# Will John Kerry's Vice President cost him the election? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 5, 2004, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-john-kerrys-vice-president-cost-him-the-election/243672 "2004-05-05T17:24:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Otters\_We\_Love](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3da27b/32.png) [@Otters\_We\_Love](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otters_We_Love)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-john-kerrys-vice-president-cost-him-the-election/243672/21 "2004-05-05T21:25:55Z")
hmmm Someone who could carry the south charismatic Experienced Bill Clinton? Nah, Kerry would’nt have the guts. ---
**Author:** ![Calliope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Calliope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calliope)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-john-kerrys-vice-president-cost-him-the-election/243672/22 "2004-05-05T21:37:12Z")
1. General Wesley Clark or Bill Nelson. Edwards would not be a good choice. He has no foreign policy experience, no military experience (and both ARE going to be imortant, if only for perception), and there’s something that’s just too slick about him. If Kerry’s going to win, he needs the Moderate Republican vote, and either of these two could draw them. 2. Personally, I like General Clark. But I have to admit, having a “squeaky clean devout Christian” like Nelson on the ticket would have definite tactical advantages. If the Dems want to draw any of the Christian Moderate Republican vote, they should consider this. It might help to counter any anti-Catholic bias, too. Perhaps Nelson for VP and Clark in the cabinet. 3. I fear he’ll pick Edwards or Richards. Neither has anything to offer regarding foreign policy and this will be a mistake. ---
**Author:** ![aahala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e4f/32.png) [@aahala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aahala)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-john-kerrys-vice-president-cost-him-the-election/243672/23 "2004-05-05T22:08:49Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > It is generally considered a Bad Thing to have a VP candidate who is more interesting than the presidential candidate. > > How are they going to avoid that in Kerry’s case? Lieberman is still available. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-john-kerrys-vice-president-cost-him-the-election/243672/24 "2004-05-05T22:20:55Z")
Wesley Clarke brings nothing to the table; Kerry already has military experience in spades, and Clarke would just be gilding the lilly; besides, he has zero charisma. A state governor like Richardson has the executive experience to balance Kerry’s legislative background. I still like Edwards for popular support, though. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-john-kerrys-vice-president-cost-him-the-election/243672/25 "2004-05-05T22:21:40Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > It is generally considered a Bad Thing to have a VP candidate who is more interesting than the presidential candidate. > > How are they going to avoid that in Kerry’s case? Simple: Al Gore ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2004, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-john-kerrys-vice-president-cost-him-the-election/243672/26 "2004-05-05T23:53:58Z")
The one thing I know about the Veep? He won’t be McCain. I swooned for Edwards in the primary. He’s a damn fine speaker and his populist style plays well with the Democratic base. I think he’d make a very good choice. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2004, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-john-kerrys-vice-president-cost-him-the-election/243672/27 "2004-05-06T01:49:36Z")
Just out of curiosity, **saluki\_fan,** why didn’t you title this thread, “Will John Kerry’s running mate **win** him the election?” ---
**Author:** ![AZCowboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/97f17d/32.png) [@AZCowboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AZCowboy)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2004, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-john-kerrys-vice-president-cost-him-the-election/243672/28 "2004-05-06T02:30:11Z")
> [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > I selected > > Southerner > Battleground State > Military Experience > Big Name > Foreign/Defense Expertise > [@spoke-](#): > > … Sam Nunn’s name has been mentioned. Yep, I see how that fits. Nunn is an interesting underdog, and he may have appeal throughout more of the South than just Jawja. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2004, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-john-kerrys-vice-president-cost-him-the-election/243672/29 "2004-05-06T02:31:59Z")
Not only that but I pissed next to him at National Airport once. We didn’t shake hands. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2004, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-john-kerrys-vice-president-cost-him-the-election/243672/30 "2004-05-06T02:49:05Z")
A few months ago, I saw Edwards say he “wouldn’t have a problem” with raising the income tax to 80% for the highest bracket, and he thought the rates for lower brackets should be raised as well. Not that I expect to be in the 80% group, but I’m not interested in voting for a proponent of higher income taxes. Has Nader named his guy yet? If things keep going the way they are, (BOTH major party candidates losing popularity every week) Ralphie may have a chance. ---
**Author:** ![Julius\_Henry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8797f3/32.png) [@Julius\_Henry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Julius_Henry)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2004, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-john-kerrys-vice-president-cost-him-the-election/243672/31 "2004-05-06T03:00:36Z")
Dan Quayle and Spiro Agnew were both elected vice-president. How important can this selectrion really be? ---
**Author:** ![Julius\_Henry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8797f3/32.png) [@Julius\_Henry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Julius_Henry)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2004, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-john-kerrys-vice-president-cost-him-the-election/243672/32 "2004-05-06T03:11:32Z")
selection selection selection selection selection selection selection selection selection selection Really, folks, I do know how to spell. ---
**Author:** ![edwino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@edwino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/edwino)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2004, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-john-kerrys-vice-president-cost-him-the-election/243672/33 "2004-05-06T05:52:57Z")
I got $2 on Bill Nelson and $2 on Evan Bayh. Although seeing Hagel or McCain on the ticket would be awesome… ---
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2004, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-john-kerrys-vice-president-cost-him-the-election/243672/34 "2004-05-06T07:30:49Z")
> [@John Carter of Mars](#): > > A few months ago, I saw Edwards say he “wouldn’t have a problem” with raising the income tax to 80% for the highest bracket, and he thought the rates for lower brackets should be raised as well. > > Not that I expect to be in the 80% group, but I’m not interested in voting for a proponent of higher income taxes. > > Has Nader named his guy yet? If things keep going the way they are, (BOTH major party candidates losing popularity every week) Ralphie may have a chance. Two birds, one stone, Nader for VP. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-john-kerrys-vice-president-cost-him-the-election/243672.md?page=1)