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'Caroline: Pull a Cheney!'
An Open Letter to Caroline Kennedy (head of the Obama VP search team) from Michael Moore
Dear Caroline,
We've never met, so I hope you don't find this letter too presumptuous or inappropriate. As its contents involve the public's business, I am sending this to you via the public on the Internet. I knew your brother John. He was a great guy, and I know he would've had a ball during this thrilling and historic election year. We all miss him dearly.
Barack Obama selected you to head up his search for a vice presidential candidate. It appears we may be just days (hours?) away from learning who that choice will be.
The media is reporting that Senator Obama has narrowed his alternatives to three men: Joe Biden, Evan Bayh and Tim Kaine. They're all decent fellows, but they are far from the core of what the Obama campaign has been about: Change. Real change. Out with the old. And don't invade countries that pose no threat to us.
Senators Biden and Bayh voted for that invasion and that war, the war Barack ran against, the war Barack reminded us was the big difference between him and Senator Clinton because she voted for the war and he spoke out against it while running for Senate (a brave and bold thing to do back in 2002).
For Obama to place either of these senators on the ticket would be a huge blow to the millions that chose him in the primaries over Hillary. He will undercut one of the strongest advantages he has over the Hundred-Year War senator, Mr. McCain. By anointing a VP who did what McCain did in throwing us into this war, Mr. Obama will lose the moral high ground in the debates.
As for Governor Kaine of Virginia, his big problem is, well, Obama's big problem -- who is he? The toughest thing Barack has had to overcome -- and it will continue to be his biggest obstacle -- is that too many of the voters simply don't know him well enough to vote for him. The fact that Obama is new to the scene is both one of his most attractive qualities AND his biggest drawback. Too many Americans, who on the surface seem to like Barack Obama, just don't feel comfortable voting for someone who hasn't been on the national scene very long. It's a comfort level thing, and it may be just what keeps Obama from winning in November ("I'd rather vote for the devil I know than the devil I don't know").
What Obama needs is a vice presidential candidate who is NOT a professional politician, but someone who is well-known and beloved by people across the political spectrum; someone who, like Obama, spoke out against the war; someone who has a good and generous heart, who will be cheered by the rest of the world; someone whom we've known and loved and admired all our lives and who has dedicated her life to public service and to the greater good for all.
That person, Caroline, is you.
I cannot think of a more winning ticket than one that reads: "OBAMA-KENNEDY."
Caroline, I know that nominating yourself is the furthest idea from your mind and not consistent with who you are, but there would be some poetic justice to such an action. Just think, eight years after the last head of a vice presidential search team looked far and wide for a VP -- and then picked himself (a move topped only by his hubris to then lead the country to near ruin while in office) -- along comes Caroline Kennedy to return the favor with far different results, a vice president who helps restore America to its goodness and greatness.
Caroline, you are one of the most beloved and respected women in this country, and you have been so admired throughout your life. You chose a life outside of politics, to work for charities and schools, to write and lecture, to raise a wonderful family. But you did not choose to lead a private life. You have traveled the world and met with its leaders, giving you much experience on the world stage, a stage you have been on since you were a little girl.
The nation has, remarkably (considering our fascination with celebrity), left you alone and let you live your life in peace. (It's like, long ago, we all collectively agreed that, with her father tragically gone, a man who died because he wanted to serve his country, we would look out for her, we would wish for her to be happy and well, and we would have her back. But we would let her be.)
Now, I am breaking this unwritten code and asking you to come forward and help us in our hour of need. So many families are hurting, losing their homes, going bankrupt with health care bills, seeing their public schools in shambles and living with this war without end. This is a historic year for women, from Hillary's candidacy to the numerous women running for the House and Senate. This is the year that a woman should be on the Democratic ticket. This is the year that both names on that ticket should be people OUTSIDE the party machine. This is the year millions of independents and, yes, millions of Republicans are looking for something new and fresh and bold (and you are the Kennedy Republicans would vote for!).
This is the moment, Caroline. Seize it! And Barack, if you're reading this, you probably know that she is far too humble and decent to nominate herself. So step up and surprise us again. Step up and be different than every politician we have witnessed in our lifetime. Keep the passion burning amongst the young people and others who have been energized by your unexpected, unpredicted, against-all-odds candidacy that has ignited and inspired a nation. Do it for all those reasons. Make Caroline Kennedy your VP. "Obama-Kennedy." Wow, does that sound so cool.
Caroline, thanks for letting me intrude on your life. How wonderful it will be to have a vice president who will respect the Constitution, who will support (instead of control) her president, who will never let her staff out a CIA agent, and who will never tell her country that she is "currently residing in an undisclosed location."
Say it one more time: "OBAMA-KENNEDY." A move like that might send a message to the country that the Democrats would actually like to win an election for once.
Yours, Michael Moore MMFlint@aol.com MichaelMoore.com
[Get Michael Moore's brand new book, 'Mike's Election Guide.']
112 Comments so far
Show AllMoore is irrelevant. Support for a Democrat is the support for all the Bush & Cheney policies. Hasn't he learned with Pelosi and Reid?
Moore's stance is the only stance to take for people still deluded that this political system is working/can work
BLOG: littlem85.blogspot.com
Brilliant idea, let's replace a criminal family, the Bushes, with another criminal family, the Kennedys.
lol...spot on!
BLOG: littlem85.blogspot.com
I've been campaigning for an Obama/Kennedy ticket for at least 4 mo.
Caroline is a political virgin, and as such has not been contaminated by all
the machinations inside the beltway. Plus, what Repuglican would take a cheep shot at a Kennedy?
What Republican would take a cheep shot at a Kennedy?? Are you kidding?
First, what kind of shot are we talking about here? We had Dealy Plaza. Everyone knows Republicans were most certainly involved.
And Chappaquiddick. The 1969 death of Mary Jo Kopechne was never forgotten by Republicans.
Yes, but is it support for the same kind of Supreme court Justices? That is one of the fundamental questions of this election.
I think Caroline Kennedy just makes the ticket even more vulnerable to charges of "inexperienced".
Why not pick Russ Feingold? The guy has experience and intergity. He voted against the Iraq war. And in 2001, Feingold was the lone Senator who voted against the USA Patriot Act. Was he not? He called for censure against Bush for wietapping Americans. Didn't he?
You could do a lot worse than Russ Feingold.
Russ Feingold would certainly balance the ticket, ideologically, and he is an experienced fighter who could conceivably pull Obama back from total surrender to the fascist bullies, but I can already see the "swiftboaters" adding anti-Jewish innuendo to their anti-Islamic slurs against Obama. "Mmm... Fein...gold... Hebrew, right?" or some less subtle suggestions to stir up the racist base against the Dem ticket.
Good luck on this one, neighbours.
I.T. needs to look into this double-posting problem.
Or, how about just pressing the button ONCE. heh.
Obama? BARAK Obama? A running mate for the candidate who voted FOR the expanded FISA bill?
That one? Or do you mean someone else? Or am I mistaken about his vote on SON of FISA?
If Mr. Moore is irrelevant, in this case it's because he didn't do his research. For instance, Governor Tim Kaine is from my home town of Richmond, Virginia and was its mayor for four years before being elected lieutenant governor, then governor. He had a reputation while mayor for talking a great game to his progressive supporters then voting for the wishes of developers and the large corporations such as Philip Morris that have their headquarters in Richmond. As governor he has not displayed the aptitude for budgetary math nor the ability to reach across the aisle that his predecessor, Mark Warner, had. Nor has he displayed the spine shown by another Virginian, Senator Jim Webb. The most recent example of this is his wholehearted embrace of dominant Virginia utility Dominion Power's plan to build a 585 MW coal plant in southwest Virginia. If you're reading this it's likely you can easily write a long essay on the problems with such a plan. As Dominion currently imports its coal from Indonesia despite the coal found in Virginia, support for Dominion's coal plant goes against Senator Obama's energy plan in a number of ways. There's a reason Dominion is hosting a party in Governor Kaine's honor the first night of the Democratic convention. There are also reasons why Governer Kaine has a 46% approval rating here. Disgruntled progressives like my wife and I are two of them.
Senator Obama, please do not pick Kaine as your vice president.
This is such a brilliant suggestion that it made me cry. I had tended toward Al Gore as the smartest choice in every way, but this seems even better.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Since this is my first comment since Common Dreams flushed out its responders and placed another click between these articles and their responders, I wish to object-- just once.
We learned, in literary criticism class, that a great essay like this, or poem, play, novel, story or film doesn't really exist until someone responds to it.
I'm sure an occasional flush of responders is salubrious; but, to me the responses are frequently even more interesting than the very good articles that occasion them.
Where else can you encounter Cindy Sheehan with her hair down? I really cannot admire the persons who criticized the existing format. I see them as contributors to the horrid pablumization of American society.
Tommytoons
I'm not too pleased with the names currently being mentioned as Obama's VP choices. He needs someone with fire to go after the Republicans and the only one I see who has the fire and the experience to fight the Rove Boys and girls is Hilliary Clinton!
WTF ????
Dear Michael Moore: Let us not forget that the VP becomes the P if something happens to the P !!! And no, this is not a threat against your leeeeder, it's just the reality of the situation. It's great that she's a smart woman, has her JD, and is a very active philanthropist, but the last thing we need is someone who doesn't have any political or military experience to be second in command.
Dumb*ss.
Maybe, just maybe, what the country needs IS someone with no political and military experience. Now before you jump all over me, let me explain.
People with political experience will perpetuate the SAME OLD rot that persists in the current system. Someone with no experience with that system will bring NEW ideas and can foster meaningful change OUTSIDE the rotten system. Secondly, someone without military experience, may be less likely to use the military for foreign policy enforcement. The current pack of politicos that you have do have lots of experience, experience in FLEECING the country of it's treasure and committing MASS MURDER overseas. Personally, I'll opt for some new blood.
I understand your point. Maybe I'm just hopeful that there are, among all of the Senators and Representatives and Governors and other capable people, at least ONE honest person who cares about the Constitution and cares about the country's well-being more than his/her own personal interests. Surely just one. No ?
Since this article is the only one currently accepting my comments (which
doesn't bother me in the least) I want to say again how brilliant I think
Michael Moore's essay is.
Now, about the Polish sheeple's acceptance of "missile shield":
We can see why there have always been so many jokes about Poles. There ought to be some jokes about Georgians, too. Because these politicians have swallowed the Bush line hook and sinker.
Condoleeza Rice with her snake cold eyes and glass-smashing voice tells the world that the rockets to be placed in Poland are not intended to hit any Russians. Has she talked to the rockets about this?
The Bushies' inane missile defense system can keep new expenses rolling for years, won't work according to every profligate test conducted so far, and is the embodiment of fevered, reality-detached minds.
It should anger Americans as well as Russians, Poles and the rest of the world.
This article looks like a joke that went way wrong.
(Apparently even html style-tags are disabled on the new CommonDreams interface: No more italics for invisible little commenters like me, and probably you, too, if you're reading this.)
Again, Michael Moore is an extremely relevant American, and his suggestion that Caroline Kennedy be Barack Obama's vice-presidential choice is the most brilliant idea possible.
Am I changing the subject here? I don't think so. Low road John McCain has said that Barack Obama doesn’t have enough character to be president. He is saying, in other words, that he, McCain, has character. But nobody who says they have character ever does have any, and there is evidence everywhere on this point of who has character and who doesn’t.
It could be, however, that I differ from both candidates on the subject of America’s place in the world. Although I’ve never thought of myself as isolationist, I don’t think we should have soldiers or spies permanently stationed in other countries, period. Nor can I see impotent and so-called “missile defense” system in Central Europe as anything but endlessly expensive provocation of Russia same as the Kennedy-era rockets in Cuba to us.
As the one-note Condoleeza Rice has in her glass-shattering voice constantly scolded Russia for occupying Georgia, she has seemed oblivious to all such realities including our own occupation of Iraq. Isn’t she supposed to be a professor? Is she incapable of drawing the connection?
We have plenty of challenges and problems at home.
Here’s the wisdom that everybody should follow, from Blaise Pascal, French, 1623-62. “All the unhappiness of man stems from one thing only: that he is incapable of staying quietly in his room.”
"Low road John McCain has said that Barack Obama doesn’t have enough character to be president. He is saying, in other words, that he, McCain, has character."
How do you define "character"?
I have to agree with Mr. Freeze, as much as I admire MM and the Kennedys. Why ape Cheney's malcreancy -- isn't it a form of flattery?
This very minute, on the radio, John McCain has said, "I'm not questioning Barack Obama's patriotism. I'm questioning his judgment."
Well, I would like to be the first to challenge both McCain's patriotism and his judgment.
With this low road candidate wishing to succeed his Siamese Twin fruitcake predecessor, one can see all the more reason for Obama to choose the serene and sane Caroline Kennedy as his running mate.
Neil Diamond NEVER wrote a song about Dick Cheney.
WAKE UP, MICHAEL MOORE!
Obama supports the war in Iraq, telling us *after* the primaries that, if elected, he will remain in Iraq at the discretion of the commanders in the field.
He wants to escalate the Afghan war.
He's indicated his willingness to invade Pakistan and/or Iran; and with nuclear weapons if necessary.
*And* he may keep Robert Gates on as Secretary of Defense. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article4232070.ece
Some peace candidate!
In 2004, Michal Moore suggesed that Oprah Winfrey run for president. Why not Henry Fonda? Sure he's dead, but he would make us feel sooooooooooooooooo good!
My point being -- in 1984, Reagan voters who were left-of-center were asked why they voted for Reagan. "Reagan is right-of-center," they were reminded, "why did you vote for him?" Know what the most common answer was? "Yes, I know. But he makes me feel good!"
Michael Moore buys into the mythology of America as "a beacon of hope to the world." Hey, Michael, ask the MILLIONS of people the US has bombed what they think of the US as a beacon of hope.
So let's all "feel good" and vote for Obama. Sure he lied about being a peace candidate ... voted for FISA ... has more corporate money behind him than Hillary did and McCain does. But let's forget all that (and much more) and skip off to Fantasyland with Michal and Caroline.
Nader '08.
Why not one of Sam Giancanna's grandchildren as Attorney General???
Thank you, Michael Moore, for your open letter to Caroline. My husband and i have been hoping for an Obama-Kennedy ticket, for exactly the reasons you have so eloquently enumerated, since the day the two first campaigned together. Our fingers are crossed!
Slainte...........
revbenh This guy, Mr. Moore, is so smart he's got a headache. Shining, impressive, double-good suggestion and well said and respectful. Everyone on this planet will be impressed if Caroline Kennedy goes for it. It's certainly as bold as a black man having a real shot at the Presidency of the United States of America and it's clearly as exciting and proper. No way is it a cinch McCain will lose this critical contest, but if Barack Obama doesn't prevail, our planet's life will have no choice but to hold it's nose and suffer even more nightmarish years. Please Caroline, for God"s sake, please.
Go back to making clever movies Michael, and stop pulling our chainies.
Oldhippy writes: "what Repuglican would take a cheep shot at a Kennedy?"
The same ones that know none of your brain cells made it alive through the Reagan revolution.
Michael, dude, I liked Fahrenheit 911, Roger and Me, and loved Sicko, but this scribble above is revolting. You want Caroline to be assassination insaurance for Obama? Haven't enough Kennedys died for even you to understand that the security state establishment will kill yet again if any one of them gets into to high an office?
This makes about as much sense as David Eisenhower and Julie Nixon-Eisenhower, his wife, being the Republican ticket.
Poet
...peace...
sorry about multiple posts
Micheal I hear you got a new film in the works with a possible title: "Brother can you spare a dime?" Stick to what you know, because this has got to be the stupidest idea Ive ever heard of.
Do not underestimate Mike Moore...he sits on the cutting edge and always disrupts the comfort zone of many. However... he has a sixth sense about things and down the road a few blocks, or miles, or years it invariably turns out that he was right on the money. Not too many give him credit for whatever issues he tackled, especially when it turns out he was right all along. So, after you have kicked this most recent offering around the block a few times and laughed your head off, at least be prepared for a taste of humble pie at a later date, and see who will be laughing then.
Caroline Kennedy is no celebrity. She's an attorney and has written several books on First Amendment issues. We know where she stands.
"No more blood for oil"
When I read this letter from Michael Moore this morning, the idea of Caroline Kennedy as VP was like a breath of fresh air. And I wondered if the swift boaters would dare attack her. I don't think she'd want to be VP at this point in time, if ever, so I'm just hoping Obama picks someone with good qualifications, and one that isn't a nose-holder (what I'd have to do to vote for him - or her).
Just checking to see if html style-tags work.
Nope. No italics and no links either for us peons of the internet.
I guess it's only fair. None of us nobodies could have thought up a totally lame joke like Caroline Kennedy for VP. So let's leave political discussion on the internet to the big players like Michael Moore, and I hope this comment isn't reported for violating the new "guidelines," which are vague enough to mean anything anybody wants them to mean.
Maybe this comment is already too "provocative," and it would probably be even more p-r-o-v-o-c-a-t-i-v-e if I could have filled it up with i-t-a-l-i-c-s!
Hey! I noticed a link somewhere down the page! Let's give it a try! And what could be more harmless and acceptable than linking to the front page of Obama's website?
But maybe that link violates the site guidelines by offending the anti-Obama people who post here!
So just to be fair, here's another link to Ralph Nader's website, where the policy proposals actually make sense, and there's a deeply committed and thoughtful candidate behind them, instead of a sociopathic con-man from nowhere.
No offense intended to the presumptive Democratic nominee for President of the United States (according to non-binding expressions of preference by super-delegates)!
Is there any place on CommonDreams where us actual users may debate and possibly influence CD's new style and policies?
Or is it all top-down, take it or leave it, Bush-style "You're either with us or against us"? (Oops, is that last "offensive" to the demi-gods at CD? I sure hope not. But how would I know before being banned?)
I thought the CD community of commenters were doing pretty well, and that self-regulating also worked pretty well, with the alert posters drawing the line on other posters and a workable consensus emerging. After all, anyone can simply refrain from reading comments, hidden or not, so the argument for the "Show all"-feature doesn't really wash.
(to be continued – the word-limitation to 250 words kicked in...)
Since the new policy was introduced for the benefit of non-commenting readers, according to the explanatory email from CD, any objections by the rest of us noisy rabble are more or less irrelevant.
I actually sympathize with the problems that timid and conventional readers may have had when they were trying to avoid seeing the formerly ever-visible comments.
What if Elbert Milquetoast from Petaluma accidentally scrolled down past the bottom of an article, and saw some horribly leftist comment?
Accidental scrolling! It can get you in big trouble!
Now Elbert will never have to worry about over-scrolling, and all those horrible italics and bold-face flames have also been eliminated.
Making the scroll-bar safe for Elbert Milquetoast...
It's the new Common Dreams!
(continued)
With the new guidelines, the "politeness-tyranny" - demanding that all criticism is so meek, bland and polite that it doesn't offend the criticized, thereby voiding the main point of criticizing, that of pressuring the criticized to a change of mind through sharp and true words - has captured CD. Now anyone in despair writing about their various mental inflammations stand a formal risk of being deleted and banned - no warning or appeal available - for being "inflammatory".
Such "off-key" comments were often the most interesting and telling on CD. They made me reflect on their background, from the safe position in front of the screen. I became aware of many viewpoints that way. Whether I liked them or not, were surprised, depressed or baffled by them, it was useful to be informed of their existence. From the safe position in front of the screen.
A common breathing-space has closed. Instead of deep breaths, do shallow breathing, and we may still pass the arbitrary verdict by those on high.
A limit of 250 words also isn't conducive to developing full-bodied arguments (which others also may skim as quickly as they want). By this limit, CD seems to have succumbed to the demand for shortened attention-spans - not even allowing those who want it to stretch ours.
Hey Craig, pls don't delete this comment, OK? - Hang in there, and stay somewhat tolerant of some rant.
McCain and Obama should both choose Lieberman.
How come nobody is complaining about this new idiotic comment policy?
Go here,
http://www.commondreams.org/home-page-new-cms-announcement
and tell Common Dreams not to hide the comments.
as far as comment policy goes, my aunt likes the site but tires of the comments, yet she feels compelled to finish what she starts. if you want to read them, you can. if you want to comment, you can. what's wrong with that?
however, i would prefer oldest comments first.
caroline kennedy is not vice presidential material. those who hated hillary because she was a politician now hate obama for that very reason. how did obama fool you for so long?
i think joe biden or general clark would make good vice presidents.
for peace and sustainability
I'm with Moore on this one! With his Friedmanite advisors and all the moves to the right (which, honestly, may be a campaign ploy- I hope) I have no compelling reason to support Obama other than knowing the Supreme Court could be made more balanced again by the next president.
I think Ms. Kennedy would be a fantastic running mate, and a great President if it happened that she was thrust into that role. Her first couple of speeches would easily dispel any "inexperienced" comments as the lying bs they would be.
Any of the three names being tossed out right now are just a guarantee of another losing ticket. There is too much at stake this year!
John J. Coghlan
The name Obama turns into a shining star with the name Kennedy next to it.
An Obama-Kennedy team would bring about such a landslide victory that it would be impossible for the Republicans to fix the election again.
I like it.
Well, the Administrators have spoken. But it's always struck me as fatuous when commenters complain that nasty, ooky comments "drive away readers". Anyone who doesn't like comments doesn't have to read them-- it's that simple. But if CD prefers to lock us in the basement, so to speak, that's their call. It isn't like web sites are a democracy. Can I say that? We'll find out.
And posting in newest-to-oldest order is perverse; it's like riding a train on a seat facing backwards; it makes some of us threadsick. At least give the user an option!
Last but not least: I'm not voting for Obama anyway, but the notion of picking Caroline Kennedy for veep is appallingly manipulative at best. This probably seems like a good thing to "pragmatic" folks who subscribe to a degraded, amoral by-any-means-necessary approach. I won't dignify it with the term "philosophy".
My admiration for JFK has been increased, or restored, due to some recent reading. But I've always abhorred the ersatz royalism and "Camelot" hype; judging from the comments, this puts me in the minority. When Caroline emerged from the wings to support Obama, there was a flurry of gag-inducing adulation-- one writer bubbled how wonderful it was that JFK's "last BLOOD heir" had anointed Obama as her father's worthy successor.
Talk about ooky.
Hey Little Brother....
I was inspired by your post to use my signature line to say a pre-emptive goodbye to you and all my other favorite denizens of CD. Isn't it sad when a commenter is banned and disappears, without even the briefest farewell?
So in recognition of the new, infinitely more restrictive atmosphere, here's my new signature:
Goodbye?
O joy to the world! - CommonDreams has become Politically Correct (PC).
No more dancing unauthorized, unruly, spontaneous steps in the hallways - only formally correct steps may be taken, well inside the ballroom.
O CommonDreams, thanks so much for establishing a "Free Speech Zone".
I agree that the posting order newest first order is hard to follow. I prefer the old chronological order so you can follow how the dialog has developed.
But I do like the feature where you can reply to a specific comment.