Is Kerry going to pick Gephardt ?

[kentuck]

Are you surprised that Gep is still in the running at this late stage? That may be an indication that he is the favorite - just being mentioned with Edwards? It could be "payback" for the old boy network that exists in the House and Senate? It may have been pre-determined many months ago?

Perhaps we should get used to the idea? It might be Gephardt? If it is, how many people will desert Kerry? Although Gephardt's better days are behind him, in my opinion, I will have no choice but to accept Gephardt, but not just as enthusastically....

[lancdem]

1. I hope not

I would be quite disappointed.

Edit: I just thought of something - could it be Clark? The fact his name is never mentioned could be a clue.

[Goldmund]

4. Could it be me?

:lol:

[Bucky]

19. I'm pretty sure Clark's out of the running.

I've been hoping for Edwards. Gep is just so... uninspiring. With Virginia and North Carolina amazingly still competitive (while one-time presumedly "swing states" Arizona and Colorado out of the running) I would think Edwards is the best guy around. He manages to be simultaneously both more progressive and more moderate than Gep. He's certainly a better campaigner.

And what states would Gep bring along with him? Sure as hell not Missouri--there's a reason he's always stayed in the House. People in Kansas City, Jefferson City, and the farm counties just don't cotton to big labor St Louis types. Never have. Gep might help in Ohio and Pennsylvania, which are must-wins for us. But even there I think Edwards would help just as much.

And Vilsack? I could read a book on that man and still wonder who the heck is Vilsack.

[iamjoy]

2. I Won't Desert Him

But I don't see how picking Gephardt will help him win any swing voters.

I hope no DUers would desert Kerry over the VP choice.

But, politically speaking, I think Gephardt would be a disaster.

[Walt Starr]

10. I'd go back to undecided with a Gep Veep

Would it really affect how I vote come November 2nd?

I dunno....

:shrug:

[qazplm]

3. I personally think

if I were Kerry I would ask where do I have the best chance to take a red state away.

My answer at this point would be Ohio and WV. Given that taking those two states away would be almost 30 EV, and given that if Kerry takes Ohio and WV he will almost assuredly have taken PA and MI, and given that those four states will be enough to darn near seal a victory on election day for Kerry, I would ask who would give me the best shot at winning those 4 strong union states?

Gotta tell ya, Gephardt is as good of an answer to THAT question as Edwards. The question is, does Gephardt hurt in any of the blue states? I think the answer is no, very few people are going to NOT vote for Kerry because of Gephardt.

So, yeah, if it were my choice, Gephardt would be near the top for that very reason. Although to be honest, I can see easily credible cases made for either Edwards or Clark.

[kentuck]

6. Gephardt is safe from "surprises", I think....

Repubs would be looking for 'cases' that Edwards has handled that they think they can make hay from, but it really doesn't matter who the Democrats pick, the Repubs always go after the candidates personally - they seldom discuss the difference in the issues. That's just the way they are.

[newsguyatl]

5. i've said it here before

and i'll say it again.


i think it WILL be gephardt. i'm telling you guys, he and kerry made a backdoor deal in iowa, day of caucus.



i could be wrong, but i'd bet my savings on it.

[rumguy]

11. What kind of backdoor deal?

[Walt Starr]

16. Gep falls on his sword to take out Dean

Kerry wins the nom and names Gep Veep.

[FlemingsGhost]

15. Yeah, I figured as much.

I remember you saying it months ago, and I don't think you're wrong.

[Deb]

7. Please no

After the Rose Garden fiasco? I've never heard a good explanation for his conduct and wonder if Kerry can trust him.

Here's a link for those that don't remember-
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A35410-2002Oct2?language=printer

[WilliamPitt]

8. Read this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1846026

[shraby]

9. Actually it doesn't really matter who he picks.

The v.p. doesn't have that many responsibilities anyway. What the v.p. choice will do is either put pizzazz into the campaign or it will not, depending on who is chosen. There is no spark in Gephardt, but there is in Clark or Edwards. Everyone pretty much knows where Gephardt is on issues. Clark or Edwards will provide a sense of excitement about where this country can go from here. Both are optimistic about what we can do as a nation for our people and for the world..and it's not perpetual war. It's about bringing the current war to an end, re-establishing our ties to other countries and their people, re-establishing our pride in America, and bringing back some equity in how the working stiffs are treated.

[DaveSZ]

12. You know, I like Gep

Gephardt is more of a real Democrat on domestic issues despite his initial support for the Iraq fiasco.

He's always fought for working people his entire life, but perhaps he would help the ticket more as Sec. of Labor.

[ibegurpard]

17. Yes it does matter

Because that person is the defacto presidential nominee once the top of the ticket is gone.

[in_cog_ni_to]

13. Man, I hope not!

That ticket would bore me to tears! If "I" would be bored....think about the people who aren't political junkies! My G-d....bad, bad, bad choice.

[Cleita]

14. I have one question.

If two Washington insiders are being handed the nomination, why couldn't the DNC have just told us so and saved many of us money we really couldn't afford? It's so obvious to me that these two white men were not the choice of the majority of the people.

[Tellurian]

18. Now that would truly be depressing...

I'd rather eat lint..

[Poiuyt]

20. Gephart's not very exciting,

but he's a decent and honorable man. I think there are better choices, ones who will generate enthusiasm and excitement for the Kerry ticket, but if he pick's Gephart, I will support him.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

21. God I hope not....

I'm already going to vote for a man who said yes to giving Bush the okay to go into Iraq, but to have to vote for a man who stood behind Bush in the Rose Garden when Dems were still trying to gather votes against it, would just about crush me.