I think your point about Edwards is the case against him, and I agree that he's a long shot, but I wouldn't say that there's no way he'll be the VP nominee.

Hell, look at every VP poll match-up done and Edwards is by far the single best improvement to Obama's numbers. That alone has to grab some attention. Also, Edwards has already been vetted, he's got the debates with Darth Cheney behind him and can build on that experience.

I wouldn't bet on Edwards, but I wouldn't take him totally off the list either.

You don't think big enough.

People who will not be Obama's veep

4. Marc Dann

Marc Dann, Ohio state senator and attorney general of Ohio from 2007 to 2008, brings little to the ticket and carries significant liabilities. In a period marked mostly by Republican scandal, Dann has been one of a handful of Democrats to be forced of office recently, pressured to resign by his own party after shockingly extreme allegations of sexual harassment. In addition Dann has proven a negative on the campaign trail without even being involved with the Obama campaign; he is not known to have endorsed Obama, but did at one point minorly making local news by showing up at an Obama fundraiser and cursing out a reporter for the Warren, Ohio Tribune-Chronicle over a negative article that had been written about Dann. If there is any one candidate who is not going to be Obama's running mate, surely Dann is that candidate.

5. Jimmy Carter

Carter carries significant political baggage, and in addition is currently 83 years of age; in 2016 he would be 91. Although there is some question over how old is "too old" to be President. Appointing an octogenarian former President as VP would interfere with Obama's "change" message.

6. Arianna Huffington

Although appointing an ex-Republican as VP would fit well with Obama's claims to "post-partisanship", Arianna Huffington is not a U.S. national and is barred from becoming Vice President under the Twelfth Amendment.

7. Steve Carrell

Steve Carrell has no political experience and polls poorly in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania.

8. Joe Lieberman

Lieberman would present significant message conflict difficulties, and may present legal challenges getting on the ballot considering it is already known Lieberman will be the Vice Presidential candidate for Sen. John McCain.

9. Bob Russell

Bob Russell is a fictional character from NBC's The West Wing and cannot run for Vice President.

"What's more, the haircut/McMansion/trial lawyer thing reinforces the "Obama is an elitist" attack. I think the elitist tag is total bullsh*t for both
Obama and Edwards,"

Interesting how we all react so differently to the same thing. His spending that much on a haircut turned me off so strongly. His mansion has the same effect.

I loathe conspicuous consumption - particularly on the part of those who publicly champion the cause of the poor.

Must have been the religious upbringing. Although I ended up a passionate atheist, some things stick with you. `Harder for the rich man...`

(I feel the same way about Gore, Obama. BTW I am utterly disgusted by Trinity United buying Wright a retirement mansion in a gated white community.)

Why can't all these people just buy a pleasant, comfortable house, ensure a comfortable retirement and then invest all their surplus income in the things they so righteously profess to care about?
There's just this powerful reality gap between their politics, rhetoric and what they actually do.

There's a fascinating article on politico today abut Webb. I'd recommend it as an important read.

The article mostly speculates on the issue of a trail of speeches and writings, including a major book Webb wrote `Born Fighting`; the principle thesis the Politico article examines is Webb's attempts to revise history on the South's attitude to the Civil War and slavery; his revisionist version argues that for ordinary folk in the South the issue was state sovereignty, not slavery.

Politico speculates on whether or not this would depress the African American vote.

Personally I find the notion depressing. To argue that the southern working class had a more powerful motivation than racism is not to argue that Webb's argument is insulting to any group. That the GOP might be able to portray it in that light is yet more of the classic sh*t they try to pull.

As Webb's office pointed out
“He doesn’t defend the war at all or the practice of slavery. He does make arguments about why the South seceded,” said Denny Todd. “The individual Confederate soldier, for the most part, did not own slaves. They weren’t wealthy landowners. Webb simply talks about why these men — mostly poor and white — stepped up and answered the call to serve.”

One note of encouragment: 85% of frican-Americans voted for Webb

What's more worrying was his attitude to women in the military.

"Webb had more damaging exposure from his 1979 Washingtonian magazine article titled “Women Can’t Fight,” in which Webb, an ex-Marine, described one of the Naval Academy’s coed dorms as “a horny woman’s dream” and argued against allowing women to take combat roles."

This would go down really well with Hillary's women...

How much are your life savings?

I mean, I wouldn't want to wipe you out, but I do think Gore is a possible running mate, and personally, he is far and away my top choice. I also think unquestionably he would be the strongest running mate--he ran ahead of everyone in trial heats before the primaries. Not carrying TN is meaningless--the demographics had shifted radically in that state from the time he was elected VP to the time he ran for Prez.

Hillary as the voice of women-Ironicaly, Hillary could feel that rolw better as a US Senator than as VIcePresident. The VIce President is a part of any administration and wouldbe required to be a team member. A senator has far more Freedom to act and say what needs to be said. Between Pelosi in the House and Hillary in Senate they could groom, foster and encourage the development of nationalwomen candidates.

Here's a compelling piece on why Webb shouldn't be.

http://www.slate.com/id/2193217/

The VEEP stakes make for engrossing reading - great fun.

I just read a glowing appraisal of Biden, recommending him, and then was hugely amused reading all the scathing reactions in the comment section.
If anyone wants to check those out it was Ezra Klein's article in The American Prospect

http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/ezraklein_archive?month=06&year=2008&base_name=veepstakes_the_case_for_biden&13

I wouldn't rule out Al Gore.

1) For better or worse, Dick Cheney has forever changed the nature of the VP role, giving it more power, influence and a much higher, more active profile.

2) Given that, and Obama's empowering style of leadership, Gore would have an unparalleled position from which to leverage US leadership on the world stage on the issues he cares so much about. What better way to redirect US priorities, guide the implementation of federal policy and promote state & local cooperation? Who else but Al Gore could credibly lead global discussions and negotiations on these sensitive issues? I should think that if Obama offered Gore that sphere of influence, he'd be hard pressed not to take it.\

It's one thing to "have an impact" on the public's perception of an issue; it's a complete 'nother thing to be the guy at the head of the table where the public policy is being crafted and implemented, where deals are brokered. That's where change of the greatest magnitude will take place, and Gore would be the guy to make it happen.

Watch Gore's latest slide show - he and Obama are literally speaking the same language:

http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/243

Someone (like Laurie David or RFK Jr.) should start a Draft Gore for VP petition.

Edwards should be the Katrina reconstruction czar (you'll be forgiven for forgetting that such a federal post exists, but it did at one point). We need a voice to talk about the simple injustice of letting a region die because it is too poor, and too black, to stay in the news. He'd be perfect, twang, Two Americas, and all. And the job would be good for his profile, too-- Hoover became president after successfully filling a similar post.

"You've exactly captured my feelings about Gore. He's a Nobel Laureate who travels around the world promoting the issue he's passionate about down to the core of his being. He sits on the board of Apple and enjoys much greater freedom than he ever could as somebody's VP or even President. He has what he's always wanted. Good for him!

"Posted by PistonMoaned"

Gore got into politics because his father was a Senator, and who apparently wanted to be presdient, the role Gore was to fill in his stead.

However, I've long sensed that Gore didn't really care to be in politics.

In addition, as Jimmy Carter well said (not being a hypocrite being his "baggage"): one can do more in the world outside the presidency than from within it.

Of course I wanted Gore as president. But I'm fine with Gore doing that he actually wants to do.

As for the various canards against Edwards: he came from nothing; he earned his money the old fashinoned way: by not inheriting. So what if he followed the cultural mores from whence he comes: he owns a big house. McSame owns 8 of them.

Gore was also hammered for owning a big house -- by those who own at least one huge glass house each.

Edwards is genuine.

How about no to Chuck Hagel and Mike Bloomberg on the grounds that they aren't Democrats. I really worry that Obama might pick outside the party and nothing would make me angrier.