Kerry's Possible Running Mates Unenthused

[Florida_Geek]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Kerry-Veeps.html

March 7, 2004
Kerry's Possible Running Mates Unenthused
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 5:36 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Three top Democrats, all talked about as possible running mates for presumptive presidential nominee John Kerry, on Sunday suggested a lack of interest in being vice president -- but none ruled it out.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson could create a stir as the first Hispanic on a major party ticket. But when asked whether he would turn down such an offer from Kerry, he said he was very happy in his current position.

``I love being governor of New Mexico. My job isn't finished yet. I've only been governor for a year,'' said Richardson, who joined two fellow Democrats on CBS' ``Face the Nation.'' You know, a governor is the best job in the world. And I've said this before, nobody seems to believe me ... but I am very happy in my job.''

Sen. Bob Graham, who folded his campaign for the Democratic presidential nod last October, deflected a similar question. ``I think that's going to be up to Senator Kerry, obviously,'' Graham said

<cut>


Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell deferred to Graham and Richardson, saying they have a ``tremendous advantage over someone like me. They both have foreign policy experience. They both have real homeland security and domestic terrorism experience. And I think both would be excellent choices.

..more at AP...

[lancdem]

1. No surprise there

Nobody actually WANTS to be VP. After all, John Nance Garner called it a warm bucket of pi**. :evilgrin:

[mobuto]

4. Its changed just a bit

Back in 1932, the Veep was just a Southerner chosen to round out a ticket. Nobody thought a Southerner could be elected President, and John Nance Garner had no illusions. The guy was a right-wing shit, and knew he would never be nominated for the Presidency or given any responsibilities by FDR.

Today its different. Vice Presidents have been given a lot more power - Al Gore was quite powerful, and Cheney runs the country. And much more frequently they're seen as being the President's successor. I think Edwards and Clark, for example, would both kill to be VP.

[remfan]

6. Cheney did

So much so that he picked himself for the position.

[mike1963]

8. Heh...well I imagine it's the "aw shucks" factor. It wouldn't be seemly

for any of them to express big interest...(a rule not followed by the Repubs, obviously)
:evilgrin:

[KansDem]

33. This headline is misleading...

These possible candidates are NOT going to express rabid eagerness to be selected for the reason you cited: They scream "Me!!, Me!!," and then Kerry selects someone else. How would that look to the "rejected" ones? How would that affect their political careers? They would look like fools!

So they say "Sure, might be nice, but I already "self actualize" as (insert political position here) of/for (insert state/district here). Notice the article said NOTHING about rejecting an offer?

This headline is misleading and written that way to bash Kerry.

edited for grammar

[PartyPooper]

2. What about Clark or Edwards?

Might they be just a little more enthusiastic?

:-)

[Leilani]

10. I saw Clark on CNN today

& he wouldn't answer the question; if fact, he seemed angry about being asked.

[Lindsay]

3. Nobody with any political sense

is gonna express a lot of enthusiasm about the VP position at this point. It's up to Kerry to make the announcement, and until then, nobody's likely to express interest publically. Particularly those who already are in elected office...what does that say to the people who elected them?

Just politics as usual. Crappy headline for that story, though...not surprisingly.

[markses]

7. Thank you

Being "enthused" about the VP spot at this point is like going all in w/ 4 aces before the turn card in Texas hold'em. It's stupid.

[LawDem]

5. Lacking enthusiasm is all part of the dance

Don't believe a word of it. Vice President is no longer a "who would want it" job. Too many have moved up to number one. On the other hand, who wants to appear publicly to be angling for a job they very well may not be offered.

In 1972 George McGovern had trouble getting a VP, but everyone knew he had little chance. Given the very good chance of the Democrats winning this year, few would actually say no.

[Art_from_Ark]

19. A few VPs have moved up to Number One-- but rarely on their own

Since Martin van Buren did it in 1836, only one Vice President has made it to the Presidency on his own (that is, without the assistance of a death or resignation)-- that was bu$h's father.

[Piperay]

9. Pretending disinterest is all just for show

there are probably a dozen Democratic politicians who are praying to be offered the job.

[Terran]

11. Hey, those two look good together!

Great pic of Kerry and Clark--I hope Kerry offers it to Clark--that would be a difficult pair to beat.

[Rebellious Republican]

12. I concur, Clark or Edwards would do it for me.

I hope Clark accepts if offered the job!!! But down here in Florida McBride had an opportunity to take back Florida, instead of picking Janet Reno or Daryl Jones who would have brought name recognition and diversity, he picked Sen. Tom Rossin. Most people said whats the difference between McBride/Rossin and Bush/Brogan, they are al rich white guys with lots of money! I thought it was a mistake when McBride announced it, it was at that point when I knew we were not going to win. I campaigned hard for McBride to.

[roguevalley]

24. I love Mr. Graham, but if the party picks some geek from out of the

blue, I for one will be SEVERELY pissed off. Don't
go to some dork state and try and find someone you
think will help you win some dumbass strategy about
winning say, three southern states and holding the
blue ones concoction. Give me someone already out
there. No Bayhs. No whatevers. I'm done with that
sort of thing.

[pinto]

13. pet peeve dept., headline sucks for objectivity, accuracy...n/t

[nolabels]

14. This is so stupid, it's funny

When a perspective employers call your work, do you get on the phone and say "Yea, I am looking for a new JOB, this one sucks"

[pinto]

15. yeah, seems like some writer has a "do some VP story" assignment....

[July]

26. On the money

I started laughing reading Richardson's comment, because my husband always says, when asked by co-workers whether he's interviewing for a job opening up within his very large company, "I am very happy serving as the governor of Alabama." It's just political cover.

[stevedeshazer]

16. I think Kerry should pick an unemployed person. Like me.

Okay, I'm being sarcastic here.

But picking me as V.P. would bolster one of the regular things Kerry says on the stump about laying G. W. Bush off.

I'll volunteer to be his running mate. I'm taller than Bush, better looking, I'm an outsider, I'm from the West, I support most of what Kerry supports. I also have a better war record, as I was not called up; therefore there will be no controversy over my military record.

Even though I don't have a job right now, I have had real jobs in the past, unlike Bush and Cheney. I've been a delivery driver, customer service representative, business manager, repair specialist, farmer, and musician. I was paid for the work I did, unlike Bush and Cheney, who are paid for being who they ARE.

So if no one else wants the nomination for Vice-President, I'll take it. I'll even carry the nucular football on off-days for the new President. Weekends and part-time are okay now that I've been unencumbered from a paying job for over a year. I'll take anything now.

All those explosions under Joe Lieberman's, errrr I mean Dick Cheney"s house must mean lots of available underground space. We could have a party for the Democratic Underground safely in the secret bunker reserved for the shadow government. There are a lot of artists and musicians here. The remaining National Guard members that have not been deployed to Iraq could set up cots!

Screw the Bohemian Grove thing, I wasn't invited last year anyway.

I can use a gavel, too. That will be useful in presiding over the Senate and breaking ties. :)

[lyonn]

32. Pretty good qualifications Stevie D.

They sound like a good ol' american background. It was fun to read.

[revcarol]

17. The NY Times fails again.

I agree.
Shitty headline.

Oh, for the days when the NYTimes used to be the premier paper of the WORLD. How low.....

[leesa]

18. Why doesn't he ask people with backbone? Like Dean or Kucinich

Graham apparently has the goods on Bush and 9-11 but won't spill it?

[Rebellious Republican]

20. I live in Florida, people down here love Bob Graham.....

He is an exceptionally shrewed politician. He may be saving it for just the right time! Remember, nothing happens in politics by accident, timing is everything!
P.S. If Bob Graham would have run, he could have beaten Jeb for Governor in 2002 without even breaking a sweat!

[Markus182]

22. In that case

Graham may be just the ticket to winning Florida in 2004.

[Sugarbleus]

21. I've heard rumors that it's going to be

Gephardt.

[SoCalDem]

30. Oh NO... Please... not the albino with no eyebrows

:(

[lyonn]

34. No no

He is a nice fellow that couldn't make it out of Iowa. His plans for health care impressed me and that was it.

[Markus182]

23. This is no surprise

It seems to me that this may be the expected attitude of vice-presidential hopefuls. The vice-president is supposed to be strong enough that the presidential hopeful must come to them; they should not be fighting amongst themselves for his attention. The vice-presidential candidate is chosen in an undemocratic manner, and thus he should not be seen as competing for the position (though I'm sure that it all happens behind the scenes, but appearances are everything).

[DinahMoeHum]

25. Agreed. They're probably playing hard to get.

Happens all the time.

:kick:

[emc]

28. candidate's

I'm from NM and I think Richardson is the only logical choice, but then again, I'm biased....He has the Hispanic background and all the other attributes----Problem is , he made a promise to NMexicans, that he would not leave his position as Governor after being elected----I know politicians dont as a rule keep their promises, but I think this guy is different---Ive spoken to him personally and for me, he is a different breed.....keeps his word, so far....
As far as I can see,there isn't any logical choice at this point, even read an article this morning about Tom Brokaw being considered...

[JI7]

27. showing enthusiasm makes it less likely they will be asked

there is a pattern where people who seem to show they want to be vp usually end up not being asked. it's like bad luck or something.

[malachi]

29. Moe, Larry or Curly better than these three.

Did anyone actually watch the broadcast? When asked about the chimp's awol situation Richardson said that * did his service and that the National Guard was an integral part of our national defense.WTF! Both Graham and Richardson said that the awol rhetoric was over the line. Both G & R stated the campaign should be affirmative and relate to things that were important to Americans. A losing strategy if I ever saw one. Rendell, the consumate politician was asleep.

[lyonn]

31. That is how a potential candidate responds

Of course they are going to reply as they did, don't they always? Is this a real issue? Most anyone elligible for the position of vp would be ecstatic to be chosen. Kerry is not my first, second or third choice but, I am learning more things about him that truly impress me. Does anyone really believe that he will have a problem finding a vp?