The Unofficial VeepStakes Thread

[Dob Bole]

Post your favorite VP nominee here, and why.

P.S.- Rumors are in the works that Kerry is courting John McCain. Will he bite? He's said before that he hoped Kerry won the nomination....

On Edit: Had a funny thought. Kerry/McCain vs. Bush/Miller?

[TheFarseer]

1. if Kerry got McCain

They would carry every state. I'm convinced of that, well not Texas but every other state.

[Leilani]

31. Not all the REALLY conservative states

The Fundies hate McCain because he criticized Fallwell & Robertson
during his campaign in 2000.

He also criticized Bush for going to Bob Jones University.

Kerry & McCain are really really close, but I don't think Kerry would ask him.

Kerry said he'd like someone "like McCain" as Sec of Defense.

[mdguss]

2. If he'll do it:

McCain. He'd bring a lot to the ticket. My guess is he won't do it. Other Republicans that'd make good choices are: Lincoln Chaffee, Bill Cohen, and Susan Collins. Not sure any of them would jump, but it's worth thinking about.

Good Democrats: Mary Landreiu, Max Cleland, Bill Nelson, Mark Warner, Evan Bayh, Tom Vilsack, Jim Clyburn, Blanche Lincoln, Patty Murray, Diane Feinstein, Harry Reid, Roy Barnes, and others.

I'd personally choose Mary Landreiu, as she'd be really good at reaching out to moderates without upsetting the base of the party.

[kiahzero]

9. Holy crap, Lincoln Chaffee would be awesome

Mary Landreiu would be great too.

[displacedvermoter]

17. I've been saying Landrieu for months now, is a perfect Kerry

VP. But she's been on the dark side of some issues lately, like being in favor of the Bush marriage ammendment, that don't square with what I see as kerry's values.

She'd win Louisana and probably Arkansas and W. Virgina for him though, and she'd make Cheney look like the evil troll that he is!

Too far too the right, for me at least, I'm starting to fear.

[MessiahRp]

3. That might not appeal to all Dems but it damn sure would win

The Conservatives are voting for Bush because they feel they have no choice... that certainly would not only give them a choice but it would fuck Bush hard. I think it would force Bush's hand and get him to drop Cheney for Giuliani who is more liberal than his right wingers on a lot of issues but is now a populist superstar because of 9/11.

Rp

[TheFarseer]

4. Where did you hear that anyways?

If that happened that would be almost the coolest thing ever.

[Dob Bole]

5. Here is linkage:

http://slate.msn.com/id/2096568/

[Catholic Sensation]

6. My four choices

John McCain: I think he resembles the Clinton "New Democrat" very well. He's a conservative when it comes to fiscal policy, and "progressive" (re: liberal) when it comes to issues like individual's rights. He's also a funny guy, as his appearances on the Daily Show have proven. Plus, I'd love to see him debate that chickenshit Cheney.

Evan Bayh: another Clinton "New Democrat." Very articulate from what I've seen of him. Very good record on national security. Would kick Cheney's ass in a debate. He's also got good reviews from his tenure as Indiana's governor, plus his close proximity to Ohio and Michigan will help with those states in November.

Ed Rendell: I lived near Philly for this guy's entire term as the mayor, and he was the damn best mayor ever. Better than Guiliani, better than Rizzo, better than the asshole running Raleigh right now. The man is smart, he's articulate, and he could make it a landslide in Pennsylvania, and his proximity to Ohio and Michigan also help in November.

Wesley Clark: National security background again. He was captain of his debate team. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Huh? I WANNA SEE THAT DEBATE! I WANNA SEE THAT DEBATE! But in all seriousness, he's smart as a whip, has a good vision for this country, and could help Kerry in the South substantially.

[Kimber Scott]

23. McCain's My Senator

and I have to say the guy really ticks me off sometimes, but a lot of times I think he's on the right side, well the left side, or at least, the center side. Anyway, whenever I write to him, and I do a lot, he ALWAYS writes back. Now, granted what they send me are usually form letters based on his stance on whatever issue it was I was bitching about at the time, but I always get one. Always. (More than I can say for John Kyl. He hardly EVER writes back. I think over the last three years, he's written once.)

So, I had made up my mind to vote a straight party ticket from now on, but McCain has always been in the back of my head. I respect him, even when I don't agree with him, and he does his job. I really may have to vote for him when he runs for his Senate seat, again. (Assuming he will.) Of course, I don't see my vote being the one he needs to win. He's very respected throughout Arizona, and from what I see here, he seems to be as respected throughout the country. I wouldn't mind if he were VP. I don't see it happening, though. He's very loyal to the GOP.

[MessiahRp]

7. My picks would be...

I would love McCain on the ticket if only because it guarantees us victory, although I would be pretty upset if some Right Wing asshole assassainated Kerry just to get Republicans back in power...

Anyways realistically though here's my top three choices:

1. Wes Clark. I don't know why but I get the feeling he carries Arkansas and does well in Florida. Plus National Security is a big deal even if economy is the main topic of the Democratic Primaries.

2. Bill Richardson. I am just waiting for Bush to use Miguel Estrada, his HUD cabinent postings, and his immigration policies to show he understands minorities more. Richardson not only nullifies that argument he shatters it in the Southwest and helps us win Arizona which would put us over the top if we even hold the 2000 Blue States.

3. Hillary Clinton. Okay that's probably not a popular pick but she really does bring a lot of women to the table. Clinton hatred isn't going to matter because the people that hate the Clintons were going to vote for Bush anyways in 2004 and she has come across as a strong senator.

Bringing in a female can't hurt our VP chances as bad as it did in 1984 and I think she has a celebrity aura to her that has to keep us in the headlines daily which will help against the $175 mil Bush plans to have.

Rp

[TomSeaver]

10. My choices

Wes Clark: How many people in the Armed forces would actually vote for Bush with him on the ticket. Not many at all. Great defense background. Can just like Clinton deliver ARK

Bill Richardson: I know what he has said earlier about not leaving New Mexico. But its highly unlikely he would turn down the chance to be the first hispanic VP. It would mean to much to his people. Great foreign policy guy. Could help a ton in AZ, COL, NV, Fl and it would be a landside in New Mexico.

Tom Vilsack: Gov of IOWA. Very popular and well thought of throughout the Midwest. In my opinion Vilsack and Edwards are the guys who will have to lead the party.

Phil Bresden: Very popular Governor of Tenn. Considered like Edwards a flamboyant but older good looking gentlemen. Would no doubt deliver his state and maybe help in Kentucky has the southern tone to woo the people in the south.

[TheFarseer]

8. Is Bobby Kerry a real possibility?

I know he's probably not, but I've seen his name a couple places and being from Nebraska, I'd love to see it. And Kerry/Kerry is kind of catchy

[George_Bonanza]

11. Max Cleland

[Tank in Texas]

12. Not McCain

McCain would have to switch parties. It ain't gonna happen. He is already sucking up to Our President (tm) anyhow by serving on the 9/11 investigation committee. He has already campaigend for Bush.

Of course, saying positive things about Bush and the war didn't stop the General from running :-) (said with love Clarkies.)

[DaisyUCSB]

13. Bob Graham

He chaired the intelligence committee before during and after 9-11, he's likeable in a grandfatherly way yet knows his shit on all issues as a whole better than Clark or Edwards. He is the most popular politician in the most important and valuable swingstate, and would give us the likelihood of carrying it, and therefor the election. These scare tactics of saying we can't win it or we're less likly to win it than other states are empty and stupid. Only one red swingstate has a better argument that it's more winnable for JK and that's New Hampshire

[TomSeaver]

14. Its ridiculous

to say the Dems can't win FL. Its riduclous and Stupid. The Black voters and Senior Citizens are going to vote in droves.

[DaisyUCSB]

16. Thank you

and these misguided people will never tell you why it's more likely than any other states that are republican dominant and have had election reform. They completely mix seperate issues and never come out with a solvent, realistic point.

[TheFarseer]

15. Bob Graham is not a good choice

I understand the FLorida thing, but seriously, his primary campaign was so bad. Gep or Clark or Edwards or Nelson if you want to go for the FLorida thing are so much beter choices.

[Dob Bole]

18. I'll go ahead and post my choices

Who do I want as VP? Someone who could rid us of Bush. The folks I like are:

Bob Graham
Dick Gephardt
Wesley Clark
John Breaux
John Edwards
Sam Nunn

But hey, I'll take Bayh/Biden/Clinton/Mayor McCheese/Zell Miller as long as we still win.

[dave29]

19. I just heard on News 8 here in Austin - Lloyd Doggett on the list

I was frankly, stunned. But then I started thinking...

targeted for redistricting by Tom Delay
Liberal Texas Democrat - beloved here in Austin
Anti-War - in fact helped lead the anti-war movement in Congress

Good way to sow up the base. And after all, this is going to be a partisan election.

Still not sure what to make of it, but very interesting nontheless...

[Dob Bole]

20. I never heard of Lloyd Doggett

but he sounds awesome. His name is Lloyd Doggett.

[dave29]

21. He is awesome

http://www.house.gov/doggett/bio.htm

Representing the 10th District of Texas since 1995
Member, House Committee on Ways and Means, Health Subcommittee, and Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee
Co-founder, House Information Technology Roundtable
Member, Congressional Task Force on Tobacco and Health
Ranked for past 6 years as a top deficit hawk by the non-partisan Concord Coalition for his commitment to ensuring fiscal responsibility and maintaining a balanced federal budget
Consistently ranked as a top treasury guardian by the independent government watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense, with #1 ranking among House Members in 2002
Recognized by SafePlace for 20 years of commitment to reducing domestic violence (1997)
"Award of Appreciation for Outstanding Achievement" from the Sierra Club of Austin for "consistent and tireless dedication to the preservation of the environment" (2000)
"Friend of the National Parks" by the National Parks Conservation Association for 3 consecutive Congressional sessions (1996-2002)
"Public Interest Champion" by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (2003)
"Friend of the Earth Award" from Friends of the Earth (2002)
"Best of Austin Award" by The Austin Chronicle (2003)
Freshman All-Star "by a landslide" in Washingtonian magazine's 1996 Congressional rankings
JUDICIAL SERVICE
Justice, Texas Supreme Court, 1989-1994
Chair, Supreme Court Task Force on Judicial Ethics, 1992-1994
Outstanding Judge in Texas, Mexican-American Bar of Texas, 1993
Adjunct Professor, University of Texas School of Law, 1989-1994
James Madison Award, Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, 1990
First Amendment Award, National Society of Professional Journalists, 1990
TEXAS SENATE SERVICE
Started serving in the Texas State Senate, 1973, at age 26 and served until 1985
Senate author of 124 state laws, and Senate sponsor of 63 House bills enacted into law, including
- Texas Commission on Human Rights to prohibit discrimination in employment;
- Outlawing "Cop Killer" bullets and strengthening Crime Victim Compensation Fund;
- Generic Drug Law to allow the purchase of less expensive "generic drugs";
- Standards for Medicare supplemental insurance policies; and
- Texas Sunset Act, requiring periodic review to modify or abolish ineffective state laws and bureaucracies
Outstanding Young Texan, named by Texas Jaycees
Arthur B. Witty Award for outstanding achievement in human rights, Austin NAACP
Honored by Austin Rape Crisis Center (now SafePlace), Planned Parenthood of Austin; Austin chapter, American Institute of Architects; Austin Council on Alcoholism; and Disabled American Veterans


For starters

[TomSeaver]

22. Doggett makes no sense

even with him we can't win TX

[dave29]

24. I'm just saying what I saw

on the TV - take it for what it's worth.

:)

[Dob Bole]

25. MACROpolitics, my friend...

We don't need someone who can necessarily win their state. A rural populisty-type person could do us good across several states.
But I doubt he'll be the VP. Because I don't know who he is.

[Poiuyt]

26. Colin Powell

I heard someone on TV tonight mention him as a longshot. I don't believe it, but wouldn't it be funny?

[Dob Bole]

28. It would be awesome...

But would never happen. He eventually became complicit in Boosh's foreign policy.

[earthsea wizard]

27. Tom Harkin

Excellent progressive credentials
Sits on the Home Security Council
Navy Vet
Authored the Americans with Disabilities Act
Senior Dem on Veteran Affairs
Midwesterner

[VolcanoJen]

29. Oh, how I hate the "VeepLust" phase of the campaign.

Ohferchrissakes, we're 17 WEEKS away from the convention!

To announce a nominee before 15 weeks out would be unprecedented. It would rock, but it would be so unusual that the event is unlikely to happen.

Kerry will need a nice bounce going into the convention, because coming out of it, we'll get another sweet bounce before the late, late Bush/Cheney September bounce. I think we should milk this thing and keep 'em guessing.

That won't quash the pundit talk, of course, but enough already with VeepTalk.

My opinion only; I want Edwards but I'm taking a wait-and-see-and=-be-patient approach,
Jennifer

[w4rma]

30. Sen. John Edwards and Sen. Max Cleland (n/t)

[waldenx]

32. I hope for Feingold

but I know it will be Breaux.

[LeftCoast]

33. Bill Richardson of New Mexico

He's the latino governor of a swing state who has so much foreign policy experience that Bush actually had him deal with North Korea when things were hot.

[BringEmOn]

34. Crazy

I know Kerry is running away from "liberal" like Gore ran away from Clinton, but running out of the party is insane.