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Friday, August 22, 2008

And the Obama VP Pick is… Chet Edwards?

posted by on August 22 at 9:05 AM

Via the AP:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Presidential candidate Barack Obama is hours away from naming his running mate, as little-known Texas congressman Chet Edwards is emerging as a finalist. Democratic officials say that Edwards was one of the few Democrats whose background was checked by Obama’s campaign, and he was a finalist for the job.

I’m on the run and will be away from my computer until about 11, so help me out, Sloggers. What do you know about this guy?

RSS icon Comments

1

his district includes GWBs ranch and he is an actual Texan

http://edwards.house.gov/html/bio.cfm

Posted by kwab | August 22, 2008 9:09 AM
2

Bio: In 1981, Edwards earned his MBA from Harvard Business School, then went to work for the Trammell Crow Company as a commercial real estate agent.

Fer crissakes, I hope he knows how many houses he owns.

Posted by I get misty | August 22, 2008 9:09 AM
3

AP: Edwards is a favorite of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who praised his “extraordinary credentials” on ABC’s “This Week” on Aug. 3 and said: “I hope he will be the nominee.”

But jeez, haven't Texans done enough to this country already?

Posted by I get misty | August 22, 2008 9:12 AM
4

Texan from Waco. has extreme crossover appeal from Republicans, many whom actively campaign for him in his district, Republicans for Chet. Bush's Crawford ranch is in his district, and it is the most Republican in the state.

Obama is basically saying I have a huge cock, if he picks Chet.

Posted by Jasen Comstock | August 22, 2008 9:14 AM
5

WTF?!!! Who?

Posted by Fitz | August 22, 2008 9:15 AM
6

On Wiki it says he is the only texan to vote against the Defense of Marriage act, and he was still re-eleted!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chet_Edwards

Posted by Original Monique | August 22, 2008 9:16 AM
7

Remember when a charasmatic, young, inspiring, Harvard educated nominee picked a running mate from Texas? I'm a resident, and I've barely heard of the guy, and I have to say my instincts on this...not good. The district you speak of has no fewer than 7 different AM and FM outlets where you can pick up O'Reilly and Hannity's fascist shenanigans clear as a bell. Not good.

Posted by Ben Lyon | August 22, 2008 9:17 AM
8

Chet Baker is who a famous Jazz trumpeter from the beat era who's success was based largely on white resentment at talented black musicians. His playing style could be likened to an unimaginative Miles Davis. He is believed to have died in Amsterdam in the late 80s, but obviously did not if he's being chosen as Obama's running mate. At 79 years of age he would be a good crossover choice to appeal to the icontinent racist demographic.

Posted by kinaidos | August 22, 2008 9:21 AM
9

From fox news during his 2006 campaign

"In Congress, Edwards has aligned with Bush and Republican initiatives on issues like the Iraq war, opposition to same sex marriage and drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve. He parts company with the GOP on tax cuts, the Medicare prescription drug benefit and partial birth abortion."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,201876,00.html

Posted by twentyeight | August 22, 2008 9:21 AM
10

Reading this guy's biography, the one problem for Barack is he makes Obama look like an unqualified fool:

http://edwards.house.gov/html/bio.cfm

"As the Chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, Congressman Edwards is known as a national champion for America’s veterans, troops, and their families. In 2007, he authored the largest increase in veterans funding in the 77-year history of the Veterans Administration, an $11.8 billion increase. American Legion National Commander Marty Conatser called Edwards’ record VA Appropriations bill, “a monumental achievement.” This year, both the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars recognized Congressman Edwards’ leadership with their national awards given to only one member of Congress. In 2007, he was awarded the Disabled American Veterans' “Going to Bat for Veterans” award for authoring the historic VA funding increases. Working with Speaker Pelosi in 2005, Congressman Edwards introduced the GI Bill of Rights for the 21st Century, which dramatically improved veterans’ health care and benefits, and covered the full cost of a college education. Edwards then received the Military Order of the Purple Heart’s "Inspirational Leadership" award in 2005. In 2008, Chairman Edwards played a key role in enacting the new GI Bill of Rights into law.

Posted by John Bailo | August 22, 2008 9:23 AM
11

Maybe Obama wated to run with John Edwards, but after everyone found out about the "videographer", he picked the next available Edwards.

either that, or he has suddenly decided he'd rather lose an election than pick a fucking good VP.

Posted by Mike in MO | August 22, 2008 9:24 AM
12

Boldy conservative. Way to shore up the progressive base!

Posted by max solomon | August 22, 2008 9:24 AM
13

whats with the hating on Chet Baker? an unimaginative Miles Davis? thats fucking stupid... anyways Obama needs someone respected by the military for a VP, Wes Clark would have been good but he screwed up his chances a while back.

Posted by kwab | August 22, 2008 9:33 AM
14

John Bailo @10: Reading this guy's biography, the one problem for Barack is he makes Obama look like an unqualified fool:

max solomon @12: Boldy conservative. Way to shore up the progressive base!

In politics, somebody's going to carp no matter what you do. And this kind of carping is music to my ears.

In other words. Chet Edwards: check.

Posted by cressona | August 22, 2008 9:33 AM
15

That's a terrible way to describe Chet Baker, Kinaidos, who was one of the great male singers of the 20th century. Miles resented his horn playing, but Miles resented EVERYTHING.

I don't want this to be true. I'm about 60% convinced I want Clinton. This isn't a good time to introduce somebody totally unheard of, is it? God, maybe it is. It's certainly in keeping with the "clean sweep" idea.

Posted by Fnarf | August 22, 2008 9:35 AM
16

@14: hear-hear!

Posted by Jasen Comstock | August 22, 2008 9:37 AM
17

@7 - I like your comparison, but there is one major distinction. Lyndon Johnson was the senate majority leader when he was nominated for VP, and very well known. I like Chet's creds though from what little I've seen.

Posted by Joe M | August 22, 2008 9:38 AM
18

Chet Atkins -- man, that cat could play.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByGsHTlKmWk&feature=related

Posted by I get misty | August 22, 2008 9:40 AM
19

I think it's this Chet (roll forward to about the one-minute mark if you must):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNspFSUv0nM

Posted by Andy James | August 22, 2008 9:44 AM
20

senator? Republican governor? Replaced by republican. Senator..... Fail

Posted by i | August 22, 2008 9:47 AM
21

@13 youre right. chet baker was a bad motherfucker. not as big as miles, but certainly an important man during the "cool" era.

obama's campaign is picking up and thats what matters.

Posted by SeMe | August 22, 2008 9:47 AM
22

chet is a "change" meme and his connection to veterans is super duper patriotic blah blah blah this does give Obama more standing with independents and Bubbas and middle americans; just picking someone from texas says I'm fighting in the South; so there's a bit of a media harvest to be enjoyed if this is the pick.

I wouldn't say this pick is bad, or any worse than picking a biden or a richardson.
Of course chet boy voted for the Iraq war -- did he support the surge I wonder -- so if that's not the big stain on someone's judgment and qualification to be president then Obama has no real reason to not pick hillary who got 18 million votes.

Other than his obvious pique.

The media can take Obama clips saying HRC was a fool for supporting the war and use them against chet. And traditionally picking anyone not already in the national eye or nor a prior candidate for pres or vp is risky because media will search like hell for any blemish. Plus now Obama has to roll out his own bio to the masses, and now a new unknown guy's bio, too.

Posted by PC | August 22, 2008 9:59 AM
23

Loved him in Movin' On. . .

Posted by NapoleonXIV | August 22, 2008 9:59 AM
24

BO can't pick Chet Edwards.

Too many US morons with think those Obama/Edwards stickers mean John Boy.

Sad but true. Please be Biden.

Posted by Brusier Bruni | August 22, 2008 10:10 AM
25

The good thing about PC's posts is that I can spot her style in four or five words and skip them.

Posted by Fnarf | August 22, 2008 10:12 AM
26

Chet sounds too much like shit.

Posted by truth or hair | August 22, 2008 10:13 AM
27

BA in economics. I don't like his stance on gay marriage, but what am I gonna do, vote Republican. Sigh. But the economics part is the most important one. This is all about knowing the economy, so he can fuck up Romney in the VP debates.

Plus, very good choice for the downticket candidates. This could help us pick up a seat or two in Texas, and maybe tip one house of their legislature our way, which means good news when it comes time for redistricting.

Posted by Gitai | August 22, 2008 10:17 AM
28

To paraphrase PC: Hillary's perfect, blah blah blah, I'll whine and pout if it's anyone but her. Then I'll post a 12-page rant about how much Obama sucks, but then I'll write "unity" at the bottom to make people think I'm not a psycho spammer just like clintonsarmy.

Posted by Georgia Guy | August 22, 2008 10:18 AM
29

You can't pick Hill cause she's more presidential then you and practically got as many votes as you did. You can't pick a Senator because all of them have more experience then you. So.. you slum around the house and pick of the many many reps.

This is like when the person who doesn't deserve it gets promoted. Then he/she must hire newbies so they look more managerial.

Posted by Ryno | August 22, 2008 10:22 AM
30

Rep. Chet Edwards' district is the most conservative district represented by a Democrat. It has a Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+17.

Posted by used to blog | August 22, 2008 10:30 AM
31

@24: Good point, actually. And Obama should know, being from Illinois. Various Ryans have NOT done well there since Republican governor George Ryan was indicted, and Obama himself ran for U.S. senate against a Ryan (Jack) until HIS candidacy imploded (basically for taking his extremely hot wife, Jeri Ryan, to a swinger-type club and asking for sexual favors from her in public--most of us were surprised Ryan withdrew, as who would NOT want to show off Jeri Ryan?)

Posted by Nora | August 22, 2008 10:32 AM
32

War hawking is a red herring. Other than pissing away my tax dollars, it doesn't improve or ruin my life in any way. (Fuck the "freedom police" ... I fight for my freedom by standing by my opinion, THAT is what this country is about.)


If they really want to affect my life, then stop going for the family value bull shit, improve education, technology, development, industry, domestically. Hell technology DOES create domestic trades, and then maybe I will find a country worth breeding in ... Otherwise why have a child so they can grow up, get a fancy degree and run on empty like me trying to justify it to the world.

Life, liberty AND the persuit of "property" that's all I'm saying.

That's my rant ... peace.

Posted by formerly OR Matt | August 22, 2008 10:36 AM
33

(un)PC @22: then Obama has no real reason to not pick hillary who got 18 million votes.

Other than his obvious pique.


Hey (un)PC, when are you going to get over your obvious pique? Or are you actually trying to accomplish something with this rant? What that something is--is lost on me.

Posted by cressona | August 22, 2008 10:38 AM
34

Chet Edwards is a good guy, though he won't be on the ticket for the reason others stated about sharing a surname with a certain adulterer. Chet is moderate, as any Texas Democrat outside the cities should be. The only thing I don't care for about him is that he's iffy on gay rights, but otherwise is a pretty decent free-trade Democrat.

Posted by TMW | August 22, 2008 10:40 AM
35

ryno @29:

You can't pick Hill cause she's more presidential then you and practically got as many votes as you did. You can't pick a Senator because all of them have more experience then you. So.. you slum around the house and pick of the many many reps.

Believe me, if Obama picks Biden, ryno here will be the first to whine about how his picking an experienced dude shows what a total schmuck he is.

Y'know, it may actually dawn on the American people that presidential elections are about the state of this nation and the problems facing this nation rather than how inexperienced/elitist/angry/weak/dorky/unlikable/out-of-touch/etc. a candidate is. It may actually dawn on the American people that all this relentless personal shit is just a smokescreen.

Posted by cressona | August 22, 2008 10:47 AM
36

Pelosi loves Chet but the Human Rights Campaign isn't so fond of him:

http://www.dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_9543.php

But then again, most Democrats can look the other way when it comes to LGBT issues. It is this bold vision that keeps the cowards coming back for more.

I don't know about the wikipedia info linked above, but what I read says:

"Edwards scored a 15 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s most recent Congressional Scorecard, putting him in a three-way tie for least gay-friendly among 11 Democratic House members from Texas. Among other things, Edwards, a Southern Baptist, supported the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006.

“As a husband and a father, I believe that marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman and I will support efforts in Congress to protect the sanctity of this union,” Edwards said in a press release posted on his Web site.

The press release notes that Edwards also supported the Marriage Protection Act in 2004 and the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996."

Posted by patrick | August 22, 2008 10:47 AM
37

I always underestimate Obama. This could be just a red herring tossed out there so one of the usual suspects seems like a surprise.

Posted by Ryno | August 22, 2008 10:48 AM
38

Texas 17th, has a PVI of R+18

Posted by Jasen Comstock | August 22, 2008 10:51 AM
39

I am sure this is a joke of some sorts. But here is his stand supporting a constitutional amendment to "protect" marriage.
http://edwards.house.gov/html/release.cfm?id=489
I will keep my opinions to myself for now until we hear the real selection.

Posted by Gay Seattle | August 22, 2008 10:54 AM
40

obamanelson.com is the only obamaxxxx web address to go to obama.com. DISCUSS! Also, the announcement won't be today.

Posted by who cares | August 22, 2008 11:20 AM
41

Progressives populate possibly only 4 states in any significant number. and most the time they're backbiting shrews that can't unite on anything.

Posted by Bellevue Ave | August 22, 2008 11:39 AM
42

I thought Chet Edwards was a cute nickname for John Edwards, like as if Chet is short for John, or something. I'm not Southern, how would I know.

Maybe I shouldn't have told everyone that.

Posted by blank12357 | August 22, 2008 11:53 AM
43

I used to live in his district. he came to bryan/college station, tx when he was campaigning and got into an argument with my friend over his deviation from the official democratic platform in opposing gay marriage rights...

while that is pissy, you gotta admit that an elected democrat in the red heart of a red state is doing something magical. perhaps he could bring that to the obama campaign. I wonder.

Posted by texas exile | August 22, 2008 1:51 PM

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