Gephart as VP? Franken hinted at it today on AA.

[AspenRose]

I just finished listening to the O'Franken Factor and he was saying that Dick Gephart is going to be a guest tomorrow. He is of the opinion that DG may be the VP candidate for Kerry. Discuss!

[truthspeaker]

1. God I hope not.

That would be pretty stupid on Kerry's part. He's not that stupid ... is he?

I can think of several better choices:

Clark
Durbin
Clark
Graham
Clark
Edwards
Clark

[Maat]

2. I could live with with that choice, but ...

would prefer Clark.

[lovedems]

4. I would *LOVE* to see Durbin.

But I am from Illinois so I have a bit of a bias.

I would love Clark or Edwards too.

Damn, there are just to many good democrats to chose from!

[dansolo]

23. I'm from IL, and I want Durbin to stay in the Senate.

We need fighters in the Senate, and Durbin is one of the few Democrats who is unwilling to back down against the Republicans.

[lovedems]

24. Yes, you definately have a point there.

But he would make a great VP.

[adadem]

38. He would but

as a former Illinoisian, I think Durbin would be the greatest Senate Majority Leader (or minority leader). Daschle has to go...he's too "kind" for that job.

[Melodybe]

6. I agree Gephart is nice and all but, he is a BAD choice for VP!

Edwards is my pick, but I would be fine with Clark. Both are intelligent, good looking, and have a lot of fire.

Gephart! What could they be thinking?

[leyton]

9. Geography, I think.

Missouri, Iowa, Ohio... ???

[belladonna]

11. Edwards is my pick as well

I'd also be fine with Clark or Durbin. Gephardt is Kerry's Lieberman, so let's hope he doesn't go there. Everytime I think of Gephardt, I think Rose Garden photo op. :puke:

[LittleApple81]

3. No, no. Tell me it ain't so. Please choose Clark. n/t

[Claire Beth]

12. I was a Clark supporter...

I wouldn't oppose him being the veep (if he would take it) BUT he wasn't a really good campaigner and Kerry NEEDS someone who KNOWS how to campaign with the best. I like Clark, don't get me wrong, I supported him even before he announced his candidacy BUT I think Edwards is the better campaigner and has more charisma. I want the BEST person possible to help get * out of the WH.

[Skwmom]

14. The old "Clark wasn't a good campaigner"

meme floated by the corporate *hores and bought hook, line, and sinker by his opponents and clueless Dem leaders.

[FrenchieCat]

26. You were a Clark supporter????

and repeating the tired old meme started by the NewsHoes? Gee, guess all kinds supported the General then.

Please read this.....and then tell me if it was the media portraying Clark as a bad campaigner or if Clark actually was http://www.moderateindependent.com/v2i3feb3prim.htm

I will say that he won a state when many thought he had already dropped out due to LACK OF MEDIA COVERAGE. The cameras were too busy focusing on Edwards.....the Son of a Mill worker.....the Beautiful one...with the one speech about 2 Americas!

Here's is an analysis of what happened (and please, please, please don't mention to anyone else that you WERE a Clark supporter...it gives us "true" Clark supporters a bad name)....
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=310182

AND
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x451733#452870

You see it's not just about a campaign. Just cause Clark got General Election media treatment during the primaries (that's what happens when you are KKKarl Rove's worst nightmare), doesn't make him a bad anything. Remember that the media is just starting to focus on John Kerry now. And those like Edwards and Gephardt will get theirs if they are named VP. Clark was already been smeared by the media....so you can consider him has having been vetted (not to mention his confirmation by a 1997 Republican majority congress).

So there!

[Claire Beth]

36. Yes I was a Clark supporter....

I donated money more than once, worked in his campaign AND even have my picture with him! He *was* an inexperienced campaigner which meant he was learning as he went. He even admitted that himself!

[meegbear]

5. Please elaborate ...

how does 'saying that Dick Gephart is going to be a guest tomorrow' equate to a vice presidential candidate choice? Did he overtly say that?

[AspenRose]

8. I'm paraphrasing, but

basically he said he could see why choosing DG would be a good choice (and I think he said something about if DG took Missouri he could have a good shot at taking the rest of the midwest). Anyone else out there who may have a transcript or who could paraphrase better, please feel free to jump in.

I didn't get the impression he was saying DG as guest tomorrow = VP candidate choice. He was just giving his opinion as to why he thought he'd be a good choice, and thought he had a good shot at it. Sorry if the title post was misleading! Wasn't my intention.

[mdguss]

13. All good candidates:

Warner, Landrieu, Gephardt, Graham, Nelson, Cleland or Edwards--I'll stop there even though there are more good people floating about. Warner's good because he just pulled off a major accomplishment in terms of passing a good tax reform plan in Virginia. Landrieu is good because she's a moderate, well spoken, would play well to suburban values, experienced politician from a southern state. Edwards is good because he's a good speaker, passionate about what he believes in, and well liked (like with any former candidate, picking him may needlessly upset backers of other candidates in the primary). Graham and Nelson are both from Florida, both moderates with very good backgrounds in terms of experience. Cleland would compliment Kerry's veteran record and contrast well with Dick "I have other priorities" Cheney.

Everyone here is bashing all of these people who are all good candidates and good Democrats. Why? Who do people want to put on the ticket?

I have are two bad choices: Hillary Clinton (somehow, don't stop thinking about yesterday doesn't sound like a good campaign theme), Howard Dean (too fiery, too populist, and too much bagage from a failed campaign to win).

[AntiCoup2K4]

18. "too much bagage from a failed campaign to win"

A great deal of which "baggage" came through the efforts of Kerry & Gephardt.

If that sellout is on the ticket, it's all over. :grr:

[Cocoa]

7. Gephardt has always been a possibility

I don't think Franken has any new info.

[Kahuna]

10. Won't happen. Gep lost in his own backyard...

Kerry wants a winner.

[Sagan]

15. Yay! An all-establishment ticket!

Bleah.

I really think that some token must be held out to the revitalizing Dean and Clark campaigns.

My choice for VP would be Clark, though I'm voting for Kerry even if he picks Gingrich as his VP candidate.

[GreenPartyVoter]

21. Wouldn't mind seeing Dennis as Veep.

[AntiCoup2K4]

22. Don't give em any ideas!

I could see Gingrich easily the way this campaign is going :scared:

[dolstein]

16. Anything to keep the Teamsters happy

The Teamsters can make a big difference in states like Ohio, Michigan and Nevada.

Also, Gephardt's a bit of an antidote to Kerry's $500 haircut elitism.

[Cocoa]

25. please don't spread the haircut story

I agree about Gep, but please don't help the repugs propagate this lie.

[Jim Sagle]

30. Al From, is that you?

:hi:

[lastliberalintexas]

43. I've just hit alert

I think you know you're not allowed to insult other DUers and call them bad names. ;-)

[Jim Sagle]

46. Didn't you first ask dolstein if he thought it actually IS an insult?

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

17. if he picks Rose Garden Gep, I give up

it would be a sure-fire sign that the party eleite is intentionally writing off this year, and maybe there is something to those Hillary '08 theories

[NeonLX]

19. Oh, yuck.

]

[genius]

20. Franken spoke for Gephardt so he may be biased

Gephardt has the same faults as Kerry (NAFTA). It's not a good idea.

[MAlibdem]

27. Well, in terms of being President of the Senate

Seems what Gep would like the job. Pretty boring, moderating debate, shit like that.

[Thrill]

28. Gephardt is a horrible choice

HORRIBLE. Give the Repukes another long voting record to attack. Edwards or Sam Nunn would be much better choices.

[MAlibdem]

50. I didn't say he'd make a great running mate

I said he'd make a good Vice President. Very different.

[Larkspur]

29. Gephardt would make Lurch Kerry look like Bon Jovi

that would be the major reason for Kerry to put Geppy on the ticket.

Edwards would outshine him on the telegenic part, and Clark, well, would be subjected to that Chinese torture test by the Media of how a General is taking orders from a Lieutenant.

[DemCam]

31. Not Gep....

How much more boring, more plain vanilla, more establishment claptrap, more hasbeen over, more DNC lacklustre middle-hugging can we get?

[AgadorSparticus]

32. good god, not dick gephart.

I could live with anyone but him. anyone. edwards, clark, DEAN, kucinich (like that'll happen), napolitano (gov. of AZ), MAX MCCLELAND, hillary, ....ANYONE. just anyone but gephart.

[adadem]

39. I agree on all points.

He is not the guy for VP....this would be a repeat of the mistake Gore made.

[spotbird]

33. What a painfully boring ticket.

Some people have said that Kerry wouldn't pick someone who is more charismatic as VP. I'd assumed he would go for someone who would add to the ticket, not be a neutral. Gephart can't even deliver Missouri. There is a reason that Gephart didn't get national support despite being a good and decent man.

Oh well, another obstacle to overcome.

[shivaji]

34. Gep is the best choice Kerry can make because..

Gep can deliver Missouri, Iowa and Ohio.
And Gep balances the ticket geographically.

[bushwakker]

53. i agree

strategically it makes the most sense.

[Demoiselle]

35. NO No NO No NO....(etc.)

Gephardt is honorable and a good Dem and all that but chheeesh....We need some sparkle on the ticket.

[IndianaGreen]

37. Gephardt "missed" the vote on partial birth abortion ban in 2003

Anyone that voted for abortion restrictions is "anti-choice" by definition.

Now ask yourself which of those names being floated as potential VP candidates on the ticket have voted for abortion restrictions such as "partial birth" ban etc.

Some politicians will purposely miss a vote on a controversial issue so that they don't to defend themselves later.

Democratic president candidate Rep. Dick Gephardt (D-MO), who is pro-abortion, was not present to vote on the ban while Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) voted against it, confirming his new pro-abortion stance.

http://tennesseerighttolife.org/news_center/archives/06052003-01.htm

[DaveSZ]

40. I hope the Kerry people read this site:

We don't want GEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111111111

:P

He's a nice guy though.

[drfemoe]

58. Edwards was absent at least twice ..

and of course Clark never cast a vote, though I think he's probably pro-choice.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

41. Payback for Iowa?

Quid pro quo.

[WI_DEM]

42. In his own way Gep would be Kerry's Lloyd Bentsen

Gep is a respected law maker but I seriously doubt he would win Missouri for Kerry--he is not really all that well known outside his own district.

[dontstopthere]

45. i don't think Gep needs to win Missouri,

but he would help to solidify support in Iowa, Mich, Penn, and Ohio - in theory. Plus he would probably force Dubya to spend more in Missouri, allowing Kerry to concentrate on other states.

[drfemoe]

59. He is well known in the South .

if I'm not mistaken, he won the Democratic primary in Texas one year.. would have to look that up.

[zulchzulu]

44. I ran into Franken in Des Moines the night Kerry won Iowa and...

...he was actually pretty funny. He had been hanging out at the Kerry after-party spot (I forget the name of the hotel) for a while and was on his way out when I ran into him.

He felt really bad that Gephardt had done so poorly and was on his way over the Gephardt HQ in Des Moines to tell jokes and hang out with the dejected. I pointed out where the HQ was. I think he and Franken have been friends for a while.

As for a Kerry/Gephardt ticket, it certainly would get a huge boost from Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, Iowa and Wisconsin. His daughters (who are gay) could offer some help as well. But Gephardt would really have to pump up the volume if he's going to be anywhere near what would be needed for the usual role of a pitbull.

[outsource]

47. Oh No!!!

Look--if we want to win we have to pick someone who isn't going to be portray as a life long liberal. He is a great guy but he isn't going to bring in the independant vote. We need the South and Edwards could help there--Gephart wouldn't. Maybe Clark,--even Dean would be better than Gephart.

Lets pick a winning team!!

[BrewCrew]

48. Excellent Choice: Here is Why

Folks. I know the fool was born on Meet in The Press in a Blue Suit and although he's a creature of Washington, I have to give the Gep major props. After 27 years in Congress, the silly bastard still reasonates and relates extremely well with the workers of this country. And I'm talking about workers who have reallly been screwed by GW Bush's policies of promoting outsourcing, unfair trade, and everything else worker-related.

I think its a nice balance. Repugs will try and paint Kerry as this aloof, rich, high class, 8 ball drinking guy. Dick Gephardt is the perfect contrast to that. Did you see any Gep events when he was running for President...the things were always lined up with union folk and blue hairs.

Plus, the guy is so pragmatic we won't say anything redunkulous or foolish. Kerry will never have to answer a question that start..."Yesterday your running mate said XXXXX, how do you respond?

Kerry: the Statesman and Gephardt: the worker's true friend. Sounds like a helluva combo to me.

One more thing and probably the most important...if something were ever to happen to President Kerry. The Gepster could assume the Presidency without the need of training wheels. As a leader in Congress, the guy has dealt with and weighed every issue.

[JHBowden]

49. Good comments.

I'll add that Gephardt helps specifically with gobbling EVs in states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and possibly Missouri. His record on trade should may inroads with some of the Nader people as well, I would imagine.

[kodi]

51. well put.

i want a kerry administraion to govern successfully. gephardt would help this best.

screw this american idol beauty contest attitude. the man is flat out and out a good man....and he is a veteran too. this country should be happy to have men such as richard gephardt as national leaders.

[bushwakker]

52. makes alot of sense

if he could bring in mo it would be a major pickup for dems. he has a national constituency ans labor support. i'd plant him in the midwest for the entire campaign.

[mndemocrat_29]

54. Gephardt is a good man

But I don't think he'd make a good Vice President. He just doesn't have the excitement factor. Kerry needs someone younger than him (Gep's two years older), someone who exudes energy, and Gephardt is not that. Now, if Kerry wants Gephardt in his cabinet (say at Labor or even a higher position), I am behind him one million percent-Gephardt would make a superb cabinet secretary.

[Marymarg]

55. How important is warm spit

When asked about being Vice President, John Nance Garner said it was not worth a bucket of warm spit.

Does anyone know just how the VP choice really affects the Presidential Election? I tend to think that a good choice helps (somewhat) and a bad choice has just about zero effect (thinking Dan Quayle, here). I would like to see some evidence.

Does anyone have facts and figures?

[goclark]

56. Gephardt NOOOOOO!

I'll keep on saying it, get a picture folks.
This is a visual world.
Kerry/Gephardt together reminds me of a walk back in time... Elvis Presley, The Supremes,good old boys.
No No No!

It will not work.
God knows I am ABB but that would be a stretch that I wouldn't want to make in a thousand years.
So, if it would be hard for me, what about all the young voters?
If you are going to have two older candidates,let them be equally as charming.

Kerry/Clark - yes, yes, yes
Kerry/ Edwards yes, yes


No Gephardt, just read this thread and see how totally ABB people feel. It is a solid indicator of the way others would feel.
NO Gephardt!!!

[drfemoe]

60. They have already

worked as a team, recently. Did you catch any of the debates?

[maxwall]

57. ...barf....

How about someone with a backbone as a VP choice? Gephardt would ensure defeat for the ticket, because neither candidate will get people fired up... :puke:

[Justitia]

61. NO NO NO NO NO NO, Horrible choice. Don't do it Kerry! -eom

[drfemoe]

62. Didn't Gep coin the phrase "Miserable Failure"??

Look how that moniker has defined the impostor.

Even though he hasn't backed off the war, I just don't think he would be involved in corruption.
Mean websites attacking Howard Dean, notwithstanding. I've gotten over that somewhat ...

I think he can attack whoosh* with credibility, even though he posed in the Rose Garden. Do you think he would do that today?

[flaminbats]

63. I think Gephardt has a better shot than Vilsack...

but Bayh and Edwards are now on top of Kerry's list.

[drfemoe]

64. I cannot support

Bayh AT ALL. That choice would convince me that Kerry has a political death wish.

** maybe more information would change my mind. Nothing set in stone at this time.