I'm most interested to know how people would react to the idea of Edwards now that he's indicated he's changed his mind and would consider it.

He doesn't do much for me. I think he's too strident - puts off more people than he brings.

(His two America's is in direct contradiction to Obama's one. And more importantly I think he showed in 2004 that he's not a good second string. ie refusing to accept Kerry's slogan of `hope is on its way` and going around the country saying `help` was.)

He didn't swing Ohio for Kerry. So it seems a stretch to think he could do it for Obama.

My personal favorite veep pick is Senator Bob Gramm - former governor of Florida , former head of the Senate Intelligence Committe , -he also read every report ect before the Iraq War -and voted against the AUMF . He could help deliver fLORIDA- ...

I like Clark. He's definitely one of my favorite choices, and the reasons you give are compelling. After seeing him on MSNBC, my liking of Clark skyrocketed. I liked him in 2004, too. He and Edwards were my first choices.

He isn't a really great campaigner, it's true. But under Obama? I don't know if that would necessarily be a huge problem. He's obviously a pro at debating, and he has all the right talking points. He'd be able to respond quickly, and forcefully, to attacks from McCain and whomever he chooses at VP.

Campaigning wouldn't have to be the focus of his place on the ticket. Obama/Clark works well for me.

My first choice is Biden, but I'm okay with Clark. The important thing is that he's not Jim Webb...

A few thoughts here devoid of actually discussing various potential veep's competencies.

Clark seems (I mean seems) too intellectual for the ticket. Two intellectual elitists? Wearing their $100 ties and cufflinks? Not sure that sells as a ticket (and yes, I know those are stereotypes but they are stereotypes that come to mind).

Biden - blowhard and prone to gaffes despite his intellect.

Edwards - hasn't really proven himself twice as Presidential candidate.

Add me to those who think that Biden is the best option by far.

That said, Clark is solid and a good option. I was truly blown away with his insiciveness on MSNBC last week -- I swear he was a better advocate for Obama than he'd been for Clinton, and he was one of the few Clinton surrogates who I truly respected throughout. ------- My concern is not his campaigning, Obama has charisma enough to carry that load. It's dealing with Congress. Face it, Obama is new. He's been effective and he's gained some wonderful friends and colleagues, but it would be good if that twosome the Pres. and VP had, between them, someone who understands the labyrinth over in the Capitol.

That said, with the possible (I pray not) loss of Teddy Kennedy, there's going to be a need for people in place over there. Reluctantly -- very reluctantly -- I acknowledge that Biden may be one that stays in place. Still -- since as far back as NH, I've been seeing the team of Obama/Biden and nothing I've considered can quite match it.

But if it's not to be, Clark is fast becoming my second choice. Does anyone know if Obama and Clark have met? how they get along? I get the feeling that's going to be very important in who his VP pick will be. Obama is going to need someone he can really talk to, trust, and depend on for solid, honest advice and feedback. Especially when you are open to voices from all different directions, as he is and it's one of his strengths, it's important that you have someone to sit down with and help you thresh them through.

In that respect, I think both Biden and Clark would be good (assuming the personal interaction works): they are both, like Obama, seem to be centered in themselves, courageous and intellectually honest. And oh, are we going to need many people with those qualities to deal with the mess they are going to inherit!

I agree with Oregon Activist that the perception of Barack needing a Wes Clark to win is probably mistaken.

I would actually prefer he pick someone he would see sitting in the Oval Office after his two-term presidency, preferably a woman with a great resume and a more feminine leadership style than Hillary showed in the primary. I have had enough of swinging-dick leadership from politicians of either gender. Empathy seems a much better path to follow given our enormous challenges.

Not sure if Sebelius is the right choice or someone completely unknown or off the radar at this point, but I would like it to be someone like Samantha Power. Brilliant, focused, dedicated, passionate and has been front-stage at some of the biggest human challenges this country has faced in the last two decades.

I would be OK with Clark, as long he understood that it wouldn't necessarily be a launching pad for presidential ambitions.

I would add to Oregon Activist that the things Barack has actually done as a state senator and US senator are not centrist at all. His resume is quite progressive and grassroots. I will agree that he has had to mainstream his candidacy in order to win, but the vast bulk of his history (as well as a in-depth novel of his political philosophy) points to Barack being very progressive in his ultimate vision for this country.

Like Chronospark my opinion of Wes Clark for VP has skyrocketed since his appearance on MSNBC. I don't think there is anyone better qualified to go up against McCain as far as the war goes. For foreign policy in general there are other good possibilties but Clark can hold his own there too. The fact that McCain, Joe Military, would have to salute him is also appealing.

I agree that Clark wold be a good choice and disagree with the poster above that Obama's choice would make no difference. I have met at least a couple of folks - perhaps less informed politically if bright otherwise - whose current reservations about [myths of] Obama's purported lack of "experience" and "foreign policy credentials" might appear to pale in comparison to [myths of] McCain's "experience" and "foreign policy credentials" - and whose views not be affected over the coming months by town halls and debates - particularly if more free air time to McCain Townhall infomercials arise on various networks.

These folks might be swayed by Obama's ticket being "burnished" by someone such as Clark.

Moreover, I find Clark to have been extremely quick in responding to the MSNBC talking head spouting but but but McCain McCain McCain.
His new ability to not only go to the core of an issue but keep to the point when faced with moderator bs goes to show that Clark is not only brilliant but has a marvelous capacity for development. This would seem to be a useful capacity in a close Obama adviser.

And by the way - having - as does our former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright - some jewish heritage doe NOT per se translate to bondage to Israel. There is a HUGE segment of the American Jewish population that is disgusted with warlike tendencies in that administration.

And in fact [as one who lived in Israel for a time] I feel safe in saying that there is also a reasonably large segment of the Israeli population that is not froth-at-the-mouth hawks, either.

Remember that the populace [or in this case, religio/ethnic segment thereof] does not always equate with a particular administration - or a particular lobbyist group. Ergo, Bush.

When first giving serious consideration to an Obama Presidency,
The first Person that rose to the surface for VP was Wes Clark.
Why??? For all the reasons listed above. As for concerns about Clark being too close to the Jewish lobby, put em' to rest. He's actually shown himself to be credible & willing to negotiate in good faith. What a lot of people fail to realize, is that there are just as many Jews that are in favor of Peace as there are Americans & Palestinians. We're all People first & if that can become our overarching theme we can accomplish GREAT things...
Obama/Clark DOES have a really good ring as a sound bite as well!!! Peace.

Personally, I have a Constitutional problem with the way the Waco tragedy played out in 1993. The biggest of which was the use of Federal military force in what should have been a State police action. At the time, Wes Clark was in command of the tanks that recklessly gassed a compound filled with children. He's career took off meteorically from there. I refuse to trust anybody that benefits from such wanton violations of Posse Comitatus.

It won't be Clark. It will be Clinton. Clark brings not much. Clinton got 18 million votes. Wise up.