Kerry not hurrying to name running mate

[Ediacara]

Kerry not hurrying to name running mate
Associated Press

John Edwards offers boyish good looks and a trial lawyer's verbal skills. Kathleen Sebelius is a heartland governor whose gender is another factor. And William Cohen provides political balance: He's a Republican.

They're part of a talented field talked up as entries in the John Kerry running-mate sweepstakes, each with something to bring to the Democratic presidential ticket. Although many Democrats want Kerry to name a running mate soon, their presumptive nominee doesn't appear to be in any hurry.

Kerry's selection process is unlikely to yield a decision for weeks. There are no firm assurances he will announce his selection before the nominating convention in late July, even though that's the goal.

More at the Houston Chronicle

[montanacowboy]

1. Seems Kerry is not hurrying to do anything

he is making some really bad mistakes here - in Missouri it has already shown that *'s ads are having a very negative reaction to Kerry as a tax and spend liberal; he seems to be laying back when he should be attacking daily - and with no VP out there on the stump to amplify the message, he is cutting our message short -

[Media_Lies_Daily]

5. Nonsense. With all of the negative press focused on the NeoCons...

...lately, Kerry doesn't have to do ANYTHING quickly. He can take his time and make the best possible decisions for the stretch run.
Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint.

And just who was polled to determine that the NeoCons' ads in Missouri "are having a very negative reaction to Kerry as a tax and spend liberal"? Anyone can look at his voting record and understand quite well that Kerry is very far from a "tax and spend liberal".

Compared to the NeoCons who are far overspending what they don't have in revenues (remember those tax cuts to the super-wealthy?), even the most liberal Democrat seems fiscally conservative.

[Pastiche423]

18. "Seems Kerry is not hurrying to do anything"

Why change an almost four year running streak?

Brokered convention!

[fob]

2. There's another story around here that says the VP process

is being hurried along via an 8 week selection process!

WTF?

[JI7]

3. both articles don't really contain specific facts to back it up

it's all most what they THINK based on things such as nancy pelosi saying kerry should pick a running mate early. but that isn't evidence he will, it's just her opinion. there is nothing coming directly from kerry or the few involved in the vp selection process that they will pick the vp early or late. we wont know until the actual choice is made.

[fob]

4. So the media are just whoring their bs upon us?

Ok, at least nothing's changed.

[JI7]

6. creating news v. reporting news

the media already gets to decide what "news" is based on what they report. but many times they engage in creaing news rather than just reporting news. this is seen in misleading headlines which often just wants to get attention and does not always follow content or at least facts. and vp thing is always interesting news and gets attention. so you can see why they would want to report on that.

[happyending]

7. Gen. Wesley Clark for VP

OK, it's not my place to tell Sen. Kerry what to do,
but if I had my druthers, I'd like to see a guy who
is not afraid to stand up and tell the truth about
Bush as the VP candidate. 

Besides, the right wing would melt like butter
on a hot Summer day to see a war hero like Kerry allied
with a man of Clark's reputation running against two
chickenshits like Bush/Cheney.

All right, I am prejudiced. I like Clark. OK?

[RoadRunner]

9. HI happyending, Welcome to DU!!

Gladya' found us! :hi:

[happyending]

11. Greeting from Silver City!

Hi RoadRunner,

Greetings from Silver City!

I've been reading DU (especially the
Latest Breaking News) for a long time now.

Just thought I would throw my 2 cents in.

Thanks for the welcome.

[Gloria]

30. Hey, RoadRunner---hi from Las Cruces!!!!

On April 17 I'll be at the local Dem Convention for CD 2 voting our Clark delegate on his way to Boston!!

And I have already speculated extensively on all the reasons why I think Clark is already the VP nominee!!!!!

[KC21304]

12. I'm with you, happyending. Welcome

:hi:

[happyending]

13. blush

OK, you guys are going to make me blush. ;)

[goclark]

15. Love Kerry/Clark

Clark is the only perfect choice for VP.

I keep hearing this Gephardt thing --they would tell twisties about his voting record the same way they are telling twisties about Kerry.

Kerry really needs Clark. He also does not have the ego that Edwards has, Edwards I love, but his youth would upstage Kerry.

[Demobrat]

20. "Clark is the only perfect choice for VP".

Kerry will never pick a VP that outranked him. It's Gep. Get over it.

[goclark]

21. No Gep

I will never get over it if Kerry is crazy enough to pick Gephardt.

Gephardt is lost in the 50's and that is OK for the Repubs because they only demand blind loyalty in their leadership.

Democrats want and deserve more.

No Gephardt for me,sorry,

I'll take WES CLARK or Edwards,Richardson,Graham but NO Gephardt!

[Demobrat]

22. The deal's done.

Gep will be rewarded with the VP slot in appreciation for his good work against Dean in Iowa. Maybe if Clark had done the Osama ad...but he didn't.

[bobbyboucher]

25. I hope you're wrong.

Gephardt would not be my choice. He is nearly the enabler that Biden is, nearly. If the Dems want to give it all away, they can play that "we owe Gephardt" game.

There has got to be someone with at least a modicum of personality, panache, etc., etc.

Please tell me you're not an insider.

[surfermaw]

32. I'm With you,Gep.has had his day

Gep. had his day and his chances,lets try something new.

[Ravy]

31. I think Clark makes the most sense.

Although I like Gephardt, his strength is in the labor unions, which are solidly behind Kerry now. Clark would certainly appeal more to the independents/crossovers.

[Ediacara]

16. You're not the only one pulling for Clark

Granted, his presidential campaign sort of fizzled, but had he not waited to jump in until nine months after everyone else.... well it could have been a different primary :-)

You're right though, two war heroes versus two, uh, non-war heroes.... Nice contrast.

AND WELCOME TO DU! :hi:

[Auntie Bush]

17. OK...you are forgiven...and Welcome!

And welcome to the Wes Clark Democrat group.:hi: :bounce:

[goclark]

27. Welcome!

We are more than happy to have you join DU.

I'm with you all the way on Clark. Just saw him on CNN and he was awesome.:bounce:

[Strelnikov_]

35. Per Tweety Last Night . . .

Clark is out for leaking a rumor about Kerry.

Could this be a reference to the Kerry intern leak?

Guess they have orders to kill off any chance for a Kerry/Clark ticket.

[PurityOfEssence]

8. Nor should he

Keep 'em guessing. Wait for the right moment when the attention's most needed. Play the tide of public interest.

Must everybody be so panicky?

[JI7]

10. agree

also the announcement should be planned in a way to get as much out of it as they can. maybe during announcement declare a joint tour of some cities with kerry and his vp, and then they can start campaigning on their own so they can cover 2 areas at the same time. it doesn't have to be what i said, but just prepare it in a way to get a lot of positive attention and momentum.

[PATRICK]

14. no story

And the media is grossly incompetent anyway, acting collectively like a big baby trying to see what you're holding behind your back.

Relax. The point is let ALL the great talent and choices we have get FREE exposure and measure against the current buffoons in the GOP. Maybe it will sink in somewhere how much better the party as a party is compared to the shriveled up and dismal choices Republicans try to put some shine on.

And all those "top contenders" can enjoy themselves as they rip Bush and campaign for Kerry. Face it. As of now the aggregate attention they could get in this running "story" might be more than they will ALLOW our eventual Veep to ever exercise as the designated nominee.
Less critical and negative slant too.

Whether fast or slow the art of politics is making it work for you either way. Uncertainty of what is best or if it is working or could be done better is causing all the handwringing. Maintain determination in all cases. That is better than the superiority of one idea or strategy over another.

[Demobrat]

19. The deal was signed, sealed and delivered in Iowa.

Gep will be the VP pick.

[goclark]

23. Did you see the deal signed?

You are so sure about this Gep already being selected.

Were you there when they shook hands on this "deal' in Iowa?
Or, are you just being wishful for Gephardt?

[bobbyboucher]

26. Again I ask, are you

an insider, or just trying to create some sort of inevitability of a Kerry/Gephardt ticket, which is almost as bad as choosing Lieberman last time. Almost.

Gephardt is a the ultimate inside the beltway, give-away artist.

Nader gains percentage points every time Geppy's name comes up. Bank on it.

[surfermaw]

33. Want to Bet...Edwards,hands down

[sadiesworld]

34. Gee, could a Deaniac be holding a bit of a grudge?

[David Zephyr]

24. Kerry Should Drag This Out For As Long As He Can.

1.) It deprives the GOP of knowing who to begin assaulting.
2.) It makes Kerry look deliberative.
3.) It drives the GOP nuts.
4.) It keeps all of the Democratic wannabes kissing his ass.
5.) It will only make the excitement greater when he does choose.
6.) It truly will give him the time to make a good choice.

[Dr Fate]

28. 7. Constant media speculation gives Kerry free press

n/t

[David Zephyr]

29. Seven!

And we need all the free press we can get these days.

Seven it is, Dr Fate.

[LibDemAlways]

36. Why does the press keep bringing up

names of repukes? Choosing a repuke, even a moderate like Cohen, would be stupid. Can you hear the rightwingers crowing about how Kerry couldn't find anyone good in his own party, so he had to turn to a republican? They'd have a field day with it. Clark wasn't in the Presidential race long enough for the public to really get to know him. He'd be a great choice, and people would be damn impressed.