UK Guardian on the Vice-President hopefuls

[T_i_B]

Guardian article about how Geography influences the VP choice, as well as a list of hopefuls for the job, which I will post here. Feel free to give us your thoughts on this list and any other names you would like to add to it.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/story/0,13918,1161654,00.html

John Edwards North Carolina senator
Pros Southerner, with proven appeal to independent voters. Polite campaign, graceful concession
Cons Cannot promise own state and failed to prove he could deliver southern states. Slightly frosty relations with Kerry

Bill Richardson Governor of New Mexico
Pros Hispanic heritage, speaks fluent Spanish. Strong international experience as an ambassador to UN and negotiator with North Korea
Cons He is a Catholic, like Kerry, and has not proved he can export his appeal to other states

Hillary Clinton New York senator
Pros Her surname, and her rock star appeal among the Democratic faithful and women swing voters
Cons Her surname, and her capacity to mobilise Republicans against her. And the Democrats can take New York for granted anyway

Dick Gephardt Democratic congressional leader from Missouri
Pros Missouri is a swing state, and he has strong union contacts. An aggressive debater
Cons Failed miserably in his run for president, even in neighbouring Iowa. Like Kerry, a Washington 'insider'

Evan Bayh Indiana senator
Pros Could deliver own state and perhaps neighbouring swing states. Moderate with potential appeal to independents. Has served on armed services and intelligence committees
Cons Bland speaker who may appear lightweight in debates with Dick Cheney

Bob Graham Florida senator
Pros Comes from the right state, where he is popular. Has made the administration's intelligence failings in the al-Qaida war his specialist subject
Cons Has a heart condition (but so has Cheney) and his presidential campaign was stillborn

Ed Rendel Pennsylvania governor
Pros Pennsylvania is a must-win swing state. Rendell is a former chairperson of the Democratic national committee so he knows the game
Cons Hardly represents 'new blood' and may easily be painted as a party apparatchik

Bill Nelson Florida senator
Pros Also comes from the right state. Nelson is a former astronaut, which always looks good on the CV. Served on the Senate armed services committee
cons He lacks charisma and it is thought he might come off worse in a debate with the vice-president

[w4rma]

1. No Clark or Cleland? (Note, I prefer Edwards, personally) (n/t)

[T_i_B]

5. My own thought when I saw the article...

..was why no Wesley Clark? I have to admit.

I still have more of an idea of where Clark stand then I do with all the others save for Edwards and Graham, who was the guy I was originally preferring out of your presidential candidates.

[montanacowboy]

2. None of the above

How about Wes Clark? I have not been a clarkie, but I think he is the best bet - the repukes can't go up against him, how about a debate with fat white grub Unkie Dick with the General? I would give a lot to see that.

[Bombtrack]

3. Clarks life focus isn't domestic policy. He'd be better served on the NSC

either state or defense secretary or for that matter National security advisor or CIA director.

He doesn't have a proven record of broad popularity in any region or demographic or state. Sectors of excitement in a democratic primary do not count. Kerry has all the military and foriegn policy experience he needs.

Bob Graham is the most popular politician in the most pivotal red swingstate(and overall swingstate), and he only has to serve for one term, at which point there can be another veepstakes.

[readmylips]

4. My choice: George Mitchell..

He's smarter than snake cheney, older than cheney but looks younger and healthier. George Mitchell was just appointed CEO (?) of Disney. That would be automatic free tv for Senator Mitchell and Kerry.

If the Disney world trusts George Mitchell, wo will Americans.

[mrgorth]

7. Mitchell is from maine

That's a double New England ticket. And how the hell could Nelson be duller than Chainme?(not for you)

[jsw_81]

6. Nelson

One neat thing about Nelson is that like Bush, Cheney, and Kerry, he attended Yale. If Kerry picks Nelson, this will be the first all-Yale election in American history. There must be something in that New Haven water.

[Torgo4]

8. Forget Sitting Demos

Kerry needs Democrat support wherever it is. He mustn't remove a sympathetic Demo like Clinton from a state where a Repub will appoint a Rebub.