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The Democrats who know him best are sabotaging Dick Gephardt's chances of being Sen. John Kerry's running mate. Eight of 11 county chairmen selected at random by the Associated Press in Gephardt's home state of Missouri preferred Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina. Only two chose the former House minority leader. But is a freshman senator with few accomplishments really superior to Geppy's centuries of experience just because of a pretty face, fancy hair and excellent dentistry? Apparently yes. "Edwards is the exciting one," said St. Charles County party chairman Joe Koester. "Gephardt just doesn't have the get-up-and-go that Edwards...

<p>WASHINGTON (AP) — The image of Adolf Hitler has emerged again in the battle for the White House as Democrats and Republicans both have tried to liken their opponents to the Nazi dictator.</p> <p>A new Bush-Cheney re-election video features clips of Hitler — the same ones the campaign criticized when they were used in a Web spot that appeared on the Internet site of the liberal activist group MoveOn.org as part of a contest in January.</p>

ARLINGTON, VA -- Bush Cheney '04 today launched a new web video titled "Kerry's Coalition of the Wild-eyed."  The ad highlights the pessimism and rage of John Kerry and his fellow Democrats.A script of the web video is below.  To view the web video, please go to www.GeorgeWBush.com.Bush-Cheney '04 WEB VIDEOKerry's Coalition of the Wild-eyedGraphic:The Faces of John Kerry's Democratic Party The Coalition of the Wild-eyedVideo Clip of Gore:"How dare they drag the good name of the United States of America through the mud of Saddam Hussein's torture prison?"  (Al Gore, Remarks At New York University, 5/26/04)Video Clip of...

KERRY-GEPHARDT MEETING CREATES OMINOUS BLACK HOLE IN UNIVERSE Could Devour Earth, Scientists Fear A meeting between presumptive Democratic nominee John Kerry and possible running mate Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-MO) has created a mysterious black hole in the universe that could eventually swallow Earth and all of its inhabitants, scientists said today. Dr. Carlton Hong, an astrophysicist at the University of Minnesota, said that shortly after the two top Democrats sat down to talk, “pools of extremely low energy began to form” creating “what can only be described as a creepy, black-hole-like vacuum.” Dr. Hong said that the black hole created...

VEEP WEEKEND [KJL] There is buzzing that Kerry may announce this weekend and Democratic sources in the south are saying that Edwards has a clear schedule for the weekend. They take that to mean one thing....but someone may be saying that in Missouri, too, etc.... Watch the Kerry Spot for more as things develop (or as Jim Geraghty stomps on lies and debunks Corner rumor mongering). Posted at 05:26 PM RE: VEEP WEEKEND [KJL] For the record, I don't buy the buzz. Would seem stupid for Kerry to announce his veep when everyone is in Clinton ME ME ME mode....

AFL-CIO LOBBYIST: "Gephardt better damn well be the pick ... We've done too much for Kerry to get screwed this way. A governor from Iowa ain't going to cut it for our membership. It's been tough enough selling Kerry to some of our people." (The Prowler, "Kerry Flies The Flag," The American Spectator Website, http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=6698, 6/15/04)

Union Thug Says Gephardt's the Guy BEGIN TRANSCRIPT A little political news here as it regards John Kerry. Washington Whispers, sort of the political gossip page of the U.S. News and Daily -- what is the name of that stupid -- U.S. News & World Report. I'm getting it confused with the Weekly World News. I still can't get over the cover of the Weekly World News, American GIs shot down an angel in Iraq and they had to go to a vet to have her wing reset, had a picture of it and everything. U.S. News & World Report...

Is it Gephardt? Labor leaders believe union friend Rep. Dick Gephardt has the inside track to be Sen. John Kerry 's vice president. We hear that AFL-CIO execs say it's a done deal.

Washington WhispersSenator Kerry's Final ThreeKerry 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.

THE RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE Hoffa Suggests a Kerry-Gephardt Ticket The labor chief says the Missourian has a 'high profile' and can 'carry a state.' The candidate doesn't respond, but praises his ex-opponent. By Matea Gold, Times Staff Writer LAS VEGAS — Teamsters President James P. Hoffa said Sunday that he has repeatedly urged Sen. John F. Kerry to pick Dick Gephardt as his running mate, calling the Missouri congressman a strong addition to the Democratic presidential ticket. "He needs somebody that's high profile, somebody that can go out and carry a state, somebody that has a constituency, somebody...

Michigan Democrats to hear from Gephardt, Shaheen on Saturday By KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN The Associated Press 5/14/2004, 3:13 p.m. ET LANSING, Mich. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt was supposed to do well in Michigan's Democratic presidential caucuses in early February, but the labor favorite dropped out after the Iowa caucuses in January. Now, Gephardt is spending his time promoting the man who came in first in Iowa: U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts. Gephardt along with Kerry campaign national chairwoman Jeanne Shaheen come to Detroit Saturday to fire up the state's Democrats at the party's annual Jefferson-Jackson Day events....

Gephardt Attacked The High Cost Of Kerry's Health Care Plan Gephardt: Kerry Health Care Plan "Doesn’t Add Up." "Kerry’s explanation of how he’ll pay for his [health care] plan doesn’t add up. He’s trying to have it both ways." ("Out Of The Mouth Of Democrats," The Associated Press, 3/5/04) Gephardt: Kerry Won’t Say How He’ll Pay For Health Care Plan. "Gephardt has outlined how he’ll pay for his plan ---- by repealing all the Bush tax cuts. Kerry has not said how he’ll pay for his plan." (Dick Gephardt For President, "Kerry’s False Claims Against Gephardt’s Healthcare Plan," Press Release,...

Washington -- Rarely has so much speculation generated so little information. James Johnson, a well-regarded figure in Democratic politics asked by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., to screen prospective running mates, has for weeks quietly made rounds on Capitol Hill, talking to dozens of House members and senators and consulting party officials and stalwarts about the ticket. This much is known: The Kerry campaign is seriously vetting at least two candidates for vice president, but the process is still wide open, and the campaign has all but ruled out announcing the choice in May. In interviews with more than 20 Democratic...

Sixty-Second Kerry 'Bio' Spot to Run for Three Weeks in at Least 20 States; Will Include Footage of Kerry in Vietnam, as Protest Leader # NEW YORK, May 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Sen. John Kerry has stepped up the pace of his search for a running mate, with retired Gen. Wesley Clark currently being vetted as a contender, Newsweek has learned. Jim Johnson, a longtime friend of Kerry's, is supervising the process, which has fully vetted two contenders so far, Rep. Dick Gephardt and Sen. John Edwards. And the tight-lipped Johnson, Newsweek has learned, privately expressed considerable interest several weeks ago...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrat John Kerry's campaign has begun background checks of top running mate prospects, including Dick Gephardt, John Edwards and Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, while other hopefuls anxiously await word that they're worthy of a Washington "vetting." Several Democratic officials familiar with the selection process said Wednesday that background checks have been under way for several weeks. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said individuals other than Gephardt, Edwards and Vilsack are under consideration, but they would not identify them - nor say how many there were. The candidates are known only by Kerry, a handful of...

<p>Democrat John Kerry's campaign has begun background checks of top running mate prospects, including former rivals Dick Gephardt and John Edwards, while other hopefuls anxiously await word that they're worthy of a Washington "vetting."</p> <p>Several Democratic officials familiar with the selection process said Wednesday that background checks have been under way for several weeks. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said individuals other than Gephardt and Edwards are under consideration, but they would not identify them -- nor say how many there were.</p>

House Dems lobby for Kerry-Gephardt ticket Midwestern ties, fundraising power cited by Rep. Brown By Lauren Shepherd Several House Democrats are pushing for a Washington-insider presidential ticket featuring the presumptive nominee, Sen. John Kerry (Mass.), and former candidate Rep. Dick Gephardt (Mo.). The idea of a Kerry-Gephardt ticket has started gaining ground among congressional members eyeing Gephardt’s 14 terms in Washington, his large fundraising network and his Midwestern ties. Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) said Gephardt would be the best fit for the Democratic ticket, despite the congressman’s lackluster performance in the party’s presidential nominating process. Gephardt dropped out after finishing...

Kerry Brings Plan to Create 10 Million New Jobs to Missouri; Kerry to Campaign with Gephardt in Kansas City, Rally in Saint Louis 3/26/2004 10:50:00 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor, Politics Reporter Contact: Bill Burton of John Kerry for President, 202-712-3000 or bburton@johnkerry.com, Web: http://www.johnkerry.com News Advisory: One day after unveiling a bold proposal to create 10 million new American jobs, John Kerry will campaign at events in Missouri with Dick Gephardt tomorrow. Early Saturday, Kerry will be in Kansas City for a roundtable discussion with Missouri workers and employers about job creation and in the evening...

<p>"I'm not the happiest camper," Andersen said hours before the recount was scheduled to get under way. "We're going to redo everything."</p> <p>The recount in the Panhandle county will not affect the outcome of Florida's primary, which handily went to Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, who secured 77 percent of the state's vote.</p>

Texas could still play role for Edwards Thursday, February 26, 2004 RALEIGH, N.C. — A few weeks ago, this state's senior senator was considered a true long shot for the Democratic presidential nomination. But John Edwards may still have a shot when the primary marathon reaches Texas on March 9. Edwards has become the last man standing against front-runner and fellow Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts. Edwards has stayed up not by winning but, in the expectations-happy media battle that characterizes nomination fights, by repeatedly doing better than anticipated. His surprise second-place finish in Iowa killed off Dick Gephardt. And...