Strategy Game: Clark Nominated, Powell Becomes Bush VP, Democratic VP?

[quam]

Let's assume Clark is inevitably the Democratic nominee. A candidate other than Clark may be your favorite, but, hypothetically, I am interested in hearing what type of strategy others could come up with, if faced with this situation. Also, this question is obviously premature. But, who knows? A question a few months ago about Clark's potential candidacy was premature at that time.

The Republicans, fearful Bush may lose reelection, attempt to counter Clark's credentials. Who offers the Republicans credentials to counter Clark and the Republicans an opportunity to gain voters (who otherwise would probably not vote for Bush)? Perhaps a person who may also, arguably, defeat Clark in an election, Powell:

Prior to his position as Secretary of State, Powell was the chairman of America’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth, and was a professional soldier for 35 years, during which time he held myriad command and staff positions and rose to the rank of 4-star General. He was Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs from December 1987 to January 1989. His last assignment, from October 1, 1989 to September 30, 1993, was as the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military position in the Department of Defense. During this time, he oversaw 28 crises, including Operation Desert Storm in the victorious 1991 Persian Gulf war.

Powell holds a Bachelor's from CCNY and an MBA from George Washington University.

Assuming Cheney is convinced it is in the best interest of his party to turn the position over to Powell to ensure a Bush reelection, it is also assumed Powell (and, importantly, his wife) would be interested in the Vice-Presidency.

Thinking of the various groups (Powell is viewed as a moderate), areas of the country (Powell has ties to New York), and media outlets Bush may gain support from with a Bush/Powell ticket, who should Clark pick as a VP? Who would pick up an equal or greater number of voters as Powell, and provide a like media frenzy to the ticket?

I am curious to hear what others conclude, a Bush/Powell ticket may be strong and probably will not happen.

[Langis]

1. Clinton

And I'm not talking about Hillary.

[Hippo_Tron]

10. I would love that but...

I don't think that's allowed. Once you've served as president for 8 years you can't be VP. At least that's what I heard.

[arcos]

16. Chelsea? n/t

[tjdee]

2. Powell said he was quitting after "Term One", didn't he?

I thought Powell was out.

I still say that the GOP secret weapon is Bush/Giuliani (not Bush/Ridge, Tom Ridge is so friggin boring, and all he's done is make up a pretty color chart).

Giuliani's pro-choice, but they'll take him over a Democratic president for *sure*.

[in_cog_ni_to]

3. I don't think

Powell is too fond of the shrub policies. I could be wrong. JMCPO This morning I was thinking about military men who could replace Cheney and Tommy Franks came to mind. Remember how abruptly he retired? I thought the timing was a bit odd. I don't have any idea who else could put up with that cocky son-of-a-B**ch!

[elfin]

7. Had the same thought

However, Tommy turned down another appointment by Bush (forget what it was for) after he retired. Think he's had enough of his Teas buddy.

[ChompySnack]

4. Powell would be a hard sell to their base

There are *many* Republican bigots who could just not stomach the thought of Powell becoming President if anything happened to Bush. Condi would be even worse for them. I would think that they would put Rumsfield in there before anyone else, having little if any positive effect.

:thumbsdown:

[bmbmd]

15. I believe that Powell

is GW's only hope. They may indeed lose a few votes in the south, but will be more than made up for by nontraditional republican votes. His ability to attract minority voters may be substantial. Nevertheless, I'm not sure that this gambit would be successful.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Ok lets assume that the boy

does appoint Powell... (I suspect Giuliani will be tapped)

For the Democrats I really think that the scary ticket for
the Repugs is really Clark \ Dean (because of the reaction
to Dean)

Now the second one that will scare them is Clark \ Kerry, mostly
two REAL MILITARY MEN who served UNDER FIRE.

Now I am thinking strategically, but if Clark gets it, he needs
to balance it with somebody used national policy and national
issues... and strategically speaking I think Dean\ Clark will
be a very serious one... no particular order.

Oh and boys and girls, no Clintons sorry... taht is over, but
the Clinton's will be used as part of the propaganda folks.

[southern democrat]

12. Yes the reps would shit their pants, If Clark and Dean don't

chew themselves up in the nominating process this would be their worst nightmare.As this war fiasco unfolds it remains to be seen who would be better on top of ticket.If anti-war sediment rapidly grows and locks in the moderate and liberal states.It would be better to have Dean on top of ticket.If things are similar to what they are today.Clark should be on top of ticket.The Democrats could not afford to give the south to Bush as they did in 2000.Dean could solidfy the moderate and liberal states and Clark could be competitive in a few southern states.

[Prodemsouth]

23. I think Dean would play the VP candidate role very well, he is the one who

is the attack dog. Lieberman was the worst VP candidate, despite what you feel about him, I don't hate him like others. He didn't attack Bush hard enough. Too soft, no hardcore hits at Bush. Dean has already demonstrated he is not like that. Clark and Dean would be good together. Dean would serve well in the VP role as far as the general election campaign goes, because it is the VP who goes for the jugular, we have all seen Dean does that very well. The partys presidental candidate has to look "presidential." In Gore/Lieberman, Lieberman seemed like he wanted to look presidental, it wa left to Gore to look aggressive.

[Iverson]

6. Lieberman

I'm assuming that the DLC gets their way. It's only a guess.

[southern democrat]

8. Sorry no Powell vp

Bush would never pick Powell for VP.It would be extremely risky in south,many reps in southern states still fighting civil war.Remember the flag issue in Ga.Also Powell's luster and credibilty have been tarneshed.The Bush adminstration has not listened or taken Powell very seriously for 3 years.There not going to start now.When Cheney goes look for Bill Frist(TN.)pouplar in his state and would lock their EVs.As far as Dem pres.-v.p. combos,it varies on who gets the nomination.The pres list we all know,the veep list:Richardson,H.Clinton,Landreau,Cleland,Bayh,Biden,Breaux and Reid.You could mix and match,veeps would also include losing pres. nominees.

[Prodemsouth]

24. Richardson is out said he has not been Gov long enough. H.Clinton says

hasn't been Senator long enough, I don't see why people believe she will be veep, she is not. Landreau is intresting, I think Clark and landreau would win their states, though located in the South.

[leetrisck]

9. Powell is more popular than bushie boy

so he will never be picked for that position. Besides don't think Powell would do it - might because of ego but don't think he falls into the "bush cartel" quite right.

[MrSlayer]

11. Question.

Hasn't Powell already stated that he will not be a part of the administration even if they do win re-election?

[dflprincess]

13. Wasn't that something that supposedly got leaked

and didn't Powell and the rest of the Bushies fall all over themselves claiming it wasn't true?

I can't quite see Powell agreeing to be Shrub's VP. If he has any ambitions for future office and if he wants to salvage any of his reputation he'd be smart to bail at the earliest opportunity.

[calimary]

21. That, of course, assumes that these people aren't liars.

Uh - well, we all know how THAT one plays out...

[leetrisck]

14. That's when Powell & Armitage

both made an appearance at the "pig farm" in Crawford - did photo ops and Powell never said a word about all the leaked info - bush just wanted people to believe all was well. I don't think all is well at the pig sty.

[GBD4]

17. Ezola Foster

NOT!

:)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=politics/elections/2000/whitehouse/buchananpat&contentId=A59858-2000Sep12¬Found=true

I am convinced she would be the worst Pres or VP of all possible candidates, maybe with the exception of Lyndon LaRouche

[stickdog]

18. Waxman or Kucinich (NT)

[Booberdawg]

19. Powell - NO WAY

Powell wouldn't be offered nor would he accept. And, that would jepordize the bigot votes. Look for Frist or maybe Hagel.

[Skip Intro]

20. wtf?! GORE dangit - hello?

People KNOW things were better when Gore was VP - that's history. It's a comfort factor that would offset uneasiness with Clark.

Military meets Enviornmentalitsts. Earthfirsters meet the Military. The most unlikely combo I can imagine, I think. The announcement could be spread out like a reality series, but tatalizing - have people to the point of hoping it is Gore. This shouldn't in any way be seen as trying to diminish Gore - he's still my first choice.

But imagine the drama that could be grown from that - the interest that could be whipped up. All of it good.

Gore as VP again could be give the sense of reassurance that will make some pull the Dem lever.

[ShaneGR]

22. Cheney or bust

They've already invested too much time and money in all of the "Bush/Cheney" material. It would look horrible if they switched the ticket.

Powell is not viewed kindly by a lot of the extreme right because of his close ties with the State Department and the fact that he's black.

BIGGEST REASON: Dick Cheney is really the President of the United States. He runs the show. He makes the decisions.

[Prodemsouth]

25. To these people who keep saying the base would never accept it

because Powell is black, base is racist; you don't know our opponents very well. They may have racist views, but, if the leadership of their respective groups makes the case it is good for conservatives, they will get out there and vote for Bush/Powell. I noticed that the posters that tend to lean more left tend to make this claim. They feel that their inverts are the purist they are, not true. I was a right winger, I do Know. If your thinking skinheads and hardcore klansman, they really don't vote, and if they do, not enough of them to make any difference. Freepers, talk radio fans would tow the line.