Kerry should announce Edwards and Clark's positions in his admin. NOW.

[Mike L]

The Democratic National Convention ends July 30. After that, Kerry won't be able to accept private contributions because he will be taking the Federal general election campaign money (as will Shrub). I have a feeling that some Edwards and Clark people are holding back with their contributions to see if their man is given a position in the Kerry administration. Wouldn't it be best for Kerry to announce now that both men will get a position in his admin., and name the positions, rather than wait? That would give the 'standoffish' Edwards and Clark people time to contribute before July 30.

While I certainly would like for EVERYONE to contribute to Kerry's campaign now regardless of who is named to his admin., I think there are a significant number of people from those former campaigns who are holding off. Am I just paranoid?

[debannbull]

1. I can't help but believe that an "alternative cabinet" comparison

would be to Kerry's benefit.

[molly]

2. Yes - you are paranoid.

anyone voting for Kerry has their preferences, but he could run with Snoopie and I would still support him. Those with logical reasoning would project what his cabinet will look like.

[Mike L]

10. But not everyone (even every Democrat) has "logical reasoning".

P.S. I would even vote for a Kerry/Snoop Dog ticket.

[Cats Against Frist]

3. I think you're right

Kerry winning the whole thing was kind of a freakout, anyway. We were very suprised here in Iowa, when Kerry ended up beating Dean by so much. The first and most likely conclusion was that conservative Dems came out in support of Kerry -- but why would they see him as more conservative than, say, Gephardt? I can't figure it out for the life of me, but I think that letting Edwards and Clark in and even Dean would be pretty cool, and would gain a lot of swing support -- and steal back some Nader votes.

I know that I will breathe a sigh of relief if Kerry picks Clark or Edwards over Gephardt.

[Mike L]

12. I think Iowans were looking ahead to who could beat Bush and

Kerry's military past was the big factor. Dems knew Rove would campaign on "tera, trea, tera", so they looked for someone who would best stack up against Shrub. I believe Kerry ran some commercials on his military history in Iowa and the guy who Kerry saved showing up was the clincher.

The neocons won't be able to say Kerry is cheesy for announcing one or some of his cabinet picks before he's elected. Shrub announced that Powell would be his SecState during the 2000 general election.

[Mike L]

16. Actually, Shrub "hinted" that he would appoint Powell during the general

election. Here's an article I Googled from August 1, 2000:

http://www.cnn.com/2000/ALLPOLITICS/stories/08/01/powell.state/

I found this excerpt interesting:

"Despite his sky-high poll ratings, Powell has his critics as well. His military doctrine of "decisive force" is too inflexible to help the U.S. achieve diplomatic goals, said Tom Donnelly, of the Project for New American Century, a conservative think tank.

"Based on his past track record, you have to be wondering whether he'll be the guy to seize the moment or to allow it to dissipate," Donnelly said."

[swag]

4. Somebody suggested to my friend at a Dem event over

the weekend that Kucinich would make a great Attorney General.

[Padraig18]

19. Is DK a lawyer? n/t

[goodhue]

26. DK not a lawyer. n/t

[Ganja Ninja]

5. The less ammo for Bush the better.

What's the hurry? Kerry only has to name his VP before the election. Why start naming names and give the GOP time to dig up dirt and coordinate a smear campaign? Lets not make this a referendum on Kerry cabinet choices. Lets keep the focus on Bush.

[Mike L]

14. The RNC has already had their best shots at Edwards and Clark.

Besides, they won't get any critical press coverage of those two (except for FAUX) and won't run any TV ads criticizing them.

I would welcome a comparison of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice, Powell vs. Kerry, Edwards, Clark any day. I think we would pick up a lot of support from Independents with Edwards and Clark BOTH on the 'ticket'.

[Cronus Protagonist]

15. You got it... the art of war

When the enemy has a powerful capability, starve it of targets and whatever it needs to operate. To do anything else would play into their hands.

Drop Bush Not Bombs - Fuck Bush - Who Would Jesus Bomb?
http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13

6. IF they are holding back their money for this reason

then they aren't good Democrats and Kerry shouldn't kow tow to them.
Sorry, but that's my opinion.

[oly]

7. Agree

Edwards -- VP
Clark -- SofD

8. clark can't be Secretary of Defense

He hasn't been a civilian long enough.
At least according to what I've read here before.

[cosmokramer]

13. No way.

Not only is JE weak for VP due to his lack of FP exp., but Clark can't be Sec of Def--10 year civilian post military career requirement.

Honestly, I think it's Gep as VP (doesn't mean I like it, but I think it so).

Doesn't matter when he announces which positions, dems will contribute.

Don't count on Kerry announcing cabinet positions until he has won--to do so early would defy tradition and would make him look presumptuous to the electorate.

[SCantiGOP]

9. Here's a blockbuster for you

In a discussion the other night, I suddenly hit on an unprecedented but stunning possiblity. What if a joint announcement were held stating that the next Secretary of State would be............William Jefferson Clinton. He has the experience, the world loves him, and I think it would be a net gain in votes.

[Qutzupalotl]

17. That would be good.

He'd also be a good UN ambassador (or any ambassador).

[spooky3]

21. No one has better foreign policy experience and success than he.

That's what you need in a Secretary of State.

[cosmokramer]

11. Clarkies aren't holding back a thing from Kerry!

General Clark made it perfectly clear, two days after he dropped out, that he wanted us to support Kerry. Kerry had little to no field organization when he started winning, and the Clark groups volunteered en masse to help on the ground.

I can't speak for the Edwards donors (who I believe are more likely to hold a ransom on their contributions as evidenced by some of the tremendous pressures coming from that side of the fence), but the Clark people went to Kerry on day TWO after Clark dropped--he was the second choice of most of us because of his military experience. Therefore, I think you are just being paranoid.

[SW FL Dem]

24. This Wes Fan has consitently donated to Kerry and I will continue to do so

until the convention. After the convention, I will donate to the DNC, DCCC and DSCC.

[WI_DEM]

18. well if they do that

they should also announce positions for Dean, DK, and the rest so their supporters will be equally placated. Afterall, I think Dean and DK have gotten more votes in the primaries and caucuses than Clark did.

[SW FL Dem]

27. I did hear today that DK and Sharpton will have roles at the convention.

No word about Dean, Edwards or Clark but I can't imagine that they won't be included.

[Gloria]

20. Disagree on the VP thing if it's going to be Clark....keep getting him out

there as an "analyst" as much as possible during these early PR days of the "transfer" to the interim gov. Right now, as long as he keeps showing up on TV, hammering Bush, he's accomplishing quite a bit without getting the barrage of political cute stuff that will come once he's named as the VP. I used to want him named early, but now, I don't care if he isn't announced until just before the Convention.

The more he gets out there in the next couple of weeks as an "analyst" rather than as a political figure, the better we all will be....

[spooky3]

22. that's a good point.

[goodhue]

23. Certainly not.

Probably is paranoia.
Kerry should announce his VP pick in about 3 weeks.

[filterfish]

25. why not let it be decided during the convention?

give the proceedings some sizzle, some suspense and if kerry pulls out a 'surprise' more people are tuned in and kerry gets that boost

[Nicholas_J]

28. Kerry has stated that he will not reveal anything until

Just before the convention and he is smart not to say anything earler so as to not give the Bush people a longer period of time to look for attack information about people who would bne part of Kerrys government. Giving the opposition information that they can use to attack is the worse way to win an election.

Now it is very unlikely that Colin Powell will serve again as Secretary of State, but the BUsh Administration is not letting on if it is going to happen or who they will replace Powell with, to avoid giving dems ANYTHING. Kerry should keep his hand close to his chest as well