Sen. Graham on [Dean's] 'short list' for VP spot

[Larkspur]

http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/7184542.htm

<SNIP>
Dean said Graham, who dropped out of the presidential race Oct. 6, "was the candidate I felt closest to" in joint appearances.

"I told Bob Graham the day he made the decision to drop out (of the presidential race) that he would be on the short list, and he is on the short list," said Dean. "He is one of the greatest public servants in the United States."
<SNIP>

I can dig Graham as VP. He'll give Dean some experience with dealing with Congress and has a good foreign policy resume.

[CMT]

1. it would be nice if

Graham would make a formal endorsement of Dean, but strategically they might be waiting until the best time prior to the Florida primary.

[helleborient]

2. His daughter's joining the Dean team is big, though... (n/t)

[returnable]

3. Graham's other daughter, Suzanne, is a fundraiser for Clark

So I wouldn't read too much into it.

[jeter]

4. Graham is too old and would have too many medical problems

His heart is bad. Clark would make a better VP.

[JI7]

5. graham isn't too old

and if he had any serious medical problems he would let it be known and therefore not chosen considered for vp. i don't like the criticisms of graham's age because it reminds me of right wing attacks on frank lautenberg and mondale. maybe if there were other good reasons for not wanting him, but our party should not do blow them off based on age alone.

[loyalsister]

8. Pres 8 years from now

Graham doesn't seem like a very practical choice for VP. He would be like 75 when it came his time to run. Age is a reasonable consideration since the VP pick is also the pick for the next president.

[mndemocrat_29]

12. Possibly Dean, as an outsider

wouldn't want the VP to be the automatic candidate in eight years. If the winning ticket were Dean/Graham and Graham chose not to run in 2012, that would leave room for Sens. Pryor and Lincoln, along with Govs. Rendell, Napolitano, and future Gov. Spitzer to run.

[JI7]

15. vp doesn't have to run for pres, they can just be vp

while it's common for vice presidents to run for president. it's not a requirement. a vp can just be a vp. someone who helps out in ways, but their first job being to take the position of president in case something happens to the president.

[ringmastery]

19. exactly

Does anyone expect Cheney to run for President?

[oasis]

20. He could be a one term V.P. and then Hillary or Debbie Stabenow.

[dusty64]

21. He is unfortuately

and I think he would be around 76 - 77 in 2012. He is greatly qualified otherwise.

[NNadir]

10. It's a pleasure to have Frank back as New Jersey's senator.

He's doing a damn good job.

Then there's the matter of Robert Byrd. Both of these men are sharp and vital members of the United States Senate. Both are a far cry from Helms and Thurmond.

[JI7]

16. yeah, both are some of the best

i am actually surprised to see how much time lautenberg spends on the senate floor, hearings and other things. when he was brought back out of retirement, i thought he would most likely just be another seat for democrats to be safely theirs and keep out of the hands of republicans until the next election when democrats can find someone else to run for the seat. and that he wouldn't be expected to do much. but the guy is up there just about everyday. and of course robert byrd seems to have more energy and can outdebate just about everyone there even though they are younger than him. i remember him kicking ass in debating john warner. john warner looked like a fool. he looked to be struggling. byrd knows his stuff.

[madfloridian]

6. No, Graham is a wonderful person and good at what he does.

If you want to be for Clark, fine, but do NOT put Graham down. He has served Florida long and well. He is not flashy, but he has more knowledge than most candidates. Way more.

[Jerseycoa]

13. He certainly is all that

Graham's only problem as a candidate was his inability to speak in soundbites (something I liked about him). The only people who wouldn't admire Bob Graham are those who wouldn't take the time to listen to what he had to say. He voted against IWR, something everyone seems to forget. He battered the Bush Administration unceasingly about its misdirection on terrorism and national security. Gen. Clark acknowledges this, by the way.

I have nothing but respect and admiration for Bob Graham. Graham is one of the smartest and most decent politicians alive. I think he would be a great VP. He knows the ins and outs of Congress like the back of his hand. He has the respect of his former Senate colleagues. He would be an asset on the Democratic ticket no matter who the nominee turns out to be. He's also never lost an election, which is always good.

[tsipple]

11. How's Cheney's Heart?

I think Graham's heart is just fine. Certainly not stone cold.

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. I'll vote for Dean if he selects Graham.

*

[Padraig18]

9. Graham would be great, and so would Clark!

:thumbsup:

[DrFunkenstein]

14. Graham Has Some "Out There" Comments That Could Come Back

Even Dean didn't go as far as some of Graham's comments. I guess the regional balance would be a plus, not to mention actual shreds of foreign policy experience.

[a_lil_wall_fly]

17. I think that Sen. Graham will be high on the list of

all the remaining candidates. He is one of the more down to earth and mellow politicans out there...but watch out if he has a cause to preach!!!!!

[The Backlash Cometh]

18. I can't wait until he debates Cheney.

I know, with what Graham knows, that he'll come at Cheney with both guns firing. It will be worth it just to see Graham look at Cheney with a disapproving stare. It will be worth it, just to see Cheney in the hot seat.

[a_lil_wall_fly]

22. Yeppers!

Graham is a "non-sooo nice" once he has you or an issue in his cross-hairs!!!!!