Kerry says his "personal choice" for VP is Gephardt; Graham not on list

[ringmastery]

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20040422-110723-4274r.htm

"A couple of rumors" concerning John Kerry's vice presidential search "have reached the stage of being reportable," CNN political editor John Mercurio writes in the Morning Grind column at www.cnn.com.
"First, sources say Kerry has told friends that his personal choice, all other things being equal, is Dick Gephardt. 'He's worked with him the most . He personally likes him the best. He trusts him the most, and he likes Jane and the kids. He's most comfortable putting him on the ticket,' one non-Gephardt source told the Grind.
"Of course, all other things are anything but equal in this process. Gephardt ran a disappointing prez campaign and has plenty of detractors — even, sources say, within Kerry's inner circle.
"One other thing: We're hearing that Florida Sen. Bob Graham will not make it onto Kerry's short list. Graham, who at 68 would be the fourth-oldest VP ever upon taking office, has met with Johnson, but is not expected to advance to the vetting process," Mr. Mercurio said.
"But Kerry's not ignoring Florida Dems completely. Sen. Bill Nelson, a good friend of Shrum's, still may make the list."

[tom_paine]

1. Ringmaster, Ringmaster, how well you manage the circus

Lovely citation.

Exactly what I would expect.

Exactly.

[Direckshun]

2. Touch Choice

I agree with taking Graham off the list. He's old, and Bill Nelson's profile is just as well-known.

As a citizen in Missouri, I know that Gephardt will help Kerry win Missouri. But I think he needs Florida more. However, neither Graham nor Nelson have as high a profile as Gephardt. So Gephardt may contribute more to the overall country.

We'll see. He'll pick wisely, I'm sure.

[ikojo]

29. Oh please! Gephardt is BORING BORING BORING

Kerry is not the most charismatic candidate and Gephardt even less so.

Also, even though Gephardt is from the conservative wing of the Dems, the pugs see him as a wild eyed liberal.

A Kerry/Gephardt ticket is a virtual GUARANTEE of a second Bush administration. I really hope Kerry does not select Gephardt (more Washington insider than even Kerry) for his running mate. It will turn off many people who are looking for a true alternative to Bushian policies.

http://www.kmov.com/news/Election/stories/kmov_election_031006_gephardtprofile.11ba4039.html

"Labor helped Gephardt win the Iowa caucuses. He finished second in New Hampshire and won the South Dakota primary, but by Super Tuesday, when he won only Missouri, he was out of money and out of the running."

"Before all that, Gephardt stood at the conservative end of the spectrum on issues such as prayer in schools, a needs test for Social Security benefits and abortion. "

"Gephardt opposed abortion rights and backed a constitutional amendment to outlaw the procedure. But he dropped support for the amendment in 1986, taking members of his own staff by surprise. Gephardt said the amendment issue had divided the country but had not lessened the number of abortions."

IKOJO speaking here...Gephardt's ability to galvanize a nation to support Dems is lacking as is proven by the Dems loss of the house in the 1994 midterm elections...

Now, back to the article...

"Gephardt tried four times to regain control and become speaker. Democrats managed to gain a few seats in 1996, 1998 and 2000, but they lost seats last November, and Gephardt stepped down as minority leader and said he would not seek re-election next year to his House seat. "

[atre]

3. Ugh...

Gep is a great guy, but he's just about the worst possible VP selection.

[izzie]

11. I do not know but liked him in the house.

Old time Dem to my way of thinking and that makes me happy.Vice I do not know.

[VolcanoJen]

4. Sweet! Because Conventional VeepLust Wisdom Sez...

... whoever "they" handicap as the Veep Fave is, in reality, a longshot.

Expect a suprise. No way will it be Gephardt.

[TreasonousBastard]

10. Methinks you're right, because...

it's too early to pick a Veep and take all the potshots.

However, it's not too early to drop names and see what the reaction is.

With all the grousing going on here, it is well to remember that these people are NOT stupid, and politics is their business.

[Wapsie B]

5. If there were

another source besides the Washington Times, I'd give it more credibility. But if this were to be true I'd have to wonder if Kerry actually wants to win this thing. Edwards or Clark on image alone would clinch it.

[ringmastery]

6. it's actually from CNN

the washington times just quoted the CNN report in their story.

[Wapsie B]

7. My bad.

But Gep? No way in hell.

[ringmastery]

8. If Kerry can hold all the states Gore won

and just win Missouri. He wins the election.

He can lose Florida, Arizona, and a bunch of other states. All he would need is Missouri.

With that said, Gephardt won't excite anyone, won't hurt you much either. At the end of the day, the VP is just the VP, a small part of the package. Kerry is responsible for winning the election himself.

[VolcanoJen]

9. Or Ohio.

Lemme guess... you're from Missouri? I'm from Ohio!

I really do think the President will be chosen by independent Midwestern voters in '04. I don't necessarily think that's a good thing.

[freetobegay]

26. "He can lose Florida, Arizona, and a bunch of other states.

All he would need is Missouri." You actually believe that?

Iv'e got a bridge in brooklyn for sale. Interested?

[MoonRiver]

30. Oh, no wonder!

CNN is pulling out all the stops to defeat Kerry. Definitely no credibility in that rumor.

[aquart]

12. The Senate in crowd? Does not please me.

[slinkerwink]

13. we're doomed if he goes with Gephardt

:-(

[doni_georgia]

24. He's not going to go with Gephardt

but Gephardt's name has to be on the short list out of respect for the man. There will be a lot of names thrown out there to test the water between now and the convention. Coventional wisdom (no pun intended) says it will be a southerner. I think Edwards or Clark would be the best to bring in southern voters, but we'll just have to wait and see.

[The Backlash Cometh]

14. Bad choice.

Too much old time Washington politics with Gephardt. We want someone with a fresh vision, or more to the point, someone who hasn't forgotten what the party stands for. The last thing we need is someone who is honed in the back scratching ways of Washington politics. Nothing gets done.

[The Backlash Cometh]

15. And, btw, Bill Nelson is a worse choice.

He's Lieberman light.

[theoceansnerves]

16. geez

i guess i'm the only guy who thinks gephardt would make a good vp?

[Guava Jelly]

17. picking gephardt would be retarded

he needs some one with pizzaz .
I hope he isnt listening to the same bozos who told Gore to pick liebeerman.
He needs Clark

[Kahuna]

18. What al load! Kerry won't pick Gep. Gep lost in his own back yard.

The Washington Times at it again.

[ithacan]

19. OH NO!!!!

that would be a disaster!!!!

What is he thinking?

Edwards seems to be a much better bet, he's a proven positive on the campaign trail, his southernness appeals to swing state voters, his populism is really key.

What is Kerry thinking???

[Something Blue]

20. Note to Kerry

You will not receive another Purple Heart by shooting yourself in the foot!

Gephardt? Gimmee a break.

[JI7]

21. Washington Times

consider the source. but i personally do believe gephardt could very likely be picked. i know many on du don't like him but i like him and he does help kerry when it comes to getting elected.

[VolcanoJen]

22. Deep breath everyone... this story is a plant.

The media is begging for another angle to put on the presidential race, and VeepLust is where it's at, and where it will remain, until the Veep is actually announced (I'm predicting mid-June, still a little early). It's rather likely that Kerry's folks leaked this misinformation to the Washington Times as a cutesy joke on the right-wing rag.

And if not, remember that conventional wisdom says that the early VeepLust favorite becomes the dark horse in a matter of weeks.

It ain't gonna be Gephardt. In fact, I have a feeling Kerry and Team will blow our fuckin' minds with their ultimate selection.

[BootinUp]

25. I like the way you think

:)

[Tellurian]

34. Kerry & Clark?

A distinct possibility!

[Tellurian]

33. Whew! Thanks-

That would be Kerry's first mistake selecting Gephardt for the VP slot.

What a depressing thought choosing a Dem that had breakfast with Bush every morning for a year.. pooh on him.

[justsam]

23. Gephardt is a loser and just a talker

like Kerry, by that i mean what could be said is 4 words- they seem to stretch out to 40 words. Even Graham has no message that people want to here-just another talker that has been in Washington too long.- we know the Dems are going to vote for anyone on the ticket, but we need someone on the ticket that will draw in the swing voters and thousands of Repubs.We need to have a sure win, but a land slide win would be better for the party and America. With a land slide win even the repub congress would get the message, Americans want a change and they had better work with Kerry or look for a new job..

[dusty64]

27. Ick, Gephardt

would be a terrible choice. A boring speaker and not willing to go on the attack, please tell me this is a joke.

[opihimoimoi]

28. It is. Dick is fine where he is.

Leave him where he can do the most good.

Find another choice to make America Happy.

[stewert]

31. Look at The Sources !

I personally would not believe anything published in the Washington Times or CNN.

[NoPasaran]

32. One good thing about Gep

Next to him, Kerry looks like a rock star,

[BootinUp]

35. LOL

:)