Why is the VP choice not important?
 

During the recent debates Obama and Hillary were asked about their VP choice and both said something to the effect that it was not really relevant at this time. I think that the top GOP guys did the same during a debate. That makes no sense.

Telling us who is going to be the person they choose as their VP is extremely important. Actually, it should be mandated by the parties. How can they pretend it's not vital?

They love to say that the VP is but a heartbeat away from being in charge of our nation and at the same time seem to make a secret of thier potential choice.

That seems to me to be both absurd and a contradiction per allowing Americans to make the best vote during the primaries.

It is important. If Obama were to pick Hillary as his V.P. I can absolutely guarantee nobody takes a shot at him. Cheapest life insurance policy one can buy.

Heck, people would probably even demand that Obama have the best health care imaginable just to make sure nothing happened to him!

It's the first executive decision of importance.................GHW Bush picked Dan Quayle, enough said.

because they are all a bunch of liars

VP is very important

It's a necessary lie at this point.

Obama doesn't want to say that he would pick Hillary. Hillary doesn't want to say that he would pick Obama. Think of how that would play in the press...

Same on the Republican side, I think most are eyeing someone in the race. It would be presumptious to name your rival as VP now.

Obama should start calling for McCain to be his SecDef, recognizing his service, how right he was on war planning and execution, etc. He should have an open event and prepare for as much backlash as possible.

Not only is it presumptious, it would just not be smart to name one early.

In the past, the VP choice has been an important strategic move to gain support in geographic areas and/or even in policy areas in which the candidate lacks support, strength or maybe perceived to be weak. Why telegraph what you may think are areas in which you need added support?

The vice presidency isn't worth "a warm bucket of piss."

I think they don't choose now because the list of "Who's Available" is not complete until later in the year.

So have you got any plans after the tour is over?

There is an easy two word reply to the error of what you say: Dick Cheney

He has probably had more impact on not only the USA but the entire world over the past 7 years than all but a very few on the planet.

A great man and a great VP. But a tough grader.

Used to teach Money and Banking at American University around 25 years ago. My wife had him.

I know the left loves to hate him (I mean is there anyone on the right the left doesn't love to hate?) but I really like the guy.

Of course I like Obama too so go figure. Hopefully he has far more respect for himself than to ever consent to any role in a Clinton administration.

Dick Cheney was elected to the US House in thwe late 1970's and was re-elected about a half dozen times. Arounbd 25 years ago Cheneyu was actually the House GOP whip.

Did Cheney teach at American University while a member of the House??

Dick Cheney was elected to the US House in the late 1970's and was re-elected about a half dozen times. Around 25 years ago Cheney was actually the House GOP whip.

Did Cheney teach at American University while a member of the House??

That's my suspicion as well. Neither of them wants to admit that the other would make a natural winner for the VP. I mean, if the two of them are basically splitting the vote (49-46 at last count on the news here), the amateur politician in me says they'd have all of the vote if they joined together.

Apparently he did. I don't know if he was actually in the house at that time but he was definitely teaching at AU in the early 80s. They were evening classes.

I saw Cheney speak at Pitt just after I graduated and Clinton had become POTUS. There were some crunchy kids in the audience who a lot of us expected to make a ruckus. But they behaved and Cheney stayed and took all their questions. I think Cheney even turned one of them into a conservative. It was pretty funny to see this kid with the dreadlocks, baggy pants and Bob Marley kit hat on asking Cheney how he had developed his speaking style. Kid was a rhetorical studies major, came in there hating Cheney and left loving him.

And I think that was the smartest thing he did! Why do you think nobody tried to pop him off? Can you imagine a "President Quayl(e)"?

Junior learned that trick from daddy - pick someone as a VP who's even more reprehensible than you. Probably reason #1 why nobody's seriously tried to knock off W.

Not my words.
The quote was by John Garner, vice president to Franklin Roosevelt, who described the office of the vice presidency as being "not worth a bucket of warm piss."

I know things have changed since the 30's, possibly evidenced best, as you mention, by Dick.

I think it was warm spit and it has been repeated by just about anyone who ran for POTUS and didn't want the VP slot.