IF Dean were nominated--a possible short list for VP

[CMT]

Now I say, IF Dean is nominated and since I'm supporting him I'm using this space to give some thought about who would be a good candidate to run with him. My previous choice, Bill Richardson, took himself out of the VP sweepstakes so he will not be on my list. I think these people will wind up on Dean's short list.

Wesley Clark: Retired US General leader of NATO forces in Kosovo. Very able man who could give the ticket more credibility on National Security issues. From Arkansas. Drawback: Limited political experience and past support of GOP presidents Nixon and Reagan.

Robert Graham: US Senator from Florida. Never lost an election in Florida. Well-liked. Extremely intelligent. Highly critical of Iraqi War and on National Security issues under Bush. Drawback: Doesn't inspire on the stump.

John Edwards: US Senator from North Carolina, not seeking re-election so all of his energies could be used to help the ticket. Has a Clintonesque appeal. He could appeal to a younger generation. Drawback? voted for the Iraqi war resolution.

Tom Harkin: US Senator from Iowa and leading Populist in the party. Could be very helpful in the midwest and an energetic campaigner and fierce debator. Drawback? voted for Iraqi resolution, but has since said if he had to do it over again he would have voted against it.

Mary Landrieu: US Senator from Louisiana. In her second term. An attractive candidate who went up against the Rove machine in 2002 and won. A pro-choice Catholic. From a state which seems to be bucking the GOP trend in the south of late. Drawback: Again, voted for Iraqi Resolution.

These five people would make my short list. My two favorites would be Bob Graham and Tom Harkin and I may need to flip a coin between them.

Graham would be helpful in Florida and other southern states. While he is not terrific on the stump that really doesn't matter in a VP candidate. He handles tv interviews and debates well. Has the national security credentials to help make the case to the country on Iraq. He compliments Dean on this issue since he was against the war himself. He also was a former Governor which is something voters appear to like as experience.

Harkin as noted is great on the stump and great on tv in debates and interviews, however, his style might be too much like Dean's. He is strong with liberal activists and organized labor as well as farmers--a big plus. However, if we need help holding Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota then there is a bigger problem.

In the end I think Bob Graham would be the best choice as Dean's VP.

[mlawson]

1. Edwards or Clark. n/t

[kanrok]

4. I agree

Edwards or Clark.

[Eloriel]

2. ABCK

Anybody But Clark and Kerry

Eloriel

[liberalnurse]

7. I agree.

I was very shaken when I heard Clark is a new democrat, being he voted for *bush...I'm not sure which *bush but either one would be too recent for me. Honestly, that concerns me.

Kerry would be too resentful...he'd do it but maybe like the VP Honing from West Wing....

I'm going to keep shopping now.....Maybe will hear some good feedback from this thread.

[DavidNY]

21. Clark didn't vote for either Bush...

his streak of voting for Democratic presidential candidates began at least with Clinton's first run, which was of course against Bush 1. Unless you're referring to a vote for the Reagan/Bush ticket in the 80s, but that doesn't sound like what you have in mind... I think someone may have given you a garbled version of the story about Clark's previous voting record. (He did apparently vote for Nixon and for Reagan at least once, if I remember correctly.)

[polmaven]

23. Don't forget that Bush Senior

was elected in 1988.

[LightTheMatch]

3. Bill Richardson

n/t

[CMT]

5. I'd love to have him too

but he took himself out of the race and said under no circumstances would he be a candidate for VP in 2004. But if he did, I think he would really energize the latino vote.

[Rose Siding]

20. Sad!

Richardson was my first choice. I say twist his arm! Then Landreau and Richards. Clark would be ok but he is so much more qualified for Sec of Def. Can you imagine? He's led an int'l force and knows basic economy. What a contrast to Psychofeld!

I'd just really like to have just one white guy on the ticket for the first time if there is another qualified option, ya know?

But in the final analysis, whatever it takes to beat King geo

[ComerPerro]

6. Someone a few days ago suggested Ann Richards

As a possible VP. I wish I could remember who it was.

But I thought that it was a great idea.

[CMT]

8. I like her too

but wonder if she might be better as a candidate for senate in Texas against Hutchinson.

[ComerPerro]

9. Lets get her involved somehow

She has been pretty vocal lately.

But imagine her running with (Dean in this case) against Smirk....

[CMT]

18. I would love to see her give one of the nominating speeches

for Dean. Also make her chairman of the campaign in Texas and let her loose.

[Cha]

12. When DUers use to say "Richardson" for VP.. I thought they were

talkin' about Ann Richards! My bad ..but I thought she would be a Great Asset!

[ComerPerro]

14. She and Bill Richardson both would be

Great assets to the party

[liberalnurse]

10. What about Al Gore?

Would he swollow his pride? Is it taboo to even ask?

He has experience...and that ticket would be unbeatable.

[mlawson]

15. I don't think Dean would ask him.

He would figure that Gore on the ticket would reduce his own media coverage to zip, and even more, the media whores would fixate on Gore, just as negatively as they were in 2000. I think it would be a very risky move, sad to say.

[CMT]

17. wow that has intriguing possibilities

the man who actually won the 2000 election and without a doubt a very experienced man. I actually like the thought. Would he spend another 4-8 years as VP? don't know. Maybe if it were presented to him in the right way. VP is a very important job--much more now than ever before.

Dean/Gore '04

[Cha]

11. I'd love to see Tom Harkin on the huge National stage!

From what I know of him ..he would be a gigantic plus to any situation.

[Jonte_1979]

13. Edwards

Dean/Edwards is my dream ticket.

[mlawson]

16. Yes, yes, yes, yes!

But I don't think it's gonna happen. The DNC likely has other plans....

[FauxNewsBlues]

25. Edwards won't be VP

North Carolina is trending too much for the GOP. Ya need a VP candidate who can actually bring a state to the ticket. That is why it will/should be Clark/Arkansas, Gephardt/Missouri, Graham/Florida, or even possibly Landreau/Louisiana.

We take one of those states, and it really helps out for electoral college math.

[Rider_In_The_Rain]

19. Dean has guts, let's go all the way

There are two gaping holes in his coalition: Labor and people of color. During his blitz that included Bryant Park in New York, blacks and Latinos were noticable by their absence. He has to do something about this or he's going to be hornswoggled. The labor vote is said to be Gephart's and no one else.

I think it's time for some radical rethinking toward this end. Unfortunately Al Sharpton would scare the white voters, and he's not an option. But the brilliant, charming Carol Mosely Braun most definitely is: a black woman VP. Think of it. THIUS is the Democratic Party.

[CMT]

22. Hmm...yes

she is a very appealing woman with a lot of experience. If not her then maybe Andrew Young or John Lewis???

[newyawker99]

29. Hi Rider_In_The_Rain!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Brucey]

24. I think it's best if you get a team that can get along and

work well together, like Carter and Mondale and Clinton and Gore. That means only Dean knows who would be best. But he has talked with Clark, and does know the other candidates. Who does he hang around with? Who does he trust? I like Harkin, though he doesn't have the charisma that some would like. He's a good guy with a lot of knowledge and experience.

[Pastiche423]

26. Harkin

ABC

[morningglory]

27. It is great to know we have so many excellent candidates

for a lot of the top offices and posts. Go Dems!!! Sic 'em!!

[hueyfreeman]

28. Zell Miller is a perfect Veep

Zell Miller is a perfect Veep, Don't panic....Use your Brains...popular southern Gov and Senator...Conservitive Democrat...That Damm Yankee Dean will not inspire the South or Midwest.