I think the VP is going to be Gephardt or Richardson

[ringmastery]

Kerry is going to be thinking strategically about which states the VP helps him in.

He'll get a lot of press picking Richardson. It will energize hispanics in New Mexico, Arizona Nevada and possibly make even Colorado competitive.

Gephardt solidifies labor support in the midwest. He helps in Iowa and Michigan, but the only reason Kerry will pick Gephardt is for Missouri. If he can get Kerry Missouri, only Missouri, Kerry doesn't have to win another red state to win the election. All he has to do is hold the 2000 Gore states. Picking up WV, NH, and possibly Florida, or Arizona would just be icing on the cake.

Edwards is young and telegenic but he won't be able to deliver Kerry any southern states. He couldn't even win North Carolina. Kerry said so himself.

[ThomWV]

1. I'd Buy Richardon, but you forgot Graham

For a long time I thought either Richardson or Graham made a lot of sense, but I still think the very best second choice would be Clark.

[ringmastery]

2. What states does Clark deliver?

Graham is old and boring, sadly. Kerry needs someone more dynamic. Also, I don't think Graham helps that much in Florida. He burned a lot of bridges with republicans who crossed parties in the past to support him with his harsh attacks against Bush in his presidential campaign.

[polpilot]

26. The Carlyle Group selected Evan Bayh...I believe.

Dean '04..

[NewYorkerfromMass]

29. Many. He is now a national figure. His supporters are legion.

Clark's the guy. I am 100% sure he will be. He will deliver many states beyond Arkansas. Many people love him.

[lucidmadman]

3. I'd go for the Gepster. Richardson....

...maybe not so much. Wasn't there some problem about stolen 'atomic secrets'?
It's gotta be someone who can appeal to middle-aged male swing voters IMO. I'm thinking Max Cleland should be on the 'short list'.

[OHdem10]

20. Yes there were problems

at the Energy Department and he testified"we were asleep".

I do not know how to say this--Is he well-known and highly re in the Hispanic community ? I had no idea he was Hispanic until someone said so.If he is, then he could probably help with Hispanics. Hispanics are savvy enough to understand if the party is pandering or if the appointment is someone they care about and respect.
I have idea as to the answer here.

My impression from seeing him on TV--Centrist Personified. We Democrats have to cut taxes--have to cut taxes--have to cut taxes.

[LandOLincoln]

22. Yes, he's Hispanic. His mother was from a prominent Mexico City

family and his father an American banker or businessman, IIRC.

And he's very popular here in New Mexico--won the governorship in a landslide against a young, handsome, native New Mexican Repub named John Sanchez.

He's been good for the state so far, and we ain't letting him go, nor does he want to go. Says it's the best job he's ever had, and he's promised to finish out his four years. He has two years to go.

[sistersofmercy]

25. Yes but...

think about the achievements for your fine state that he could possibly accomplish as the VP. I love your state btw, I was there in November. I've traveled around quite a bit and I have to say the people of NM are the nicest people I have ever met. It's a very spiritual place with a fantastic vibe. I can't wait to come back and visit, I'll probably be there again this June.

[LandOLincoln]

30. Best come earlier--April or May--or later

if you can. October/November are fantastic months here, but the spring days are often windy and dusty, and June marks the beginning of the summer heat, which can be fierce. But of course you're welcome whenever you come. :toast:

[lucidmadman]

24. I've heard he's a great negotiator and diplomat...

...able to deal from a position of strength without alienating people. Maybe more of a State Dept. kinda guy than a VP.

[LandOLincoln]

32. Exactly. He can take over the SecState position from Clark

when Wes wins the presidency in 2012 (or 2008 if Kerry decides he's had enough).

[Granite]

4. I've been hearing Mark Warner

of Virginia. But I think Bill Richardson would be a good VP as well for all of the reasons you suggest. I'm not sure about Gep - I respect him, but he is old-guard - we need to move the Party forward. Edwards would make a great AG!

For all the anti-Kerry Dems, imagine 4 more years of a lame duck John Ashcroft. </shudder>

[Padraig18]

10. Warner makes the most sense.

Richardson will NOT be VP, for the same reason Hillary won't be--- they have both said repeatedly and in unrquivocal English that even a 'slow' 3rd-grader could understand that they want to finish their terms in office. I take both at their word.

[LandOLincoln]

19. Yes, indeedy, and he said it again on Hardball the other night.

Of course a smirking Matthews clearly didn't believe him.

But I'll tell you something: if he so much as makes a move in that direction, I'll join the thousands of other New Mexicans who will surround the Governor's Mansion in protest--and to make sure he doesn't go anywhere. :bounce:

[revcarol]

35. I would protest Richardson leaving...but not because I love him.

He is good for New Mexico so far, after the total disaster of 8 years of a libertarian.

But nationally, he is rabid for free trade like NAFTA. And I don't forgive him for firing Wen Ho Lee, when he knew he was INNOCENT, and subjecting him to months in prison in leg irons, and seldom able to see his family.Don't think the Democratic Party wants to go down this picking on someone because of his race/ethnicity.Think Richardson wants to wait until Domenici retires/dies and become Senator, as a stepping stone to higher office. Maybe by then, enough people will have forgotten his past.

[King of New Orleans]

34. Put me down as leaning to Warner too.

Warner has made a genuine effort to spur investment in rural and small town Virginia, and while his efforts haven't be totally successful (hard to create many jobs when the overall economy is losing them) his efforts have been viewed as sincere and have strengthened people's view of the state government as a potentially positive force.

[eileen_d]

5. Place your bets!

Gephardt:
http://us.newsfutures.com/market/market.html?symbol=GEPVPYES
Richardson:
http://us.newsfutures.com/market/market.html?symbol=GBRVPYES

Although I thought I read on DU somewhere (not that that's an indicator of absolute truth, LOL) that Richardson was committed to staying in office as governor. Can anyone confirm?

[ringmastery]

8. It looks like Richardson is at least thinknig about it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/14/politics/campaign/14VEEP.html?hp

Bill Richardson of New Mexico has already begun asking people if he should accept it, suggesting he thinks it could be his.

[LandOLincoln]

21. Snarky article, at least vis-a-vis Clark and Richardson.

In fact Clark (and Richardson on Hardball, by calling for the party to rally around Kerry) both moved to squelch the Sludge piece before it went anywhere, Clark most especially since Sludge had included Clark in his attempted hit.

In fact, I'm thinking it may have been a set up--Clark & Kerry set Rove/Drudge up--very neatly too--and those fools fell for it hook line & sinker. (And just look at the success of the Clark/Moore/Kerry "strategery" re the AWOL story.)

Buy stock in Depends, folks--Karl's gonna be buying a lot of 'em.




Edited to take out the bounce. It was early & I needed something to wake me up, but now it's just annoying the hell outta me.

[sistersofmercy]

27. Yep...

I agree with you that it is a real possibility. I hope so because it would be a brilliant move.

[Padraig18]

12. Yes, he has said so unequivocally.

I've heard the words from his own mouth. So has Hillary.

[ludwigb]

6. Anybody have any video of Richardson?

So I can see him in action? I've never actually seen the guy on camera.

I think Gephardt and Edwards would be good choices as well. However, I'm not sure regional identification is quite as important as ethnic identification. If Richardson can turn out Hispanics and help carve out a place for them at the party table, that would be an enormous service to the future of the Dem party. However, this is easier said than done--in Texas we thought the Sanchez/Kirk campaign would make for a massive minority turnout and we ended up getting soundly beaten. Let's hope this Richardson guy is as good as you'll say.

[kodi]

7. gephardt would help in missouri, & afterwards as a vp who knows congress

gephardt would help with unions, working class and elderly, but the best is that he would deliver missouri, and as you state, that is the only additional state kerry would need to win the presidency.

gephardt's ties with "old labor" with strong activist bases(heavy industries like steel, auto, and coal mining) found predominantly in the midwest tier, west virgina and pennsylvania would also solidify these areas as labor would be very active in support of a kerry/gephardt ticket.

more importantly, gephardt brings to the table a quarter century of experience with congress and for a democratic president to sucessfully impliment his policy initiatives, he must get them thru congress. there, gephardt would be very useful to a democratic adminstration, and more useful than any other potential vp candidate mentioned.

[sadiesworld]

9. I wonder

about the idea that a primary is indicative of which states a candidate can carry in a GE. It seems to me that primary voters are hardcore supporters (and in this case desperate to find the electable alternative to Bush). Whereas the GE will be about attracting moderates, independents,etc.

[Armstead]

11. If you love the DLC you'll love Richardson

Richardson is the DLC personified. If you like that sorta thing, you'll be thrilled. If you don't prepare to have your nose rubbed in centrism.

Gephardt would be a good candidate in terms of balancing positions. My only concern would be that he's kinda tired.

[polpilot]

28. It'll be a fight between the DLC & The Carlyle Group to select this spot.

...with, of course, Rove as the puppeteer!!! Jim Baker will have to be consulted by his good friend John Kerry, also.

Dean '04...

[HFishbine]

13. With God as my witness

There's no way I'd vote for a ticket that includes the author of the IWR.

[Tinoire]

23. You and millions of other Progressives n/t

[mgc1961]

14. It better not be Gephardt.

If he's the VP candidate with Kerry I will surely vote third party.

[sistersofmercy]

15. I believe MO will go to Kerry in the GE without Geppy being the VP

I don't think Geppy's going to get that slot. Richardson looks good to me I also think Clark or Edwards would be a good choice.

[goclark]

16. No Gepharpt

Not for me. Pleeeeeeeeese no Geppie.
I was bored to tears with him during the debates.
Anyboody but Geppie........please!

[sistersofmercy]

18. He won't get it....

Geppy's actually a personable man, definitely better interacting with people than giving speeches to them.

[texasmom]

17. Not Gephardt

I think the vp will be chosen to pull in the swing voters. Labor will be with the Dems anyway.

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[West Coast Democrat]

33. It's gotta be someone who will help Dems in the South

We've got several Senate seats up for grabs. Clark or Edwards would be the best move....and I personally like Clark.

[poskonig]

36. I agree. Wes, Edwards, or even Max or Graham.

:kick: