Kerry's Running Mate Still a Guessing Game

[Freddie Stubbs]

By Lois Romano
Monday, May 10, 2004; Page A06


Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack appears to be the hot name of the week in John F. Kerry's secretive search for a running mate, having been spotted with the right people recently.

But before anyone gets too excited, Kerry spent time last week with others who often get the Big Mention -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who insists he doesn't want the job, and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, who insists no such thing.

"Just coincidence," Kerry said Friday, when asked if he was auditioning contenders. "We're just going around on the schedule."

Sen. Bob Graham (Fla.) is also going through a vigorous vetting process by Washington lawyers that has required him to turn over 4,000 detailed journals he has kept since 1977. The diaries chronicle such personal details as what he had for breakfast, what car he drove to work and, of course, senatorial business.

more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12863-2004May9.html

[WI_DEM]

1. Richardson would be the best choice

given his experience, latino heritage, and the fact he is from a key swing state in a key region. My second choice is Graham.

[Kolesar]

2. Is Bob Graham going to take his oxygen bottles &nitro pills campaigning?

Bob Graham has a heart condition. The senate is the zenith of his political career. He can never run for President. We need somebody who is going somewhere.

What Graham has going for him is that he could deliver Florida, and would not that drive old Jeb Bush up the wall !

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. A VP with a heart condition?

The voters would never allow that!

[WI_DEM]

4. he did have a heart condition

but he has recovered. Look at Cheney who has had six heart attacks and is the strong man in the administration. Also, Kerry had cancer surgery just last year. I don't think Graham is disqualified.

[Kolesar]

5. Our task is harder than the Republicans

They have four networks and the cable tv newschannels to promulgate their message. Not to mention a compliant press and an emasculated NPR.

What if the VP candidate has to take a pause from campaigning for medical reasons? It would be lost time that we never make up.