Prediction: '04 Democratic Ticket: Dean/Edwards

[Brian_Expat]

Just look at the virtual tag-teaming, Edwards' disruption of the Gephardt/Kerry "get Dean" tag team, Edwards moving money into Iowa despite not being super-strong there, Edwards rolling his eyes during Kerry's anti-Dean tirade during tonight's debate, and the co-operation. I think something's up there.

[poopyjr]

1. Tag Team, back again. Check it, direct it, let's begin

party on party people.


Dean-Edwards 2004

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Edwards would attract the Southerners

and balance the ticket geographically. I was thinking on similar lines as I saw the debate today too.

[rumguy]

3. Really, Edwards was sticking up for Dean?

If so, thank god, and good for Edwards, it shows that he has some balls. I've always liked that guy.

But I just can't see a Dean/Edwards ticket, I don't know it's just hard for me to "picture" in my mind...

[janx]

18. Yes.

He was!

[dd123]

4. Nah, Edwards as AG. That would be GREAT.

[poopyjr]

5. Eliot Spitzer as AG

The country needs him as AG.

[SayitAintSo]

6. If Bush I weathered the voo doo economics stuff - Edwards

is indeed a possibility, even though they are philosophically at odds on some issues. Edwards has no place to go since giving up his senate seat (damn!). I think it's a possibility!

[Lobo_13]

8. They're not that far apart.

If you look at the proposals, they are pretty complimentary. Very few contradictions.

Another thing I think that makes Edwards attractive is that he's straddling outsider/insider. He's only been in Washington for six years, so he has enough to get around, but he hasn't been there long enough to rely on it for a job.

Which is exactly the positian I think Kerry/Gep/Leiberman is in.

[mzmolly]

14. Could be??

As you said "even though they are philosophically at odds on some issues"... Often times one picks a VP who has philosophical differences on key issues to 'even' out the tone.

I would be glad to see Dean/Edwards personally, I think they'd be a very formidable pair.

[Catch22Dem]

7. I don't think so

I don't think the eventual nominee will choose a VP from the field of "also rans." It's very uncommon. Besides, the "also rans" are branded losers after the nomination process.

[Lobo_13]

9. Like GHWB

Whether he's the VP or not, he's clearly gravitating towards Dean.

Besides, George I ran against Reagan in '80

[adamrsilva]

10. If Edwards does really well

Dean will pick him.

[mlawson]

26. Or, if Dean does really well,

Edwards might pick HIM!!! :-)

[Catch22Dem]

19. Yes, I know

and when Reagan picked him, it was very odd. I didn't say it NEVER happened.

[leyton]

22. Not to beat a dead horse...

but Kennedy did it as well, with LBJ.

But this field is so vast and wide, it's definitely more of a possibility; if you're looking for any particular trait (other than hailing from the West) you can find it in any of the current candidates or Bob Graham:

Executive experience: Dean & Graham
Foreign affairs experience: Edwards (Sen. Intel Cmte), Clark, maybe Kerry
Strong in the South (also known as affability): Clark, Edwards
Strong in the Midwest: Gephardt
African-American: Sharpton, CMB
Very Liberal: Kucinich
Very Conservative: Lieberman

[Brian_Expat]

13. It worked for the GOP to unite their left and right wings

Remember Reagan/Bush?

A Dean/Edwards ticket would satisfy the DLCers and the liberals alike.

[depakid]

11. Edwards couldn't even carry North Carolina for Dean

and he has virtually no foreign policy experience. He'd make a great solicter general, though. I figure that's what he's bucking for, because the Dean administration is going to be actively pursuing corporations lawbreakers on many fronts. As solicitor General, Edwards would get to lead the charge, something he's quite skilled at and would relish doing.

[seventhson]

15. Edwards is on Seanate Intelligence Committee - It is Bullshyte to say

he has no foreign policy experience.

The Intelligence Committee assignment makes him much more qualified for VP

[janx]

20. Yes. He does have foreign policy experience.

I'm sure that even if he doesn't want to be VP, he will be able to contribute in some other way--AG, for instance.

[depakid]

24. He's a junior member

and since he's a one term Senator he hasn't even been on the committee very long. He also has a little problem with the Saudi real estate deal that would be sure to come up- fairly or unfairly- that might call into question either his competence or his honesty in that position.

Don't get me wrong, I like Edwards- I just don't believe he brings the right stuff to the ticket as VP.

[adamrsilva]

16. I agree. No clear advantages in Edwards as VP.

Only he came out as a strong number 2 or 3 in the primary would I think Dean would pick him.

[janx]

12. VP? Maybe.

Something's definitely going on with Dean and Edwards though.

[Blitz]

17. I predict Edwards-Clark

It's probably one of the strongest tickets the Democrats could possibly field.

[saltpoint]

21. If Edwards is not our party's nominee --

-- maybe he is in a good position to replace Terry McAuliffe as DNC Chair.

Also, I want John Edwards as my neighbor. He seems like a hell of a decent guy.

[leyton]

23. No!

I had him first!

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

27. Make good use of Edwards, regardless of the job title

You're right, Edwards does seem like a hell of a decent guy, and that's going to be a much-needed ingredient on any winning ticket. It will be interesting to see the unveiling of the "Karl Rove Attack Stance" once the Democratic candidates are confirmed. Even though Edwards has dodged the "would you accept the nomination as VP" bullet multiple times, you've got to wonder. He challenged Kerry's claim during today's debate that Dean has no tax relief strategy for the middle class. That doesn't necessarily make him "Pro-Dean," but he has been very vocal in the last few days about being "Anti-Attack" regarding his fellow candidates. Clark has the "straight arrow" appeal, and his Silver Star for service in Vietnam certainly competes with Bush's fictional Alabama National Guard tenure. Other than these two (if Dean is in fact the nominee) what other candidate could realistically step into the VP slot without eating a ton of "I didn't really mean what I said about Dean" crow? Meanwhile, Bush "game plan," as always, will be to dance at the end of strings manipulated by Rove, and Rove's entire moral fiber can be summed up in these lines from the song "Sedan Delivery" by Neil Young: "I'll hold what you have to give me, but I'll use what I have to use." Interesting times ahead...

[mlawson]

25. That ticket would work for me.

Actually, I would be happy for any ticket with two of the three Dems I think can win in 2004: Edwards, Clark and Dean.

[janx]

28. I missed the part where Edwards rolled his eyes...

If it's aired for a third time tonight, I'll be sure to watch for it.

[bowens43]

29. It would work fro me