Posted on 06/08/2004 6:19:35 PM PDT by kalama
Washington Whispers
Senator Kerry's Final Three
Kerry campaign insiders tell us that the Vice Presidential selection team is down to three finalists.
They won't say who they are, but we hear that Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack remains the front runner and that North Carolina United States Senator John Edwards is in the pack.
Senator Edwards is liked inside Kerry headquarters, as evidenced by the Edwards bumper stickers in some cubicles.
I'm still not sure Hillary is the pick in 2008. My gut says it's now or never for Hillary due to alot of factors. She may have sights set for 2008 but I don't think she can realistically get it. The Rudi factor will keep her from running for Senate in '06 and risk losing. The Clinton mystique will start subsiding. Out of office, she'll spend two years constantly bashing Bush which will not go over well with already polarized voters. A big win by Bush will change everything. If it's razor thin, Hillary is still in play, but I just think Hillary is suffering from bad timing; just like Cuomo. He didn't capitalize when he should have. I suspect she'll suffer the same fate. She just is not electable nationally and she knows it. It's only going to happen by deception and last minute surprises. She cannot withstand scrutiny for any length of time. It's now or never, and the events of the next two months will dictate her entire future.
I have to point out that Ronald W. Reagan and George W. Bush are not exactly chopped liver in the looks and charm department as far as women are concerned. ;^p
I really believe women vote for security more than "looks," though anyone would be naive to think "looks" don't matter at all in this age of TV and instant celebrity.
the last election was decided by 537 votes. how much closer can it get?
and they aren't all "stupid" women - in fact, most women I know will give a handsome man an edge over another guy in just about every aspect of social interaction, in the workplace, etc. What makes you think that doesn't extend to politics?
don't shoot the messenger, note the focus of this article about Romney, I am not making this stuff up:
http://www.s-t.com/daily/09-02/09-27-02/a03sr026.htm
and all this time, I thought that GWB won FL because Nader
was a greenie, and FL was a green state, NOT because
GWB was better looking than Gore, but apparently Gore
wasn't better looking than Nader.
[don't take offense. I've stopped taking this whole subject
with too much seriousness]
the point is - even something as "foolish" as how handsome a candidate is can indeed move some non-trivial amount of votes, and in a close election, that can be the difference.
Look at the Al Gore tongue kissing of Tipper - got him alot of women votes, its a fact. If the Dems thought they could win by dressing Edwards up as a Chippendale - they'd do it.
they are not insignificant. their votes count just as much as ours do.
If Gore got that many votes from a tongue kiss, imagine what Kerry is going to do to Theresa on stage. He might be licking ketchup off her body, anything for votes!
I've always predicted it will be the governor of a state that is considered a critical swing state. The one exception being the governor of Michigan who cannot be President or VP.
I guess my broader (no pun intended) point is that these
people's screwed up vote is already comprehended in a larger
demographic called "people that are dumber than dirt".
I already figured they would go Dem. If we get ANY "dumber
that dirt" voters, it's all gravy the way I see it.
so, you see? no drama after all.
I understand what you are saying. But the data shows there is a "swing" element to it. Look at Romney - the Republicans put up a "hunk" in a liberal state and some women switched their votes to him. It happens.
well, I suppose -- very grudgingly -- that if people can
vote for ralph nader because of the single issue of snail-
darters, then voting for a guy because he makes you feel
funny in the pants is at least as important.
[they're still all members of DOD, though]
if he's smart, he goes with gephardt. you get experience,
you hype the base, including the unions and all of their
extorted dues, and you possibly take missouri off the table,
which looks more and more like the battle ground of battle
ground states. he would also make the most effective attack
dog.
you also don't have to worry about gephardt outshining you.
"Vilsack ?????
Isn't that a pickle or some other condiment?"
It's a road in the North Hills suburbs of Pittsburgh - good enough for me.
Mr. Kerry, please pick Bob Graham. He's got the fire! He's got the charisma! He's tanned, rested and ready! Go! Go! Go!
hehehe;)
Actually if Edwards wants to maintain higher aspirations, dropping out of the Senate is not necessarily a bad idea. He could go the Carter route, spending the next few years building up and running a high-profile charity. Lots of positive pub opportunities, 'altruistic man of the people' image builder, without the negatives of 6 more years of on the record Senate votes, yet he still can claim that he already has national political experience(thus 'qualified'). Especially if Kerry loses and the GOP retains the Senate, there will be a major housecleaning(wait, this is the left, make that a purge) of the Dem party, which he gets to sit out fairly unscathed and then jump in front as an evolved 'new leader' for the Dems.
Lurch / Ballsack 2004!!!
A recent poll showed Kerry's Iowa numbers going down when he selected Governor Viltax. A second question on the poll showed Kerry much stronger without Vilsack.
Vilsack has no personality, so perhaps Kerry is thinking he doesn't want to compete with his own VP?
I'll give them is: Christie Vilsack is a better campaigner than her husband. If they select Viltax, they'll get her, too. And as much as I hate to admit it, she is quite effective.
The Sack looks like a reasonable enough sort, but Iowa is a hard left state. Betcha Bush's people have his quotes already.
Oh, as if Illinoisans are so-o-o very exciting!
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