V.P. rivals in Iowa as nation watches

[chimpymustgo]

By THOMAS BEAUMONT
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
June 25, 2004


Two of the favorites to join John Kerry on the Democratic presidential ticket will appear together today in Des Moines, but don't expect U.S. Sen. John Edwards or Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack to acknowledge that they are competing. Edwards and Vilsack, both considered top contenders to be Kerry's running mate, will share the stage as Kerry focuses on the decision he has promised to announce within the next month.

The event at the Polk County Convention Complex today also underscores a predicament some Iowa Democrats face: Support Vilsack, their twice-elected governor, or Edwards, their popular second choice in this year's presidential nominating caucuses, for the No. 2 spot on the Kerry ticket.

Whether or not Vilsack and Edwards acknowledge it, what they say tonight and how the expected audience of 400 Democratic activists reacts - never mind the national media in attendance - will be seen as bearing on Kerry's selection, former U.S. Sen. John Culver said.

"There will be pressure on them both to be at their very best," said Culver, an Iowa Democrat who met recently with Jim Johnson, who is leading the search for Kerry's running mate. "This is a very, very challenging moment. To the extent there's a chance a decision has not been made, it will be exciting political theater."

Edwards, of North Carolina, is well-liked among Iowa activists who launched his spirited bid for the nomination by selecting him a close second to Kerry in the January caucuses. Many of Edwards' Iowa backers say that by outlasting all of Kerry's other rivals, the charismatic Southerner demonstrated national appeal worthy of the ticket's second spot.

-snip-

"It doesn't surprise me at all that Democrats are batting these same questions around," said Goodmann, who backed Kerry in the caucuses. "On this hand, you have a reassuring, intelligent, passionate guy who came from nowhere to be governor of Iowa, while on the other hand, you've got this passionate, articulate, energetic optimist from the South."

-snip-

http://www.dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040625/NEWS09/406250373/1001&lead=1

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Hope C-SPAN is there!

[WI_DEM]

1. I thought Vilsak had been eliminated

per press reports.

[Darkamber]

3. Remember the Press doesn't know anything really...

they have can make guesses and speculations. Remember one week it was Clark and then it was Gephardt and Edwards and now it is Graham and Richardson. Good for Kerry to keep them guessing.

I heard that this morning on NPR that Bill Kristol was talking about Edwards as though he was the nomenee.

Edwards weekend will be busy...after Iowa today and tommorrow then he goes to the Rainbow/PUSH conference.

[chimpymustgo]

4. Who knows?

I always thought the Vilsak "consideration" was repaying a favor. Christie Vilsak's endorsement was critical to breathing life into Kerry's campaign. Kerry is repaying the debt by putting Vilsak on the national stage. I don't see him putting him on the ticket.

But for Iowans, who clearly like both Edwards and Vilsak, it should be a wonderful convention.

[JI7]

8. no, vilsack was always seen as a possible vp

because of the midwestern thing and because he is governor. christie vilsack endorsed kerry for good reasons such as their common work on the issues, especially women's issues. but kerry's campaign was already getting back up before she endorsed him. kerry had been working hard and picking up support from regular people already around this time, which is also when tom harkin endorsed dean.

[Southsideirish]

2. I don't understand how Vilsack is in the running.

What on earth does he bring to the ticket?

[Darkamber]

5. Maybe a State and a Governor not a Senator...

Some people say that a Senator/Senator ticket is not the way to go. That you should go to a Senator/Governor ticket.

The biggest problem with Vilsack is the lack of National name recognition. Also, I don't see what Vilsack brings that Edwards doesn't bring except for the Senator vs Governor comparison.

[JI7]

9. he is a governor from the midwest

it's a possible strategy. just as getting bob graham would be part of a strategy to help in florida.

[IA_Seth]

6. Yipee

And I get to go!

Our State convention is tomorrow, I will be sure to fill ya in on anything exciting.

[Debi]

7. Are you going to Hall of Fame Dinner tonight?

We're going to the 'Meet and Greet' and awards ceremony...