Would Dean accept a VP spot?

[FlashHarry]

Now, I don't think he'll drop out... but, if it looks like Kerry is going to win the nomination, would it be smart for him to tap Dean as his veep? Would that bring Dean's grass-roots following to the campaign? Or would it be smarter to tap Clark (if he'd take it) to bolster the defense issue--i.e. two decorated vets versus two slimy draft-dodgers?

Thoughts?

[gully]

1. Dean and Kerry are neck and neck in the polls...

Sooo you can't really predict who will win the election at this point...right?

But, whoever does will have to choose a southern belle like Graham or Edwards to pull votes from Southern states me thinks...

[poskonig]

2. Kerry should go with Edwards or Graham.

Two "liberal" northeastern guys doesn't get us very far. Two vets would seem like overkill. I like our odds with Kerry-Edwards or Kerry-Graham.

[indictrichardperle]

3. Dean-Graham

is the most likely ticket, i do think Graham is running for VP.

Maybe Lieberman/Delay as a third party ticket ? :evilgrin:

If the establishment gets scared enough , i wouldnt be suprised if Dean is "offered a Veep slot". Howard already told me........NO DEALS :D

[Exultant Democracy]

14. It's true, but too bad. To New Englanders won't fly n/t

[hlthe2b]

4. I'm convinced they NEED to tap Clarke

for VP....

[Composed Thinker]

5. He's the ideal candidate

[Composed Thinker]

6. Wouldn't a Kerry-Dean ticket be seen as too liberal?

[JI7]

7. dean,kerry not likely to pick other (not because of any hostility)

dean and kerry are most likely to not pick the other should any of them win the nomination. not because of any hostility that may exist between the two. but because they are both from the northeast. even if they were the best of friends and agreed on everything, i don't think they would pick the other just because they think for political reasons they could get more votes with getting someone like edwards or graham.

[Gman]

8. An all New England ticket won't fly

I don't see how it would get through the convention. I don't see the Florida, Texas or California delegations voting for this ticket, much less Illinois, Michigan and/or Indiana. All would want a more central (geographically speaking) VP candidate. The winning combination is always a mix of someone representing the North and the South, or at least the Midwest.

An all New England ticket certainly won't win in November 04. That ticket wouldn't carry a state south or west of New York.

I'm not slamming any candidate here. Just talking political realities.

[SayitAintSo]

9. Dean followers WILL support the nominee....Kerry

They are the hard core, pissed off Dems. Kerry doesn't "need" Dean ... his supporters will follow anyway if Kerry wins the nomination. Kerry must pick a southern boy - Edwards or Clark are the best choices, with Clark having the edge because of his military background. A Kerry / Clark ticket I think is the best Kerry can do ... as much as I like Edwards.

[FlashHarry]

10. True.

Speaking as a Dem on the fence (I like Dean's 'outsider' thing, but I like Kerry because he's pro-gun control and anti-death penalty.)

[Pastiche423]

16. THIS Dean supporter

will not follow Kerry!

He voted for the slaughter and still defends it.

[jagguy]

11. I can't see Dean playing backup

and yo sure as heck don't want two guys from the same place running.

[Orangepeel]

12. Kerry wouldn't pick him

It doesn't "balance" the ticket. Dean wouldn't pick Kerry, either. It doesn't make sense.

Kerry would need somebody exciting, though. If Kerry is the nominee, I hope he picks a woman, black, asian or latino. If Dean is the nominee, he'll have the excitment necessary, but will need to bolster "security" issues, but picking a "tough" VP (like Clark)

[CMT]

13. yes

I think he would. However, I think the most likely people to ask Dean to run with him would be either Graham or Gephardt.

[eileen from OH]

17. I don't think so. . .

However, anything is possible. But, speaking of VP, I was one of those GET CLARKY people, but I've had second thoughts. Clark would be great but he lacks one thing that Dean has wisely said he wants - someone with organizational knowledge of Washington. This was Carter's downfall. He never really "got" how Washington worked, or the learning curve was too great. Granted, having Mondale should have helped, but it didn't. I'm really leaning toward Graham now. He's an establishment figure, can relate to the Governor-Washington shift, been outspoken as hell and really exudes wisdom. And having a secret weapon in Florida and the rest of the South can't hurt, neither.

eileen

[lkinsale]

19. Graham would be wasted as VP, should be Prez

He's got the experience and the goods on Bush. Got an excellent electoral college count. Integrity and personal appeal. Has been able to fry Bush without seeming divisive. He's got a sense of humor and a sense of perspective that shows. ("Osama bin Forgotten," "the Pinocchio President, hah!)

Dean, Clark, and Edwards would all be fortunate to serve as VP and go to school on Graham.

******

Contribute to Graham For President (Enter "Laura Kinsale" as your BobCat if you want to give me credit toward my pledge to raise 1k for Bob. Got 1 $25 contribution to go to meet my goal for this week!)

[Terwilliger]

15. Does he need to?

I will say that Dean could be around for some time, so I'd bet he'll weigh his options when the cards get laid out in terms of the primary.

[dansolo]

18. No

Realistically, if either Kerry or Dean wins the nomination, the best choice for VP would be Bob Graham or Gary Hart, who are the best people for security issues. Clark would be redundant for Kerry because of his own military background. Personally, I'd rather see Clark as Sec. of Defense.

[tameszu]

20. I can't see...

Kerry asking Dean or Dean saying yes. And, as people have noted, Dean hardly fits the profile Kerry needs: a moderate southerner who resonates with white males. There's little chance Kerry could pick a minority, unless he could draft a big time African-American leader who could seriously mobilize southern black voters into turning out. Although Bill Richardson--do "Whispanics" count as a minority?" might be a decent fit...

Clark would be a good choice for Kerry but not for Dean. While Clark's foreign policy cred is nice, Dean does need someone with beltway experience--a double "outsider" ticket would be a liability, especially when there's alternatives like Graham available. Not that Dean/Clark wouldn't be a TON of fun. I would love it, even if I'd be worried...

I think Kerry picking Clark would be a very good decision--it's pretty hard to have vet overkill, especially in the current climate. And it's hard to get anything better than a moderate southern hawk who criticized the war--Kerry will have a tough time getting the hardline anti-war people back on his side anyway, and he's so liberal (in U.S. terms at least) on other issues that it would be suicide for him to choose anyone more liberal than himself. But he could pick up both a few doves with Clark's position on the war, as well as a good number of moderate hawks and independents with Clark's profile...

Of course, if Clark runs, that would change *everything*, in a bunch of sense...

[Yupster]

21. Everyone always says they won't accept a VP nomination, but

it's a tough offer to turn down. I think any of them would accept it.

[yellowdawgdem]

22. Kerry or Dean

It's interesting that Dubya picked another guy from Texas, didn't worry about geographic diversity at all. But I'm just wondering if geographic diversity is more impt, or having a high amount of charisma, or just a balanced ticket. I agreed with the person who said if Kerry gets the nomination he should consider a woman, maybe a southerner. I think Graham has alot to offer, but is kind of low on charisma. Dean would do well with Edwards or Gephardt.

[stickdog]

23. Dems' best tix, IMHO

1) Dean/Graham
2) Dean/Clark
3) Kerry/Graham
4) Dean/Gephardt
5) Kerry/Edwards