Would being VP on ticket help or hurt in 08?

[Doctor_J]

If Clark takes the sidecar for this fall, and they lose, would that damage him for an 08 run??

[tritsofme]

1. If we loose its Hil in 08.

So it seems moot to me.

[arewethereyet]

7. I'll bet you a quarter we'll never see Mrs Clinton run

irrespective of 2004.

Too polarizing a candidate

[David Dunham]

2. But we will win this time, so no Hil in '08

[Gman]

8. Hillary can wait until '12.

until then she can build on her already great record.

[arewethereyet]

3. I'd think it would

realistically we need some big electorial college support for whoever gets the nomination. A warm up as governor would be a good career move for the General if he's interested.

[Taeger]

4. Veep is a poor job for general

I'd say that it's Defense Secretary, Secretary of State or Senator for Clark. He'd make a SHITTY VP since he has NO experience on capital hill.

[MrSlayer]

5. I think they'd be crazy to run Hillary but to answer the ?

I don't believe they would lose if Clark was on the ticket. He could be Pres in 2012. He'd only be 66.

[Joe the Revelator]

9. I honestly wonder if thats too old these days...

:(

[MrSlayer]

13. Nah, 60 is the new 40.

Or so I've heard.

[Gman]

6. It sure didn't help Mondale in '84

Who knows what the political climate will be in '08. Little did we know in '00 be we'd stuck in another Viet Nam in '04.

Clark is a military man. Dwight Eisenhauer, Grant, T Roosevelt were all presidents that were military. They all came into office during a time after armed conflicts and while feelings were still high.

However, we'll be in all kinds of armed conflicts by '08 if * wins election so it will be very hard to second guess as a military man after 6 years of armed conflict. Thus I don't think Clark will have the same advantage he has now with an unpopular war after 12 years of no cold war and peace.

Who knows what people will think and feel in '08. But I think, now is/was Clark's best and only chance unless he distinguishes his self in ways separate from the military (e.g. record as a Senator) which is unlikely.

[2004Donkeys]

10. There will be no 08 run

n/t

[BL_Zebub]

11. Ask Lieberman.

If Kerry's the nominee, the loss will be devastating. Any running mate on the ticket will be damaged for 08.

Even though Gore & Lieberman won in 2000, the results of the coup in Florida damaged Lieberman's credibility as much as his Bush Lite platform did, this time around.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

12. You'd need to be the VP candidate in 04 in order to run for reelection

in 08. No?

[OneBlueSky]

14. here's an interesting question . . .

interesting to me, anyhow . . . given that the vice president's job is pretty much undefined and that the president can use him in virtually any capacity he sees fit, would there be any reason why the veep couldn't also be appointed secretary of state? . . . just wonderin' . . .

[mikehiggins]

18. The Senate would never confirm the appointment even if it were

legal, even if there was any reason to do it. From Kerry's point of view there isn't.

You have to realise that Clark is yesterday's news already, and that while Kerry will be happy to have Wes knocking himself out on the campaign, he isn't going to invite him inside the tent.

Very few politicians ever willingly deal with someone who can make them look bad in comparison, and no President likes to think that his VP would be seen as more popular or accomplished than he was.

Bush2000 was different but that was because everyone deluded themselves into thinking that Cheney could keep him in check and prevent him from totally screwing everything up. Nobody seemed to realize that Cheney was just as wacky as Wolfowitz and the rest.

Kerry has a whole list of DLC folks to attend to before he gives a thought to bringing Clark or Edwards on board. Dean is absolutely out of the running, and the rest never were in it for VP anyway.

[AnnitaR]

15. This may be a stupid question but...

How long does it usually take for the nominee to announce his choice for VP?

[mikehiggins]

16. Usually occurs at the convention. Keeps the carrot in front of

anyone who might be interested to keep them involved in the campaign.

[AnnitaR]

17. Thanks! n/t

[Gore1FL]

19. Why would he run against the top of the ticket in 08?

nt