I think Kerry has got to shake things up with his choice of VP

I like both Edwards and Clark but don't think they would really shake things up if chosen for VP. They are good and competent choices but pretty status quo. Gep (who I think may actually be Kerry's choice) would be even more so a status quo choice.

I think Kerry may have to do something that throws this race on its head--he has such a reputation for playing it safe that in some way it might be good for him to throw caution to the wind.

That may be mean chosing a woman, latino, African-American as a running mate, and believe me the Democratic party has many qualified to be VP or if he wants to select a white male he could exceed expectations by the choice he makes here too.

For instance Max Cleland has a great life story and would be an inspiration to people everywhere--esepcially people with disabilities and Howard Dean would also shake things up because no one has really thought of him as VP but on the other hand he would help Kerry with indpendents and others who oppose the war and are flirting with a vote for Nader.

Anyway that is my two cents.

Only when the neo-cons lie and say they're independent...

He really DOES do well among Independents when scientific polls are used.

I would think that a dem who won the VA statehouse would be a good looking veep candidate, but I don't hear his name come up much (at all).

since he is not being discussed as much as some of the others.

includes many that we don't know of yet or has been acknowledged by the campaign as being looked at. so far the only confirmed ones are clark, edwards, gephardt, and vilsack. and i think bill richardson was looked at also but indications are he doesn't really want it although i don't think any democrat would turn it down if kerry asked and said he really needs them to help him win.

I think that he's a darkhorse, but living in Virginia, the opinion on Mark Warner seems to be generally good, but no one is exactly passionate about him. Good centrist Democrat though. The best thing he can bring is the fantastic campaign he ran to win the governorship. He learned a lot when he lost his Senate race, and worked hard to woo rural voters. It was a good lesson, but I'm not sure it works in a national campaign.

i mean, sure kerry isn't exactly a spark-plug when it comes to campaigning, but all the things you said about warner - ran a good campaign, generally good opinion of him, etc. - combined with the fact that he's from the all-important south, seems to me would make him an ideal candidate.....

I just mean his popularity in VA is fluid. Generally good right now, because the Republicans in this state are so incompetent, but I don't think the support is very strong.

I don't see Mark Warner affecting Kerry in VA all that much. It's a state Kerry could get if he works at it, independent of whether Warner is on the ticket or not. In fact, it might be better to have Warner not be part of the ticket, but getting out the vote in the state itself, much like I think Rendell is more valuable in PA getting out the vote than on the national ticket.

makes sense....

as dishwater.

think there is any chance of that. Maybe a cabinet position.

I hadn't really considered Cleland. That seems like a decent choice.
Edwards and Clark would be OK too.
None of these is controversial and each would strengthen the ticket.

You know Hillary is one choice that would dump this thing on its head.
or McCain but I would only accept it if he switched parties, maybe even going Independent would be enough.

talk. The only state we will win there is FL anyway. Pick someone who can appeal more to the Midwest and the West Coast.

I'm skeptical about his delivering NC or any Southern state, and it's not his Southernness that makes him the best choice IMO. He's great at retail politics and could make a big difference in the Midwest battleground states.

I will try this again - I agree that the VP needs to be out of the box and the original list of 5 or 6 could easily all be in the cabinet
my choice Congressman John Lewis - talk about inspirational! A true civil rights hero - experienced congressman, would bring diversity both racially and geographically and could show up those faux compassionate conservatives and faith based phonies for what they are.
I keep adding this to VP posts with very little feedback - are we so stuck in the box of Edwards and Clark that we can't get out???
http://www.house.gov/johnlewis/bio.html

it would go over in the South. I would like to see John Edwards as Attorney General and Clark as Dept of Defense chief. They are all very competent in so many ways. I think Kerry is really taking his time choosing a VP and rightly so. Some think Kerry is going too slow, but slowly but surely wins every time. There are so many factors to consider. Clark on the ticket would help in Florida. John Edwards is very popular in Tenn. There is an abundance of riches to choose from.

Clark cannot be the Def. Sec. He hasn't been out of the military for 10 years or more.

Geesch...

(Sorry. I'm not really railing on you. I'm just tired of hearing this when it can't legally happen).

isn't popular in Tennessee.
I know of NO ONE who voted for him who wasn't a Republican who won't vote for a Democrat in the fall.
I'm serious. I was campaigning since September and didn't meet a single Edwards fan in East Tennessee.

He's like a bland enchillada now, gimme some spice John!

But status quo he is not! He is the only true non professional politician under any real consideration. He is very outspoken, never had to raise money from any special interests, is recognized by many as a figure of international stature, and has fought and won a war on behalf of the United States. Not to mention that he has been one of the most persistent and knowledgeable public voices in America against the Neo Com agenda and Bush's failed foreign policies, not the least of which of course is the war in Iraq. Status quo, that's just not Clark. Actually the conventional wisdom until recently, when Iraq heated up with the insurgency and torture, has been that Wes Clark might be a little bit too non conventional if anything. I think he would shake up the race, and scramble the Republican's game plans..

Clark is an attraction to moderate and swing voters, and he makes the Democrats look incredibly strong on defense and foreign policy, he has the gravitas that the world leaders expect, although the bar has been set incredibly low bt this administration and the ability to charm the everyday voter. His appeal would cross party lines.