Is it Gephardt? (VP per US News Washington Whispers)

[chimpymustgo]

This short blurb in the magazine:

-snip-

Is it Gephardt?
Labor leaders believe union friend Rep. Dick Gephardt has the inside track to be Sen. John Kerry 's vice president. We hear that AFL-CIO execs say it's a done deal.

-snip-

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/040621/whispers/21whisplead_2.htm

[Tom Rinaldo]

1. Well if that's the case...

I'll just have to try endlessly repeating "He's not a free trader, he's not a free trader, he's not a free trader..." But he was a WIMP standing up to George W. when it really mattered (yeah I know, he hasn't always been a wimp) and I don't know if I will ever get over the image of Gep standing in the Rose Garden by Junior, wearing his "hawk" costume.

[I thought so.]

17. Oh BOO HOO.

Here is some tissue. Grow up and study politics.

24. oh Poo Poo

Here's a backbone. Stay young at heart, and study ethics.

Gep is a politician's politician, we need a man/woman of the people.

[The Zanti Regent]

2. blah blah blah blah

The Nazi Republican Press whores never shut up.

[chimpymustgo]

6. Hah! Reality check...

Kerry can do SOOOOO much better.

[spooky3]

39. any "report" that is a question, "backed up" with "we hear they say

that..."

is just gossip.

[Nimble_Idea]

3. This is coming from a union leader

lol, who else would he want.

If it is indeed Gep who gets the Nod, then we will all know Kerry went the Labor route.....but then again, I will look at it, as a Gore picked Lieberman mistake.......Kerry would make this race so much harder to win.......god he better not.

[bushalert]

4. Good pick!

Gephardt will make a great VP! Oh. & Mo. will go into the blue column with Gephardt on the ticket.

[Stuckinthebush]

12. MO, yes...but OH?

Why does Gep make Ohio a definite Blue state?

[I thought so.]

19. Union votes.

Gep has always fought for the working man. Ohio has lost over 300,000 good jobs.

[chimpymustgo]

20. Edwards is extremely popular in Ohio - proven with votes.

And how many of those 300,000 workers will ONLY vote for Kerry if Gephardt is on the ticket? You can bet the unions will work JUST as hard for Kerry, without Gep being on the ticket. We have to appeal to swing voters.

Kerry/Edwards '04. And beyond.

[cosmokramer]

37. Bull crap! That is a complete falsehood!

Edwards was by no means 'extremely popular proven with votes'. Name one congressional district in Ohio that Edwards won in the primary election...you can't because he didn't even come close...ANYWHERE in Ohio. In fact, Kucinich came within 1.8% of beating him in the 10 CD.

http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/results/03-02-04.htm

I am not a Gephardt person, but Ohio is absolutely ape shit for him--something they are not for Edwards. Gep is a certifiable ICON to the unions here.

Of all the candidates in Ohio, Clark and Dean are the only two who met their delegate requirements, and Gephardt came in a very close 3rd behind Dean. Edwards (and Kerry) had the FEWEST elected delegates, and by far the fewest delegate candidates. So don't assume that because the race in Ohio was essentially down to only Kerry and Edwards by the time Ohio's primary rolled around that Edwards somehow was 'popular' in Ohio or did well in Ohio. He didn't. Kerry cleaned his clock.

[cosmokramer]

38. Ohio ADORES Gephardt...

...I personally don't think he should be the VP, but the man is worshiped here.

[loyalsister]

15. Dream on

Gep is not so dearly loved in MO that his presense on the ticket turns the state blue. He only represented a small part of St. Louis. He's also anti-choice and I hate the SOB

[I thought so.]

21. Well ,

you really have an opinion. Biased as it is. Union people love him and they can really make the difference. They are a strong force in politics.

[leyton]

22. Is there any specific polling that supports this?

Gephardt has never run statewide in Missouri for Senate or Governor, let alone President. When would he have turned the state blue?

[Timefortruth]

27. There are no guarantees, just ask Al Gore.

Missouri is almost impossible, regardless of who is on the ticket.

[bluestateguy]

5. I really hope not.

I see no value to adding him.

Novak says that Vilsack is the top contender. I like him a little better, but Edwards or Clark remain my top choices.

[boobooday]

7. Gephardt?

I'm hearing a lot about Edwards still . . .

http://www.wgoeshome.com

[Onlooker]

8. Could be a good choice

I like Gephardt politically for the most part, but am not sure he'll bring many additional votes. Then again, he's popular among seniors, which could help in Florida and among union people, which could help in the midwest, plus he has a gay daughter and a German last name, which might appeal to some white Republicans.

Edwards is more hip, but he's a trial lawyer, which the Repugs will use against him, perhaps by using footage of Reagan. Also, the south is so far gone, I'm not sure if Edwards can really have enough of an impact. But, if Kerry thinks he has a chance of making inroads in the south, then Edwards is the obvious choice.

If Kerry chooses either one, watch how the Republicans will try to demonize the word liberal.

[DrBB]

9. Dull as dishwater. Uninspired. Insipid. Cautious. Safe. Backward-looking.

It will help establish Kerry as a man with no boldness, no imagination, no vision. Just what we need. Great choice.

[chimpymustgo]

10. Sadly, I agree with you completely.

I do hope Kerry shows us his strength and imagination by making a better pick.

[checks-n-balances]

16. I agree, and Kerry CAN make a better pick with Clark

Maybe those two will bury the hatchet and win this thing!

He is a VERY FAST LEARNER with military background but not a hawk. And being a southerner may be helpful; believe me, the south isn't 100% right wing!

[Jai4WKC08]

34. What hatchet?

Kerry and Clark get along fabulously well. I hope you haven't been listening to RW trash like Drudge (and all the people who copy his crap without looking at the more accurate reporting that's been done).

[wurzel]

32. Didn't Gephardt oppose NAFTA?

Wasn't he the most supportive Congressman of unions? Do you think that if working people are to get off their knees here they need unions to do it? I can't see any other VP choices who have any idea of the historical role of unions in producing what was once the most affluent working class in the world. What better voice than Gephardt's?

[Drifter]

11. Please NO !!!

The beginning of the end with Gore was his VP pick.

The pick must make people say "... hmmm ... thats a great pick" instead of "Liebermann ... who the Fuck is he ?"

I believe McCain would be one of the first (I have great respect for McCain). And that would come from both sides of the isle. I am more surprised that Kerry is actually persuing it.

I like Edwards for the #2 spot.

Cheers
Drifter

[The Backlash Cometh]

14. I agree.

If Lieberman has a lesson for Kerry, it's that he needs to pick a Democrat who will know how to fight when it counts.

[wildmanj]

13. Is it Gephardt?

after all the bull there is but one man who can move to center over to kerry and guess what----ITS EDWARDS----:kick: the reTHUGlican out

[I thought so.]

18. I like John but,

the trial lawer is a ball and chain.

[cosmokramer]

44. No, it isn't.

Edwards offers nothing but a nice smile. I am no fan of Gephardt, but at least he would chew the face off of Dick Cheney in a debate.

[WI_DEM]

23. I've believed this could happen for a long time

because of what Kerry himself has said he wants in a VP: Someone with strong experience--Gep has nearly 30 years in Congress including a stint as Minority Leader. And someone who has served the party faithfully--probably no one has done more fundraising and traveled the chicken dinner and peas route supporting democratic candidates than Gep.

Still, can't say I would be overly pleased by this selection and the country would give it one big yawn.

25. Oh for Christ's sake!

What does Gephardt bring to the table? Who will say, "Oh, Kerry picked Gephardt? I was going to vote Bush, but now I'll have to change all that."

Who will be swayed by the Gep that won't already vote for Kerry?

[Timefortruth]

26. Now that is one seriously boring ticket.

I really admire Gephardt and strongly hope he is given a marque position in the Kerry administration, but not VP. If this happens there will be two congressional records for Republicans to exploit, and us defend against. It adds nothing.

Edwards was just too charismatic for Kerry, the one thing Kerry can count on with Gephardt won't outshine him, ever. Kerry shouldn't feel so threatened and just go with the candidate who will add most to the ticket.

[onefreespiritedchick]

46. Both boring and depressing...

Absolutely nothing to get excited over. I certainly hope this isn't true. Edwards is definitely the best choice.

[Timefortruth]

52. You're right, it is sort of the all ABB ticket.

The reason to go to the polls is negative, not positive. That may not be a means to energize the base.

[newsguyatl]

28. i've always believed it was gephardt

i'm telling you guys, this deal was sealed back during the iowa caucuses...

how do you think kerry won?

[mzmolly]

30. We just cross posted.

:hi:

Wow, what a bitter pill if that's the case. :(

[chimpymustgo]

31. Hey newsguy - is this gut feeling or inside info?

And what exactly was the "deal" during the Iowa caucuses?

[janx]

53. Vote swapping. n/t

[chimpymustgo]

55. I really do not believe this, without some verfication.

SOME kind of source, other than "a feeling".

[spooky3]

40. evidence? this just isn't consistent with what happened.

[AntiCoup2K4]

54. That will be my assumption if Gep is picked

And Kerry would lose my vote as a result.

[mzmolly]

29. That's what newsguy said a month or so ago? He's been right before.

:shrug:

*gulp* Gephardt?! Mixed feelings on this, but I will look at his strong record on Labor with enthusiasm.

[PurityOfEssence]

33. That would throw the election away

Many swing voters are anti-union, and he's as old-timey as you get. He's got a legislative record that can be cherry-picked and distorted better than most, he's got absolutely zero charisma and he will bring nothing. He won't bring the South, and he probably can't even bring his own state.

This would be the worst of both worlds: he wouldn't help enthuse the progressives or radicals, and he'd turn off people who have trouble with the old-guard tax-and-spend liberals. He brings absolutely nothing, and he turns off some voters; he's a net loss candidate, and it doesn't make a lick of sense.

This is about the stupidest thing the party can do, and they've amply proven their capacity for that in the past.

Please let it be not so. Hell, he couldn't even get better than fourth in a neighboring state with a full-court press; what are people thinking?

Let's hope this is just a red-haired herring.

[TheStateChief]

35. I've thought for months it would be Gephardt...

Not because he brings a state (Missouri) or an important constiuency (labor) or because he has a long-term presence as a party leader. I think it all comes down to Kerry liking the guy and being comfortable with him. I think that's important to Kerry.

[cybildisobedience]

36. maybe winning should be important to Kerry

It's only the most important election of our lifetimes -- maybe he could pick someone who WOULDN'T be the human equivalent of an anchor.
Posters above are right = Gep adds nothing but boredom.

[Scoopie]

41. So basically, Kerry DOES intend to ignore the

South, if this info is true (BIG "IF").
There really isn't any unions to speak of down here and Missouri, while right next door, really doesn't have much in common with the swing states of the South.

God, I'm tired of vanilla and Democrats thinking this is 1991 when they could actually win on a domestic issue. *sigh*

[salonghorn70]

45. The South

Well, I also want a strong campaign in the South. I agree that Gephardt may not be the best candidate in the South and border states. You know, I've read some stuff that says that Kerry just feels comfortable with Gephardt. Kerry certainly has the right to pick someone he feels comfortable with. I do think that Clark or Edwards would be better candidates in the South.

42. Gephardt doesn't bring Labor!

What, Unions are going to support Bush?

Never.

If Kerry needs Gephardt to bring in Labor Unions, we are screwed, blued, and tattooed.

Whatever Union strengths Gerphardt could add as VP, Kerry could win by presenting Gep as Labor Secretary. Just announce your ideal cabinet at the nomination.

I don't know who Kerry will pick, but think about who adds a missing ingredient to the ticket that can't be added with a cabinet position.
the way Kerry has been moving his campaign, I wouldn't be surprised if he chose someone who would add nothing, but would detract nothing. Sort of a "First, do no harm" mentality.

Whomever Kerry picks will say a bit about how Kerry perceives his own strengths and weaknesses.

I hope Kerry doesn't think he needs Gephardt to beat Bush

[cosmokramer]

47. One thing you are forgetting...

...although labor will vote for Kerry no matter what, if labor is actually ENTHUSIASTIC about someone (as they most definitely are about Gephardt), the brothers and sisters of the unions will WORK their asses off spreading the word and getting the ticket elected.

I hope it is not Gephardt for the simple reason Kerry polls worst against the Preznit on issue of security. But I won't cry about it being Gep...it does have its advantages.

50. Not forgotten...

I just think that Unions would be happier with Gep as Labor Sec. than as VP.

I didn't support him in th primaries, but it seems as if Clark is the smart choice for VP.

[cosmokramer]

51. I agree with you on that...

...Clark would be the smartest choice with the climate of the election being Nat. Sec.

I think Gephardt was BORN to be labor secretary and there is absolutely no one I can think of who would be better at it. The labor unions would prefer him as VP, but will definitely take him as SecLabor. The problem with that is how do you announce an appointment to SecLabor, a cabinet position, when you haven't yet won? The idea of Gep as VP would be something that could really motivate the union ground troops to help get out the vote for Kerry, but I also believe there is a way to get the SecLabor leak to the union heads.

[Hippo_Tron]

43. Gephardt doesn't meet the constitutional requirements

12th Amendment

The Vice President must meet all of the qualifications for President. He must also have clearly visible eyebrows.

49. I think it also says

something about "you must not be able to draw the candidate's skin and the hair with the same crayon"

I think that was the 2nd addendum to the 12th amendment, but don't quote me

[incapsulated]

48. Well, I had a feeling since he dropped out of the primaires...

That he would be the eventual VP, no matter who won. I don't know why, just a feeling.

Not a good one, either. Gep is dull and yesterday's news.

But they may be thinking if they can wrap up all the blue states and take Ohio, they're set. In the end, all that matters is winning to me.

:shrug: