I was at lunch at a pizza place near here today, and the news was on CNN. They announced that John Kerry would be making his vice presidential nominee known “in the next few days.” This is pretty early – a month from the convention, but it should give him a nice news cycle here in June, getting some front page attention in the media and all.
I thought I’d pose the question to the teeming folkitude, and see what you all think: is announcing the veep this early a good idea?
And who do you all think it’ll be?
I’d say Warner, Edwards or perhaps Clark or Nelson. And yeah, good idea.
How about Governor Richardson from New Mexico? I’ve heard his name bandied about. He’s pretty well known…and he’s hispanic, which might help a lilly white boy like Kerry, as far as bringing in the minority vote (not that democrats need help in bringing in the minority vote, at least not the hispanic vote).
Only down side for that is, I’ve heard Richardson might want to run for President himself soon…thats the word in the state anyway.
We can play a drinking game - let’s all make guesses at their where their outrage will be directed, and whoever wins… um… takes a shot. OK, so it isn’t a very good drinking game. But still.
I’m putting my money on “panning to minorities” - a longshot, but could pay off.
If Richardson hadn’t been such a horrible Energy secretary, overseeing the era of security leaks and the like, he’d probably be a shoo-in. At this point, though, he’s tainted goods. However, give him another four years in New Mexico to clean up his reputation (provided he does well), and he’d be a very viable vice president.
CNN (and others) screwed the pooch – he didn’t say any such thing. He said he’d be naming a campaign chief in the next few days. The next question was a joking one to the effect that Kerry had called the show to announce his VP choice right there on the show. Kerry jokingly replied, “Yeah, absolutely. That was my plan, and let me see now, I’ll run through the list.” He subsequently made it clear that he was still in the process and demurred on timing.
Tom Vilsack’s chances went down the toilet when it turned out that he’d actually hurt the ticket in Iowa, where he’s the Governor.
First, I’m not sure that Dean would accept a VP slot, and, secondly, Kerry’s choice (whoever it may be) will most likely be from the Midwest or the South, not New England.
Richardson keeps saying that he has no interest in being Vice-President. I see no reason not to believe him at the moment. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if he agreed to be a Vice-Presidental candidate once he hits the New Mexico terms limits or even runs for the Presidency himself.
Personally, I would love to see former Senator Sam Nunn. Strong on defense, appeals to the South, centrist Democrat, and generally well respected - he would certainly strengthen the ticket for me.
Unfortunately, I haven’t heard his named mentioned at all (except on this message board).
My guess is that it will be Edwards. Again, appeal in the Southern states, quite charismatic, and should be able to hold his own in the veep debate(s).
No. I’m not sure if you mean it or not, but even Dean said (some months back) that it wouldn’t make sense. By the way, the thing you linked to is a list of the 64 contenders for CNN’s Veepstakes thing. Most of them were probably never even considered.
I am certain that the Republican Party leadership, consisting as it does of mature, reasonable, and responsible U.S. citizens, will grant that Kerry and his running mate would make a fine President and Vice-President, but will offer serious, cogent, and intelligent reasons why their team would be better. These reasons will not in any way, shape, or form consist of slander, specious reasoning, or five second sound bites taken out of context.
I was thinking The Incredible Hulk might be a good VP choice. IH is well liked and would be widely accepted as strong on security.
OTOH, IH would tend to overshadow Kerry, being 6 foot wide and green and all, which could be a liability in the battleground states.
I think a folksy, likeable candidate would be best. Someone with strong credentials exciting bipartisan interest, someone we can all think of as our friend.
No. I’m not sure if you mean it or not, but even Dean said (some months back) that it wouldn’t make sense. By the way, the thing you linked to is a list of the 64 contenders for CNN’s Veepstakes thing. Most of them were probably never even considered.