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


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But she's so much more than a name. She knows the Constitution and the Bills of Rights up and down.

This is your suggestion, not mine. If you wanted to you could of ran. Since you didn't, at least let us get to the convention! Geeze! :eyes:

thanks

He certainly has an ear for a campaign combo.

And quit being quicker about it while you're at it. :hi:

Sad but true. Also why it probably won't be RFKjr, another awesome choice, but a little too Cheney in the family kind of thing.

Hope these three finalists are just a ruse and it will really be someone who is out of the box.
I hope to be very pleasantly surprised.

I've seen that idea tossed around here a little but the way he put it has really convinced me! Obama-Kennedy 08!

is that she was against the war! She has co-authored two books, one, on the Bill of Rights and the second on our rights to privacy. I also like that fact that she hasn't been stewed in the political network....no quid pro quo problems I would presume. She has a J.D. degree from Columbia. She's qualified and it is definitely time for change. The only big problem I see is ticking off Hillary supporters....again.

you are entitle to your opinion, but why slam the dems on the way to giving it...

He's wrong on this one.

She's been my favorite Kennedy ever since I was a little girl (I'm a month older that Caroline, and was fascinated by her when JFK was in the White House).

However, I agree that she has too much class to pull a Cheney and annoint herself.

no thanks

Obama lets Michael Moore pick VP!

has a view who should Obama's VP candidate and the best thing is..it will be Obama who chooses whom he thinks he can work with the best over the next 4 years to help out with one of the biggest challenges for an American President to meet.

I think this is a rather silly idea. It needs to be Biden.

like Biden, and I'm sure they are only doing that because they want to help Obama win.

A Kennedy is a Kennedy.

foreign policy, national security credentials while they are silent about an old, old, man picking a VP without that experience? That should give anyone pause.

Caroline Kennedy is indeed an accomplished woman, but she has never been in a political race. all this would do is look like the ultimate celebrity choice. Obama's way too smart for that. So is Caroline.

No opponent could say anything even remotely nasty and not come off like a royal jerk! Many of us older Democrats (and a few Republicans I've met) view Caroline as an American saint, above reproach.

The "Dream" and the Daughter! Damn! Makes an old Dem believe again.O8)