Last Minute Obama VP Rumor: Chet Edwards
[Guest post by DRJ]
The last minute finalist for Obama’s VP is rumored to be Rep. Chet Edwards, Democrat from Texas. Edwards’ Congressional district includes Fort Hood, the world’s largest Army base, so he’s likely been a consistent supporter of the military and its troops. If so, it will be hard to portray Edwards as anti-military.
For instance, here’s an Edwards’ press release dated January 5, 2007, issued after a Congressional delegation headed by Edwards met with President Bush to discuss the surge in Iraq:
“Mr. President, I would hope your new initiatives could be carried out without an increase in U.S. troops in Iraq because of concerns in Congress and across the country about sending more U.S. military personnel there, but if you are going to make that decision, you should send whatever number you believe is right, not a watered down compromise number, because this could be the last real chance to win Americans’ support for a strategy to stabilize Iraq.”
The president responded by saying that he had not made a final decision on a temporary troop surge or their mission in Iraq but appreciated Edwards’ comment that if additional troops are to be sent, the number should be based on their specific mission and not on political considerations.”
This won’t please the netroots but it could mean Obama plans to triangulate his position on Iraq into one similar to Edwards’.
Additional note: I haven’t watched this yet but here’s a link to video of Chet Edwards speaking November 30, 2007, at the George H.W. Bush Library in College Station, Texas.
— DRJ
This just in from KLopez,
Chet Edwards is not the pick. He just held a press conference to soak up the attention.
But he and Rick Astley are getting free p.r. today.
08/22 03:32 PM”
Dana (b4a26c) — 8/22/2008 @ 12:53 pmI doubt Democrats could handle another Texan, regardless of his or her beliefs, but it’s a fun rumor.
DRJ (a5243f) — 8/22/2008 @ 12:56 pmThe last-minute rumor for McCain is Gen. Petraeus. In both cases it is just that — a rumor.
Icy Truth (48f459) — 8/22/2008 @ 1:07 pmWell at 1:20 MST if you typed http://www.obamaedwards.com, you were linked immediately to the obama campaign website. less than five minutes later, you couldn’t.
Montgirl (31e73b) — 8/22/2008 @ 2:32 pmA smart choice would be Joe Lieberman. That would block McCain’s choosing him.
steve miller (e40bf1) — 8/22/2008 @ 5:58 pmWho cares who Obama picks! It’s not like the guy will ever be vice president anyway.
Ryan (398bbe) — 8/22/2008 @ 5:58 pmWho cares who Obama picks! It’s not like the guy will ever be vice president anyway.
Ryan (398bbe) — 8/22/2008 @ 5:58 pmObama is flying to Delaware — Bidenland.
Icy Truth (9e8038) — 8/22/2008 @ 6:13 pmA private plane has landed in Delaware in past hour and there is activity at Biden’s place according to Laura Ingraham.
madmax333 (0c6cfc) — 8/22/2008 @ 6:20 pmWouldn’t it be just like Obamarama to blow a cool quarter-mil to go tell Biden in-person that he’s not the one — and then tell HillShrillSomeonePayMyBillary that he can’t help with her campaign debt just yet?
Icy Truth (9e8038) — 8/22/2008 @ 6:28 pm