Kerry urged to team with Edwards

Boston Herald ^ | 02.05.04 | David R. Guarino

[kcvl]

Kerry urged to team with Edwards

By David R. Guarino Thursday, February 5, 2004

CHARLESTON, S.C. - John F. Kerry's most important Southern ally has a suggestion to turn around Kerry's so-far losing ways below the Mason-Dixon - sign up John Edwards.

U.S. Rep. James Clyburn told the Herald he'll urge Kerry to tap Edwards as his vice presidential running mate, saying Kerry's South Carolina defeat shows he needs a Southerner's help to beat President Bush here this fall.

``I'll encourage him,'' the prominent South Carolina Democrat said. ``(Kerry) can strengthen himself by getting Edwards on the ticket.''

Clyburn's comments make him the first significant elected official to give voice to frequent voter suggestions that Kerry and Edwards team up this fall.

Kerry lost to Edwards by 15 points in Tuesday's ``first-in-the-South'' primary, his first loss in the primary season.

Though critics here hammered Kerry as a Northeast liberal, his victories rallied elected leaders to his side. U.S. Sen. Ernest ``Fritz'' Hollins and Clyburn, the state's most influential black leader, endorsed Kerry last week.

Clyburn's assistance was universally credited with helping Kerry to close the race.

``Before we got involved, it was four or five points - now he's at 25 points,'' Clyburn said. ``I think we've accomplished what we set out to do.''

But Edwards defeated Kerry in all key measures of Southern votes - losing among white and black voters, Democrats and independents.

Kerry, Clyburn said, ``needs help'' in the region.

Clyburn praised Edwards with having ``the best message'' on the loss of manufacturing jobs - which exit polls show was the key issue for South Carolina voters Tuesday.

He said Kerry will face similiar struggles in the Midwest.

``He needs to appeal to the South and Midwest. That's his challenge,'' Clyburn said.

But Neal Thigpen, a political science professor at Francis Marion University, said he didn't think Edwards could help Kerry win in the South - given Southerners' love for President Bush.

``The Democrats at this time, they could put Robert E. Lee in the slot, it ain't gonna do any good,'' the conservative Thigpen said.

If Kerry doesn't like his Edwards suggestion, Clyburn said he'll offer another former opponent: U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri.

[gipper81]

Wasn't algore from south of the Mason-Dixon? How'd he do?

[cripplecreek]

Fitting. A man who says the courts are the place to fight terrorism with an ambulance chaser for a sidekick.

[EggsAckley]

These people are delusional if they think they can beat GW Bush. They'd have to pull of some mighty large voter fraud to do it.

[Joe 6-pack]

Kerry should carefully consider Edwards...I mean, if one of his botox fixes goes bad, he'll need a good attorney for the malpractice suit...

[RoseofTexas]

There you have folks! MARK it down..it'll be the honorable president Bush/Cheney vs. the comical twosome LURCH/BRECK girl!!

[Gritty]

They'd have to pull of some mighty large voter fraud to do it.

Don't put it past them. They only have to do it in selected states to win them.

[backhoe]

-John Kerry- some selected, informative links...--

-The Edwards Files--

[small voice in the wilderness]

LOL!

[byteback]

Kerry/Gephardt would have almost as much energy as Dole/Kemp.

[Swanks]

Edwards is to NC as Algore is to Tenn. He is seen as he is: a slick stalking shishter lawyer. Edwards can win Kerry Chapel Hill, NC. We won't play in FL / GA, etc.

Heck the reason he's running for pres is he can't win his own state. He's been AWOL for 4 Yrs funning for prez. Only in Congress can you make $160,000 and spend all day focused on your next job, when your contract is up. And not even give a thought to the immorality of it.

[kcvl]

There is NO BIAS in the media. NO BIAS, I tell you!

[Mo1]

Needs repeating

Fitting. A man who says the courts are the place to fight terrorism with an ambulance chaser for a sidekick

[gop_gene]

Kerry wants to be president so badly that I wouldn't be surprised if he just grits his teeth and takes on a running mate (Edwards, of course) that's much younger, much better looking, whom all the womenfolk will get all hot and bothered over and whom the press would fawn over for his "smooth style" and "movie star good looks" and "populist charisma" etc etc etc.

Personally, though, if I were Kerry, I wouldn't want Edwards for my running mate AT ALL for those reasons, Edwards' seems like the kind of person that would overshadow elitist, pompous, cadaverous Kerry.

[Jorge]

Ughh! That picture of Kerry is on Newsweek cover is so ugly and frightening...it's hard to believe they actually want him to win.

[McGavin999]

There is no way the Clintons are going to allow a Kerry/Edwards ticket. It would give Edwards the edge in the 2008 election and Hillary can't allow that to happen.

The ONLY reason Kerry is doing so well is because the DNC has backed him but they won't allow Edwards near enough to thwart Hillary in 08.

[ZOTnot]

Cadaverous!!!!

I have been searching SO long for an appropriate, visual description! Thank you!

[Final Authority]

On the button with your assessment.

[Brimack34]

As long as he stays away from Richardson and Evan Bye!!!!