My top five choices for Dean's running mate

[jeter]

Here they are:

Governor Roy Barnes, Georgia.

General Wesley Clark, Arkansas.

Senator John Edwards, North Carolina.

Senator Bob Graham, Florida.

Senator Mary Landrieu, Louisiana.

[Lindsey]

1. I agree that we need a southerner

and someone with military know how.
That's why I vote for Clark - to me that would be the dream ticket.

[Closer]

2. Roy Barnes?

That's kind of random yes?


Besides, Barnes endorsed Edwards very early in the race, so that's not happening.


I'd take off Landrieu and Clark, and add Richardson and Zinni.

[poopyjr]

9. lmao just because Barnes endorsed Edwards, that means he wouldn't accept

a VP nom? LOL

[Closer]

11. Umm

no, it means Dean wouldn't offer it to him.

[poopyjr]

14. You can read minds?

[Closer]

21. No, but I do have one.

:hi:

[dave29]

3. Bill Richardson

would be another very good choice.

[jeter]

6. I didn't add Barnes because of his support

I added him because he was a popular governor of Georgia. He would offset any attacks by Zell Miller in the General. He would probably give us Georgia. He is seen as moderate.

I admit however that Barnes is probably fifth on that list.

But it's a name i'd keep there just the same.

[HFishbine]

8. Miller 5th?

ZELL Miller? Surely you jest.

[poopyjr]

12. Zell Miller has endorsed BUSH for president.

[jeter]

24. My bad

I meant to write Barnes, not Miller.

I have since changed it.

[Closer]

15. Ok, now I know

this post must be a joke.

[GBD4]

27. Barnes is UNpopular

<<I added him because he was a popular governor of Georgia>>

Barnes lost his 2002 reelection by more than five percent. He would not be helpful for carrying Georgia's 15 electoral votes. I wanted him in 2000 while he was popular, but that's now history...

[auburnblu]

49. Barnes popular governor of Georgia???

I'm from Georgia. Barnes lost his re-elcetion bid in a state that always elects a Democrat as governor.

[Hawkeye-X]

39. He's not interested

He has said that he wasn't interested in the VP position. I like Richardson very much and what he has done with my neighboring state.

Hawkeye-X

[molly]

61. Bill Richardson is smarter than that

he would never sign on with an obvious loser.

[AntiCoup2K4]

64. That's why he hasn't endorsed Kerry

:evilgrin:

[DancingBear]

4. #2 is off the list

#5 just won a close race by being a centrist Democrat - no way she touches Dean

#3 is someone Dean would like, which is why he started to make nice-nice with him today

#4 - still not sure which way he wants to go (Dean/Clark) - I'm guessing will look to read the tea leaves in the Fla. primary first

#1 - don't know enough about

edit: I noticed they are all from the south - how surprising :)

[Rose Siding]

5. Yeah except scratch off the 4 white guys

I married one but they've had their turn for VP. I like Mary a lot but I'm not sure this is the year of the woman. Gov Richardson is good and I like John Lewis- he's a southerner, too.

edit- I do trust Dean to make a good choice, whoever it is. I've just listed my personal preferences.

[w13rd0]

7. John Lewis...

...that's my vote.

[mouse7]

13. Thank you!

What's it take to even have minorities in the discussion, huh?

[w13rd0]

29. A friend of mine, caucasian, has leaned Republican...

...was asking about Dean because he hates Bush and Ashcroft. Asked about possible VP picks, because he considers that important. I pointed him to John Lewis website, and he said that a Dean/Lewis ticket would definately get his vote.

One of the most oft forwarded arguments against the Democratic party by Republicans, in an attempt to suppress voter turnout, is to accuse the Democrats of taking votes for granted, without giving a seat at the table. I say we rub their noses in it. Bush trumpets Powell and Rice, but Rice is incompetent, and Powell has been kneecapped. Token appointments are an even greater slap in the face. I know lots of people like Dean/Edwards after tonights debate, but I've my eye on Edwards for Attorney General in the DOJ (where I think he'd be FANTASTIC) if he doesn't get the nomination.

[mouse7]

10. How blindingly caucasian.

We're Dems, and we're still so screwed up we don't even put minorities on our lists.

[poopyjr]

16. What minority is qualified?

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[auburnblu]

50. What minority is qualified????

How about Douglas Wilder. His fight to get the citizens the right to elect the mayor of Richmond I think shows his leadership qualities. It pissed off a few entrenched politicians there, but showed he's willing to fight for the true rights of the many over the rights of the few.

[AntiCoup2K4]

65. OK, then.... how about Gary Locke?

Rumor is his name was in consideration as VP in 2000. He's already bowed out of the 2004 governors race here. First Asian American governor.

Of course he's not a Southerner, but on the other hand, the Asian voting block has been leaning Republican, so that could be a positive.

[HFishbine]

19. I was composing mine as you were posting (n/t)

[HFishbine]

17. I'll Play!

In no particular order.

Wesley Clark
John Lewis
Carol Moseley Braun
John Edwards
Al Gore

[rumguy]

20. Like the Landrieu idea, never head of that one before, and I'll throw in

Bill Richardson from New Mexico..

[TheDonkey]

22. Anne Richardson

John Lewis

.. I'm sure there are qualified minorities out there. It would be nice to see a Dem run with one.

Edwards & Clark are fine choices too.

[Rose Siding]

23. Don't I wish Anne!

But as tough as she is, I don't think her health is up to it. But what fun it would be to watch that campaign.

[CMT]

25. if he can get Gov. Richardson of New Mexico

he would be my favorite. Otherwise I like Bob Graham alot.

[dave29]

26. Richardson would be quite a catch

and is an asset to America and the Democratic Party. I still chuckle when I think of the North Koreans demanding to talk to Richardson rather than anyone in Shrubco.

[w13rd0]

30. Richardson has said he isn't interested...

...and Graham is getting on in years. They both have their merits, but I don't think either is likely. Who knows though, it's all speculation.

[dave29]

36. I'm hoping Richardson is

being coy - he is only in his first term anyway. However, you can't deny this ticket would be rather strong ;)

[poskonig]

28. Napolitano might not be bad.

Some are also floating Zinni's name, though I'd like to know more about him.

[revcarol]

32. Oh, the arrogance...

has the first vote been cast?

[Northwind]

33. Yes

40 million votes have been cast for Dean.

Get used to this phrase:

President Dean

[revcarol]

34. Then Bush has a royal flush.

Oh, money talks all right.

[dave29]

40. There's nothing wrong

with a little speculation. Surely you've thought of VP picks for your candidate. I think everybody here is well aware that no votes have been cast, and that all of the candidates supporters are going to be doing their best to be sure their guy or gal wins. I'm assuming nothing, and will fight for my candidate until the last minute if necessary - then I'll support the nominee. Hopefully whoever the nominee is picks a good VP - and it's good news that there are so many good choices out there for our party.

[Cheswick2.0]

45. Yes actually some votes have been cast

I mean besides the forty million in the silent primary.

[ThirdWheelLegend]

52. is that like the 200+ million in the Bush silent primary..?

If we think it takes money to win, we have already lost.

TWL

[adamrsilva]

35. Graham or Edwards me thinks...

Richardson supports the war and uninterested. Landrieu is a conservative Democrat, so she would risk her political career. Clark has pretty obviously taken himself out.

Graham is the best choice I think. Dean has him on his list for one (and his daughter supports him), but he would be a good replacement for Clark - he talks southern, has foreign policy experience, and could possibly give us Florida.

Edwards is southern, but he has less foreign policy experience, and I doubt we could get NC. I think Dean will only take him if he comes in a really strong second or third place finish to Dean.

[askew]

37. From your list I like Edwards and Graham.

I personally don't see the value of Clark in a VP role, as a VP is supposed to help deliver votes (which he would do) and help move legislation through congress (which he has no experience with). I think Dean needs more of an "insider" for a VP role.

My choices:

Tom Harkin
Jay Rockfeller
Gov. Richardson
Mary Landrieu
Carol Mosley-Braun

[Hawkeye-X]

38. Not what I had in mind.

Although Bob Graham is more and more likely to be Dean's VP than Landrieu or Moore. Why would you place a fundamendalist in Dean's camp? That'll turn me away from Dean in a heartbeat. Shades of Gore/Lieberman, if you ask me.

Dean/Graham is the ticket I'm shooting for. Graham's daughter is the Southern director for Dean's campaign and doing exceptionally well.

D'oh. For a minute I misread Barnes as Moore. :dunce: - still unpopular anyway. I'm thinking that if it has to be another Roy, it should be former Gov. Roy Romer of Colorado (now in California) which could bring the West instead of the South... The reason I think this is because not only Roy Romer is a former Governor of Colorado, he's also Dean's mentor. It would be an incredible honor for Romer to take Dean's side and help transition to Presidency.

Roy Romer will bring in the votes from Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and maybe Oklahoma. Total EV is 36 from these states alone.

Hawkeye-X

[DFLforever]

41. Dean/Graham would be the weightiest ticket

and I think it's also the most likely. Dean seems very comfortable with Graham and I think they would work very well together.

[flaminbats]

42. forget Barnes and Landrieu...

Barnes lost Georgia, while Landrieu is supporting Clark and backed Shrub's tax-cuts.

Clark and Edwards are good choices, but the trick would be convincing them to join the ticket. Another good choice for Dean would be Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas. If elected, there would be a Democratic Lt. Governor to take over and she would help Dean in both Kansas and Missouri while helping him with the soccer mom vote. Another interesting choice would be Jay Rockefeller who could boost Dean's chances in West Virginia and Ohio. A wild-card pick could be Missouri Republican Blake Ashby, allowing Dean to pick up independents and Republicans upset with this administration's infringements of individual liberty.

[Rowdyboy]

44. I thought you were serious until I read about Blake Ashby!

Forget Barnes. Landrieu/Clark/Edwards/Graham would all be excellent. Siebelius? Don't know enough to comment but intrigued. Rockefeller would be okay but he puts me to sleep.

Anyone supporting Ashby as a Democrat is loony. Sharpton has far better qualifications and he's going nowhere.

Anthony Zinni and Bill Richardson would be acceptable also.

[flaminbats]

48. With Graham you have the age problem...

I wouldn't seriously consider Ashby...unless he made a surprising showing against shrub in the primaries. But consider this, even if he did well against shrub Repukes wouldn't let him near their convention.

This could be perfect chance to pick up some positive press coverage at our Convention, while expanding our party's voting base.

[tedoll78]

43. The only worry I have about Graham..

is that in this media-driven age, his speaking style might be deemed too much of a bore. I still like the man very much though.

What about, and I know this is unpalatable to many, Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana? He'd be able to put Indiana's 11EVs into play, help in next-door Ohio (20EVs), and help solidify the rest of the midwest. With the Gore states and Indiana or Ohio, we win the whole ball of wax..

[askew]

46. My concern with Graham is his health/age.

Also, a lot of the mid-west/rust-belt states are swing states for us. What about someone from that region, like Harkin?

[tedoll78]

47. Harkin would also be phenonimal.

He's strongly associated with farmers and nurses, and he'd almost certainly keep Iowa in our column. Him on the ticket would almost certainly also help with keeping Minnesota on our side.

As far as I'm concerned, the VP nominee has three functions:
1) create a media buzz when he/she is selected
2) help in delivering a crucial states
3) camp-out in crucial states in the last month of the campaign

I have six or seven Gore states that I'm worried about, and Harkin would help with two. That'd be a really good pick. For the last month of the campaign, I'd have him virtually living in Ohio..

[SilasSoule]

51. Ron Kirk????

Just brainstorming.

[auburnblu]

53. Can any of us but me say Douglas Wilder?

He's been a governor. He's from the south. Oh I know he's black and that would take the spot away from some rich white guy, the horror of it all. And he was the governor in Virginia and yes he could get a lot of votes for the Dems in the south. His recent stand in Richmond was awesome. I'm sure some are pissed off because God forbid he actually fought for the citizens of Richmond to have the right to elect their own mayor instead of the city council. But I list him as my most admired politician of 2003, because he actually put his reputation on the line, city council members not wanting to lose power of course called him a sell-out. And he did all of this to help empower the electorate. We talk about fighting for the rights of the little guy, well here's a great example.

Reminds me of 2000, hmmm. If every vote counted and we no longer had the Electoral College, hmmmm. Then the 500,000 vote advantage of Gore would have prevailed.

[Rowdyboy]

57. DAMN IT! Why did you go and get me excited about Doug Wilder?

Then I google and discover he'll be 74 on inauguration day, 2005. Sorry, my friend, but thats not happening.

[auburnblu]

58. Sigh

You're probably right. I remember all of the ageism swipes from the left when Dole ran, probably would see the same again if Wilder was VP.

[Rowdyboy]

62. It was a SPLENDID suggestion

Other than his age, he would be the IDEAL candidate.

[Enjolras]

54. Just how important is the VP slot on a ticket?

I am comfortable with either Dean or Kerry at the top of the ticket, but I'm pretty sure the no. 2 slot would go to someone I don't like much. Gephardt would be OK except for one obvious thing: The War. The guy didn't just for for the resolution, he helped draft it. He was a friggin' cheerleader. Presumably, this also means Dean can't possibly choose him as a running mate. Kerry would have to think very hard on it. It's a shame, really. He would bring experience, organization, labor support, and midwestern votes. Missouri is a key swing state.

Being, technically, an independent, I'm not committed to voting for the Democratic nominee, whomever it is. I can think of a couple whom I definitely would not support. But I hate Bush, and Dean remains the Democratic front runner. So what if one of the snakes ends up running for VP? What would you do?

[tedoll78]

56. I look at the top of the ticket.

Dean could put Zell Miller there and I'd still happily vote for him because, in the end, he's the one who signs and vetos legislation, and he's the one who nominates judges.

As far as I'm concerned, the VEEP spot on the ticket has a few functions:
1) create excitement for the Presidential candidate in the media
2) open-up or lock-down an electorally important state
3) balance a percieved weakness

[elsiesummers]

55. First - don't think Dean will be nominee,

But if he is, not a Southerner in second slot because the South will be lost to Dean. Why even mount that fight?

Electoral map for Dean - no Southern Strategy: Gephardt, Richardson, or Bayh. These three will also add DC experience and Foreign policy creds. What about the new governor of Arizona (Napolitano?), or perhaps the governor of Washington (could seal off the inroads of Nader voters in Wash State)?

Prefer a Clark/Edwards (try to actually have wins in the South), Edwards/Clark (same premise - Edwards is a better speaker than Clark), or Clark/Kerry (nail Bush on AWOL charge) ticket, if it is about winning, IMO.

[LoneStarLiberal]

59. My Ideas for Dean VPs and Clark VPs

As a Clark supporter I do not think Clark would be a good VP for anyone. It's either the Presidency or possibly State or Defense.

If Dean wins the nomination I think he would be best served picking Edwards or Graham...Edwards if I was making the decision for him. He's articulate, has really built up a solid foundation in understanding and generating policy ideas on a wide variety of topics, and he's very media-friendly. Graham could be good but I do wonder about his health being a factor.

On the other hand, if Clark wins the nomination I think he almost has to hope for Dean as VP or fall back on Kerry as VP. I'd really like to see a Clark and Edwards ticket but I believe that Clark and Dean would be a more viable ticket with a great combination of experience at both the state, national, and international level.

[CreamyGoodness]

60. Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy

She endorsed Kerry, but I assume if Dean wins the nomination she will not bear him any ill will. Also, in addition to the other advantages that come from having a general on the ticket, she's also an expert on terrorism and having her as the veep candidate could possibly bring her home state of Virginia into play for the Dems. She would appeal to both security moms and soccer moms, and give Dean a much needed boost with female voters. I think the days are pretty much past where gender bias would cost a candidate the election. The only ones who would vote against Dean based his choice of a female veep would already be in Bush's base anyways.

[Rowdyboy]

63. Very good suggestion for anyone but Clark

n/t