With Kerry's choices, you'd want McCain, too

Orlando Sentinel ^ | June 18, 2004 | Peter A. Brown

[Cincinatus' Wife]

.....Yet none of those Kerry is reportedly considering seems to fit any of those molds.

One reason is that, in the past decade, Republicans have mostly dominated big-state governorships, especially in battlegrounds such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan, which hold the key to this presidential election.

Moreover, the female and minority Democratic candidates who have won major elective office around the country are too far left to help a presidential candidate who himself embodies liberalism.

The exception might be Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, but, because she was born in Canada, she does not meet the constitutional requirement that presidents and vice presidents be native-born citizens.

There is New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who is Hispanic, but his state has only five electoral votes, and the Republicans would have a field day with his record running the Department of Energy during the Clinton years. .......

[goldstategop]

Slim pickin's for John F*ckin' in the Veep picks.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Well, they'll just reinvent whom ever he ends up selecting.

[Use It Or Lose It]

Regardless of who Kerry chooses, that person must live with the notion that he (or she) was never first choice. That concept must be used continuously to underscore the fact that Kerry wanted a Republican first for VP. Of course if he chooses Up-Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, he still won't be getting a conservative republican, since Hagel is a Bush-bashing moderate who embraced the GOP in order to be elected in his state.

[Allegra]

Let's have some fun with this. Let's pick Kerry's VP nominee for him.

I'll start.

Teddy Kennedy? Is Tom Eagleton still around? How 'bout Howard Dean...just for grins?

[DUMBGRUNT]

1000% for Tom Eagleton!

[ken5050]

Harold Ford was the perfect choice for Kerry, he'd get iot is a sec, but he's too young by 5 months...

[Cincinatus' Wife]

....that person must live with the notion that he (or she) was never first choice....

With the kind of characters and character that permeates the Democratic Party, I think they'd kill for the spot.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Well, Ted's no good and besides that, he's too LIBERAL, he has a dead girl on his record and Mass is already in the blue column.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Maybe Hillary can use Ford.

[ken5050]

The Constitution, I believe, bans both candidates from being from the same state...Ford in '08 with Hillary is very interesting..a good thought..

Re this year, ask yourself this question, becuase I still think Kerry's choice will be a surprise..if he felt he had to choose a female of a minority, who could he pick. Hillary won't, and Richardson ( some minority he, eh?) has already said no..).the point is, there's really nobody...

[elli1]

One reason is that, in the past decade, Republicans have mostly dominated big-state governorships,...

Clinton Legacy. But then there's CA & the available Grey Davis, but I don't suppose Kerry wants to go there.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

...the point is, there's really nobody...

The talent pool is dry.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Slim pickings.

[bobjam]

Kerry can't pick someone from Mass. The Constitution forbids members of the electoral college from casting a ballot that has a President and Vice-President from the same state. In the 2000 chaos, the dems tried to show Cheney was really from Texas.

Kerry ought to pick Edwards. Edwards is young and a good campaigner and fundraiser. Not only could Edwards help the dems win North Carolina, it also might help them retain Edwards's Senate seat.

[goldstategop]

Kerry should select someone for geographical and ideological balance. In the old days, a northern liberal Democratic would have chosen a southern conservative Democrat. Today, its hard for the Democrats to find someone who can bring that kind of balance to the ticket. If I were Kerry, I'd pick the other Democratic Senator from Florida. Its the best he can do and he needs Florida's electoral votes if he wants to win the White House

[alrea]

Lottery law Edwards has lost credibility in NC. Even the Civil War Democrats are getting tired of him.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Edwards can't help Kerry win N.C., not anymore than Gephardt can help Kerry win Missouri.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Mario Cuomo
Barbara Streisnd
Jesse Jackson
Sean Penn

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Great point about Harold Ford - he will be a force to be reckoned with in the future. Articulate, southern, very non-threatening personality. A minority who talks like a conservative, but votes liberal. Very difficult to beat.

He won't accept it, but if I was Kerry I would try to get PA governor Ed Rendell as my running mate. Popular swing state governor who has a per4sonality 180 degree opposite of Kerry. However, IMHO Rendell smells a loser in Ketchup boy, and wants to be positioned to take advantage should the Beast fall through in '08.

I can't stand him, but Fast Eddie is one of those rare 'Rats that comes across as an average guy rather than a pompous elitist. He even got Pubbies voting for him in his Gov race against Mike Fisher, I think largely on his personality and charisma.