AP A Look at Possible Running Mates

[Thrill]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/kerry_possible_no__2_glance

On this list. The guy that I have been touting Tom Vilsack is the obvious most attractive candidate outside of Clark

[phillybri]

1. Raines has one hell of a resume...

n/t

[rocktivity]

9. But Raines has no name recognition

and his age coupled with his race might make someone else look more attractive in 2012. In terms of name recogition, balancing the ticket and looking the most electable after eight years of "seasoning," I like Edwards, Clinton, and Landrieu. Thre's no time to develop an unknown--he have to put a ticket together that says, "WE ARE GOING TO WIN--NOW, IN 2008, AND IN 2012!"

:headbang:
rocknation

[carpediem]

11. Kerry Raines in '04 - great bumper sticker

you have to love it.

I haven't formed an opinion on the best vp pick yet, i just thought this ticket had good bumper sticker potential.

[underpants]

2. Oh please no I know it makes sense but please not Gephardt

Everyone seems to think he is the front runner.

[mlawson]

24. Hey, it must be Gephartd's TURN.

Who cares whether we win or not?? It's his turn, this year.

I predict, with Gep as VP, we lose between 40 and 45 states.

[loyalsister]

25. Was just talking about this

with some friends. This idea is NOT popular in Mid Missouri.

[Catholic Sensation]

3. Mark Warner is loved in Virginia according to my dad

he might be even more helpful in the south than Edwards (please don't flame me, it's just a hypothesis).

Ed Rendell is in my four way tie for vp pick (McCain, Clark, and Bayh are the other three).

[PATRICK]

5. Is this a floater list yet?

I doubt it but it has been used in the past to get potential candidates vetted in the national forums, like published wedding banns, to help the actual deciders. Or to obscure the obvious while they double check and consult with the potential of being leaked.

[underpants]

6. He won by winning the independents but I doubt he will do it

He wants Allen (or Warner's) Senate seat and the POTUS run will come later.

[SaveElmer]

7. He is popular but...

There is no way we are gonna carry Virginia!

[cmayer]

14. Virginia is a long shot... but...

In 2000, Gore lost Virginia by 7 points. Nader got 2 points. Gore ran no campaign in Virgina whatsoever. We couldn't even get bumperstickers.

In 2001 we elected Mark Warner Governor and Tim Kaine Lt. Governor.

In 2003 we picked up 3 seats in the House of Delegates. Not fireworks, but the right direction.

If we can drive it even closer, we can make * defend Virginia. That will draw off resources from other states.

If he doesn't defend, there will be a huge grass roots effort. The possiblilty of an upset will drive apathetic D's to the polls in droves. Unfortunately, it will drive apathetic R's also. The difference? R's always vote anyway.

[underpants]

16. WElcome to DU -----------Allen beat Robb 53-47%

And he is the Rep. party golden boy around here. Va. is very winnable IMHO.

[Rabbit of Caerbannog]

10. He's got a major budget

debacle on his hands now that could work against him

[smiley_glad_hands]

12. Warner may be loved by many Virginians but

I don't see any way possible for the dems to carry Va---not anytime soon. Our unemployment rate is lower than the national average---lots and lots of military here---and Va is still primarily (IMHO) a rural state other than Hampton Rhoads, NOVA, and Richmond City. Other than TX I think that Va is probably the most conservative state in the union. I live in Chesterfield Co., a Richmond suburb, and it is the most vile conservative place I've ever lived---use to live in Hampton Roads area--which is more moderate--even with Pat Robertson hanging out in Va Beach.

[Rabbit of Caerbannog]

15. I have to agree with you

Chesterfield Co. IS the most vile conservative place to live :evilgrin:

[BigBigBear]

4. Hillary is a no-way

Same with Clark or Edwards.

Graham, Gephardt or Richardson. Leaning toward Graham.

[BagoDem]

8. VP Choice

Vilsack would be a very good running mate for Kerry. He's a very dynamic speaker and can rally a crowd with the best of them. A debate with Cheney could be fatal for Dick. He'd better get his heart batteries charged up before going head to head with Vilsack!

[TakeBackUSA]

13. Got to go w/Clark -but make other appointments public- TEAMBUILDING

To get the maximum bump in several states (EV's), Kerry campaign should name Clark VP, but make public other appointments that will play well in important battleground states.

Why Clark VP?:

I feel Clark would make the best VP candidate for several reasons. Being a southern moderate, he would be attractive to centrist republicans. Some particular reasons for Clark as VP:
1.) Arkansas EV & southwest (NM&NV) -Clark would be part of a strategy to target Arkansas' electoral votes (also New Mexico and Nevada). Clark and Bill Clinton could spend alot of time in AK. Military experience plays well in midwest (Iowa, Ohio), also.
2.) Clark's military experience - What better to counteract Bush's inevitable Vietnam protest attack than having a 4 star general defend you? Clark innoculates Kerry from these "Hanoi John" attacks. Also strengthens the Veteran support, and brings the AWOL issue of bush's naturally back into the news. "2 bars and 4 stars" vs. "the chickenhawks."
3.) Questioning 9-11 - only Clark has the stature to actively question bush's failures on 9-11. This "knocks the legs" out of bush's main campaign strategy. (Clark's last stump speeches were very good on this, but by that time the focus was off him.)
4.) Best Debater vs Cheney - Clark has the best credentials, including foreign policy experience, to go head to head with Cheney.
5.) Compatability - John Kerry obviously has a strong compatability with Clark. The military joking, army/navy is a winner.
6.) International Appeal - Clark can be tauted to help in our foreign relations with european countries, to repair the relations that bush has harmed in the Iraq mess. This can be played up as Clark's unique job focus, with early trips to European nations, as well as overseeing the Iraq transition to self government.

To also get Edward's and Gephardt's popularity working for us, it would be great to announce cabinet appointments prior to election day.
While Kerry Clark is the best ticket, I feel the campaign should also announce some of these cabinet choices. Announcing cabinet appointments in advance would show the American public a strong team, and would emphasise the way Kerry would make decisions in the White House, by drawing on well qualified advisors in an open discussion. This contrasts nicely with how decisions are made in the * administration - major policy not discussed, but "handed down from above" (Cheney & Co.). This lack of debate in the bush admin. was outlined clearly in Suskind's book on Paul O'Neil's tenure in the * WH.

Some announcement that could be made (ideally just after the D Convention, and announced in their home states):
1.) Edwards - Attorney General (helps in Ohio, overall)
2.) Gephardt - Dept. of Labor (this helps in Missouri, Ohio, Iowa, WV)
3.) Possibly Bill Clinton as US ambassador to the UN - (would further help solidify AK)

The idea of Kerry bringing together these talented people in a single administration would be a powerful statement in the general election. TEAMBUILDING could be a campaign theme. The visual of these four or five on a podium makes a great case for John Kerry's leadership (for visuals, Kerry's height makes for a nice statement of his leadership).

I feel this is a winning strategy for the general election. thoughts? ideas?

[newyawker99]

20. Hi TakeBackUSA!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[cally]

17. Vilsack is interesting

Since healthcare and prescription drug beneftis, thought this was interesting since it's prominently displayed on his website :

VILSACK SAYS IOWA COULD SAVE MILLIONS PURCHASING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FROM CANADA

Urges Iowa’s Congressional Delegation to Address Issue; Invites FDA Official to Iowa to Discuss Implementation

Des Moines—Governor Tom Vilsack today said a study conducted by the Department of Human Services (DHS) found Iowa could save at least $10 million a year on prescription drug costs if the state could purchase prescription drugs from Canada for state employees, retirees and their families. Vilsack urged Congress to take action on reimportation and he invited an FDA official to Iowa to meet with him and state officials to figure out how to realize these savings for the state.

“We have looked at the data and identified the potential for significant cost savings for the state if we purchase prescription drugs for state employees and retirees from Canada,” Governor Vilsack said. “We estimate we can cut our drug costs by 16.4 percent at a minimum, and achieve an initial savings of at least $10 million.”

http://www.governor.state.ia.us/news/2003/november/november0703_1.html

[CalebHayes]

18. I like Bill Richardson we get NM 100% and...

AZ, we will lock up CA and make put Texas in play.

I think we need that Sunbelt.

[seabeyond]

21. never with texas

that is like repugs saying calif

me thinks

[jmowreader]

23. I think Bush has put Texas into play

It's the beef thing. Too much more of Ann Veneman and her "management" of the beef industry and Texas won't export so much as a hamburger patty. It's the Mad Cow shit. It's the antibiotics. The hormones. It's too much to bear, is what it is.

Texas is as controlled by the beef industry as it is by the oil industry; turn the cattlemen against Bush (which will be exceptionally easy if we have another BSE incident thanks to his leadership) and he's toast.

[BillZBubb]

19. Which prospect can make a 3-4% difference in Ohio?

To me Ohio is the key to this election. If Kerry wins it, he's in the White House. Lose it and it's going to be tough to have a chance.

I don't see Florida as being winnable. The Bush* machine is too strong there. So, getting someone who would appeal specifically to Floridians, or Southerners in general is a mistake.

Ohio is a good bellweather for the entire "rust belt". It tends to go more conservative than Penn., WVa., and Mich. so a win there probably means those states are Kerry's too. No Republican has ever won the presidency without winning Ohio.

So, I'd like a VP candidate who can move as many Buckeyes into the D column as possible. I don't know yet who that guy is.

[seabeyond]

22. jeb

is the only way i am seeing losing florida

[mot78]

26. Kerry and * are TIED in Florida

so we still have a shot down there. Also, just because Jeb suprised us, doesn't mean Florida has become a safe red state, because it's not.

[osaMABUSh]

27. I agree 100% - Ohio, Ohio, Ohio not Florida, Florida, Florida

So lets not focus on FLA; focus on the Midwest, WVa and Ohio which takes Graham out. Vilsack but Iowa and Ohio are not exactly neighbors. Gephardt - too old school.

As Ohio goes, so goes the nation.

Who can help Kerry here?