Dorgan: Edwards for VP

[NewJerseyDem]

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/49_107/news/5127-1.html (subscription required)

Senate Democratic Policy Committee Chairman Byron Dorgan (N.D.) is quietly urging his colleagues to back Sen. John Edwards (N.C.) as their party’s vice presidential nominee to help balance the ticket with a Southern voice who would also appeal to voters in key battleground states in other regions of the country.

Dorgan has been talking up Edwards’ candidacy to Senators in informal discussions just as there is a new sense of urgency among Democrats for Sen. John Kerry (Mass.), his party’s presumptive presidential nominee, to choose a running mate soon.

“I am not waging a campaign, I am just expressing myself and others should express their interest as well,” Dorgan said. “I think people in our Caucus like him, and I think almost everyone understands he ran a great campaign.

“I want the strongest ticket possible this fall. I want to win the presidency and I happen to believe ... the strongest ticket possible will be a John Kerry-John Edwards ticket.”

[katieforeman]

1. Edwards is by far and away the best choice for vp

I'm glad there are people in the democratic establishment who understand that.

You can go to www.draftkerryedwards.com to sign a petition.

[AP]

17. It's nice that they do realize that, because...

...it's not like Edwards is an LBJ. He doesn't have power to trade or muscle to throw around or chits to cash in. All he has is his hard work, the quality of his mesage, and the power of his symoblism. What does Dorgan get from telling people to encourage Kerry to pick Edwards? Nothing other than a victory in November and a good man on the ticket who could possibly be the best president we've ever had in 2008 or 2012.

[David Dunham]

2. I fully agree that Edwards is the best choice.

[IndianaGreen]

10. No experience on national security and foreign affairs

Edwards has a good personality and intellect, but I think that most voters want someone with more experience.

I don't think geography is important on a year in which the voters are concerned about their security at home and abroad.

[AP]

18. Americans will care most about their economic security at home...

...and if there isn't someone on the ticket who speaks to THOSE anxieties, then we're fucked.

[Auntie Bush]

3. Well I hope NO one is listening to Dorgan...

because he be wrong!

Kerry would truly be foolish not to have Wesley Clark for his VP.
Who is better to help us with the Iraq situation? Certainly not John Edwards! I would feel confident with Clark at the helm and I would have no confidence in Edwards...sorry. He is a good campaigner...so why can't he campaign for John and Wes. Our party needs to be seen as strong on defense in these perilous times. If we had world peace I'd welcome John on the ticket. However...NOW we NEED Wes Clark.
I hope and pray with all my heart Kerry choses Clark.

[Darkamber]

4. We do need Clark...

but let's put him where he will be of most use as Sec. of State or Nat. Security Adviser.

Edwards is campaigning for Kerry for President and if Kerry picks Clark as VP then Edwards will campaign for them both but not before.

Edwards helps on the domestic issues and most importantly he helps with the House and Senate positions coming up for election. He would help to give Kerry a Democratic majority in congress again. Something that Kerry will need if he wants to pass any of his policies. And he could use a man who can talk an owl out of a tree on the Senate floor pushing for votes to go the way he wants them to go.

[Bread and Circus]

11. This is what we will hear ad nauseum if Edwards is picked:

Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer. Trial lawyer.....

You'll see.

And don't come crying to me when it happens either.

[AP]

19. When they started talking about that in '98, he went from down 10 pts...

to winning.

I HOPE we start talking about the civil justice system and what Edwards did as a trial lawyer.

[Padraig18]

26. And here's what we'll hear if it's Gen. Clark (who I happen to LIKE, FWIW)

"Is it true you didn't change your party affiliation until 10/03? Didn't you praise the Bush WH for its handling of 9/11? Didn't you..."

Face it--- no matter WHO we nominate, KKKarl Rove will do his best to savage them. Wes Clark isn't 10-feet tall and Teflon-coated, doc, for all that we like him...

[DaisyUCSB]

Notice most of the Clark-for-vp advocates are arguing against

the notion of Edwards for vp by using basically republican attack points agaisnt him. I'm just saying the reverse is not the case. I don't favor either of them as my top choices, although I did support Clark for presidential candidate, however there aren't any Edwards for vp supporters I see, calling Clark crazy or unprincipaled or anything like that, although tons of the reverse(calling Edwards a lightweight, just a trial lawyer, COMPLETELY lacking in foriegn policy experience, etc. etc..

It's not good.

[JohnKleeb]

27. neither are invincinible I agree

Clark for sure doesmt have teflon, not to take anything away from him but hes not invinicible. I prefer Edwards to Clark because I do like Edwards better of course Clark wouldnt make a bad VP but I would doubt that he would be the one. He'll be in the adminstration I assume but VP is unlikely IMO.

[Gloria]

5. Edwards' and his fundraisers are getting a little too obvious....

Article in the NY Observer about this. He's continuing to raise money and his big time supporters have gotten so obnoxious that Kerry quipped that they must be looking "for federal judgeships." The article said that Edwards' continuing "pressure" is almost like pleading.

From what I understand, there's still no love lost between Edwards and Kerry. I fervently hope he doesn't pick Edwards. He's a lightweight on national security and Kerry has said he wants someone with national security experience. Clark has clarity on the very issues that are coming to the fore now.

If he doesn't pick Wes, Kerry is making an error. (However, I have already speculated that Wes is already the pick and the deal was done a long time ago.....)

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

6. Kerry should pick Edwards for V.P. By State Sen. Lou D'Allesandro (D)

http://www.draftkerryedwards.com/archives/000029.html

<snip>

Kerry should pick Edwards for V.P.
By State Sen. Lou D'Allesandro (D-Manchester)

I am very lucky to live in New Hampshire, a small state with a role in presidential politics. Our focus on participatory government is a unique tradition that both New Hampshire citizens and the candidates who come here to meet us, cherish. Fortunately, I’ve been in politics long enough to meet a number of candidates on various occasions.

I know Senator John Kerry. Senator John Kerry is a great American and he will make a great President. Senator Kerry has a long and distinguished record of fighting on behalf of those who cannot fight for themselves. He has done this in the Senate and he will continue to do so as President of the United States.

I also know Senator John Edwards. Senator John Edwards is a great American who is committed to providing America what Americans want most – jobs and a peaceful, promising future.

Winning back the White House is critical to the future of this country and America needs a person like John Edwards on the ticket. I encourage, and urge, Senator Kerry to invite Senator Edwards to join him on the Democratic ticket as the candidate for Vice President of the United States.

<snip>

more on link

[Null Pointer]

7. Why Clark?

Why Clark though? I mean, I can understand why the Clark supporters liked him for Pres and want him to be VP. He's a former general, he has experience dealing with foreign leaders in Bosnia, and he's charismatic. But, he's also a first-time campaigner, and it showed in the primaries. Kerry has been a professional politician for over 20 years and I think it's unlikely he'll choose a man who has never held elected office, or a guy like Edwards that only has a few years as a Senator.

I don't know alot about Gephardt, but it would seem to me that he would be an obvious choice for Kerry for VP. He has alot experience in Congress and could possibly swing votes in Swing States like Iowa, Missouri and Michigan.

I personally like Edwards. He just has this Clintonesque quality about him, a likeability that Kerry simply lacks (but he's represented my state well over the past 19 years, so I can't complain). But that's ok. I'd vote for Kerry no matter who he chooses.

[Nashyra]

8. NO to Edwards

I admit I am partial to Clark but there are others that bring more to the ticket than Edwards and with less amunition. The fact that he made his millions by being a malpractice lawyer even though it was for the good of his clients will be an obstacle that the Kerry campaign does not need. It will take time, effort and money to refute what the repukes will use against Edwards. His lack of national security and foreign policy experience does not make him the best candidate for VP. He would however be perfect for the AG job in the Kerry administration, because he is a fair and honorable man.

[Null Pointer]

9. Good point

Good point. Like I said, I'll support Kerry regardless. And since Edwards isn't seeking a 2nd term, I'd love to see him contributing to the administration somehow.

[spooky3]

15. as has been pointed out many times before, criticizing JRE for his

outstanding performance as a lawyer representing the injured little guy is like tossing him a slow softball. The Repugs. tried attacking that when he ran for Senate in a red state, and you see how successful they were with that attack. It didn't work then, and it won't work now.

This campaign is not simply about the Iraq war and terrorism, and those who are pleased with our "progress" there are going to vote for Bush no matter who Kerry puts on the ticket. Kerry already brings the many years of Senate and foreign policy experience. There are many issues that are very important to people in the swing states in the midwest and elsewhere on which JRE offers strengths--jobs, outsourcing, tax inequity, education, opposition of wingnut judiciary appointments, etc. His proposals were the most comprehensive and logical, and that is how he came from nowhere into being the overall runnerup to Kerry.

[northernsoul]

21. Debate: Edwards vs. Cheney

John Edwards will beat Tricky Dick like a rented mule, and make it look like he was doing him a favor by it.

[AP]

20. I like the fact that Edwards MADE his millions by working.

Nobody gifted it to him, or left it in a will. He didn't marry someone rich. And he didn't sell stocks which he received in exchange for close connections to the military estabilishment or to people in the executive department.

I think people are going to respond to that.

I mean, if people are going to hate Edwards because he got his millions from working, then what the hell are they going to think about Kerry and Bush, or say Clark and Dean.

[AP]

25. I think the corporate media has it out for Edwards since he's really the

only candidate who says anything that really threatens the corporatocracy.

A fairer tax code? Can't have that.

A belief that the government should pay to have a good infrastructure -- including public education -- so that everyone starts off on a level playing field and can realize their full potential? Can't have that either. Too expensive. Don't want to pay for it.

I don't even think Kerry firmly believes in that kind of America, but he's better than Bush at least.

[Tactical Progressive]

12. Edwards is a lightweight. Clark is the guy.

Wes Clark has probably already been chosen to fill the VP slot if the DNC has half the skills it should. Clark is smart and aggressive, which complements Kerry's smart but less confrontational manner perfectly, especially wrt 9/11, Afghanistan, Iraq and international relations.

John Edwards seems like a great guy and he is a skilled orator. That is why he should stay in the US Senate and make a difference there and eventually in Cabinet positions in future Democratic administrations. Maybe he'll rise higher later on, but he isn't ready now at this particular time in history.

Clark is ready now. Even though he hasn't been a pol, and I'll admit that's a lacking, he's dealt with plenty. And when it comes to understanding and experience regarding security matters, he's been there working at the highest levels. Few are as well qualified to be involved in working the types of situations we're facing now.

We got lucky with Clark. He's a real Democrat, almost an untainted Democrat, who's smart, tough and experienced in exactly the kinds of problems that BushCo has turned much of this election into.

[spooky3]

14. Edwards is NOT running for reelection.

Erskine Bowles is running for that seat.

JRE is every bit as smart as Clark and brings many other skills and experiences to the table. I like Clark and would be happy with either on the ticket, but I think JRE is the right choice.

[spooky3]

13. this is just one more reason why I like Dorgan!

There are many other reasons.

He is one to watch also. If he were from a bigger state, he would get more attention.

[Padraig18]

16. I *like* Clark, but it won't *be* Clark; it will be Edwards.

Clark impressed the voters far less favorably than the climate at DU indicates, while the opposite is true about Sen. Edwards. Ultimately, it will come down to the question of who helps Sen. Kerry the most with Independent, undecided and modrate Republican voters in battleground states. John Edwards did well with all of those groups.

I'd be happy with either one, but the smart money says it's going to be Edwards.

[JohnKleeb]

22. I agree with the senator

Edwards could also come useful in from what I read some northern swing states. Edwards wont allow us to sweep the south but neither will any other VP choice IMO but he can get us more in the south and expand our vote in other states.=He's a great speaker, really rose on my personal stock the last two months of the primaries.

[Padraig18]

23. Excellent analysis, John!

I completely agree.

[JohnKleeb]

24. he was in my middle runnings at christmas time

but as I got to see him more and more, I liked the guy and no its not because I am southern, I am prolly one of the only southerners who dont give a damn about region but I like Edwards, good man, and I would like him to be VP or AG but VP preferably so we can have Elliot Spitzer be AG.