Posted on 07/02/2004 2:20:17 AM PDT by Happy2BMe
DESPERATE MEASURES
Could it be that desperation is setting in a bit more, well, desperately in the Kerry campaign? Up till now, most political tea leaf readers had Kerry announcing his decision on vice president coming the week of July 11. But recent polling numbers may have Kerry advisers changing those plans.
According to a Kerry campaign source, Sen. John Edwards, Rep. Dick Gephardt, Gov. Tom Vilsack, Gen. Wesley Clark, and "a surprise candidate" were each contacted on Wednesday and told to be prepared for an announcement with Kerry as early as July 6. Each short-lister provided the campaign with updated contact and travel information for the July 4 weekend and afterward.
"It's accelerated. It all began happening on Wednesday," says the campaign source. "For the past week we've been told there was no decision, then all of sudden, this. We've been sifting through some cruddy poll numbers, so maybe that has something to do with it."
Cruddy indeed. New polling from a number of sources, including internal polling, has Kerry struggling and even lagging in a race that by all rights he should be leading by low double digits.
"When you factor in a president down in the 40s of approval, and a candidate that many people claim they don't know much about, there is no way we should be losing Michigan and Pennsylvania. But we are," says the Kerry adviser. "We've spent $50 million and have nothing to show for it. Not a single point."
According to the source, the thinking goes that a complete Kerry ticket out in public sooner rather than later should energize things enough in the media and the base to give Kerry the uptick his people have been waiting for.
There was no indication of who the "surprise" candidate was. "It could be Hillary. It's assumed that she has been vetted on a separate track from the others. At least that's the talk. No one here knows for sure," says the source.
Edwards was due in Boston after the July 4th holiday for campaign appearances, at least one of which was to be with Kerry.
According to a Clinton Senate staffer in New York City, late on Wednesday, a staff colleague called from the road and indicated that "the Senator may need to change some things around next week." "But we weren't told to do anything for now," says the staffer.
Americans thrive on sensationalism - and a Kerry/Hillary ticket would spread like a prairie blaze across Southern California.
Mark my words. Unless Bush is willing to "match suit" in attracting the minority vote - he can forget it.
You're getting warm. Very warm.
Uh huh... if Kerry does it, I wouldn't be surprised if he had the shortest tenure in the White House since William Harrison. Hillary will stop at nothing to become President.
#19. No. I heard the Vice President do a radio interview after his speech at the D-Day Museum in N.O.. He was very articulate, honest and frank in his answers!!!! He was truly oustanding in the interview!!!!
:-)
That's what McCauliffe wants because Kerry is not going to win this on his own merits, he has too many negatives including zero charisma.
BUMP
kerry will win with hillary
There's another poll just out that has Bush up slightly.
See my post #24. And I disagree with your beginning statement in your #21.
Best FReegards, D2
I think Kerry started off playing the hype, just like he did with McCain. But he might paint himself into a corner if his supposed first choice (McCain) turns him down and after teasing the Clinton worshippers with Hillary, he ends up with someone as bland as Edwards or Gephart. Will that push the HRC people toward the Green party?
But does Cheney appeal to the Black and Mexican voters in N.Y.C., L.A., Detroit, Cincinnati, Des Moines or Memphis?
Vincente Fox for VP?
The minority vote will win this election, and it will go to the Kerry/Hillary ticket unless Bush gets his head out - and gets it out FAST!
Bush would be toast to dump Dick
Cheney. That is a given. But you
no doubt have been made aware of
that, as much as you come here.
So given the logic of both points,
he's toast if he does, he's toast
if he doesn't.
Bush is toast, period.
Yeah, that's the ticket.
#26. Not if Hitlery keeps on making such idiotic statements as she said yesterday(Tax Cuts), She said, "We're saying that for America to get back on track, we're probably going to cut that short and not give it to you. We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good."
Keep trying.
You've got the picture.
Wrong.
VP Dick Cheney will stay unless he doesn't want to - President Bush is very loyal.
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