The vp does NOT have to be the future president. Don't decide that way.

[Bombtrack]

You're preference shouldn't be considered that way. One of the reasons Bob Graham would make such a good vp is that we would have another 4 years to vet potential presidential candidates for 2008 if we win a first term. Graham would be likely to step aside after one term and then we could have another veepstakes. Where Edwards, Clark, Harold Ford , Barack Obama(if he wins the senate seat) etc would all be eligable

[mobuto]

1. I like Bob Graham

I think he's a great Senator, and I have a lot of good friends who worked hard on his abortive campaign. But my real problem is that he has less charisma than John Kerry - less in fact than any professional politician I have ever heard of. I'm not sure if he can deliver Florida, or if that's even the battle we'll want to pick.

I don't care about 2008 or 2012 at this point. We need to focus on winning 2004. And while I'd be happy to support him, I'm just not convinced Graham's the best candidate for November.

[eissa]

12. I think he could deliver Florida

he remains a popular figure there. He is not a polarizing personality, and although not very fiery, I don't consider him as bland as Gephardt or Lieberman. And as someone pointed out below, he can barely contain his loathing of Cheney, and that would be one hell of a debate to watch as well. I really think Graham would complement a Kerry ticket very well.

[MaineDem]

2. I disagree

The Veep has to have the ability to be President. That needs to be considered. He or she is literally only a gunshot away from having the job.

[Bombtrack]

3. That isn't what I'm saying. Graham is better qualified than most of the

people being considered in the veepstakes to be president, but he doesn't have to be a future presidential candidate

[curse10]

4. Exactly

We have to always look to the future. And the VP slot sets us up with the best chance to have 16 years of Dem in the white house. We can't miss this opportunity.

[Bombtrack]

14. How does it do that at all? There is nothing to show that it wouldn't be

a better idea to not be tied down to one person on deck. There were democrats who could have likely been stronger than Gore but couldn't challenge him because of the dumb tradition of nominating the vp. We were forced to run with 1: More of the baggage of the Clinton administration, and 2: An undesirable overall person to many, many, non conservative people.

[DancingBear]

5. Yes he/she does

We are potentially looking at 16 years in the White House. If Kerry does the job we all think he will, it is imperative that the next candidate continues "in the Kerry tradition."

The VP candidate MUST be seen in this light.

[andym]

13. 16 years in the whitehouse?

Question: When was the last time that a President served 2 terms and then his vice President served 2 terms directly succeeding him as President?

Answer: Never.

Nixon came close: he was elected President 8 years after his term as vice President ended. However, he didn't quite finish his second Presidential term.

[dpgn61]

6. Outside the box

I read somewhere as a very short blurb at the end of an article on possible VP selections for Kerry, and name John McCain got tossed out. At first I thought, madness, how can a Republican be a running mate with a democratic candidate? The more thought about I thought why the hell not. McCain's a moderate what better way to appeal to disgruntled Republicans as well as swing voters. I think it could change the entire complexion of the race if both men where bold enough for something radical.

[jmaier]

7. This is silly speculation

Kerry is a hardcore party Democratic and isn't going to offer VP to McCain. McCain isn't a very progressive fellow even though he does get a few issues right. This is either total press fabrication or nice campaign disinformation. But what it isn't is REAL.

[TomSeaver]

8. One thing about Graham

you certainly will have a great debate against Cheney. Everyone knows he can't stand the guy

[mobuto]

9. Well it depends

I don't think its terribly likely, but if Kerry did pick McCain, he'd win in a huge landslide. Bush would lose the National Security vote, he'd lose the much vaunted "NASCAR Dad vote," he'd lose suburbia, he'd lose large parts of the South, and he wouldn't be able to succesfully accuse Kerry of being the most liberal Democratic candidate since McGovern, even though he is.

Now the only problems with that are, of course, that McCain has endorsed Bush, that McCain is a right-wing extremist Republican (spin to the contrary notwithstanding), and that it is generally seen as a good idea for the Democratic Party to nominate Democrats.

But McCain and Kerry are close personal friends and his endorsement aside, McCain despises Bush. Again, I think its very unlikely - but you can't really rule it out for sure.

[dpgn61]

11. Exactly my point

As unlikely and speculative as it is a Kerry/McCain ticket would have huge mass appeal. McCain would also help dissolve the "Massachusetts liberal" stigma we know we're going hear ad nausea
In spite of the fact that Kerry would seriously piss off the Democratic party mainstream, I think they would both eat Bush's lunch.

That is still the ultimate goal.

[mobuto]

10. dupe

[Spirochete]

15. A Repug VP

would make life VERY dangerous for Kerry, I fear.