IF Dean were nominated--a possible short list for VP [View All]

[CMT]

Now I say, IF Dean is nominated and since I'm supporting him I'm using this space to give some thought about who would be a good candidate to run with him. My previous choice, Bill Richardson, took himself out of the VP sweepstakes so he will not be on my list. I think these people will wind up on Dean's short list.

Wesley Clark: Retired US General leader of NATO forces in Kosovo. Very able man who could give the ticket more credibility on National Security issues. From Arkansas. Drawback: Limited political experience and past support of GOP presidents Nixon and Reagan.

Robert Graham: US Senator from Florida. Never lost an election in Florida. Well-liked. Extremely intelligent. Highly critical of Iraqi War and on National Security issues under Bush. Drawback: Doesn't inspire on the stump.

John Edwards: US Senator from North Carolina, not seeking re-election so all of his energies could be used to help the ticket. Has a Clintonesque appeal. He could appeal to a younger generation. Drawback? voted for the Iraqi war resolution.

Tom Harkin: US Senator from Iowa and leading Populist in the party. Could be very helpful in the midwest and an energetic campaigner and fierce debator. Drawback? voted for Iraqi resolution, but has since said if he had to do it over again he would have voted against it.

Mary Landrieu: US Senator from Louisiana. In her second term. An attractive candidate who went up against the Rove machine in 2002 and won. A pro-choice Catholic. From a state which seems to be bucking the GOP trend in the south of late. Drawback: Again, voted for Iraqi Resolution.

These five people would make my short list. My two favorites would be Bob Graham and Tom Harkin and I may need to flip a coin between them.

Graham would be helpful in Florida and other southern states. While he is not terrific on the stump that really doesn't matter in a VP candidate. He handles tv interviews and debates well. Has the national security credentials to help make the case to the country on Iraq. He compliments Dean on this issue since he was against the war himself. He also was a former Governor which is something voters appear to like as experience.

Harkin as noted is great on the stump and great on tv in debates and interviews, however, his style might be too much like Dean's. He is strong with liberal activists and organized labor as well as farmers--a big plus. However, if we need help holding Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota then there is a bigger problem.

In the end I think Bob Graham would be the best choice as Dean's VP.