Uh, that's Harkin. A Democratic Senator. From Iowa.
Harkin has a number of problems being taken seriously with this statement
- Harkin is an idiot.
- Harkin is trying to show solidarity with a fellow Iowan.
- Harkin is an ass (sorry, mods, but there's no better word).
- Harkin's standing would increase if an Iowan were put on the ticket.
- Harkin is not very much in tune with Iowans to begin with.
In theory, a "moderate" midwesterner (who is moderate simply by being midwestern) should offset Kerry's wacko Massachusetts liberalism. In reality, nobody knows who Vilsack is and although he would help carry Iowa (Iowans love to get national attention) and maybe Minnesota, I don't see Pennsylvanians and Ohioans being terribly interested in a pr*ck-n-hick ticket. Florida would be a lost cause as well.
I really only see four possibilities for Kerry, and they all have flaws:
- John Edwards has charisma and would not have the Leiberman problem -- having long-held beliefs that differ with the candidates'. He is Southern, which adds to the (false) perception that he's moderate. The problem is that he has no experience and that the ticket will not poll better in most southern states, most conspicuously, NC and SC.
- Bob Graham. He's the only Democrat that could guarantee Florida, but he's really weird and has health problems.
- Bill Nelson. Another Floridian. Nationally, he's an unknown quantity and could be molded into whatever they need. The problem is, I don't know if he can help Kerry win Florida itself.
- Bill Richardson. His full name would actually be Hispanic Bill Richardson. Democrats have tried the token thing before and they may try it again. Richardson would deliver NM and would have a very good shot at delivering AZ and FL. He's, of course, intimately tied into the most embarassing scandal of the last 30 years and NOBODY wants to bring up Monica again, except . . .
- Hillary Clinton. As the victim of the Monica scandal, she's the only one who can turn it to her advantage. If she's chosen, it will be clear that Kerry has no control over his campaign. It will also indicate that he's in free-fall and has made his Faustian bargain to win. She's a terrible choice if Kerry actually wants to be President. In the #2 slot, she'll bring all of the baggage with none of the benefits.