Regardless of who you support who do you think the VP candidate will be?

[WI_DEM]

Try to be objective. I don't want it but I think it will be Gephardt.
What do you think?

[bullimiami]

1. I really dont have a clue

I sure hope its not Gephardt.

[DuckFan4ever]

24. Gephardt is a good man.

Why would you not like him? He's been a dedicated congressman for a long time. I was surprised and disappointed he didn't do better in Iowa. :-(

[Darkamber]

2. Gephardt...

This is a safe and secure choice for Kerry. He can run on the "a decade of strength and leadership" message. Plus it will open things up in either '08, if for some awful reason Kerry doesn't win, or '12 if he wins for someone else including people like Hillary, Edwards. I do believe if he picks Gephardt that he will be finding positions for Clark and Edwards in his administration, especially as there will a cry from the Southern Congress members for help.

[Linnea]

6. Clark

I believe Gephardt has been vetted out of respect for the man. He has given years in public service. Same reason I believe he will not be selected for vp. Gephardt does not guarantee Missouri electoral votes.

Official recent statements by Kerry's campaign staff have been that Kerry will select a candidate with FP credentials and experience. Gore 'lost' in 2000 by 3 electoral votes. Clark could be expected to bring in Arkansas. Arkansas loves it's favorite sons.

Pennsylvania and Michigan look strong for Kerry. Florida and Ohio are competitive, but leaning Kerry. He needs one of those states, plus 3-4 electoral votes. Clark also could bring New Mexico into competitive play, and maybe Nevada and Arizona. Clark has been endorsed by the Indian Times. First time Native Americans have endorsed a national candidate. I recently spoke with a GOTV organizer for Native Americans here in Washington State. They will vote Kerry, emphatically - and Clark on the ticket will bring everyone out.

There is talk of a Southwestern strategy, as this area of the country comes more into play. There can be no mistaking the genuine warmth and respect Kerry has for Clark. And there is Kerry's remark regarding Clark at the rally in Little Rock - 'he just keeps getter better and better, doesn't he?' So, has Kerry been keeping a close out eye here. All signs point to Clark, and I will not even get into the astrology here. ;-> Look for an announcement, if it's going to be Clark, sooner rather than later, at the end of June or early July. Independence Day kick off?

Edit to add: I also believe the choice has been made, and the one on ones with Kerry are his personally informing those not selected so they will not be the 'last to know'. Of course this does not mean his actual choice is not also meeting with him in these 'interviews'.

[democratreformed]

12. Link to article on Gephardt

Just one guy's opinion. I, for one, disagree with the "blandness" commented on by the title.

http://www.arktimes.com/brummett/052104brummett.htm

Excerpts:
"What has happened is that Bush's approval rating has plummeted to an alarmingly low level for an incumbent, owing almost exclusively to the Iraq quagmire. It now appears, then, that Kerry's first assignment from here out is not to beat himself. It was Richard Nixon's maxim that a running mate can, at best, do no harm."

SNIP
"Except, that is, for one thing, and a mighty thing. Gephardt might give you Missouri. And as Missouri goes, so goes the country - in every presidential election since 1956, anyway."

SNIP
"This new Bush vulnerability means Kerry needs no longer to do something pro-active with his selection. John Edwards had been the odds-on, but he wouldn't deliver his own state and might not help even in the two Southern states potentially in play, Arkansas and Louisiana. Wes Clark's stock has risen, but he remains a campaign neophyte - not what you want when the first order of business is not to beat yourself. Weeks ago I'd touted Hillary Clinton, saying she'd put turbo-chargers beneath of the hood of Kerry's creaky European sedan. Now it appears the old sedan might make it on its own, with Gephardt asleep on the passenger side, as George W.'s big SUV tries to get out of the ditch."

[goodhue]

3. I think it will be Edwards.

If allowed an alternative second thought, I think it would be Gephardt. Despite his evident popularity on DU, I really do not think it will be Clark. I think Clark is a likely National Security Advisor. I don't really support any of these folks, so I feel my thoughts are relatively objective as far as subjective thoughts go.

[Radical Activist]

4. Someone who sucks that will make me want to vote Nader

That's really what I'm expecting. I'd be happy with Edwards but the other names I see talked about most are boring choices that will continue the dominance of moderate, corporate Democrats in the party leadership.

[venus]

5. The only reason I pick Edwards is because

I don't think Kerry is bold enough to pick Wes. Edwards is safe: popular with the press, rich, and a good politician. Didn't they vote nearly the same in the Senate.

[Sinistrous]

7. Gephardt, because any candidate is bound to make at least one

major screw-up during the campaign, Kerry's may as well be the VP choice.

[Darkamber]

8. what a great post!!! I love that line n/t

[Qutzupalotl]

15. Does courting McCain count?

It's looking less and less brilliant every day. :)

[Sinistrous]

20. If, in fact, Kerry really did "court" McCain.

I believe the higher probability should be attached to the idea that this is a disinformation scheme to gild McCain for when he replaces Cheney on the retrog ticket.

[Qutzupalotl]

21. Yeah, could be any number of things.

But if it's to benefit Bush, wouldn't Kerry have spoken out to deny it? Or is he doing a favor for a friend?

[mzmolly]

9. The smart money is on GRAHAM. That's right Graham.

Here's why I think Graham is the best choice of those being considered.

Can you say, cake and eatin it too!?

http://graham.senate.gov/accomplishments.html

* He is from Florida and beloved there - serving as Gov and in the Senate, he can not only swing that state our way, but keep an eye on things in 04.

* He was on the Senate Intelligence Committe for ten years, and served as Chair.

* He was opposed to the war, calling the bluff on linking Al Qaida to Saddam.

* He is graceful yet outspoken, a perfect compliment to any ticket.

* He's *safe* and has run for office enough to have been vetted to the max.

And here he is on the issues.

http://issues2000.org/Bob_Graham.htm

I am certain we can find fault with anyone who has served in office for any length of time, but Graham passes my smell test. :)

[mzmolly]

10. Check out these quotes on war and peace...

http://www.issues2000.org/2004/Bob_Graham_War_+_Peace.htm

The president intentionally misled Americans on Iraq:

"Do you believe that the president intentionally misled the American people?"

GRAHAM: Yes. I have been a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee for 10 years, chairman the last two years during the investigation into 9/11. The president knew, or should have known, that the materials that he alleged were going to be used to rebuild Iraq's nuclear weaponry . The president knew or should have known that there was no relationship between 9/11, there was no relationship between "Osama bin forgotten" and Saddam Hussein. The president also abandoned the war on terror in the spring of 2001 by moving military and intelligence resources out of Afghanistan to begin the war on Iraq. I believe that the war in Iraq has been a distraction from winning the war on terror in Afghanistan, in Yemen, in Syria and the other places where it's yet to be fought. That's why I voted against the resolution.

Source: Congressional Black Caucus Institute debate Sep 9, 2003

[MoonRiver]

16. I like Graham and could live with him as VP.

However, Clark has said virtually the same things regarding * misleading US about the Iraq war and not finishing the job in Afghanistan.

One thing Clark has that no other VP hopeful does is experience actually leading and winning a major conflict. Bringing up the vast differences between the Bosnia and Iraqi wars will be incredibly valuable for Kerry's ticket. Its rarely mentioned in the press (of course) but Clark will certainly address it constantly on the campaign trail.

[mzmolly]

17. But I'm not looking for more conflict. I'm looking for more diplomacy.

I also like Grahams experience in Government/Domestic affairs.
Kerry said he's looking for someone that could fill his shoes in the event of an emergency. I think Graham could fill both the domestic and the FP shoes. :hi:

[MoonRiver]

18. I like Graham a lot too! I have since he stood up to AWOL.

Clark's my favorite and I think he would be an awesome addition to the ticket. But Graham's a good solid choice. He doesn't have much sparkle and pizazz but he makes up for it with a kind of plain spoken honesty reminiscent of Harry Truman.

[mzmolly]

19. I agree. Dean's my first choice o'course, but Graham would be a very

solid choice.

I like Clark too BTW. :hi:

[malachibk]

28. Totally Agree

I've thought this for ages.

[mzmolly]

11. kick

:kick:

[JHBowden]

13. Today, I think Kerry will play it safe.

Gephardt it is. :boring:

[democratreformed]

14. I agree

So does the author of the article I posted in post #12.

[JohnLocke]

22. VILSACK for sure.

[Spirochete]

23. Lyndon Larouche

After all - if you're going to run a senator from Massachusetts named John, he should have a running mate named Lyndon. It worked last time. Problem is, Lyndons aren't easy to come by, so it will probably have to be Larouche.

[Zorra]

25. Gary Locke.

:shrug:

[AntiCoup2K4]

27. I'm actually surprised that Gary isn't under consideration.

He was supposedly on Gore's short list in 2000, and if the way he's governed Washington is any indication, the DLC types who have hijacked the party certainly shouldn't object to him. And since parties do consider voting demographics by racial/ethic origin, then it would be a plus for the Asian American vote.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

26. Edwards. But, he could make a better choice.

I only chose Edwards because of his speech attacking Boobya over Iraq.

The VP has to be the attack dog and Edwards sounded like one.

But, IMO, he's a bad choice. I think Wes Clark makes more sense because he is without baggage. Not being a politician the repugs can't go back over a voting record like they are doing with Kerry.

I would love to see Kerry be a lot bolder than he has been up to now (fat chance) and name a woman (Pelosi, Murray) or a black (John Lewis).

[TNMOM]

29. should be Edwards, but he'll pick Clark

Of course, Kerry has my vote no matter what. I think Edwards will win more votes ..