Kerry seeks columns from Iowa governor (Veep candidate?)

[CShine]

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Aides to presidential candidate John Kerry have asked for hundreds of newspaper columns written by Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, one of the Democrats whose backgrounds are being checked as Kerry ponders a running mate.

Vilsack wrote the weekly "Mayor's Moments" column for the Mt. Pleasant News from 1987 to 1992. He became mayor of the southeastern Iowa town of 8,700 people after a gunman opened fire during a city council meeting in 1986, killing Mayor Ed King and wounding two others.

Kerry is expected to announce his choice for vice president before the Democratic National Convention, scheduled July 26-29 in Boston. Several Democratic officials familiar with the selection process have told The Associated Press that background checks have been made for Vilsack, Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina and others they would not identify.

A former trial lawyer who was elected governor in 1998 and re-elected in 2002, Vilsack was considered by some to be a policy wonk as mayor, one who liked to explain the city's challenges to its citizens. The newspaper column urged people to participate in government, to appreciate the arts, and to recycle more often.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/kerry/articles/2004/06/08/kerry_campaign_asks_for_vilsack_columns/

[loudsue]

1. NO, KERRY, NO!! You need Wes Clark as VP!

It's looking more and more like he's not going to ask Wes to be on the ticket, and I'm REALLY feeling sad about that.

Of course, as long as he doesn't choose John Edwards, I will live with his decision.

:kick::kick::kick:

[grouchy]

2. Kerry VP will be

Sen. Clinton.

[louis c]

4. Welcome to DU

[ronnykmarshall]

5. Yeah, right.

[Walt Starr]

6. Highly doubtful

That choice is a solidification of the GOP base. No way will Kerry make that fuckup.

[Bandit]

9. Only in our dreams I'm afraid

Ain't gunna happen. :shrug: Freepers are gunna be very disappointed that they won't have someone to point their visceral hatred at.

[louis c]

3. Don't count Wes Out

General Clark does not need much vetting, he was already cleared by background checks as NATO commander. Kerry is just being thorough. This year's issues of war, terror, and international relations favor the General. I'm still betting on Clark.

[Merlin]

7. This is just standard procedure designed to flatter the contenders.

Wes Clark will be the VP nominee. Take it to the bank.

[loudsue]

8. Welcome to DU, LouisC.....and Merlin, my friend, I sure hope you're right!

From your lips to Kerry's ears!!!

And Eliot Spitzer as atty. general. We'll be able to get this country back on track with a team like that!

:kick::kick: