choice: It's important in the sense that it's one of a candidate's "freebies" in which they are guaranteed some laudatory press and a bump in the polls. After that, it might mean a geographical boost in terms of adding a few points in a swing state. But as far as your question, I can't recall a running-mate costing anybody the election. (That was the fear for while in '88 with Dan Quayle, but he turned out to be a benefit to Bush 41 that year.)
Sure: Here are my lists:
McCain -- Charlie Crist; Mitt Romney; Tom Ridge; Tim Pawlenty and my Darkhorse Pick -- Bill Gates.
Obama -- Bill Richardson; Kathleen Sebelius; Hillary Clinton and my Darkhorse Pick -- Dick Gephardt.
Oh yea, your party: How about Tex-Mex (maybe you'll be celebrating VP Richardson) -- some quesadillas, maybe even fajitas and lots of homemade salsa and guacamole. And you don't need TV: Just tune in to STLtoday because we'll have lots happening that night.
Wow, those are some questions that will make me think. And since I got back here from STL about 2:30 this morning, that may be tough. A couple things about Jim Webb: On paper, he looked good, being the former Reaganite-Secretary of the Navy-independent-novelist-tough guy-sort, which would have brought something to the ticket. On the other hand, having two first-term senators wouldn't have done much to counter the "no-experience" mantra from the McCainiacs. VP prospects often pull themselves out when they know there's no chance to be selected. But I also think that Webb might not have been a good fit because of his ornery indepedent streak and the upward trajectory of his Senate career. He's goin' gangbusters in Congress, passing a much-needed new GI Bill of Rights and getting loads of good pub. I think I detected a reason for his announcement in a remark he made, something to the effect that when you're in an administration, you have to give it your full loyalty. I think he's simply incapable of doing that in this stage of his life. That said, I still think that Obama has a strong chance to take Virginia.
As far as the political significance of a VEEP choice: It's important in the sense that it's one of a candidate's "freebies" in which they are guaranteed some laudatory press and a bump in the polls. After that, it might mean a geographical boost in terms of adding a few points in a swing state. But as far as your question, I can't recall a running-mate costing anybody the election. (That was the fear for while in '88 with Dan Quayle, but he turned out to be a benefit to Bush 41 that year.)
Sure: Here are my lists:
McCain -- Charlie Crist; Mitt Romney; Tom Ridge; Tim Pawlenty and my Darkhorse Pick -- Bill Gates.
Obama -- Bill Richardson; Kathleen Sebelius; Hillary Clinton and my Darkhorse Pick -- Dick Gephardt.
Oh yea, your party: How about Tex-Mex (maybe you'll be celebrating VP Richardson) -- some quesadillas, maybe even fajitas and lots of homemade salsa and guacamole. And you don't need TV: Just tune in to STLtoday because we'll have lots happening that night.
