Kerry Mum On VP Choice

[chimpymustgo]

PERRY, Ohio, June 25, 2004

-snip-

But right now, Missouri Congressman Dick Gephardt and North Carolina Sen. John Edwards have emerged as the frontrunners, with Florida Sen. Bob Graham and Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack also in the mix. It's unscientific, but at a gym full of Kerry supporters in northeastern Ohio, there's a clear favorite.

"John Edwards," says one woman. "No question."

"I like John Edwards," says another gym patron.

"Edwards!" adds a third and a fourth.

-snip-

But it's unclear how much Kerry cares about what voters think. The only criteria he talks about for choosing a running mate is the ability to succeed him. When Kerry came to Ohio asking for votes, he vowed, "I'll be back, and whomever I choose to run for VP with me will be back with me, too."

"Edwards is the man," someone shouted.

The advice came unsolicited.

©MMIV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/06/25/eveningnews/main626222.shtml

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Chuck Todd reported on Hardball that Kerry is feeling pressured by so many people coming out in support of Edwards. Interesting.

[Darkamber]

1. Too much pressure...

I hope that won't make Kerry look elsewhere. I know Edwards has supporters in the House and Senate, Labor Union, Big money- trial lawyers, Democratic party chairs, Democratic party delegates and of course, us little people...grassroots.

But Kerry keeps talking about Experience. If he follows this and goes to say Gep or Graham who have well rounded experience, I wounder what the fall out will be through-out the other levels. Personally, I'm glad I'm not in Kerry's shoes.

[JohnKleeb]

3. I agree with you about Edwards, he's quite popular

What other union endorsements did he get other than the Steelworkers btw? I really admire the Steelworkers union a ton.

[chimpymustgo]

4. But if Kerry is vetting Edwards, doesn't that mean he meets the threshold?

Why would Kerry let the speculation continue, why would he be vetting Edwards, if he didn't think he could assume the Presidency. Vilsak is a first term Governor, with NO foreign policy experience.

I ask these questions somewhat rhetorically, and defensively, given the bs some ***** supporters throw at JRE constantly.

[Darkamber]

5. He has to vet him...

If Kerry didn't' vet him then there really would be calling out. Remember that Draft Kerry/Edwards started at about NH time. There has been a call for a Kerry/Edwards ticket from almost right after Iowa.

Vilsak's wife helped Kerry big time. If I was a cynic I would say political favor.

Also remember while the VP speculations continue Kerry gets free press and do the Democrats he's vetting. It gets their names on a national level.

One think I will say, if Kerry picks Gep or Graham, I know there will be huge pressure on him to give Edwards an administration position that will give him more experience for a future run in '12.

[chimpymustgo]

6. I am a cynic. I think the Vilsak vetting is a favor.

Vilsak is a great guy, no doubt. But he brings so much less to the national stage as a VP candidate than the other people being mentioned (and many whoe are not).

Lord, who knows at this point.

[Tom Rinaldo]

7. I am NOT saying this to argue that Edwards doesn't meet the threshold

But since you asked, it happens from time to time that a Presidential candidate vetts someone for VP who he (hopefully someday soon she) is not very seriously considering, because it would be disruptive, divisive, insulting, or whatever to that persons significant supporters if it appeared like that person was not even being given the respect of serious consideration for the VP slot.

Again, I am talking hypothetical here, not about Edwards, Vilsak, Clark or anyone else specifically.

[lancdem]

2. Succession is important, of course

but I hope he looks at other criteria.