Who would be a good African-American running mate for Kerry?

[holeinboatoutatsea]

I was thinking that it's about damn time, but Kerry will be painted as an eastern liberal, and his running mate should balance the ticket. Who would be a good choice? Anyone know of those in state legistlatures, etc, that would strengthen the ticket?

I really think it would be the perfect time to break through this wall. I love Sharpton, but he is so liberal that he would take away from the campaign.

?

[BOHICA06]

1. Ford

out of Tennessee

[Katie]

2. Harold Ford!

He's articulate, intelligent, he's got it all.

[bringiton]

6. Ford is articulate

How old is Ford? I know he is young looking.

[arcos]

7. Ford is not eligible...

because of age

[BOHICA06]

9. Short by 5 months

May 11, 1970

[lams712]

40. NO WAY!!!!

NO DLC/centrist/Blue Dog pseudo-Democrats!!!!!!!!

[lastknowngood]

3. That would make him a 50 state loser here in the fourth

Reich.

[patricia92243]

4. Yep! Not ready for it yet and too much to lose to take a chance.

[BOHICA06]

5. So it's White Guys Only

need apply. How sad, when Bush could go with either an African American Man or Woman and improve his chances by dumping Cheney.

[goclark]

10. No Colin No Condi

and No Paige Ha Ha Ha

Who would he selecf?

I wish that Harold Ford could have an early birthday- he is super smooth and I believe he will be the 1st African American President.

:loveya:

[holeinboatoutatsea]

12. those are some things to think about

the last two (?) scotus appts were from repubs. Would that be a surprise, or what. Maybe what's his name from Oklahoma. Sorry, can't remember his name.

Thanks for the good responses everyone. I like what I know of Wilder, but what are his political views?

[amazona]

41. nah I don't think so

Actually I think with so much at stake, and so many people screwed over and P.O.ed about the direction the country is taking...when would it be a better time to get people riled up to forget about their racism/sexism and vote for what is going to get their jobs, Medicare, prescription drugs, Social Security money etc. back?

Some people will pay any price to indulge their racism, but we can't hope to get their vote anyway.

I may be naive but I think it's an excellent time to consider a minority candidate.

[arewethereyet]

8. Doug Wilder ex governor of VA actually a pretty good pick

if he's interested

[goclark]

11. Yes to Wilder

[fujiyama]

35. Is he popular in his state?

How's his record? Was he a moderate. If so, I don't see why we shouldn't consider him.

Frankly, I think pandering to racism and sexism is idiotic in this day and age. The only reason I personally hadn't considered a minority or women was because I was looking for a person with a moderate record (not because I wouldn't prefer another liberal, but to balance the ticket a bit to offset Kerry's liberal record).

Someone also mentioned an ex Clinton admin. official that worked for Fannie May or some other mortgage related company.

[JohnKleeb]

13. John Lewis

:shrug:
He is a good man with a good amount of experience and above all hes a hero.

[mitchum]

24. John Lewis would be an excellent choice

[JohnKleeb]

25. yes you have mentioned him and hes a Kerry man too

Are you from his district? You live in Georgia right mitch? Lewis is a modern day hero, really I think he would be a phenominal VP pick.

[mitchum]

28. You're right, John...

John Lewis is a modern day hero. The district's loss would be America's gain.

[JohnKleeb]

34. They still gain him :)

Just at a more powerful level. Thanks mitch, he really is. One of the reasons why last summer I was willing to give Kerry a serious look is that he had the strong backing of a personal hero of mine, Senator Edward Kennedy, now endorsements hardly ever do it for me but I know what Ted Kennedy has done these last 50 years as JFK's brother, campaign worker, and most notably as senator, and if a stauch opponent of war could see that a man like Kerry who I thought at the time was just as guilty as the others were for voting for it, then he wasn't a bad guy. The Kerry people helped me, and he himself in late January by showing me he can come back.

[HFishbine]

38. Second that

[serryjw]

42. I agree.....My letter to John Kerry

Dear Senator Kerry,
First Congratulation. You ran a great campaign and look forward to an even more spirited general election. It’s no secret the next step is to decide on running mate and the future VP of the United States. The obviously names are circulating around But I’d like to add my wish, Congressman John Lewis.
Congressman Lewis represents the “Democratic wing of the Democratic Party”. He is a true liberal who has continuously voted correctly on issues that are dear to millions of us. I appreciate his position on voting against the $87 billion for Iraq, and he has voted for the protections of civil rights, reproductive rights, health care and AIDS funding…and election reform an issue near and dear to my heart.
I have spent a fair amount of time active in local politics and recognize the need to address the disenfranchisement of millions of minorities, especially the young voters. Until we have the courage to be bold and nominate a candidate that represents them we will never bring them into the voting populous. Regarless of your voting record; Minorities do not see a multi-millionaire Yale graduate as one of them.
At 54,this is the most important election of my lifetime. The direction of the country is dangerous and unfair for tens of million of citizens. We are facing an ugly election with the wrath of a $200 million war chest (please, forget the pun!). We need to have an exciting election to show everyone that still remember what this party stands for and is willing to fight for it. John Lewis would be an excellent running mate.

[bigtree]

14. Julian Bond

[holeinboatoutatsea]

15. Is he from Missouri or somewhere around there?

[bigtree]

18. Chairman Julian Bond

Chairman Julian Bond





From his student days to his current Chairmanship of the NationalAssociation for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Julian Bond has been an active participant in the movements for civil rights, economic justice. As an activist who has faced jail for his convictions, as a veteran of more than 20 years service in the Georgia General Assembly, as a university professor, and as a writer, he has been on the cutting edge of social change since 1960.


He was a founder, in 1960, while a student at Morehouse College, of the Atlanta student sit-in and anti-segregation organization, and of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). As SNCC's Communications Director, Bond was active in protests and registration campaigns throughout the South.

Elected in 1965 to the Georgia House of Representatives, Bond was prevented from taking his seat by members who objected to his opposition to the Vietnam War. He was re-elected to his own vacant seat and un-seated again, and seated only after a third election and a unanimous decision of the United States Supreme Court.

He was co-chair of a challenge delegation from Georgia to the 1968 Democratic Convention. The challengers were successful in unseating Georgia's regular Democrats, and Bond was nominated for Vice-President, but had to decline because he was too young.

In the Georgia Senate, Bond became the first black chair of the Fulton County Delegation, the largest and most diverse in the upper house, and chair of the Consumer Affairs Committee. During his legislative tenure, he was sponsor or co-sponsor of more than 60 bills which became law.

He is a commentator on America's Black Forum, the oldest black-owned show in television syndication. His poetry and articles have appeared in numerous publications. He has narrated numerous documentaries, including the Academy Award winning "A Time For Justice" and the prize-winning and critically acclaimed series "Eyes On The Prize."

He has served since 1998 as Chairman of the Board of the NAACP, the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the United States.

The holder of twenty-one honorary degrees, he is a Distinguished Professor at American University in Washington, DC, and a Professor in history at the University of Virginia.

[holeinboatoutatsea]

19. thank you for the info

I would have looked it up, but this is great. To get such quick, solid info.

thanks again!

[sabbat hunter]

16. if sharpton was the VP nominee....

i wouldnt vote for the ticket. I feel that no ordained minister/rabbi etc should hold public office. crosses the state/church line IMO


peace
david

[holeinboatoutatsea]

17. I don't think so

the purpose of the separation is not to separate those with beliefs from having the opportunity to serve in public office. The purpose is to separate those who would use their personal beliefs to enact laws discriminating against others with differing beliefs.

Sound like the present day?

Sharpton is a religious man, but he would not impose his personal belief system on an entire country. Those who are there now are doing so.

There's a difference between being religious, and extending that to the government of the US. I can't see Sharpton changing the constitution by adding an amendment to limit peoples rights.

Can you?

[JI7]

20. Charlie Rangel but still not likely

harold ford would be the most likely but he isn't old enough. most of the top black officials are seen as too liberal so they wouldn't be chosen for that reason. if i had to pick one i would say charlie rangel, but he is from new york and still seen as too liberal. the reason for not being chosen has more to do with being liberal than being black though. this is why harold ford is always mentioned when discussing vp or president. if he was old enough there is no question he would be a top consideration and all the talk for vp.

[ButterflyBlood]

32. Rangel's biggest problem

is when he was talking about reinstating the draft. That will not go over well with soccer moms or young voters (like myself) AT ALL. It would basically make the ticket anathema to them. Regardless of his intentions, that made him damaged goods for a national ticket.

[5thGenDemocrat]

21. John Conyers of Detroit

Liberal with strong union creds. Knows Capitol Hill as well as anyone.
John
Although I'm perfectly aware it'll never happen.

[beanball]

22. Number2 on the ticket

we Americans are deluding ourselves when we think a person of color will be selected as the vice presidential candidate for either party.Lets face the facts as they are,this country is racist to the core and will never stand for a black man or woman to seek the second highest office in the land no matter how qualified he or she may be.

[DrFunkenstein]

23. George Clinton

[beanball]

26. The vice president

if the people were really serious about a person of color on the ticket,how about Cornel West,a man with morals and a damn sight smarter than the moral midget in the whitehouse at this time.

[DrFunkenstein]

27. That Guy Can SPEAK

I saw him deliver a few lectures in my time, and they guy is just plain mesmerizing. I concur 1000%.

[messiah]

29. Armstrong Williams would probably be the most acceptable for democrats

because Kerry is trying to move to the center.

[tobius]

30. Bill Clinton. eom

[Kimber Scott]

31. Tavis Smiley

n/t

[sampsonblk]

33. If not Ford, How 'Bout Ron Dellums? He's Due!

Hey, he's only 69 years old!

http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/people/Dellums/Dellums.html

[yellowdawgdem]

36. How 'bout Stevie Wonder (nt)

[jamesinca]

37. Oprah Winfrey

Think about it for awhile. She is self made and loved the world over. She has money, so she will not be a financial drag on the ticket. She did grow up as something other than wealthy, so she would appeal to the middle and lower economic classes. She would pull the female vote. Think about it for a bit.

[amazona]

39. an interesting suggestion...

...and it would probably win the election. I don't see Kerry being that creative though.

I like the Julian Bond pick offered above.