Wyden & Smith: Not gonna be veep
Capitol Hill newspaper The Hill asked all 97 Senators who are not running for president whether they'd consider taking the veep slot on a presidential ticket.
Senator Gordon Smith:
“Let me put it this way: I’m not on the list, so it’s a hypothetical question.”
Senator Ron Wyden:
“I have a unique perspective on this. I am the only senator to have announced I am not running for president because there should be someone here to serve as the Senate’s designated driver. I intend to stay in that position. The Senate needs a designated driver to stay behind and work on health care.”
A few of the rest had fun with the question:
Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah) “Of course. Big house, big car, not much to do. Why not?”Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.)
“Yes. Sign me up. I’ve been kidding people for years: The hours are better, the wages are just as good — whoever heard of a vice president getting shot at? — and it’s a great opportunity to travel. And actually since time has gone by, the job is robust … So sure. Anybody here would, if they’re going to be honest. The chances are slim to none. But I promise you, I would deliver all three of Delaware’s electoral votes.”Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho)
“I would say ‘No, Hillary.’ ”Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.)
“No. I don’t like going to funerals.”Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.)
“Once is enough. I already have the T-shirt and I’m proud of it. I yield to my colleagues.”Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.)
“Absolutely. Absolutely. I think I would be great. First of all, I know how to behave at weddings and funerals. And I know how to be commander in chief. I’d bring a lot of fun to the job. We would rock the Naval Observatory.”Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.)
“The chances of that are so remote that I’m more likely to be hit by an asteroid.”
Read the rest. Discuss.
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May 16, 2008
Posted in in the news. |
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10:23 a.m.
May 16, '08
I like Ted Kennedy's response too:
Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) “I plan to stick with my current job until I get the hang of it.”
May 16, '08
It's pretty easy to detect who wants the job and/or is running for reelection this year and who could give a flying frack- the answers from the former sound like they were written by CandidateSpeak 3000 (The software that writes campaign copy for you! Now available en Espanol!") while the latter sound like they came from a real live person.
And on a general point about hypotheticals- I wish politicians would engage them more. I get tired of the whole "I don't discuss hypotheticals" thing. Sure it's safe- but where's the fun? We all know hypotheticals are absurd traps, so why not embrace them on that level and mock the trap.
The next time Obama gets asked if he would consider invading Iran if, hypothetically, they suddenly acquired nuclear weapons. He should say, "Well in this hypothetical let's stipulate that I can fly as fast as the speed of light. In that case I would zoom around the earth in reverse-orbit really fast, turning back time to a point where they don't have weapons, and then I would use my laser eyes to destroy the weapons before the Iranians acquired them. OK next question.”
Live a little is all I’m saying. Life is too short for bland dodges.
11:29 a.m.
May 16, '08
Maybe someone can ask Novick and Merkley.
While some Senators have great wit, my money's on Novick out-witticizing any sitting Senator.
May 16, '08
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) “Yes. Sign me up. I’ve been kidding people for years: The hours are better, the wages are just as good — whoever heard of a vice president getting shot at?
The veeps are the ones shooting people these days.
5:50 p.m.
May 16, '08
The funny part is where there are two GOP Senators who say they are too old for the job, and are within a year or two (one younger the other older) of McCain.
May 17, '08
Obama gets asked if he would consider invading Iran if, hypothetically, they suddenly acquired nuclear weapons. He should say, "Well in this hypothetical let's stipulate that I can fly as fast as the speed of light. In that case I would zoom around the earth in reverse-orbit really fast, turning back time to a point where they don't have weapons, and then I would use my laser eyes to destroy the weapons before the Iranians acquired them. OK next question.
May 17, '08
I get tired of the whole as I don't discuss imaginary things. Sure it's safe- but where's the fun? We all know hypotheticals are absurd traps, so why not embrace them on that level and mock the trap.