How about Harkin for VP ?

[kentuck]

He admitted he was hoodwinked by Bush and Clan on the war vote, but overall, it is hard to find a more popular candidate with average Democrats. He is usually on the "right" side of issues that affect people. He is very outspoken and he is not ashamed that he is an old-fashioned Democrat. Would he help the ticket in the Midwest? What say ye?

[CMT]

1. I'm warming to it

the election is going to come down to the middlewest. Harkin is a populist and quite popular in Iowa. Gore won Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota by razor-thin margins with Harkin on the ticket these three states will be easier to carry without having to spend time late in the campaign such as Gore did in '00.

With his strong ties to organized labor Harkin would be helpful in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri as well.

In addition to all of this, Harkin is one of the most talented speakers we have and can really excite a crowd. He also is a skilled debator. Imagine him and Cheney in a debate.

Also Greens would not be repulsed by Harkin. His speech and affection for Senator Wellstone is testament to this as well as his overall record.

I think he would be excellent.

[proud patriot]

2. Hell Yes !

but The Senate needs him too ...He's such a great
Man ..I voted for him in the Primaries in 92 .

[terryg11]

3. I love the guy and all

but the war vote still chaps me and does he have enough appeal outside of the midwest? He ran for the nomination in '92 and didn't do well outside of here if I remember correctly - has he grown in popularity?
All that besides, I would love to see him in that position, like you said he's outspoken and normally on the right side of things.

[caledesi]

4. I love Harkin! nt

[Hoosier Democrat]

5. Not if Dean is the nominee

I REALLY like Tom Harkin and think he's one of our best speakers, but he wouldn't work well on a ticket led by Dean.

Dean has no military/defense background, so he needs somebody with a credible record to deflect criticism from the Flight Suit Monkey.

Further, with everyone harping that Dean is "too far left" (I don't agree with this), we need a moderate to balance the ticket.

My suggestions for Dean's VP: Wesley Clark, Senator John Breaux,
former Senator max Cleland, or maybe Senator Bob Graham.

If you want to look Midwest, how about Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois?

[PVnRT]

6. You're right

He does need some "credibility," so to speak, with the military issue (not like Bush has any, but we all know how that will be spun). Frankly, I would prefer Clark as a Secretary of State. Someone from down South or in the Midwest, someone who can claim to represent "regular Americans," would be what Dean needs (if he wins the nomination, of course).

[cade]

7. Ekkkkkkkkkkkk !

no.
Harkin has been 'helping' Iowans about as long as I've been alive. He's helped the small farmers out of buisness, he's helped alot of people decide to leave Iowa. He's helped corparate agribuisness thrive. He's helped alot of buisness out of Iowa. He's helped keep wages low - the minimum wage in Iowa is now $5.50 hr and poeple will line up for jobs at that rate, because some work here pays even less since not all buisnesses are required to pay the minimum.
Iowa leads the nation in the percentage of its population aged 85 and older, old people here eat up the hysterical cries of the other party will cut your medicare and social security. They are easy to wind up , and once wound forget the details, but remember to vote for the guy who promised them security. They love that helping the small guy talk ( farmers are about 2% of the population now, they were around 25% back over 30 years ago when Harkin and Grassley both started helping them ).
But try being young and homeless in Iowa, there are no shelters in most towns. There is very little help for those really down on thier luck. Try getting assistance in smaller towns, they will likely send you to a church or tell you you're out of luck.
Iowa is a right to work state as well, not alot of unions and very low unemployment - what I mean is few people get unemployment, not that few are unemployed. Wages suck Iowa is at the bottom for things like teacher pay and also medicare reimbursement.
Iowa is also an English only state, a couple of years ago someone came up with the bright idea of making all official documents and such english only ( to save money ). In other words immigrants and non-whites inclusion into the culture in Iowa is not a high priority.
From personal experience small towns around Iowa are largely white and frown on anyone who doesn't fit the mold. Neither Harkin or Vilsack ( the Govenor ) has done anything to adress these issues.
It is often said there are two Iowas, a city life Iowa with jobs and culture and access to culture and a rural Iowa with few jobs little culture, scant healthcare ( I live about 30 miles forom the nearest hospital as an example ) and a growing drug problem.
Methamphetimine or hillbilly herion is a real problem, but no one wants to admit that.


on edit add this as well

from oct 2003
snip-

Former Harkin staffer Brian Conley admits secretly taping a campaign strategy session held for the Republicans' Senate nominee, Rep. Greg Ganske. Conley gave a transcript of the meeting to Harkin's campaign, which was so amazingly stupid it released the transcript to the press.

Harkin's handlers at first lied and claimed they had no role in the scandal. Then they admitted their guilt and fired the Democrat campaign manager and a 21-year-old staffer. Now county and federal authorities are investigating.

"Republicans fear the county prosecutor, a Democrat, has little incentive to find criminal wrongdoing in the case," the Washington Times reported today.

snip-

When we started uncovering the scandal, we were met with lies and denials by the Harkin campaign, and only when we confronted them with concrete evidence did the Harkin campaign manager admit his campaign had received a transcription and distributed it to the press. And only when presented with evidence of collusion did Senator Harkin admit that a junior campaign staffer had orchestrated this political espionage."

[liberalnurse]

8. I really want to entertain this thought.......

He has show great leadership over the past year. He was great with the Overtime Bill issues in the Senate. Of course, to endorse Dean is real insight.

[CalebHayes]

9. He is from Iowa! That is not the kind of state we need.

[bobbieinok]

10. When Harkin ran for the dem nomination in 92

he was constantly put down as the 'labor candidate.'

In a lot of ways I think he might be much more valuable as a dem senator.

I lived in IA from 68 to 89, and now I'm in OK. Harkin is MY senator.