ABC News: Edwards will likely not be picked as VP

[Quixote1818]

They just reported that someone on Kerry's VP search commission said that National Security experience would be very important in the decision and that would eliminate Edwards. They pointed out that guys like Sam Nun, Wes Clark etc. fit the description. At this point I would not put my money on Edwards.

[KissMyAsscroft]

1. Bet its Edwards.

[venus]

80. I agree. I want Clark or Graham though. n/t

[David Dunham]

2. Nunn is conservative. The press hates Clark. Both are bad picks.

[SayitAintSo]

32. Why do you think the press hates Clark ?

I don't get it. I see it ( CNN especially ) but I don't get it.

[juajen]

50. I believe it's because they are trying to give Bush a hand.

Their non-coverage of Clark as a candidate only makes me want him more. The neocons are definitely afraid of a Kerry/Clark ticket.

edited: For "yikes" grammar or rather spelling error from the grammar and spelling police. I need to be humbled.

[AP]

51. Because seeing a General criticize Republicans on the issue of the war

and national security really hurts Bush a great deal.

[robbedvoter]

72. And we wouldn't want to hurt W, would we now?

[venus]

79. They hate Wes because he is near-perfect and

will really shake up their and Bush's base - corporate America.

[BootinUp]

82. Its like asking

why did they hate the Big Dog so much?

Its because he'll whip their butts thats why.

[Cocoa]

65. if the press's opinion counted

Kerry wouldn't be the nominee.

I don't think Kerry cares who the press likes.

[robbedvoter]

71. The press also loves W, hates Kerry - who to vote for?

Gore tried to get the press's love. Among other things, by picking Joementum.

[mountainvue]

3. Clark!

Clark! Clark! Clark! I know it.:party:

[rumguy]

4. nothing like a surprise...

I still think it could be Edwards...I hope it's Edwards...

[k in IA]

5. I don't think most of the people talking know what they are talking about.

[Justitia]

6. Sam Nunn???? Oh Nooooooo!!

Between Nunn and Geppie, I think I will die of disappointment :eyes:

Don't do it John! Resist the evil lure of the conservatives!
We know you have a backbone Senator, don't let them sway you to the dark (rightward) side!

[BootinUp]

7. Kerry himself said this months ago

Its one of the comments often cited by Clark supporters as evidence he was in the running, and Edwards was unlikely as VP.

[SenatorBulworth]

8. hey!

what if all this speculation is just o throw the press off track and Kerry picks someone totally out of left field (so to speak) :smoke:

[Gloria]

27. Yes, Jim4Wes, Kerry said his VP had to have foreign policy experience.....

after the Edwards push, we get the Nunn push....I think trying to lead people into thinking about the sort of credentials Nunn has....on the way to the Clark credentials, I hope...

Because all this crapola is getting tiresome....very tiresome.

As someone who stated here long ago that Clark had been the pick from way back, I've been on a real rollercoaster lately.....

To see this game going on, then to see Clark on TV repeatedly articulating policies that have turned up in Kerry's speeches AND also TAKING ON BUSH DIRECTLY.....what a helluva letdown if he weren't named VP.

[koopie57]

9. the good part of this story

is that they are not shoving McCain down our throats anymore, but I am hoping Edwards is picked. About Clark, I thought he had said he would not accept the role as vice president? I am warming up to him though, but I didn't think he would accept?

[lastknowngood]

10. If Kerry picks Nunn then he ain't getting none of my votes.

Sorry I hate the shrub but Nunn is just as right wing and at least as
racist. I'll have to stay home as there will be no difference between
a Nazi and a Nazi V.P. and a want ta be repug. I'm disgusted with the whole damn mess. The whole damn bunch can kiss my white ass.

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. Great News!

Sam Nun? I somehow doubt it. Wes Clark's da man!

Go Wes!

[lancdem]

12. I would take this with a grain of salt

Probably trying to make us think it won't be Edwards so it's surprise when he's picked.

[cosmokramer]

19. Yea, clever huh?

:dunce:

Be serious! The Kerry campaign has been saying this all along, and still, none of you will open your ears...

[GR]

13. Nunn Would Be A Deal Killer For Me...Almost...Cohen Was Mentioned

this morning on Imus by Snuffleupplegus...I like Cohen and think he would be pretty good, depending on his stance on abortion, which I don't know..I prefer Clark

[Jai4WKC08]

25. I sure don't get that

How could anyone who could even remotely support Clark, much less "prefer" him, think that Cohen would be "pretty good" or even acceptable???!

Cohen is the former Repub Senator who stabbed Clark in the back for carrying out Clinton's Kosovo policy. He hasn't changed his stripes.

Edited to add: Former senator. He's still a Repub.

[faithfulcitizen]

60. Cohen sucks!

Big-time! :puke:

[freetobegay]

14. For some strange reason I still think it going to be

Wesley Clark! And for good reason!

[Disturbed]

15. The Press Hates Clark?

If true, all the more reason for J. Kerry to ask him to be VP. ;)

[katusha]

39. clark wanted to roll back FCC rules

on ownership brought back to 1987 rules. he wanted to open the airwaves back up to competition. this was unacceptable to the press. clark said this after his first NH town hall when he was in the crowd and the camera was still following him. don't know if this was the reason, but the press soured on him almost immediately after.

[AgadorSparticus]

62. i didn't realize that clark wanted to shape up fcc rules. <grin>

what a guy!! i liked clark before but now...I LOVE him!! Revamping the FCC is a very important issue for me. i had also thought it was strange to see the media push edwards lately. something didn't seem right if the whores are pushing it.

[venus]

81. But the media was never really against

Edwards. They always seemed to treat him like a cream puff. Have they ever had a bad thing to say about him? Just curious.

[w13rd0]

16. I'm hoping it will be...

...someone no one here is a booster of, and definately not one of the other candidates, just so I can say nanner-nanner boo-boo to all the various boosters that have been warring with one another over the #2... ;)

[cosmokramer]

17. I told everyone here this same thing several weeks ago...

...from the Ohio chair for the campaign.

The requirements would be that the VP candidate have fp/nat sec experience--the Kerry campaign said that a long time ago.

[Kahuna]

42. Yes. The Kerry campaign did say that long ago about FP/NS experience..

Some DUer questioned me when I repeated it. I'm glad that you also remember that. :pals:

[cosmokramer]

53. And it has been more than once, and Kerry himself said it.

[xultar]

18. The USA does not deserve WESLEY K. CLARK, I hope he isn't picked

Then I can continue to be a robot and only vote. Kerry does not excite me. There is almost nothing he can do to get me to be active except select Clark.

Then I will campaign for Clark as VeeP.

[freetobegay]

20. Bush is reason enough to excite me over whoever Kerry picks!

People that cut off their nose to spite their face, go around with no nose.

[julialnyc]

21. link

VEEPSTAKES:

ABC's Dan Harris takes a look at the Sen. Kerry's Vice Presidential search. He went to Capitol Hill today and met with one contender, Rep. Dick Gephardt. Blocks away, Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack repeatedly refused to say whether he was meeting with Kerry (Vilsack SOT). Conventional wisdom seems to be settling on Sen. John Edwards (Edwards SOT). However, ABC news has learned that Jim Johnson, the man running Kerry's VP search says the nominee should have instant credibility on national security, something many feel Edwards lacks. Other names are still being tossed around, such as Sen. Graham, former Sen. Sam Nunn, William Cohen, Wesley Clark, etc. Kerry gives no hints about his preferences (Kerry SOT). "Conventional wisdom is often flat wrong on the VP search. Few predicted Al Gore, Dan Quayle, Joe Lieberman, or Dick Cheney would get the nod."
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/politics/TheNote/Evening_Newscasts.html

[Quixote1818]

24. Thanks for the transcript!

[Scoopie]

26. Hee hee

I researched that the other day - about who got all the VP press versus who got VP - and concluded that very thing: "Conventional wisdom is often flat wrong on the VP search. Few predicted Al Gore, Dan Quayle, Joe Lieberman, or Dick Cheney would get the nod."

:loveya:

[Norquist Nemesis]

64. Gephardt's not listed there

and he met with him yesterday at his office in DC (according to AP). Gephardt's name keeps coming up and has the things that are cited as qualifications in that ^^^ piece.

If it comes down to that, it doesn't add a plus in my mind...I just don't like Gephardt. But I can see the strategy of doing so. Mostly, to give strength geographically on the electoral map using MO. Again, it's just my opinion on a strategic thought process that they may or may not be considering in their selection.

[Scoopie]

22. Hot Damn!

Without further speculation on VP choices - I am glad to see the Kerry campaign's interest in foreign affairs. Sam Nunn has some issues that I am concerned with, but nothing I can't overcome. I would vote for that ticket.
And, well, we all know I'd vote for Kerry/Clark!
Both Nunn and Clark are Southern gentlemen with strong national security ties (Nunn needs to get off the Texaco board, though).

[cosmokramer]

28. Scoop, you know this is really nothing new...

...the Kerry camp has been stating their requirements for months. There are those who choose to ignore this.

One question for you about Nunn: Is he pro-reproductive rights?

[Scoopie]

29. Oh, I know it's not new

I was saying "Hot Damn" because the press is finally picking up on it! :)

Not sure about Nunn and pro-choice - I can't remember, but I'm thinking he takes a Blue Dog Dem approach: legal, but don't fund it with public money. I could be wrong about this. Can someone Google it? Or heck, I will.

[cosmokramer]

31. I know you knew...

...and I am really, really shocked that the media whores finally said something about it. Sometimes, I swear, it's like they forgot what they reported three weeks ago!

I will google too to see what I can find about Nunn...

[Scoopie]

33. NOT pro-choice

Sadly.

However, it took years to find anything about it because it's not really one of his "issues." Most of the stuff I found out about him was in regards to his various bills supporting veterans, foreign policy issues, etc.
I did find out his daughter if very pro-choice; however. LOL.

So....
Do we opt for FP experience and forgo the choice thing and hope the Dems take over the Senate; OR
Do we take not FP experience and pro-choice?

Hell... let's just get Clark. He's FP and pro-choice all the way! ;)

[cosmokramer]

35. Definitely Clark...

...I cannot support an anti-reproductive rights VP selection...we have come too far to turn back now.

Too bad Nunn is on the wrong side of this issue...I guess we will have to take the General! :P

[venus]

83. Help me out here. How is pro-choice

but not government-funded somehow anti-choice. No flame required.

[AP]

49. In NH, Clark gave multiple conflicting answers to a question about choice.

When called on it by a woman in the audience, he told her to pick an answer she liked.

Now, I believe Clark is pro-choice, and I certainly wouldn't want to run a campaign on this issue because it will just serve as a wedge among working class and religious voters who should be voting for Dems based on their econmic interests alone, but it was an example of Clark not being that great of a campaigner.

[Scoopie]

52. I watched this exchange

and, after several attempts to tell her he supported the law and the law says its legal - something she just couldn't seem to get through her head - he finally gave up. She was an obvious wingnut plant.

On the other hand, I couldn't give two flips how good a "campaigner" he is - he's more up to the actual JOB he'd be campaigning for. Besides, he's improved markedly and it's showing.

[AP]

67. I only heard about it second-hand. Does CSPAN have it?

Where and when was it?

[cosmokramer]

86. It was in early January, I believe...

...and it was at a TH meeting in New Hampshire, and the question was not asked by an audience member during the TH meeting, but in the side wings after the meeting. It was one of those pro-life bandit ladies who wouldn't take 'no, it will remain legal' as an answer. You know the type--those who sit in front of women's clinics trying to talk a patient out of going inside?

It aired, in full, on C-Span, and Clark maintained throughout the conversation that he was pro-choice and the laws regarding same would not be changed under his watch.

[Qutzupalotl]

70. Clark has always said he supported current law, Roe v. Wade.

Someone pointed out to him that current law was slightly modified by Casey, so then he started adding that to his stump speech: "I support existing law, which is Roe v. Wade, as modified by Casey." His detractors jumped on that as a contradiction. But he is consistent in saying he supports existing law and reproductive rights.

Planned Parenthood said, "We're good to go with General Clark."

[AP]

84. He didn't say, "the answer is the one you want to hear"...

...because that was what I thought was bad.

I have no doubt he's pro-choice.

[cosmokramer]

87. He said...

..."I am not going to give you that answer YOU want to hear" to the pro-life lady. I recall it vividly--she was a real persistent bitch.

[robbedvoter]

73. see "press hates Clark" - your post for explanation

[AP]

23. And if he picks Edwards, people will think, "I guess he has Nat. Sec. exp.

since Kerry said his VP would."

If Kerry d/n pick JRE it will be for other reasons, and I don't find this piece of evidence conclusive.

[Kahuna]

43. I agree. He could still pick Edwards and lie about Edwards having..

national security experience. That wouldn't suprise me.

[AP]

47. A lie woudn't work. But puffing up Edwards's committe experience would

be smart strategy.

[robbedvoter]

74. Puffing up, eh? Ain't it what we have now in the WH? Puffed up zeros?

[venus]

85. I think Kerry thinks

that he has enough foreign policy experience himself and doesn't need to augment it. I remember at a rally last fall where all of the primary candidates' representatives spoke. Kerry's daughter pointedly said the her father had more national security experience than any other candidate - bar none. She emphasized that last part. That really ticked me off. So anyway that's probably why Clark will not be selected. Just my .02.

[MallRat]

30. Things got awfully quiet about RICHARDSON, didn't they?

Popular governor from a battleground state (and maybe some appeal in Arizona, too), Energy sec'y, UN ambassador, 4-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee...

He's got good credentials in both domestic and foreign affairs.

Any good reason why his name suddenly dropped off the face of the Earth?

-MR

[Quixote1818]

34. I live in New Mexico and Richardson gets mixed reviews as Gov.

Their is a feeling that he is a publicity hound and it recently came out that he gave all his biggest contributers cushy jobs that pay big bucks. I think Richardson just has too much baggage but in general he seems like he is a decent gov.

[MallRat]

44. Interesting... thanks for the local insight.

Since his name disappeared from the veep radar, the national media probably isn't vetting him, either.

-MR

[David Zephyr]

36. I Know This Disappoints Many Good Edwards Supporters, But It's True.

Wes Clark is the choice that silences the GOP completely on the national security issue...and he brings Arkansas and possibly Missouri as well.

[Crewleader]

48. Absolutely David

Wes Clark is the strength the Kerry Administration needs for National Security and would make a excellent President if need be to fill in. Kerry would be very wise to go Clark.
If this is the case and he did pick Clark, he picked him when Clark dropped out in the primaries, my feelings only...and the way they got together saluting one another...it's a win win selection for sure.


Kerry/Clark 04 makes a Great Team! :hi:

[liberalpragmatist]

37. Maybe...but look at the BRIGHT Side (No Gep or Vilsack)

I'm still hoping for Edwards, and I think there's a strong chance. But if he's looking for national security experience then there are some pretty exciting picks other than Edwards. Clark of course, is a top prospect, and if not Edwards, then Clark is ideal. I also like Bob Kerrey and I think he could be a dark horse VP pick.

Anyway, if Edwards isn't VP, he should be AG. Many of the natl' security figures that Kerry could pick are not likely to run for President themselves later on (although Clark arguably would like to), so if Edwards is AG, he's in a good position to run in '12 as the successor to the two-term Kerry (although he may have to battle Hilary for the nod).

[juajen]

56. Me thinks a Kerry/Kerrey ticket would be a no-go

Obvious reason.

[liberalpragmatist]

61. I know, the name thing

Stupid voters would probably get confused or think that they're siblings and then get angry b/c of nepotism.

But i still think it bears consideration. And if BK emphatically states at the debate (where most voters watch) that he ISN'T related to JK it might help.

But yeah, you'r right.

[venus]

88. I like Edwards well enough,

but he seems a little too conservative to me. What with helping to author and support the Patriot Act. Plus the unequivocal support for the war bothers me. He talks a lot about equality but I'm not sure where his voting record is on the civil rights issues. Whereas Wes brings a lot of support from civil rights leaders.

[fujiyama]

38. Wasn't Sam Nunn

one of those that really opposed allowing gays to serve in the military? If I remember correctly, he gave Clinton a lot of trouble over that issue.

I don't know anything about him other than he was a senator from GA, a state that is unlikely to go for Kerry. I also get the impression he was somewhat conservative...

If it's between him and Clark, I'd much rather go with Clark. Of course, Clark is one of my top picks anyways.

[mitchtv]

40. you are correct

I thought he was dead. If he runs for VP , I will stay home. I vote for Dems who are not homophobes.

[Nicholas_J]

41. I dont think it will be Edwards.

The scuttlebutt around a lot of democratic headquarters is that Kerry will either be selecting someone from Clinton's cabinet, or someone who has had nearly as many years in congress or governmental service as hs has. A good number of Senators are pulling for Edwards, as has been noted, but an even larger number or members of the House of Representatives are for Gephardt. Kerry himself has been heard directly mentioning the name of one of the members of the Clinton cabinet, Clintons secretary of the treasury.

[AP]

45. Ugh. Robert Rubin and the Treasury Dpt come of so poorly in Stiglitz's

The Roaring Nineties.

On all the important issues which had functioning markets on one side, and profits for super large corporations on the other side, people like Athur Levit (SEC Chairman) come out on the side of good, and Rubid and Gore come out on the side of whoring for big business.

If they want to pick someone who is the opposite of Edwards, Rubin is the man.

[Nicholas_J]

54. Other talk...

Is for Elliot Spitzer. He would be a very formidable VP, one who would do particularly well mopping up after the Bush corporate givaway regime.

[PeaceProgProsp]

57. A NY'er and a Mass'an on the same ticket? Wow.

They'd do that?

[Nicholas_J]

89. Well

Clinton and Gore were from the same region of the country as well, so any such choice could be possible.

[Kahuna]

46. Richard Holbrooke, maybe???? How divine would that be???

:loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[Nicholas_J]

58. There are a lot of very formidable people out there

Who have a great deal to offer, in many respects far more than Edwards as to offer. Edwards does not have a great deal other than personality to offer at this point in his political career, as much of his political rhetoric was a good deal of stock standard ideas straight from the Democratic Party's playbook. While i was admirable for him to speak of there being two America's, one for the rich and the other for the poor, there was nothing new in that rhetoric, except for the language he used to present it. The idea is at the core of the DLC's ideas on progressive taxation and the wealthy having social responsibility to pay through that taxation for programs that assisted those who did not benefit as much or at all from the society we live in. It is all there, pretty cut and dreid in the Hyde Park declaration, and Kerry, Gephardt and the others were all pretty much putting forth the same ideas using different language, particularly where it came to rollng back the Bush tax cuts to provide government services for those with less means (thats the entire basis for the ideas of naitonal health to begin with).

Dick Durbin would be a great choice, and he has more more to offer in ideas and expereince than Edwards. Kent Conrad would be another very good choice, having a good deal more than Edwards to offer. Also Chris Van Hollen, who jas less experience in Congress than the others mentioned, and less than Edwards as well, but he has served in the Maryland House of Delegates and the Maryland Senate as well, so his overall political experience is a bit longer than Edwards, and his credentials as a democrat are as impecable as the others mentioned.

I must say that I like Kent Conrad, as out of all of the legislators in Congres I have contacted, only Conrad took the time to hand write a response to my concerns and sent it by post, rather than by the email that I sent my questions by. Conrad has been around for a while, and Durbin has been around for a bit longer than Edwards, and has argues very hard about the need to reform the tax code in a much more progressive fashion.

Of course there is someone who has not been mentioned, who's nomination would come totally out of "left field" and would be my personal choice. Al Franken.

I am very serious about this one, as Al has fought for Democratic principals for many years and no one has done more since the 2000 election to focis the strengtg of the Democratic Party and assail the campaign of misinformation spewed by neo-cons. The ability to put together Air America in such a short period as a weapon for the left indicates very,very string political savvy, as well as a good deal of political skill, even though he has not served in office at all.

[AnnitaR]

55. Don't sweat it Edwards supporters...

I have no doubt that he will one day make it to the Oval Office.

He has "it" and I believe that not being picked for VP now is the best thing that could happen to him.

[DemocraticEnigma]

59. Clark folks...

Let's not get too excited here. I supported Clark in the primaries PASSIONATELY, and I still love the guy. I also want him to be the VP pick. However, the more I think about it, I don't know what kind of benefit he'd give to the ticket. True, he'd strengthen it on nat'l security, but lets face it--as long as the media doesn't treat him favorably, the average joe shmoe is not going to see through the media spin either. People like Bill Richardson, Joe Biden etc can also be seen to have nat'l security experience. I just think that after everything that were perceived to be "blunders" on Clark's part during his campaign, Kerry wouldn't want to choose him. I really think it's gonna be Gephardt.

[Skwmom]

77. After Kerry makes his VP pick

the press is going to go after the Democratic ticket (period). At least with Clark they'll look bad for going after a non-politician who has served his country with such distinction.

[wjsander]

63. Why is he even meeting with the the other canidates...

... if National Security is a big issue? Vilsac, Edwards, Gephardt: none of these guys scream National Security, do they? Something doesn't sound right here.

[cosmokramer]

66. Because it is all part of the game.

[Cuban_Liberal]

68. Those who talk don't know, and those who know aren't talking.

This is just more 'breathless coverage of what we really don't know' from the media.

[robbedvoter]

76. Actually, I've been talking for some time: it's Clark.

And not because anything in the media.

[WI_DEM]

69. something very fishy

You don't have someone go out and say this which upsets Edwards and his supporters--I don't buy it. I think Edwards is very much in the hunt. Besides his years in the senate compare more than favorably with Bush's years as a constitutionally weak governor.

[mzmolly]

75. Hmmmm, I know Bob Graham is being interviewed. He was anti-war (Iraq)

and has National Security experience ???

Edwards would be an excellent choice though :(

[venus]

78. Sam Nun? I still don't get that one. Even Graham

would be many times better. Wes would be best though. Talk about energizing our party! Wow.