John Kerry for Vice President

[Dr Ron]

Cross posted from Liberal Values--see original post for links.

http://liberalvaluesblog.com/?p=3913

John Kerry For Vice President

August 15th, 2008 by Ron Chusid

There’s been speculation that Obama might pick someone totally unexpected as his running mate as opposed to the names being discussed the most. WBZ TV has one suggestion:

Barack Obama has yet to name a vice presidential nominee and some are wondering if he might turn to Massachusetts to round out the ticket.

John Kerry for vice president?

Don’t dismiss the notion just yet.

Some political insiders are telling WBZ it could happen.

So why would Obama reach out to Kerry as his choice?

Kerry brings more money and name recognition to the table than any other name on the Obama list so far. Americans do tend to love a comeback kid and this would be the most amazing political comeback since Richard Nixon came back from the dead forty years ago.

“I’m not looking for any new job, I’m running for re-election,” Kerry told WBZ last week.

Asked about the V.P. buzz, his press secretary told WBZ in a statement Thursday night:

“If I was bi-lingual, I’d say no in multiple languages. The only job John Kerry is running for, contemplating, or considering is the one he already has.”

If you’re laughing off the idea of Kerry back on the national ticket again, I don’t blame you. While he came close four years ago, his campaign was widely derided as, to put it politely, clumsy.

But consider some reasons why Obama might now turn to Kerry as a running mate.

Polls show many voters question Obama’s foreign policy credentials to be a wartime president. As a decorated veteran and longtime member of the senate foreign relations committee, Kerry could fill that gap.

Obama suffers from being a new face on the political scene, but Kerry - warts and all - is well known to the voters, and in 2004, he did draw more votes than any democrat ever has.

And judging from a new anti-smear web site funded by Kerry’s political action committee, Kerry would eagerly assume the role of attack dog… Allowing a nominee who prefers to float above the fray to minimize the amount of political hardball he has to play.

One other note: the vice presidential nominee will address the convention on Wednesday night, August 27.

The theme set for that evening - a salute to America’s veterans.

The Obama campaign says we should.

From a political point of view I doubt Obama will choose Kerry as it would mean reopening all the bogus attacks which came in 2004. However this could also work in Obama’s favor as this could highlight the fact that the attacks on Obama are just typical right wing lies which come around every four years, often from the exact same sources. More importantly, Obama could not do better in terms of a running mate who is qualified to be vice president, or president should that become necessary. It also turns out that Kerry has been vetted by the Obama campaign.

[YvonneCa]

1. ...

... :7

[Mass]

2. ...

}(

(While it is not particularly likely, I guess, it is good that Kerry's image is good enough that most people do not run away at this idea).

[YvonneCa]

3. I know how unlikely...

...this is...and how much you wonderful Mass folks want to keep him. But we NEED him...the country does.

That said, I'm okay however this turns out. :grouphug: I just hope we know soon, because it's making me crazy! :7

[karynnj]

4. A large part of the basis for that rumor is that Kerry is not speaking on Wednesday

It could be that Kerry will be the one who speaks before Obama introducing him. It would be fitting given all he's done and the fact that Kerry in 2004 did really introduce him to the nation. Other than Daschle and Durbin, I can't imagine some one better suited to it - and Kerry is the best speaker of that group.

[Dr Ron]

5. I'm skeptical about speculation based upon speaking schedule

Sure it is possible that being scheduled to speak means that certain people are not going to be the VP pick, but should one of them be the choice it would be a simple matter to rearrange the schedule around that. It is even possible that a final decision has not been made yet.

[JI7]

7. i was thinking Kerry may speak as part of the Tribute to Ted Kennedy

[MBS]

11. yes, this would be SO appropriate. n/t

[JI7]

6. i'm not sure i like the idea of Kerry as VP

i think it's nice that Obama considered him no matter how unlikely it would be.

the thing i don't like is to actually think of Kerry serving in the VP role. i know they do more these days but they are also mostly the attack dog. Kerry has been good for Obama here but Kerry has so much more to offer. also VPs are expected to do what the president wants even if they disagree. that's what good vps do. that's what Gore did.

but it also meant Gore wasn't allowed to do more on issues like the environment.

i want Kerry to take the lead in the issues he believes in . as Senator of even as someone else in the administration he could respectfully disagree with Obama on things but he couldn't do that as VP.

that's why i would prefer someone like Biden as VP. he is qualified to be President or VP. he is foreign policy experience and that's and area Obama can use Biden in after the mess created by Bush.

i would prefer to see Kerry as Sec of State rather than VP.

[ginnyinWI]

8. I think it will be someone outside of Washington.

And really, it is more sensible not to take any Dems from the Senate unless there is a healthy majority after the election.

That said, Sec. of State Kerry sounds good. Really good.

Whoever Obama picks as running mate, it will be a smart choice. And although a surprise, it will make sense when people think about it. :)

[Dr Ron]

9. Dick Cheney

Above are two words which debunk the idea that being VP is worthless. Of course Kerry would not be another Dick Cheney, but after Cheney there is plenty of room to have a VP who matters.

Kerry could even disagree with Obama as VP. He wouldn't do it openly, but he would have the opportunity to express his view early on, before decisions are made, and have an influence.

It is very unlikely to happen, but he would make a great VP and could do something with the job.

[YvonneCa]

10. Two more words which debunk the idea that being VP is ...

...worthless: Al Gore. ;)